In 1799, a boy found a 17lb. rock in a creek in North Carolina and used it as a doorstop. It was actually gold.
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Tickling was a form of torture used in ancient China on nobility because it left no mark and recovery was quick.
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Queen Elizabeth II served as a mechanic and driver in World War 2.
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Beethoven, was told by a music teacher that he had no talent for music. In fact, this teacher once remarked, “As a composer he is hopeless.”
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Traces of cocaine were found on 99% of UK bank notes in a survey in London in 2000.
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The University of Oxford (teaching since 1096) predates the Aztec empire (1428 - 1521).
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In 1918, after the treaty of Versailles (end of WWI), the French Commander-in-chief said "This is not a peace. It is an Armistice for 20 years." 20 years and 65 days later, WWII happened.
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Approximately 40% of the U.S. paper currency in circulation was counterfeit by the end of the Civil War.
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