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Kurt Lee used Mandarin to confuse enemies, aiding Marine victories.

Kurt Lee, the first Chinese-American Marine Corps officer, used his knowledge of Mandarin Chinese to confuse enemy troops during the Korean War. His bold tactics, including shouting orders in Mandarin, helped his unit gain the upper hand, earning him the Navy Cross.

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Curry predates fish and chips in Britain, served since 1809.

The first Indian restaurant in Britain, the Hindoostanee Coffee House, was established in 1809 by Sake Dean Mahomed, making curry available in Britain well before fish and chips. In contrast, fish and chips were first served together as a dish around the 1860s, with the earliest known fish and chip shops opening in London and the North of England between 1860 and 1863.

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Manhattan tenant received $17 million plus a lifetime residence deal.

In 2014, four tenants in Manhattan refused to vacate their homes when developers sought to create one of the city’s most exclusive residences. These tenants ultimately received significant payouts for their resistance. The last tenant, Herbert Sukenik, was particularly savvy and stubborn, securing a $17 million payout along with lifetime use of a $2 million residence.

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Burger King’s moldy Whopper ad boosted sales, proving no preservatives.

In 2020, Burger King’s bold campaign featured a moldy Whopper to prove their burgers contain no preservatives. The shocking imagery sparked widespread discussion and successfully increased sales. This unconventional approach highlighted Burger King’s commitment to fresh ingredients and made a lasting impact in the advertising world.

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Kesha left Barnard College to pursue music after high SAT score.

American singer Kesha scored exceptionally well on her SATs and was admitted to Barnard College at Columbia University. However, she decided to leave college before completing her degree to focus on her music career.

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Martin Cooper’s 1973 mobile call revolutionized communication, using a mobile phone.

On April 3, 1973, Motorola senior engineer Martin Cooper made the inaugural mobile phone call with a prototype DynaTAC. He called his rival at Bell Labs and informed him that he was speaking via a mobile phone.

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Punjabi men married Mexican women, forming a unique cultural community.

In the early 20th century, Punjabi men in California married Mexican women due to cultural similarities and legal restrictions on interracial marriage. This union led to a unique Punjabi-Mexican American community, where cultural elements from both backgrounds blended seamlessly. These families shared similar rural lifestyles and values, creating a harmonious fusion of traditions.

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Turkish athlete Yusuf Dikeç won a silver medal using only a pair of glasses.

In Olympic shooting, competitors typically use specialized equipment such as lenses to avoid blur and improve precision, as well as ear protectors to mitigate noise. However, Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç won a silver medal with just a pair of glasses and ear plugs.

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Man deposited $95,000 junk mail check; it cleared due to errors.

In 1995, Patrick Combs received a $95,000 junk mail check and jokingly deposited it into his account. The check met all legal criteria and was cashed due to banking errors. This led to a legal battle with the bank, as they initially treated him as a fraud suspect.

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Sober Sue’s laugh challenge in 1907 was impossible due to paralysis.

In 1907, a vaudeville performer known as “Sober Sue” offered a $100 reward to anyone who could make her laugh, drawing challenges from both audiences and professional comedians. Despite numerous attempts, no one succeeded. It was later discovered that she had facial muscle paralysis, making it impossible for her to laugh.

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Bazalgette’s sewer design prevented overflows in 1960s; still in use.

Joseph Bazalgette, who designed London’s sewers in the 1860s, famously doubled the pipe diameter, saying, ‘Well, we’re only going to do this once and there’s always the unforeseen.’ This foresight prevented the system from overflowing in the 1960s, and it remains in use today.