The world's first Buddhist ruler, Emperor Ashoka, who ruled India from 274-232 BCE, was the first ruler in human history to ban slavery, the death penalty, animal cruelty, and deforestation. He even advocated gender equality in education and religious institutions.
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Astronomer Percival Lowell believed that he was the first person to observe canals on Venus, but because of a faulty adjustment of the eyepiece on his telescope, he was in fact looking at the blood vessels in his own eye.
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Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were originally considered a delicacy, only enjoyed by those of the upper class.
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Napoleon Bonaparte thought torture should be abolished because the information obtained from it is worthless.
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The exact cause of death and burial site of Genghis Khan is unknown, because all of the 2000 funeral guests and 800 soldiers were killed in order to preserve the secret.
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When Charles Darwin first discovered the Galapagos Tortoises, he tried to ride them!
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Pineapples were such a status symbol in 18th century England that you could rent one for the evening to take to a party.
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