Good evening. Breaking news about the two foods we use to justify poor pronunciation of words: Potatoes (pa-taht-oes?) actually evolved from tomatoes (toe-mah-toes?), according to a new study that scientists are rushing to read to ketchup catch up.

After analyzing the genomes of a mix of 500+ cultivated and wild spuds, the study’s authors determined that a chance cross-breeding event eight to nine million years ago between an ancient tomato relative and another ancient plant gave rise to the first potato.

Just something to think about the next time you dip a fry into some Heinz.

P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe to The DONUT’s AM/PM updates here.

Each of the following events happened on August 1. Your challenge is to put them in the order in which they occurred by year, earliest to latest. Answers at the bottom!

• A) Cable TV network MTV debuts, and subsequently goes on to revolutionize the music industry and pop culture. Its first broadcast? The music video for “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles.
• B) American author George R.R. Martin publishes A Game of Thrones, the first installment in his hugely popular fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire that will probably never be finished. :(
• C) Great Britain’s Slavery Abolition Act of [Redacted Year] goes into effect in most British colonies. The act makes Canada a safe haven for fugitive enslaved people from the US, where slavery remains in effect.
• D) The world's first weather forecast is published in the UK’s The Times, to much skepticism and a tinge of mockery (some things never change). The prediction for London was 62°F and clear skies.

Hint: Never to end at the end

How many times a week do you spend money at the same places? Unless you’re a robot or hate money, Upside is for you.

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Take this as a sign to reach out to a friend you haven’t spoken with in a while.

Anyways.

The first clue of today’s Conjoiner sequence is: “Unaware of current trends, common opinions, or the experiences of others; often used to describe celebrities and politicians”...

Note: A (potentially important) clue for today’s Conjoiner can be found at the bottom of our AM send. Just search “🍩 T-Day“ in your inbox.

Mini

Today’s mini uses a different, slightly lengthier format…yet Kyle, our resident brainiac, still managed to complete it in 1 minute and 15 seconds. Can you beat him?

• Play today’s puzzle here.

Crossword

No new crossword today, but you can catch up on past puzzles here.

Sudoku

Take a number: we’re serving up another new sudoku.

• Play today's puzzle here.

Jurassic World Rebirth, which is nearing the end of its theatrical run after generating $450+ million in global ticket sales, finally has a streaming release date. It’ll be available to order on-demand starting Aug. 5 (Tuesday), according to When to Stream.

The question now: Faced with all the Jurassic options in one place—from Spielberg’s original to Edwards’ legacy sequel—which are you choosing?

Compete in the Best ‘Jurassic Park’ Movie challenge and cast your vote for the GOAT.

☕ BEST COFFEE DRINK

1. Iced latte
2. Cappuccino
3. Latte
4. Espresso
5. Mocha

Explore the full list.

C, D, A, B

• C) 1834: Great Britain’s Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 goes into effect in most British colonies, making Canada a safe haven for fugitive enslaved people from the US, where slavery remains in effect.
• D) 1861: The world's first weather forecast is published in the UK’s The Times.
• A) 1981: Cable TV network MTV debuts, and subsequently goes on to revolutionize the music industry and pop culture.
• B) 1996: American author George R.R. Martin publishes A Game of Thrones, the first installment in his hugely popular fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire.