Weird History

If you come at the king, you’d best not miss, and if you do succeed, you’d better be ready to look over your shoulder for the rest of your days. Even when a conspiracy to topple a king actually succeeds, that doesn’t mean things worked out for the perpetrators. Regicide often comes with unforeseen costs. This collection looks at the times when historical backstabbers got way more than they bargained for.

In a country with 50 separate territories with unique cultural backgrounds, laws, and social practices, it's unsurprising that citizens of each state in the US find pride in the unique histories of their home residency. Still, while we may boast about our own states and believe that we have a good idea of what goes on in others based on stereotypes and generalized ideas of regions throughout the US, there are a lot of surprising facts about the Midwest, the South, the Northeast, and the West Coast that are unbelievably bizarre but true.

What do Tilda Swinton, Christopher Plummer, and King Princess have in common? They're all celebrities with famous ancestors. All of the celebs on this list aren't distantly related to notable historical figures - these individuals can actually claim direct descent from at least one historically significant ancestor. Celebrity ancestors include royals, politicians, and artists - in other words, accomplished people who are known outside the context of their famous descendant. Whether they appeared on a genealogy show - like PBS's Finding Your Roots, African American Lives, or the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? - or grew up hearing about their famous ancestors, these actors, musicians, and personalities are appreciative of their storied backgrounds.

We may have our differences, but everyone likes the idea of a good meal. Whether the goal was to show off the most intricate and expensive dishes or keep house guests too occupied to stage a revolt, history is full of elaborate banquets. Hosts held nothing back when trying to impress their guests. They provided all kinds of entertainment, from musicians and actors to ladies of the night.

Marie Anotoinette has been the portrait of decadence and extravagance for almost 250 years. Her unpopularity, fueled in large part by her lavish lifestyle, made her a polarizing figure - so much so that it eventually led to her death. As it turns out, much of the hate for the infamous French Queen was based on lies and rumors. And unlike what you saw in that Sofia Coppola movie, she probably didn’t listen to The Cure.

Alexander the Great conquered a vast empire but did not live long enough to contend with the immense struggle to actually run and keep hold of it. That enormous undertaking fell to the men who succeeded him. Although purportedly Alexander’s last request was that “the strongest” inherit his great empire, none were quite able to reunite his lands under one banner - though many tried. The wars of the Diadochi (“successors”) raged for generations after Alexander’s demise.

King Henry VIII has gone down as being one of the greatest medieval villains - a man with a tyrannical attitude and penchant for killing people he disagreed with (executing approximately 57,000 people in his time on the throne). However, it's possible that his inhumane ways may have stemmed from an excruciatingly painful condition - a leg injury that Henry VIII struggled with for over 10 years.

The RMS Titanic is arguably the most famous ship to ever set sail - and not for a good reason. The mighty passenger liner, notably described as "unsinkable," sank in the North Atlantic on the morning of April 15, 1912, a mere two days away from its scheduled arrival in New York City. In doing so, the doomed vessel inspired a litany of retellings, at least one Oscar-winning film, and a handful of attempts at a real-life sailing sequel, including the Titanic II, which was due to make its maiden voyage in 2022.

There is no definitive answer to how many bands there are currently in the US, but it's estimated there are more than 2,000, with tens of thousands officially and unofficially formed globally. There are also hundreds of thousands of musicians worldwide. Given those numbers, you may not be well acquainted with most of them, but chances are you've heard the names of the bands on this list.

Was Excalibur the actual Sword in the Stone? Was Arthur Pendragon real? Who was Merlin? Legends and theories abound about the figures related to King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The stories range from heroic to decidedly not. Real or mythological, the Arthurian lore holds our interest to this day.

Genghis Khan has a legacy that few historical figures have outmatched. He set the foundation for the largest contiguous empire in human history, evoking fear and respect along the way. Genghis Khan and his descendants reshaped political and social institutions across multiple continents, but they also had a massive influence on human genetics.

When looking back through human history, one would be hard-pressed to find an era, civilization, or community that has not been impacted by an infectious disease outbreak. From the bubonic plague to influenza to cholera, epidemics and pandemics the world over have come in many shapes, sizes, and death tolls. But sometimes, the death toll alone doesn’t reflect the true, lasting impact that specific infectious disease outbreaks had on the populations they infected - or those nearby.

Laws should keep us safe, but human silliness and petty bureaucracy often derail the best intentions. For instance, the strangest small-town laws in America prove regulations don't always have to make sense. From protecting elephants in the Deep South to regulating the height of weeds in the Rockies, America's most bizarre state laws confirm the nation's penchant for overreaching Big Brother-ness at the micro level.

The outlandish ideas of one era can eventually become predictions that come true at a later date. Something that was seen as unfathomable, implausible, or even ludicrous at one point can end up as a part of everyday life over the years. Inventors, scientists, and writers of yesterday have weirdly predicted things that people laughed at in their time - only for their predictions to become standard, if not indispensable, for later generations.

Throughout history, great powers have risen and fallen. Some disappear suddenly, while others take decades - if not centuries - to slip into the night. The fall of one order usually provides a vacuum for another to fill, but the immediate transitory period is one of chaos, drama, and intrigue. A major power's collapse in one area can fundamentally change the character of another one thousands of miles away. Alexander the Great's sudden demise dictated the course of the next 300 years of the Hellenic world, while the fall of Constantinople had a huge impact on Moscow. This collection looks at what really went down right after these major powers fell.

Members of the British royal family may have titles, wealth, and privilege, but their romantic lives are very similar to those of regular citizens. Royal relationships are just like any other romantic partnership: they begin when two people meet and connect. Some members of the Windsor family met their significant others through friends; others found their spouse through fortuitous encounters. From Queen Elizabeth II's schoolgirl crush on Prince Philip to Princess Eugenie's Alpine romance, royal meet-cutes can be relatable, surprising, and extraordinary all at once.

A woman slit the throat of her own baby. A soldier shot a sailor on the street in broad daylight. A mother killed three of her children. These crimes were part of a wave of suicide-murders in the 17th and 18th centuries - a wave that swept through much of Europe but was especially common in Denmark. Insane though it may sound, people used to commit murder just so they could get executed. They even researched what crimes incurred the death penalty to guarantee they would die.

You might be surprised by just how many people line up every year to intern for free for their dream funeral home jobs. Seriously. There are tons of people who believe that being a mortician or death industry professional is a calling. But one of the many compelling funeral director facts is just how hard it is to become a funeral director.

Mary, Queen of Scots (AKA Mary Stuart) is one of history’s most disastrous queens. From the time she became an infant monarch to her tragic demise, Mary attracted attention. And she still does. For centuries, novels, television shows (see the CW's Reign for an example), and even songs have reviled and romanticized her. So behind all the legends and mythology surrounding her, what are the important facts about Mary Stuart?

In the trial of the Chicago 7, the leaders of prominent activist groups faced prison time for breaking a new federal anti-riot law. This came after antiwar demonstrators at the 1968 Democratic National Convention clashed violently with police. According to the Justice Department, the defendants had crossed state lines intending to start a riot. Who were the Chicago 7? Initially, they were the Chicago 8. Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin were leaders of the Youth International Party, also known as the Yippies. Thomas Hayden and Rennie Davis represented the Students for a Democratic Society. David Dellinger, a conscientious objector in WWII, led the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam. Lee Weiner and John Froines were academics. And Bobby Seale was a founding member of the Black Panthers.

The Holodomor was a Soviet state-induced famine in Ukraine between 1932 and 1933. For nearly two years, Joseph Stalin starved Ukraine in the name of feeding the Soviet Union. Literal tons of food went to waste, and millions of Ukrainians died as a result. The Holodomor, or "death by hunger," was a little-known genocide that struck right before the Holocaust. Yet, just like with the Holocaust, there is a disturbing amount of Holodomor denial, even in modern times. Only 16 countries worldwide have formally acknowledged that the tragedy was indeed a genocide, and the US is not one of them. President Barack Obama made a memorial speech in 2016, acknowledging "one of the most horrific man-made tragedies in modern history." The US Senate and Congress have passed resolutions declaring that “Joseph Stalin and those around him committed genocide against the Ukrainians in 1932-1933."

Amsterdam is one of not-so-many places in the world where pleasure work is legal, and the city has worked hard to blend their reputation of tolerance with one of accountability when it comes to pleasure work. However, when it comes to dealing in terms of flesh, regulation is easier said than done, and the history of this district reveals the ups and downs encountered along this controversial road.

As descendants of apes, it can be tempting to think that we humans are the apex of that evolutionary line. We've dominated the planet for thousands of years, and no other species has ever completely transcended the food chain the way we have. There is no doubt that human beings have the most evolved brains of the apes.

Everyone wants to be famous, right? Well, maybe not, and most people would definitely not bury themselves alive for over two months to achieve stardom... but not everyone is Mike Meaney. In 1968, Irishman Mike Meaney decided he would make his dreams of fame come true by breaking the world record for the longest someone has remained buried alive. The Tipperary, Ireland, native based in London was able to stay in his oversized coffin for 61 days - beating the past world record by over two weeks. The kicker? No representative from the Guinness Book of World Records was on-site to see Meaney complete the feat.

Despite its reputation, the Wild West was nowhere near as wild as it's cracked up to be. Statistically speaking, it was more peaceful than some major cities today. The image of the West we get from movies like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and video games like Red Dead Redemption is a sensationalized version of the American frontier. For a more accurate version of the time period, you're better off reading Willa Cather's Prarie Trilogy. But the West wasn't without its risks. Outlaws still looted trains and lawmen still cornered cowboys on the run. While danger wasn't as widespread as we're led to believe, it sure was intense. Quick-draw duels, rattlesnake bites, disease, and the elements all conspired to make the West a tough place to survive. Even sex in the Old West could be precarious.

Archaeology aims to open a window into the past by unearthing artifacts that show exactly how humans' ancestors used to live. But sometimes, experts have discovered archaeological finds that rewrote history. Rather than confirm a commonly held belief (cavemen weren't intelligent!), these finds would upend it (cavemen made art and crafted advanced tools!). More recent historical artifacts that rewrote history have changed the way people think about ancient civilizations and humanity as a whole.

Thomas Edison was one of the greatest inventors of all time - or was he? Most people think Edison was the inventor of the light bulb, but that doesn't seem to be the case, which begs the question, "Who truly invented the light bulb?" There is a lot of contention over famous stolen inventions, and unfortunately it's impossible to not bring up Edison when it comes to the subject.

Unfortunately, most laws aren't put in place until they have to be put in place (i.e., something bad has happened). Usually, an event causes such a public uproar that legislation is nearly forced into having to enact some kind of law. The source of the public outcry can be many different things. It might be a massive tragedy - such as a fire - where hundreds of people perish. It might be a piece of literature that is so graphic, that its readers demand a change to the system. Or it might be the story of an ordinary woman who found a decomposing slug in the bottom of her glass. Regardless of the reason, the following laws were all important in creating the working and living conditions that we're accustomed to today.

The reality of nuclear combat's devastation was clear as soon as the first atomic weapons were dropped during World War II, leading the U.S. government to develop a "doomsday plan" out of perceived necessity. In the Cold War era, the threat of impending nuclear warfare – and the fear it caused in the American citizenship – escalated even further. Politicians played on this fear, and the government began planning for a potential attack. Testing bombs on mock cities in the Nevada desert – constructed to assess potential damage – was only part of the doomsday strategy.

For all of history, humans have enjoyed a good puzzle. Puzzles, codes, and ciphers have been found almost everywhere, from second-century Egypt to the 17th-century letters between King Charles I and Queen Henrietta-Maria. Still today, crossword puzzles, Rubik's cubes, and Sudoku all remain enjoyable ways to pass the time. But not all puzzles are simply meant for fun and leisure. Ciphers and codes are, of course, also a great way to keep a secret, such as where one buried some hidden treasure. A well-crafted code can also inform your own military of certain movements and plans, and without revealing that information to an enemy. Many of the strongest ciphers and codes endured for decades or even centuries before finally being cracked.

Of all the places celebrities partied during Hollywood's Golden Age, one of the most popular was more than four hours north of Tinseltown. Movie stars and others among Hollywood's most famous drinkers often attended parties at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA, owned by publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst. While Hearst's enormous hillside estate may have inspired the somber epic Citizen Kane, what went on behind the walls of the real castle had a more playful and fun tone - at least until Hearst ran out of money.

During the Gilded Age, the mass accumulation of money by families like the Vanderbilts changed the economic, social, and physical landscape of the United States. The Vanderbilt family's wealth grew out of the shipping and railroad industries, both of which were largely monopolized by the the family patriarch, Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt, in the late 19th century. His hard work set the foundation for his sons and grandsons to continue making money, but their descendants became less inclined to earn and more likely to spend.

People, trends, norms - they all come and go. As a result, history is full of firsts, lasts, and everything in between. What's innovative one day may be rendered obsolete within a few years, decades, or even longer, while methods of communication continue to change at exponential rates.

Neanderthals remain one of the great mysteries of human evolution. They are the human's closest relatives, but their habits elude us. We are learning more about our hominid cousins every day, but there is still so much we do not know, including the mystery of Neanderthal mating habits, as there is not a lot of evidence to describe what Neanderthal sex would have been like. Thankfully there are new advances in genetic paleontology shining a light on this elusive subject, and the discoveries surrounding ancient human mating rituals continue to develop.

The mysterious story of the Tollund Man continues to fascinate archaeologists and scientists. Found in a bog in the Jutland peninsula in the mid-20th century, the Tollund Man lived during the Iron Age and is believed to have been the victim of a religious sacrifice. While many of the details about the Tollund Man are pure speculation, the combined efforts of Mother Nature and human researchers have led to fascinating new revelations in the decades since he was found.

Anyone who's ever wanted their "15 minutes of fame" has Andy Warhol to thank. Commonly associated with Campbell's Soup cans, pale wigs, and an assortment of strange artists and celebrities working together in a place known as the Factory, Warhol became one of the most famous American artists in history. The Andy Warhol life story is colorful, filled with the drugs, adult pleasure, and creativity that infected the New York art scene of the era. Although many wild tales exist about the Factory and his relationships with celebrities from the 1960s to the 1980s, true stories about Andy Warhol reveal a man who wasn't always in tune with his image.

When an actor dies on set, the project (if ever completed) is an eternal memorial, forever remembered for the unique and shocking tragedy. Below is a list of notable celebrities who died while filming a movie or TV show, from Heath Ledger to Brandon Lee to Marilyn Monroe. The list also includes famous actors killed on set. The untimely deaths of the following actors and actresses occurred either while they were on set, during the middle of filming, or before production was completed on the project. These unexpected and tragic deaths of television and film entertainers were shocking and the celeb's loss was felt all over the world, while there are also other deaths on this list that have even been considered some of the most fascinating unsolved Hollywood murders.

City 40, or what is today known as Ozersk, is a closed city in Russia that the Soviet Union created during the Cold War. City 40 didn't appear on any maps until 1991, allowed no outsiders to enter, and for a long time, no insiders were allowed out. It wasn't until very recently that the Western world has even become aware of Ozersk, and it took a brave documentary crew sneaking cameras through the heavily guarded gates for any footage of the city to escape.

Entelodonts, known colloquially as "Hell Pigs," "Killer Pigs," or "Terminator Pigs," were gigantic, fearsome omnivores known for their massive heads and impressive jaw strength. For 21 million terrifying years, these beasts crushed bones and ran through forests and floodplains all across North America, Asia, and Europe. Entelodonts walked among the other giant prehistoric animals of the Cenozoic Era until they went extinct more than 16 million years ago.

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, we know of the wide variety of subjects the FBI keeps files on. Along with the obvious serial killers, terrorists, and embezzlers, the FBI investigates actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, cartoonists, and even a fast food “colonel.” The reasons for said federal surveillance range from the subject receiving death threats to having communist sympathies to possessing giant collections of adult material.

Sometimes misunderstandings happen - and that's normal. But when those misunderstandings or mistakes happen on a global scale between leaders or warring nations, they're not so normal. There have been plenty of historical mix-ups that led to terrible things: death, destruction, and world war. Some crises were averted, others were not. These historical snafus have shaped the way our world works, and have some huge historical consequences.

It's not surprising that a global conflict like World War II generated so many amazing spy stories. Espionage has always been a business marked by deceit, betrayal, and frequently, death. The fate of a captured spy is usually brutal, and even relatively benign entities like the Allies dealt harshly with such individuals. Still, their treatment was relatively kind compared with the Nazis. These stories include heroes and villains, loyalists and traitors, and the greatest WWII spies who were motivated by duty, principle, or just plain money.

No one goes to watch a Michael Bay movie expecting historical accuracy. But the chasm between Pearl Harbor the movie and real Pearl Harbor facts, as shown in photos from December 7, 1941, is clear. The film contains an armada-sized number of errors about the military, including the wrong planes, nuclear-powered subs before the advent of nuclear power, and magical 21st-century radio technology. ....And then there are all the plot holes...

Every amateur historian knows the term "Dark Ages." It conjures up images of political upheaval, filthy living conditions, and widespread ignorance. But were the Dark Ages really dark? Not so much. Throughout the Mediterranean, into Europe and the British Isles, and from the expanse of the Byzantine Empire, the period from roughly 300 CE to about 1500 CE brought plenty of beauty and wisdom to the world.

As a reporter from the BBC once stated, "When [Mount] Everest takes a life, it also keeps it." The number of bodies on Everest grows every year from the climbers who lose their lives on its slopes. Causes of death include hypothermia, exhaustion, lack of oxygen, and falls, among other realities. Once the bodies are frozen, they become attached to the hillside, and on Everest they stay - permanently. One of Everest's most famous residents, Green Boots, who fell victim to the deadliest day in Everest history, resides at a particular location on the mountain where most hikers must pass. As a result, Green Boots on Everest has become one of the landmarks for those heading up the slopes.

It's not surprising that WWII, as a global conflict, is taught differently in different countries. Each nation's education system tends to view the conflict in the context of its own backyard, or in the places where its own soldiers were placed in harm's way. Moreover, nations that history has deemed the "villains" of the conflict (primarily Germany, Italy, and Japan) must reckon with the history in a different way from those who view their part in the struggle as a source of great pride (particularly the US, the UK, and Russia).

King Tutankhamun's importance in life has been eclipsed by his passing - or, more accurately, by his burial. When Howard Carter found King Tut's tomb in 1922, it led to the most substantial find of ancient Egyptian artifacts in history. Carter spent years detailing the contents of King Tut's tomb, removing each item for future research and investigation. The discovery of King Tut's tomb was so important that it continues to influence and shape historical understanding of ancient Egypt, the pharaohs, burial practices, and King Tut himself.

When you hear “super soldier” you probably think about Captain America. But throughout history there have been real-life super soldiers who dedicated their lives to defending their people and convincing 72,000 Ranker voters to support them on today’s super soldier tier list...

Most students have read The Diary of Anne Frank; it's a bestseller and important part of history. Whether it's viewed as a reminder of the Holocaust or as the remarkable writings of a budding literary talent, the story behind Anne Frank's diary is full of controversy, some of which is still unfolding. In 2022, for example, researchers announced they might have discovered who betrayed Anne Frank's family to authorities: Jewish notary Arnold van den Bergh. In her diaries, Anne includes facts about her birth in Germany in 1929, details about her family's move to Amsterdam as Hitler came to power, and reflections on hiding with seven other people in a secret annex.

Everyone loves a good mummy, but one of the most fascinating stories about these wrapped legends doesn't have anything to do with the likes of King Tutankhamun or Juanita. One of history's most famous mummies is "Unknown Man E," found at the ancient Egyptian site of Deir el-Bahri. But this, one of the most scary mummies ever found, is better known to the world as the "Screaming Mummy."

The Beatles made history, but they didn't sing about it much. Even when they did, usually it was an oblique reference to a current event – something that for them was contemporary, but which has since gone into the history books. In this way, larger historical currents did make their way into the band's lyrics – albeit often metaphorically, or as quick one-liners. Here's a sampling of the rare and subtle ways the Beatles commented on the world at large, and its past.

While the world collectively held their breath through December 31, 1999, the Y2K hysteria predated the new millennium by decades. Prince was singing about “two thousand, zero zero, party over, oops, out of time” as early as 1982, and preparations for the great unknown of the 2000s intensified throughout the 1990s. In hindsight, it was a new year like any other. Why were people scared of Y2K? To put it simply, it was the sobering realization that we had permanently crossed the threshold into a computerized world, and the possibility of even a brief widespread technological issue could signal the end times.

Numerous battles that took place during the Middle Ages are well known. The Battle of Hastings in 1066, for example, has been studied from nearly every angle. In addition to looking at the details of the conflict itself, historians and the general public continue to assess its influence on culture and politics alike. Many people have the same type of interest in battles fought during the Scottish Wars of Independence, those that took place during the Hundred Years' War, and all kinds of crusading efforts throughout the medieval period. Alongside the best-known battles are numerous little-known skirmishes and conflicts. No less full of carnage and heroism, these fights and their overall impact on life and death during the Middle Ages have been overlooked.

Ironic deaths are the stuff of legend when it comes to the craziest deaths imaginable. For starters, the owner of the Segway died in a Segway accident and a Green Party candidate was killed by an SUV. Some of the most ironic deaths of recent memory have been gathered here on this ironic death list. Ironic deaths are both easy and hard to define; unlike the Alanis Morissette song, there's a little more subtlety to calling a freaky death "ironic." Some of the most tragic deaths in history, however, were true cases of irony and life finding a way to turn death into something simultaneously funny and fascinating. These crazy deaths and stupid deaths feature stories of people who died in ways you might not expect.

The banning of books has long been criticized, yet people still think seem to think that it's a good idea. You'll notice that some of the bans on this list are from within the last five or 10 years even. Yet, some filmmakers decide to fight back to the criticism being thrown at the novel. They'll make films as equally racy, violent, or challenging as the books they're based on, which then often also receive backlash from the same group of folks. However, that group is usually fairly small when compared to the entire world - so most of the films made from the banned books on this list did quite well at the box office.

Throughout its history as an industry, Hollywood has shown a remarkably enduring fondness for the war film. It’s easy to see why, as they often capture the horror and triumph of armed conflict, and the genre allows directors like Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan to showcase their talent. Many of the best war films are those that draw on at least some real history to add texture to their stories, whether the focus is on WWI, WWII, Vietnam, or some other conflict. Oftentimes, viewers don't even recognize that the characters in these harrowing stories are based on real people.

Throughout history, quite a few bandits have tiptoed past guards, scaled high walls, and made their way into seemingly inaccessible places. These famous break-ins in heavily fortified locales lead to an important question: Are these venues as safe and secure as they claim?

From the infamous Dr. Death to well-known cases of people choosing assisted self-end, the RTD has sparked controversy for decades. People like Karen Ann Quinlan, Terri Schiavo, and Brittany Maynard made headlines across the country, driving political movements for new laws. In the year after 29-year-old Maynard chose to end her life after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, for example, more than half the states considered DWD acts. The long history of the DWD movement shows how medical technology, individual rights, and morality intersect.

The Elizabethan ruff is easily identified - a large, stiff, upright, usually lace collar that, in all honesty, looks uncomfortable and awkward. The Elizabethan collar that dominated fashion during the late 16th and 17th centuries, however, was an indicator of wealth, prestige, and social status. Ruffs became increasingly large and elaborate as methods to create them advanced. Hours were spent looping, ironing, and starching lace and linen into place. Embroidery, jewels, and precious metals were added to heighten the glamour of the ruff. By the late 16th century, what was once a simple collar had transitioned to become the ultimate display of excess.

Poltergeist is one of the most beloved horror movies in American history. It's also rumored to be cursed. Many of its stars and cast members have met with unfortunate accidents after filming, and some have even died. While it's not the first movie in history to be followed by such rumors, the Poltergeist curse carries more weight because of its unique origins.

Prison is far from pleasant, but things sink to an extra nasty level when prisoners are taken out of the yard and put into solitary confinement. Solitary confinement was originally a form of punishment practiced by Quakers and Calvinists who wanted to afford prisoners the quiet space to evaluate their actions, presumably while praying. Some religious sects, such as the Amish, still use forms of social isolation to punish offending members of their community, and it can wreck the psyche of those ostracized. Still, these practices don't hold a candle to the United States prison system, which takes solitary confinement to an inhumane level.

As soon as mankind learned to shoot, it figured out how to use that power to kill. The history of shooting squads is very long, though the practice is quickly becoming a relic of the past. If you're wondering "when did shooting squads start?" or "how did shooting squads start?", hold your horses, that information is coming, along with a number of other fascinating facts and anecdotes about the history of firing squads. The invention of gunpowder (and the firearms that use it) was the catalyst for firing squads becoming the standard method of execution for militaries across centuries. Many traitors, spies, and war criminals met their end to men with rifles, and are memorialized in the annals of shooting squads in history.

Let’s face it - sometimes history can get in the way of a good movie. And while we don’t fault these films for playing it loose with the facts, sometimes those overlooked details have major historical implications.

We all know that once every four years, Americans go to the polls to vote for a new President. But this technically isn’t true. Americans don’t actually vote directly for a commander in chief; they elect representatives who then decide the next president. Complicated? Sure, and maybe even a little misleading. But this system wasn’t designed on a whim. The Founding Fathers and their fancy wigs had very specific intentions in mind when structuring elections this way.

Being a great artist takes a toll. Maybe you think you have to suffer for your art, or you become consumed by your obsessions. And then there's Pablo Picasso. Great artist? Yes. Difficult life? Most definitely. But he dealt with the pressure of being a great artist by being one of the biggest womanizers this side of the easel.

History is full of supposedly haunted houses such as The Winchester Mystery House, The Amityville Horror House, and the one in Disneyland where those grim ghosts won’t stop grinning. While many of these haunted houses are famous, few boast the evidence of paranormal activity like an unassuming home nestled snugly in northern Indiana.

On Oct. 13, 1972, a plane carrying 45 passengers, including the Old Christians Uruguayan rugby team, crashed in the Andes between Chile and Argentina. The Uruguayan Air Force flight 571 survivors believed they would be rescued within days. They could not have predicted how long their ordeal would last or that they would become famous as the "Andes mountains cannibals." Of the 27 passengers who survived the impact, only 16 returned home alive when they were finally rescued over two months after the crash. In order to survive on an Andes mountainside, the rugby team crash survivors were forced to consume the flesh of fellow passengers who passed away. Their plight has been referred to as the "miracle of the Andes".

Even the weirdest death row last meals make sense, because how do you limit yourself to small fare when you know it's the last food you'll ever eat? Serial killers like Steven Michael Woods order as much food as possible so they can make their last meals count. The prisoners last meals below contain everything from the best cuts of meat to heaps of ice cream. Would you choose a large lavish meal for your final dinner? One of the most expensive meals is likely that of Lawrence Russel Brewer. He order pounds of food, but didn't eat one bite, causing Texas to get rid of the "last meal." One of the more boring meals was Ted Bundy's. What was Ted Bundy's last meal? Well, he simply went with the standard last meal before execution. Robert Dale Conklin, on the other hand, ordered filet mignon, sauteed shrimp, and goat cheese.

Few things are more tragic than a missing persons report remaining unsolved. Families can be left with questions that may not be answered for years, decades, or ever. Such was the case in 1980 when the remains of a John and Jane Doe were discovered in the woods in Harris County, Texas. For over 40 years, the identities of the bodies remained a mystery. DNA evidence recently solved one mystery only to open up several new ones, some of which remain unsolved to this day.

Stephen King didn't earn the title King of Horror by sticking to safe subjects or shying away from taboo characters. Vampires, children being run over by semi trucks, and a girl dispatching bully classmates with her telepathic powers titillated readers and fans, but never elicited outrage on a large scale. Yet the most controversial King book of all time is one he wrote while still a 16-year-old high schooler.

Let's face it, the very act of sex is weird. And gross. And the reason you exist. And the driving force behind the world's technology. Human beings have developed some very strange habits, and it's easy to look at something like, say, nasolingusts (nose lickers) and wonder, simply: why? But the science behind bedroom practices is actually fascinating. The oft-repeated "Rule 34" states that for every action there is an equal and opposite adult version of that somewhere on the internet. If that's so, then Rule 35 states that for every quirk and preference, there is also a team of scientists studying that exact quirk in a lab.

Cannibalism has existed throughout history and, in 2023, we learned about many instances of the practice taking place. While a lot of historical sources that contain such stories are written with bias, those same documents create a very grim look at the past. Often, part of that past includes famine, starvation, and the struggle to survive - all of which can lead to cannibalism. There are also tales of cannibalism for ritualistic purposes or as a result of pure wrath, adding additional layers to the history and myth surrounding the practice. Here are some instances of cannibalism we learned about this year. They left us unsettled and shuddering - and reminded us how troubling history can be. What about you?

Following in the footsteps of one of his biggest heroes, Antarctic explorer Henry Worsley dreamed of crossing the continent completely on his own, but the voyage ended in tragedy. Inspired by the incredibly tough, competitive, and stubborn explorers of the early-1900s, the Worsley Antarctic expedition of 2015 was an attempt to re-create a voyage Ernest Shackleton attempted but never completed 100 years earlier. Unfortunately, Worsley found similar results and met an even grimmer end.

Humanity has endured pretty terrible things in the last 2,000 years, from wars to natural disasters to virulent plagues. But what was the absolute worst time to live in certain countries? Or to put it another way, what events and natural disasters in history should you be glad every day that you didn't have to live through?

While many of us are used to the comforts of air conditioning and Netflix, our ancestors didn't get to enjoy such luxuries. They lived off the land, and some survived in the harshest environments on Earth. This can make us wonder – would we be able to survive off the grid? With no supplies? While most of us just use this as an interesting thought exercise, some ordinary people actually have been put to the ultimate test of survival. And they've been forced to do some pretty horrifying things to survive.

Whether you believe it's the word of God or merely an interesting piece of ancient literature, chances are you're familiar with the collection of books known as the Holy Bible. Both the best-selling and most-shoplifted book in the world, the Bible has sparked the imaginations and spirits of people around the globe for thousands of years. As familiar as the sight of a Bible may seem - whether it's on your bedside table or in the drawer of every hotel room you've ever visited - some things in its pages may still surprise you. In this collection of controversial Bible verses and little-known facts about biblical figures, you may find new ways to look at old stereotypes, scripture-based ammo to shut down haters in their tracks, and a better understanding of one of the world's most ancient texts.

One of the most acclaimed streaming series of recent memory, FX’s “Shōgun” was based on a 1975 novel by author James Clavell. That same book previously inspired a memorable 1980 TV miniseries that was also well-received - if your dad watched the History Channel in the 90s, you probably saw the gigantic VHS box set somewhere on his shelf. But what you might not have realized is that both the book and subsequent two miniseries were rooted in real Japanese history, and provide a solid, though fictionalized, chronicle of the formation of the actual Tokugawa Shogunate. So…

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that some of the biggest celebrities in the world had parents who were also pretty noteworthy. But Tinseltown isn’t the only way to get famous, and some of the most prominent superstars had moms and dads who genuinely made history - for better or worse.

As '90s style and trends continue to make a comeback, it's impossible for those of us who actually grew up in the '90s to not think about some of our favorite toys and the joy they brought us. While it's human nature to feel nostalgic for a simpler time, the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s weren't exactly a safer time. There were toys that burned children, caused emergency room visits, and even resulted in death. On the lighter side, your Furby potentially spied on you and your family. Big and small, we've gathered up some of the most controversial toys we all played with as kids.

The threat of quicksand, of slowly sinking into a gritty sludge as it fills your lungs, is inextricably linked with our DNA. Or at least it feels that way. Quicksand has been around since at least the 1950s, when adventure stories took place in mysterious jungles and deserts. As those stories fell out of fashion, quicksand narratives kept chugging right along thanks to Disney.

It’s easy to forget that so many of the most basic conveniences of modern life are, well… modern. ...And we’re not talking about cutting edge tech like Peloton bikes and smartphones. Some things you’ve used every day of your life haven’t been around that much longer than you have!

Thanks to heavy metal bands and Marvel movies featuring The Mighty Thor, most people have some basic knowledge of Norse mythology. But if you take the time to dive into it, Norse mythology is stranger and way more brutal than any metal album… or any Disney movie, for that matter.

To this day, Schindler's List is a tough sit, featuring some of the most relentlessly brutal sequences in Hollywood cinema. As hard as it can be to watch, it was also an ordeal to make. Spielberg himself found the experience emotionally draining, and actors like Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, and Liam Neeson found their lives and attitudes transfigured by their brush with Holocaust history. The making of Schindler's List is a tale almost worthy of a movie itself.

There's nothing like a good con story. Anyone who has moved to the big city can tell you how they were swindled out of a dollar on the subway, or how someone came knocking at their door with a suspicious-sounding sob story. And then there are the long cons, the con games that last for months - or even years. The amount of planning and risk involved in those types of schemes are extraordinary, and you have to be pretty charming and extremely smart to pull them off.

Do you remember a fantasy film from the 1990s in which Sinbad played a genie? Well, it never existed. The Shazaam conspiracy is an internet phenomenon that all started with an innocent Yahoo! Answers question inquiring if anyone else "remembered" the movie. A film named Kazaam starring Shaquille O'Neal as a goofy genie did come out in 1996, but Shazaam truthers are adamant that not only were they two different films, but that Kazaam was simply a cheap knock-off of the brilliance that was Shazaam.

The Chicago Outfit was founded during the 1910s, but it became notorious under the leadership of Al Capone. When crime boss Johnny Torrio invited Capone to Chicago from New York in 1920, it set the foundation for Capone's rise to the top. Capone, leader of the Outfit from 1925 to 1931, was involved in underground activities long before taking over the group. Even after he went to prison in 1931, Capone may have had some knowledge of what the Outfit was up to. However, his mental deterioration from syphilis was so severe that the former gangster was released from prison early as a result. Between 1939 and 1947, Al Capone lived out his days in Florida. The void left in the Chicago Outfit by Capone's absence was long ago filled, but when Capone passed away on January 25, 1947, he left behind one son, a wife, a mother, and numerous siblings. So, what happened to the Chicago Outfit? Who took over? And what happened to Al Capone's son and other family members?

It's no secret that flying can be stressful, but some travel stories sound like nightmares compared to minor inconveniences like long lines and delayed flights. Over the years, multiple airlines have found themselves in hot water for how they treated passengers, especially in the age of social media and viral videos. These incidents include a senior citizen being dragged off a United flight, Delta kicking an entire family off a plane, and Boeing's CEO stepping down after a series of accidents, some of which resulted in human fatalities.

Have you ever gotten mad over something that - in hindsight - seemed silly? How long did that grudge last? Did it span decades? If not, you're still doing better than many of the people on this list. These are some of the most heated feuds in history - from battling brothers, to parents and children, to former friends. Sometimes there's one thing that just pushes someone over the edge, and from that point on, it's war.

The last words spoken by criminals before execution stand as the final statements from these convicted offenders, having been uttered moments before their deaths. Much like the statements made by famous people in their suicide notes, these are the famous last words before execution that others will remember these souls by for eternity. There are funny, crazy, and of course, sad death row inmates last words.

When former toy salesman Ty Warner introduced a line of small stuffed animals called Beanie Babies to the world in 1993, there was no indication that over the next few years the cute plush toys would be at the center of one of the oddest economic bubbles that coincided with the rise of the internet. No one imagined adults would be scrambling madly to collect as many of the toys as they possibly could - especially the rarer versions like Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant - in the belief that their value would reach thousands of dollars.

It's fair to say that a lot of discourse today is derived from combat - like how political goals are often labeled "the war on 'X'." This influence is also seen in everyday conversation; many common idioms and phrases have surprisingly violent beginnings. This collection showcases some of the most surprising expressions that have military origins.

The 1996 movie Twister gave storm chasers a real boost, so the 2024 sequel, Twisters, could very well do the same. But is storm chasing really as dangerous as movies make it out to be? Are these real-life chasers putting their lives in danger by hunting down tornadoes? Well, storm chasing isn't quite like what Hollywood makes it out to be. Although the practice does have exciting moments, much of a chaser's time is spent planning and prepping. It's actually easy to get started as a chaser if you're interested. You can tag along with a pro, or even book a weeklong storm chasing tour in Tornado Alley.

The roar of a motorcycle is unmistakable out on the road. With just two wheels and a whole lot of horsepower, a motorcycle is a vehicle that evokes a lot of mental images. One of the most prevalent is that of the outlaw biker. Outlaw bikers are not outlaws in the strict sense of the word. To be an outlaw biker means to be outside the rules and standards established by the American Motorcyclist Association. Outlaw motorcycle clubs are entire groups of defiant riders who unite to have fun, make some noise, and even give back to the community.

Medicine, like other branches of science, has the power to explain some of the most unusual ailments human beings can experience (though, to be fair, there have also been several medical devices that are more than a little horrifying, particularly to modern eyes). While many medical conditions are easily explained, and some appear quite normal, there have been, throughout history, examples of baffling medical cases, many of which retain their power to fascinate. Some of these remain mysteries even to modern science, while others have been rendered explicable and understandable by various discoveries and developments in knowledge.

Based on the famous Julia Quinn romance novels, Netflix and Shondaland’s Bridgerton and its spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, have made quite the buzz and generated a solid fanbase globally. Set in the Regency Era, the plot follows the trials and tribulations of the higher classes, who gravitate around their queen and risk the disapproval of the ton with their scandalous actions. The franchise’s success is mostly due to the insanely charismatic cast, the main couples' steamy scenes, the stunning costumes and lavish balls, and the neoclassical take on contemporary pop music. How do the actors feel about starring on this hit show? Here are their candid reactions behind the scenes.

History is a peculiar thing. We love our firsts - the first man on the moon, the first sip of coffee in the morning, the first time someone looked at an oyster and thought, “I bet I could eat that.” But just as fascinating, if not more so, are the lasts. The final hurrah of a piece of technology, the last stand of a species, or the ultimate curtain call of an icon - these moments offer profound insights into how far we've come, how much we've lost, and sometimes, how much we've bungled along the way.

Watergate, FBI investigations, Teapot Dome - for nearly as long as there has been an American presidency, scandals have rocked the office. Though presidents have found themselves in hot water for all manner of reasons, many of the most interesting presidential scandals are also some of the most salacious. Presidents have been embroiled in sex scandals since the 19th century.

Casino, Martin Scorsese’s 1995 epic underworld story is the spiritual successor to Goodfellas in many ways. Not only did it see the director once again team up with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, but he worked with the author who wrote the source material for both Goodfellas and Casino, Nicholas Pileggi. Pileggi’s non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas covers the heyday of mafia-controlled Vegas, focusing specifically on the real-life inspirations for Ace Rothstein and Nicky Santoro, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal and Anthony Spilotro, respectively.

How does one get one's mind around a battle - especially one that went on for three days and involved 150,000 individuals, as Gettysburg did? Long lists of regiments and brigades, hour-by-hour timelines, and maps with blue and red blocks and arrows all over are of little value to people who don't already know a lot about Gettysburg. But individual episodes, with well-defined stakes and memorable characters, stick in the mind. People might forget a map showing the position of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top, but they never forget Jeff Daniels (playing Union Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in the film Gettysburg) shouting "Bayonets!" as he readies his unit to charge. The danger is that we can come to mistake the stories for the history. The real history of Gettysburg is far more complex than any one narrative.

After we all partied like it was 1999 (because it actually WAS), what followed was a pretty eventful 10 years, starting with the year 2000. Join us, as we embark on the long awaited "Timeline: 2000s", as we examine each of the crazy years that made up the first decade of this century - all that was tech, all that was volatile, and all that was just plain weird! Welcome to the year 2000 in review!

People understandably expect to be presented with facts when they watch a documentary. There are, however, some notable or high-profile things that documentaries got wrong. Although truth and authenticity are elements every nonfiction film should strive for, movies are made by people, and sometimes people make mistakes, or have a bias or agenda related to a controversial subject that leads to inaccuracies, omissions, or misleading conclusions. Historical documentaries are particularly susceptible to these flaws.

The way we view the past is shaped by the present. As societal attitudes and values shift over time, the legacies of historical figures change as they are reevaluated. Some of these changes are dramatic - individuals once viewed positively have had darker aspects of their past come to light. For others, the reverse is true; those who were reviled and divisive in their own lives enjoy a resurgence in popularity after their passing.

The sex lives of kings and queens have been the subject of scrutiny and scandal for centuries. The Tudor period alone runs the gamut, from the highly sexualized court of Henry VIII to that of his daughter, the "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I. Extramarital relations at the British court was accepted - or even encouraged - by some monarchs, but it was punished severely by others. Whether it was rolling around with a Restoration actress à la Charles II, or non-stop marital romping in the royal boudoir like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, each English monarch had a private life that still fascinates and titillates to this day. And the way monarchs' private preferences inflected their broader courts doesn't disappoint the curious modern reader, either.

The American flag is one of the most recognized symbols in the United States, and there are strict rules on how to handle it. But what’s the meaning of the American flag - and what’s the meaning behind earlier versions of the flag?

Now decidedly inside the 2000's, we examine what all went down in the year 2001! Even if you weren't even born yet, I am sure you've heard of some things that happened way back in 2001. From nw tech, some horrible incident in New York City, and the the start of a 20 year war. Join us as we examine the news, views, pop culture, and all that was weird in the year 2001!!

Saturday Night Live has never been afraid to tell controversial jokes about pop culture, politics, or really anything; however, there have been times throughout the show's nearly 50 seasons when some of those sketches or punchlines landed flat. Sometimes, something on the show would be so offensive, thousands of viewers would send in complaints.

Important people from history left behind art, innovative ideas, political change - and, on occasion, body parts. Placed for all to see in museums and mausoleums, historical figures' remains provide strange yet intriguing forms of remembrance.

Pregnancy can be pretty terrifying for expectant mothers. Even a normal, healthy pregnancy is accompanied by intense bodily changes and hormone shifts that can be extremely difficult to cope with. Yet none of that can come close to the horrors of what happens when women perish while pregnant. As it turns out, babies born in coffins is a thing and it's more terrifying than the bubonic plague. The phenomenon is commonly known as coffin birth, and it's a completely natural occurrence.

When a person realizes they are about to pass, they often have regrets or even guilt, which may result in some truly shocking deathbed confessions. Most people don't want to carry their burdens into the afterlife and will take the opportunity to share their most intimate (and sometimes disturbing) stories with others. To live with a shockingly secret story one's entire life can be troublesome, but when truths suddenly come out on a loved one's last breaths, the people affected are often shocked. Stories may even be so revealing that the lives of their entire family are changed forever.

The music world is full of (in)famous unions, and one of the most prominent is arguably Marshall Mathers and Kimberly Anne Scott's relationship. Eminem's relationship with fans is great, but he's been open about his messy, complex feelings for the woman he married twice. The Eminem vs. Kim feud is far more complicated than you might realize, though. The two have been in each other's lives for decades, and they share children and history; their journeys, for better or worse, remain inextricably linked.

With the tumultuous year that was 2001 now in the rearview, we now delve into the year 2002. What happened in the world that year? Wha was playing on the radio? How about the music on the radio? Come with us as we recount the news, views, pop culture, and all that was weird in he year 2002!

Nowadays, plastic surgery is seen as a pretty basic, relatively safe procedure - but that hasn't always been the case. The first plastic modern advanced surgery on record was performed during World War I, and at the time, it was very risky and nearly killed the man who went under the knife. Walter Yeo was injured in battle and would have had to live out the rest of his life with a severely marred face if it hadn't been for one daring doctor by the name of Sir Harold Gillies. Together, the two of them would attempt a completely revolutionary surgery that would give Yeo back his life (and his face), and secure Gillies a place in the history books.

In February 1994, Gloria Ramirez was admitted to a hospital in Riverside, California, with late stage cervical cancer. Little did her attending doctors and nurses know she was a human toxicity bomb. After some basic treatment and blood work, a strange odor emerged from where the syringe had pricked her and hospital staff began getting sick fast. Disease outbreaks, or something like a disease at any rate, spread throughout the hospital, with 23 people experiencing symptoms and some requiring weeks of hospitalization. For months, newspapers were fascinated by the story of a woman who contaminated an entire hospital wing.

Because a positive societal image is so hard to earn, it seems evident that people and companies with an upstanding influence would do everything they could to uphold their social standing. Still, everyone makes mistakes. While a little “oops” here and there is acceptable - and even expected - this rule is often overlooked when the person or company erring is in the public eye. As social media has grown over the years, these mistakes have become even more prevalent, sometimes causing massive fallouts that damage reputations forever.

Mary Kay Letourneau was a schoolteacher in Burien, WA, when 12-year-old Vili Fualaau entered her Shorewood Elementary sixth-grade class in 1996. What followed was one of the most bizarre and upsetting scandals of the 1990s.

The ancient Greeks played an integral role in forming modern society. We have a lot to thank the Greeks for, from systems of government to aspects of the justice system and even plumbing. Not all practices stood the test of time, though, as intimacy in ancient Greece was a far cry from modern romance.

Today on Weird History we go deep - deep into 2003! The year that gave us all kinds of weird - the North Korean Nuclear treaty withdrawal (gulp), 50 Cent's debut album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin', the sad loss of 'the old man' rock formation in New Hampshire, and may many other wild, wonderful, and wacky happenings! Get ready to binge on all that was weird in the year 2003!

The religious violence of the Protestant Reformation and legacy of political strife between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots loomed over the reign of King James I. Both issues influenced him to keep a firm hold on the political, but fear the supernatural. The only son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, James was born in 1566 during an ongoing conflict between Scotland and England. When he was one year old, he ascended the Scottish throne as King James VI - after his mother abdicated her position - and was crowned King James I of England after the passing of his cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, in 1603.

Whether it's the extent of their actions, how they got caught, or the continued search for their identities, some offenders are pretty well known. Alongside the mobsters, thieves, and other offenders we may recognize from the media, movies about their lives, and documentaries, there are criminals who committed comparable - if not bigger - offenses, but we don't know much about them.

The world’s population utilizes many everyday items daily. However, not many people are aware of why these items came to be or when they were first created. Most things that occur in everyone’s lives have an interesting backstory. Many of the world’s modern inventions have their foundations in more rudimentary designs.

When it comes to our health, "failure" is one of the last words we want to hear. Yet, nothing in medicine is 100%. Each and every day we're learning new breakthroughs and techniques that allow us to continue advancing in the medical field. And sometimes, those advancements mean that something that we thought worked, actually didn't. This has happened all throughout history, hasn't it? Like when doctors used to use leeches to draw out the “bad blood.” This seems ridiculous to us now - silly almost. But when medical failures hit a little closer to home - in the last five, 10, 30 years - then it doesn't seem so silly.

The Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story offers a look at the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the show takes viewers back through the events leading up to the killings on August 20, 1989, and through the subsequent two trials - and ultimate conviction - of Lyle and Erik Menendez for the crimes.

Today on Weird History we are diving into 2004 - not quite the midpoint of the decade, but OH so close! This is the year that gave us 'Mean Girls', 'Lost' , and some great music like Usher's 'Confessions' album! Join us as we cover all that was weird in sports, news. and culture in the year 2004!

Some events in history are pretty well-known. You likely have some familiarity with the sinking of RMS Titanic, the first time man walked on the moon, and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whether it's from school, the media, or popular culture. These are game-changers, watershed moments, times when an opportunity presented itself or, just as often, when disaster and hardship struck.

Long before The Bachelor, there was The Dating Game: A television game show where a woman of the hour might win a date with the man of her dreams… Or, as the case may be, the serial killer of her nightmares. It sounds like a Saturday Night Live sketch, but this terrifying scenario actually played out in real life.

The movies have been kind to historical pirates, giving the entire practice a sheen of excitement and romance. Sure, pirates were thieves and criminals, but in a charming anti-hero sort of way. In literature and films, being kidnapped by pirates and taken to sea is often a passport to adventure, rather than an invitation to be brutally killed and have your corpse dumped in the ocean. But it turns out that second thing would have been much more likely.

The biggest political mistakes of both the past and present are debated ceaselessly, but governance-related blunders aren’t the only miscalculations that can change the world. In fact, some of the biggest mistakes in American history were unrelated to politics. Important and impactful gaffes can occur in any field - including science, engineering, business, and the military - and their consequences can often impact all of society.

Adult film actress Bambi Woods starred in one of the most infamous movies of the 1970s, only to seemingly disappear from the face of the earth just a few years later. It’s one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries, and it’s never officially been solved.

Today On Weird History We are diving smack dab in the middle of the 2000s! Yes, that's right, this year we are delving into the year 2005. This is the year that gave us Bob Iger as CEO of Disney, Grizzly Man and The 40 Year Old Virgin graced the silver screen, Youtube was launched, Pink Floyd Reunited for a concert, and SO many things! Too many things, we're going on you gotta watch this video!! Enjoy the stroll back into the year 2005!

Outbreaks of disease have impacted the lives of individuals and communities throughout history. Whether it's an epidemic (a somewhat localized influx of cases) or a pandemic (a global phenomenon), illnesses that upend daily life, social activities, political institutions, and economic livelihoods leave an indelible mark on those who live through them. Historically, epidemics and pandemics provide guidance about how to manage diseases, perhaps offering instructive lessons on what to do - and what not to do - when illness strikes.

Throughout the history of medicine, there have been few surgical practices more barbaric and cruel yet sometimes surprisingly helpful than the lobotomy. Famous lobotomy patients range from children of politicians and English lords to singers who were on their way to stardom before finding themselves waylaid by mental illness. The personality, memory, and IQ of lobotomy patients before and after surgery varies wildly, and doctors were not able to fully understand what was happening and why. These true stories about lobotomy patients are at times emotionally draining, but a few of them also reveal an unexpected beacon of light.

Today on Weird History we are diving into the year 2007! This is the year! The year that The Sopranos ended, Phil Jackson got his 900th win with the L.A. Lakers, Rihanna released her massive single 'Umbrella', and so many, many other things happened in the span of 365 days! Come with us as we go deep and take a look at all the politics, music, sports and other stuff that was weird in the year 2007! Be sure to subscribe to the Weird History Newsletter: https://www.ranker.com/newsletters/weird-history?… #timeline #2007 #weirdhistory

When the body of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found in the basement of her Boulder, Colorado, home in the winter of 1996, her murder captivated and horrified the US. The tragic and premature death of a young girl, the investigative errors associated with the case, the false confession from a would-be killer, the conspiracy theories about who the killer really is, and the odd behavior of her family make it one of the most famous and widely speculated-upon crimes of the 20th century. Nobody has ever been convicted of Ramsey's murder.

One thing most ancient civilizations share is a fascination with the afterlife. The art of necromancy, communicating beyond the grave through messages to ghosts or the reanimation of deceased flesh, has long been regarded as a deviant way to find answers in the realm of the underworld. Although it has been practiced in some way in nearly every ancient civilization, necromancy began primarily in ancient Persia, Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe.

Whether it’s a wholesome Disney Channel Original movie or a heavier story being told on the big screen, teen movies can have a profound effect on those coming of age with themes and messages often addressing real difficulties and hurdles viewers are facing. While films aimed at this demographic can cover anything from young love and parental conflict to rebellion and the struggle to fit in, there are some more controversial stories unafraid to venture into the dark places in which some teens find themselves.

The true crime genre has proven to be a rich source of material for filmmakers throughout the decades, and perhaps none more so than the 2000s. That decade brought to life classic unsolved cases such as the murder of Elizabeth Short in The Black Dahlia and the search for the Zodiac Killer in Zodiac. Serial killers were also brought to the big screen such as the story of Aileen Wuornos in Monster and Jeffrey Dahmer in Dahmer, both of which stirred controversy. Although these films may at times stretch the truth, they largely stick to the facts, which are indeed stranger than fiction in most cases. Which are still worth watching decades later, and which are best left forgotten?

Pagan sex rituals have long fascinated historians and cultural enthusiasts alike, offering tantalizing glimpses into ancient spiritual practices that celebrate the body, nature, and fertility. These rituals, deeply rooted in pre-Christian traditions, reflect diverse expressions of human connection with the divine, turning sexuality into a sacred act. For many ancient cultures, these practices were an essential part of religious and community life, helping to align human intent with the rhythms of the earth and cosmos.

Today on Weird History we are diving into the transformative year of 2008! In this year, Spotify was founded, Heath Ledger passed on, the 2008 Great Recession kicked off big time, and so many insane, wacky, and unbelievable things happened, not to forget the election of Barack Obama to the highest office in the United States! Join us as we recount all the news, sports, and all the wild and crazy that unfolded in 2008!

Few places placed as much importance on physical fitness as the city-states of ancient Greece. In the pursuit of athletic excellence, the Greeks developed ideas and methods that are still remarkably applicable to the present day. Such fundamental fitness concepts as a proper warm-up and cool-down have their origins in the sandy gymnasiums of Athens and Sparta. While the dress code of the modern gym is a little stricter, the lessons gleaned from those ancient workouts are well worth a look.

The 1972 Munich Olympics was supposed to be Germany’s redemption arc, since the last time they hosted was when a guy named Adolf was in charge. But this joyous, worldwide, Olympic-sized dream quickly became a nightmare as one of the most infamous events in the games’ history.

You can learn a lot about a civilization by studying how they went to the bathroom, and how they got rid of human waste. A civilization's plumbing can teach us about the diets they ate, the diseases they contracted, how they conducted civil engineering projects, and possibly even what their attitudes about bathrooms were. But our information about ancient bathrooms and toilets is still fairly new, especially when it comes to ancient Rome. Until recently, the bathroom habits of the ancients weren't considered an appropriate subject for academic study. When previous archaeologists did unearth ancient toilets, they came up with fantastical alternate reasons for their uses to avoid describing how they were actually used. When Italian excavator Giacomo Boni discovered a Roman toilet in 1913, he imagined that it was a water pump that powered the entire house.

How much of who we are is determined by our genetics, and how much by the nature of our environment while growing up? It’s an intriguing question to puzzle over - but some scientists and researchers may have gone too far to solve the nature vs. nurture debate.

On live television, anything can happen. And when you’re a live comedy show going strong for the past 50 years, like Saturday Night Live, you’re bound to experience some outrageous, profane, and just plain rude behavior from celebrity hosts pushing the boundaries. In all the years SNL has invaded our weekends, a little over a dozen performers and guests have been barred from ever returning to the legendary studio, whether due to their attitude, their backstage antics, or an on-air stunt that left the show embarrassed. We’re looking at you, Adrian!

Today on Weird History we examine the last year of the aughts, the year 2009! Capping off one wild and crazy decade, and on the cusp of an equally wild decade, 2009 had many moments! From the official swearing in of Barack Obama, the death of Pop Icon Michael Jackson, popular TV shows such as Glee getting their start, and a bit of drama with Taylor Swift and Kanye at the 2009 MTV Music awards, there's something for everyone! But, it wasn't all that bad, there was even a 'Miracle on the Hudson', when Captain Sullenberger landed a plane on the Hudson river and saved everyone onboard!

Understanding history often means categorizing or quantifying it. Sometimes we establish something as a historical “first” or historical “last.” Other times, we label people, places, or periods as the “worst” because, well, they’re kind of awful. But finding the “most” of something can also put history into perspective - strange world records right out of the Guinness book that offer surprising insight into the past. Some of these “mosts” are genuine testaments to human strength, endurance, creativity, and spirit, while others, are not so much.

These days, it’s hard to shock a television audience. Watching TV is an American pastime; whole generations have been raised by that glowing box. But live television, usually reserved for news, sporting events, and a single Saturday night-airing sketch comedy show, retains its capacity to capture true-life drama as it unfolds in real time. And those images become unforgettable moments in modern history.

When Viacom purchased MTV in 1985, it gradually rearranged the network’s priorities away from purely showing music videos and toward becoming a purveyor of pop culture, specifically aimed at young people. Over time, MTV became the home of everything from Beavis and Butthead to Jackass to Teen Mom. Naturally, in the process of courting young people’s attention, MTV has courted controversy. All those programs mentioned above, plus many more, have pushed the envelope of good taste and what’s acceptable on TV.