Weird History

Though his time on earth was short, Sid Vicious' life was full of controversy. And it was with this vigor that the bass player for the Sex Pistols light went out in a spectacular blaze.

In November of 1981, actress Natalie Wood took a trip to Santa Catalina Island on board her husband Robert Wagner's yacht, Splendour. Also on the boat, co-star and friend Christopher Walken and Splendour's captain, Dennis Davern. Her body was discovered by authorities the following morning with her death ruled as drowning. The details surrounding her death, including mysterious bruising which caused some to speculate she was actually murdered, continue to shock and fascinate the world. What did happen to Natalie Wood?

The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939. It began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. This colorized series of historical photographs shows the reality of life for those struggling to survive during it.

Ever wonder how you'd fare in a different time period? Today, we're exploring the most lethal dangers people from around the world faced from 14th century Florence to 1st century ancient Rome. Brush up on your survival skills and let us know how well you think you'd do if alive way back when.

Back before everyone got all their news for free on the internet, people bought newspapers. And those newspapers were typically sold by kids called newsboys or newsies. But at the end of the 19th century, two of the wealthiest media tycoons in the country tried to fatten their wallets by unfairly cutting into the newsies' already meager earnings, which led to the newsboys' strike of 1899. Here's the crazy story of what really happened.

From logos to branding, to even philosophy, companies and huge corporations can change tremendously throughout the years. Today's photo series catalogs some of the world's most iconic companies and a glimpse into how they looked just starting out.

Following the decline of the Roman Empire, Europe entered The Middle Ages-- a time period characterized by the stifling of information aka "The Dark Ages". So what would it have been like during medieval battles? How did warfare unfold at the front lines? Today we're taking a closer look at history and recounting everything we know.

The Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in the First World War. The British army, with support from France, attacked the German army, which had just officially declared war a few weeks prior. It quickly became clear that the German army was much larger and after French forces retreated, the situation for the British didn't look promising. However, due to what some soldiers thought of as divine intervention - aka angels granting protection, a safe retreat was possible. But what really happened? On today's Weird History, we take a deeper dive.

When it comes to Hawaii, the average American pictures an idyllic paradise and ideal vacation spot. But what exactly happened when the United States took over the Hawaiian territory? And what happened to the culture? Today, we're taking a deep, and honest, dive into American history.

Marita Lorenz, the German-born American woman who had an affair with Fidel Castro in 1959, is a truly fascinating figure. From being in a concentration camp as a child to a fateful meeting with Fidel Castro on a boat, Marita's life is one that continues to intrigue historians. Her love affair with Fidel continued to complicate things, and it's still unknown how much of her story is factual. Let's take a deeper look at Marita Lorenz, the spy who fell for the infamous Fidel Castro.

Calling all dinosaur enthusiasts! Think you know everything there is to know about our dino friends? Think again! Today we're diving into all the insane, crazy, and shocking dinosaur facts that have been discovered since you were in school.

In an incredible true story of survival, Steve Callahan managed to stay alive for a shocking 76 days adrift on the Atlantic Ocean in just a liferaft. He later told his unbelievable story in the best-selling book, Adrift: 76 Days Lost At Sea. Today we're exploring just what happened.

Few stories have fascinated the Internet quite like the one of Lori Ruff -- the woman with a secret identity. Before she tragically took her own life in 2010, Lori was a wife and mother with an unsettling secret. So who was Lori Ruff? Here's everything we know about the mysterious woman.

Simo "Simuna" Häyhä was a Finnish sniper who earned the ominous nickname, "The White Death". He's credited as one of the most accurate snipers of all time with a reported 500+ kills under his belt while enlisted. Today we're learning more about the man behind the rifle.

On February 20th, 2003 in West Warick, Rhode Island, tragedy struck during a Great White headlined concert. The devastating accident, often referred to as The Station nightclub fire, killed 100 people and injured hundreds more. The pyrotechnics quickly became disastrous as materials caught on fire and the air became thick with toxic smoke. Today we're taking a look at what happened, who was involved, and where band members are today.

Anne Perry, an English author of historical detective fiction is a best-seller best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series. But not all of it was fiction, turns out Perry was keeping a disturbingly dark secret. At the age of fifteen, she was convicted of participating in the murder of her friend's mother. After serving her five-year sentence, she changed her name and began a successful career as a crime novelist. Today in weird history, we're diving deep into a story that's almost stranger than fiction.

From drinking beer to practicing dentistry, there's quite a few strange facts that might surprise you about what ancient Egyptian civilization was actually like. Today we're taking a deeper look into what life was like amongst the pyramids.

This intriguing figure remains one of history's boldest con men. But how exactly did he get away scamming so many people, including swindling a whopping $1 million from Jay Gould, and where did he actually come from? Today, we're diving deep into the insane history of the legendary Lord Gordon Gordon.

Despite what pop culture might have you believe, living in a medieval castle wasn't all that glamorous. If you were one of the lucky ruling class, you got some wine or the occasional hot bath. But with the lack of plumbing, castles smelled pretty ripe. Not to mention rats. So many rats. Today we're getting real about what living in a medieval castle was like, and it's not that pretty.

Randall Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne. His music and legacy landed him on multiple "Greatest Guitarists" lists. However, his talented life was tragically cut short after a devastating plane crash. Today, we're learning more about the life (and death) of guitar prodigy, Randy Rhoads.

Nothing better than an intense rivalry between scientists...right? Well, that's exactly what happened with paleontologists Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh -- two men who really take the cake for petty feuds. This fight, also known as The Bone Wars or The Great Dinosaur Rush, was so heated that it devolved into bribery, theft, and destruction that almost ruined paleontology. Uh, yikes!

The origins of the War on Drugs in the US go back more than a century and are mired in complicated history. However, the story of the ban on cannabis in America can be easily traced to one individual: Harry J. Anslinger, who spent three decades as the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, the forerunner of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Not only was Anslinger the loudest and most influential proponent of the ban in the 1930s, but he was also an architect of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 that federalized the ban. As the government’s number one anti-drug crusader, Anslinger led a vitriolic campaign against cannabis, promoting his proposed ban with a blend of sensationalism, racism, and propaganda. His tactics worked, and the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 kicked off nearly a century of persecution against pot smokers - one that still hasn’t ended in some parts of the country.

Some of the most awesome Harry Houdini facts center on his search for truth in everything he did. Harry Houdini was not a guy to half-ass things. If he was going to chase down so-called mystics and expose them as frauds, he canceled shows, wrangled a panel of scientists, and debunked you with fury. There are so many tales of badass Houdini exploits, you should just watch them for yourselves. Keep in mind, Houdini was a tough cookie - you shouldn’t try any of his feats of endurance or pissy note writing.

Located just outside Louisville, Kentucky, Fort Knox is a top-secret United States Army post surrounded in mystery and conspiracy theories. Not only does it house a majority of the nation's gold reserve, it's so exclusive that even U.S. Presidents don't get an invite. So what exactly goes on behind closed doors?

Ten-foot spears, three-foot shields, and a thousand raving warriors - Viking combat was brutal, bloody, and often deadly. Whether raiding a defenseless monastery to haul off gold and jewels or lining up to battle a rival army, Vikings took no prisoners on the battlefield. The life of a Viking warrior started in childhood when boys would train and hunt to learn the spear. But the warrior's life wasn't only for boys; shield-maidens fought alongside the men during Viking battles, throwing spears and fending off enemies. Sometimes Vikings also made love connections on the battlefield.

When David Bowie and Freddie Mercury came together to record "Under Pressure" in 1981, the result was one of the best duets of all time. Though the recording process managed to unite some of the most prolific musical geniuses of the 20th century, creating the masterpiece was no simple task. "Under Pressure" was a song that, like its namesake implies, was produced under pressure. Performed alongside Queen creative masterpieces like "Bohemian Rhapsody," the song became a staple at concerts and appeared on Queen and Bowie albums alike. Creative differences and clashing personalities tested the limits of music-making, but the tension between the singers also made "Under Pressure" a landmark collaboration

Christopher Lee had one of the most fascinating lives of all time - From fighting Nazis to holding not one but THREE Guinness World Records to playing some truly iconic film roles, beloved actor

The 1950s and '60s are often regarded as the golden age of airlines, offering luxurious seating, fancy meals, and beaming flight attendants. But while it was certainly roomier than today's modern sardine can technique of travel, there was also a fair share of less desirable details unseen in the black and white evidence left behind. So what was it really like to fly during the Elvis era? Let's take a trip through the many ups and downs of getting around in the olden days.

Chuck Norris was born Carlos Ray Norris in southern Oklahoma on March 10th, 1940. Truth be told, he wasn't the extraordinary kid you'd think Chuck Norris would be. In fact, Norris was a bit subpar all throughout his adolescence. Carlos was not athletic, painfully shy, and when it came to his studies, he barely slid by. The fact that his frequently unemployed father was a belligerent alcoholic and his family was always financially scraping by didn't help his depression or debilitating introversion. All that set Norris up for a childhood filled with insecurity and low self-esteem.

After the immediate worldwide success of Dark Side of the Moon and the lengthy tour that followed its release, Pink Floyd's album Harvest Records went on another chart-topping moneymaker and fast. But when the Dark Side tour ended in June of 1973, the band took a break and went their own ways for four months. By the time the members of Pink Floyd reconvened at Abbey Road Studios to record their next album, they realized they had no idea what to record next. How does a band top itself after they made one of the best selling albums of all time? If the band is Pink Floyd, they record an experimental concept piece without the use of any musical instruments. Today, we're going to take a closer look at Household Items, Pink Floyd's lost album that ended up being too weird even for them.

From engaging in trysts at the Louvre, to losing a leg in an adultery-driven accident, to vehemently opposing slavery, Gouverneur Morris is arguably one of the most fascinating figures in history. Bronx born, Gouverneur Morris was one of the founding fathers, but his personal life is one wild ride. Buckle up.

Mount Vesuvius was responsible for the destruction of the city of Pompeii in 79 AD. Nearly everyone has heard one story or another about arguably the most well-known volcanic eruption in history, but how many of you know what really happened on that fateful day in Pompeii? This mountain located on the west coast of Italy is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, but the Vesuvius eruption is just one part of the story of the Italian city. How much do you know about daily life before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius? Hopefully, these facts about Pompeii will shed some light on one of the most famous ancient catastrophes in recorded history, as well as the vibrant society that preceded it.

Ancient Romans loved their sports and entertainment, and the Colosseum put on the grandest games in all of ancient Rome. With its gladiators, interchangeable arenas, exotic animals, and the rare naval reenactment, being a spectator in the Roman Colosseum would have indeed been a spectacle. Crowds of 50,000 people, spanning every region and socioeconomic class of the empire, gathered at the stadium to watch shows and get away from the disgusting life of everyday Rome. They enjoyed food, wine, music, and theatrics in a large venue, all paid for by the emperor himself.

Who was Hiroo Onoda? Onoda was a Japanese soldier who refused to surrender long after the capitulation of Japan in WWII. For 29 extra years, Onoda continued to execute the mission that he was ordered to carry out in 1944. Stationed at Lubang Island, in the Philippines, he and his three-man team were the only survivors when the US attacked and recaptured the island in 1945. Onoda ordered the group to retreat to remote mountains, occasionally carrying out guerrilla missions against island installations, which was his original assignment. Despite the death or capture of all three of his subordinates, repeated attempts to inform him of the end of the war, and gun battles with Filipino authorities, Onoda fought on. When he was finally tracked down by a Japanese national and told that the war was over, he responded by saying he was continuing to follow orders and would not surrender until he received an appropriate command from his superior officer.

Ever wonder what happens when the President leaves office? What happens to the secret service? And how much money are they making post-White House? Today we're taking all the mystery out of it as we dive deep into life after being the commander-in-chief.

In one of the more ironic disasters of all time, the unit 4 reactor of the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine failed during an emergency shutdown safety test in 1986, belching nuclear waste and radioactive isotopes all over the nearby city of Pripyat. More than 30 years later, hundreds of stray dogs live in and around the power plant, along with the many wild animals that call Chernobyl home.

You may have scrolled past one of their haunting, crumbling pyramids in the background of your well-traveled friend's Instagram posts. But chances are, you have no idea what everyday life was really like for the ancient Mayans. From ballgames to body piercings to getting hopped up on chocolate, the ancient Mayan culture has a lot more in common with our world today than you'd probably ever think. Today, we're exploring what life was really like for the ancient Mayans.

Pale white skin was the signature look for the upper class in the Elizabethan era and Queen Elizabeth I's makeup was perhaps one of the most iconic examples. But what was IN all that caked on makeup? Turns out, there was quite a cost for that noble, porcelain skin as the makeup contained lead. The price for beauty? Slowly poisoning yourself. Yikes.

What was it like to live in the Tower of London? That depended on a prisoner's social position and personal wealth; however, even the most notable prisoners were subject to horrible fates. Many prisoners in the Tower of London faced torture and even death, but privileged inhabitants brought servants and threw feasts. The Tower of London didn't start off as a prison, but it certainly became one of the gnarliest places to send criminals and political enemies. The last executions at the Tower of London took place after World War II when Josef Jakobs was shot by firing squad. But between its origins and the final shot, the Tower of London offered a vast array of experiences for prisoners.

There's no denying that the movie Jaws definitely made some beach-goers scared to go into the water. However, the story that inspired Jaws was what really had people scared to have a day at the beach. The Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 were so unexpected, sudden, and violent that they stuck in the public's mind even up to the point that the movie hit theaters. The "Matawan man-eater," as the shark was called, took down at least three people before the killings finally stopped, and it forever changed the public's view of sharks. To be clear, great white shark attacks in the US are not very common. People are more likely to be killed by bees than they are by sharks, and most shark attacks that do happen do not result in death. What happens in the movie Jaws is not typical of shark attacks at all, and how one survives a real shark attack is quite a different story. For those wondering whether Jaws based on a true story, the Matawan man-eater wasn't the initial inspiration...

Born Lee Jun-Fan in San Francisco, CA, Bruce Lee would eventually become internationally famous as a film star and martial artist. Even if you put Lee's fighting and acting conquests aside, enough fun facts about Bruce Lee exist that reveal him to be a man of great talent and charisma. Even as a young man, Lee showed amazing resolve and dedication to every action he undertook. Responsible for propelling Hong Kong martial arts films into prominence in the West, he completely changed the stereotypical portrayals of Asians in film, especially in mainstream Hollywood films. When it comes down to it, there are likely many different things you didn't know about Bruce Lee.

Walter Jackson Freeman II was an evangelical neurosurgeon, vocal about his beliefs and touting a procedure of his own creation from the 1940s through the 1960s. It was called a lobotomy, an operation that involved inserting a sharp metal instrument through the eye socket of the patient and cutting brain tissue. But what does a lobotomy do? The cutting of connective tissue inside the brain was thought to ease the symptoms of mental illness, and was frequently used on patients who were severely depressed or experienced violent outbursts. Lobotomies were intended to lower levels of emotion, releasing patients from their internal struggles.

Life on the Oregon Trail was both incredibly boring and extremely dangerous. Pioneers had to exercise extreme caution and a lot of bravado to cross the 2,170 mile stretch of land starting in Missouri and ending in Oregon. Accidents and disease were just waiting around the corner, but a majority of the trip was just spent trudging along next to the wagon. To say daily life on the Oregon Trail was difficult is a vast understatement. It was hard work and required uprooting your entire family and deciding to venture West for new opportunities, but that didn't stop thousands of people from emigrating and making the long journey.

From the Bay of Pigs fiasco to the tall tale of Iraq's "weapons of mass destruction," the CIA is no stranger to expensive and embarrassing blunders. One such blunder occurred in the '60s and was known as Operation Acoustic Kitty, a real-life program to train a house cat to become a super-secret spy. Unfortunately, even the most deranged cat hoarder knows cats are un-trainable, a bit of info the CIA, despite their vast knowledge, failed to realize. Cats, who rarely listen to anybody, would rather be jerks than the next Puss 'N Boots.

Genghis Khan remains one of the most feared and respected conquerors of all time. His biography is shrouded in mystery and contradiction, but the facts about Genghis Khan are that he rose up from almost certain death on the Mongolian Steppe, united his people, and began a series of gruesome conquests that killed millions, and changed the entire course of human destiny.

Bob Ross was a prolific painter who created and starred in the popular PBS television show The Joy of Painting, where he taught viewers how to create landscapes using the wet-on-wet technique. While he was well-known as an optimistic, soft-spoken artist - the Mr. Rogers of painting, really - there is quite a bit of amazing Bob Ross information out there that the public may not know. For example, what did he do before he started painting? How many "happy trees" did he actually paint? And exactly how did he feel about his infamous perm?

When it came to who survived the Titanic and who died that night in April of 1912, social status and gender were staggeringly important. It's well known there weren't enough lifeboats on the Titanic, and the ones that were used could have held more passengers - but would they have been first class ticket-holders? The wealthy elite that traveled in style? Or men from the second or third class passengers - the groups with the largest number of individuals that died on the Titanic?

Andrew Jackson has a complicated legacy. On the one hand, he was a populist hero and a venerated war general. On the other hand, he enslaved persons, killed thousands of Native Americans, created an economic depression, and killed a man. "Old Hickory" lived a mad life — eventually leading to a presidency where he gave some very questionable orders, said some very unusual things, and took other actions many deem as messed up. Maybe that's why he's referred to by some as "America's worst 'great' president."

Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid slammed into the Earth's atmosphere, traveling 45,000 miles per hour. The asteroid ripped a hole 18 miles deep in the Earth's crust, triggering devastating winds, seismic waves, and tsunamis. For decades, scientists have hypothesized that the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. The debris thrown into the atmosphere blocked out the sun, wiping out plants, and then herbivores, and then carnivores. And now, recently uncovered evidence provides a snapshot of exactly what happened on the day of the impact.

The D.A.R.E. program, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, was a staple of childhood for millions of American children in the '80s and '90s. It set out to tell kids about the perils of alcohol and other substances, but there was a catch: it didn't work. The D.A.R.E. program's effectiveness was measured many times during the first decade it was introduced, and it was found to be both costly and ineffective. People became so passionate about the idea of D.A.R.E., however, that they were willing to overlook its many shortcomings. When you look at who started the D.A.R.E. program, its failures and continued use begin to make a little more sense. Los Angeles police officers founded it in conjunction with school teachers, rather than researchers and behavioral experts. The architects of the initiative believed that telling kids to just say "no" and showing them how substance use and alcohol could negatively affect the body would lead to lower rates of consumption.

Marguerite Alibert’s story is one of gritty survival followed by a lucrative life of sex work. Alibert was a formidable woman who pulled herself up from a world of poverty to mingle among France’s elite, accomplishing her goal of turning affairs into large sums of money in the process. Marguerite is also commonly remembered as Maggie Meller, a surname she took from the man she claimed was her husband at 17. Meller was one of four different surnames she would use throughout her exotic and exciting life.

Southern Rock can be linked back to March 26th, 1969 when Duane Allman, the founder and leader of the Allman Brothers Band, summoned his brother Gregg to join a band he patched together that was fusing blues, jazz, and country music -- a combination literally unheard of at the time.

The disappearance of the Roanoke colony remains one of the oldest unsolved mysteries in the United States. It all began back in 1587, when Sir Walter Raleigh financed the attempts of John White to establish a British colony on Roanoke Island, just off the coast of North Carolina. They landed that July and established themselves rather quickly. Everything seemed to be going well for the thriving colony of 115 people. In fact, John White’s daughter, Eleanor Dare, gave birth to a daughter while in Roanoke. Virginia Dare became the first English child born in the Americas.

Erik Satie was a French composer and pianist, born on May 17th, 1866 and by all accounts, he was thought of as a talentless musician in his formative years. At least that’s how Georges Mathias, his professor of piano at the Paris Conservatoire described him. "Insignificant,” “laborious," and "worthless" were his exact words. Émile Decombes, another one of Satie’s piano professors called him "the laziest student in the Conservatoire." It’s true, Satie wasn’t much of an accomplished piano player -- he was a horrible sight reader -- but he was a master composer. His compositions have been featured on everything from The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother to The Royal Tenenbaums, Dr. Who and The Benny Hill Show, not to mention hundreds of commercials.

The life of Cleopatra VII, the last Egyptian pharaoh, was infamous, but she was far more than just the lover of Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Born in 69 BC, she was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes, a notoriously lackadaisical monarch, and rose to power as co-ruler with her brother in 51 BC. Who was Cleopatra, aside from a queen? Eventually, after her other siblings died or were killed, Cleopatra became sole ruler of Egypt, with Caesar's help. They conceived a secret love child, but after his death, she took up with his number one guy, Antony. They had a ton of fu together, but trouble was brewing in the form of Antony's brother-in-law and arch-rival, Octavian (later Emperor Augustus). Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in Greece in 31 BC, after which she and Antony committed suicide.

Imagine a town where everyone has run away to join the circus. That's what it's like to live in Gibsonton, Florida, home to all manner of circus sideshow performers since the 1940s. During the town's heyday, its population included some of the most renowned sideshow acts in history: Al "The Giant" Tomiani, and his wife, Jeanie, "The Half-Woman;" Melvin "The Rubber Faced Man" Burkhart; Grady "The Lobster Boy" Stiles; Percilla, "The Monkey Girl;" and the conjoined Hilton sisters. Even today, with the town's better days well in the past, Gibsonton is full of circus performers who are just going about their daily lives.

She may be the most famous person to ever get burned at the stake, but do you really know everything there is to know about Joan of Arc? Joan of Arc, or La Pucelle as she’d prefer to be called, was one of the most iconic and brilliant female soldiers of all time and there’s a whole lot more to the rags-to-riches-to-rags story than you’d probably ever realize.

Pirates have a reputation--admittedly earned--for being ruthless, bloodthirsty killers. Life on the high seas demanded so much of those willing to brave it that it became customary for new pirates to develop an honorable accord. Pirates had a surprisingly complex culture, and what’s crazier to us is that movies have barely scratched the surface of their traditions.

Contrary to Hollywood scripture, RL Cowboy Lyfe was less Rawhide and more A Million Ways to Die of Dysentery in the Desert. The life of a cowboy in the 1800s was a full plate of hard work, danger, and monotony with a heaping helping of dust, snakes, bugs, and beans on the side. Today we’re exploring what it was really like to be a cowboy in the wild west.

The Black Death is a plague that changed the world. As the most profound epidemic in human history, the plague claimed the lives of millions, with nearly half of Europe's population perishing from the disease. Some feared they were living through the apocalypse amidst the chaotic upheaval, while others turned to sinful pleasure during the plague to distract from the horror. And as for what happened to victims of the plague, well, it wasn't opportune. Surviving the Black Death wasn't easy. How did someone protect themselves from it and who did they blame when they got sick? What happened to their body as the infection spread? The only certainty was demise; after all, bubonic plague in the Middle Ages didn't spare anyone: monks and nuns perished alongside mothers and their children, rich men, and even royalty. Here's how plague victims lived day-to-day.

Slave labor was a huge aspect of Roman life and the Republic depended heavily on free work from human beings who had no rights, no possessions, and were left at the whims of their masters to be worked to death, starved, tortured, and sometimes even killed for the sake of enjoyment. Sure, you may have seen Russell Crowe play one in a movie, but chances are you have no idea just how brutal it really was. Today we’re exploring what it was really like to be a Roman slave.

The true story behind Escape at Dannemora - including the brutal histories of escapees Richard Matt and David Sweat - is much darker than the typical prison TV show. How did two inmates break out of a maximum-security prison and evade capture for close to a month? For starters, several prison guards were in on the plot to help the men escape. Instead of confiscating contraband from the inmates, guards actually smuggled in art supplies and hacksaws hidden in raw meat for the prisoners. The lack of security allowed Sweat to break out of his cell 85 times without anyone noticing. As he later told police, “Shawshank ain’t got sh*t on me.”

Medieval Europe had no shortages of plagues, super deadly disease outbreaks that could wipe out a chunk of the population without much effort. But none of them were quite as fun as the bizarre case of Frau Troffea and the dancing plague that had upwards of 400 people compulsively dancing in the streets, some even to their deaths. Today, we’re going to examine the Plague that Made People Dance Themselves to Death.

The Civil War was the bloodiest in US history: more Americans perished in five years than in all other conflicts combined. What was it like to fight? Soldiers faced new technology on the field, like rifle-muskets that could cut down dozens of men in a single volley. Military tactics didn't catch up with technology, men were ordered to line up and march toward gunfire, and even those who survived the field often succumbed to infected amputations or diseases.

The ultimate fate of Jimmy Hoffa remains one of the biggest mysteries and conspiracy theories in modern American history. What happened to him? How did he seemingly disappear into thin air one, never to be seen or heard from again? One person trying to answer this question is Martin Scorsese, in the film The Irishman. Today, we’re going to explore the real life of Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran.

When we think of knights during the medieval times, we think of valiant men who chose to defend their honor in feats of jousting, chivalry, and dragon slaying. But that’s not exactly how it was for the actual knights. Today, we’re exploring What It Was Actually Like to be a Knight During Medieval Times.

Yes, pun intended. In this, the age of the Internet, Nikola Tesla has enjoyed a posthumous surge in popularity that makes Einstein look like an old french fry. It took an entire David Bowie to fill his shoes in The Prestige. Our RL Iron Man makes electric cars with his name. You can buy “F--- Edison” t-shirts for $25. The renaissance is here, and it’s been a long time coming. Today, we’re looking at things you didn’t know about Nikola Tesla.

What was everyday life like for Egyptian royals? In a word: busy. Though they lived in the lap of luxury and enjoyed a standard of living that most other ancient Egyptians didn't, Egyptian royalty generally didn't have much downtime.

Joe Pesci is an odd guy. Not a freakish kind of odd. It’s just that he goes completely against the grain of the public’s perception of him. One day, he’s a guitarist whose dream is to become an east coast lounge singer -- a couple of years later, he’s playing opposite Robert De Niro, and Scorsese fans are instantly all in on this five-foot-three ball of energy. Today, we’re going to explore why Joe Pesci has led one of the most interesting lives of any actor.

Developed during the 1920s, the iron lung was invented to help individuals with polio breathe after their torso and abdominal muscles ceased to work. Improvements to the iron lung were made throughout the 20th century, but the almost-obsolete hospital device still looks a lot like a machine used in interrogations or a cruel medical tool. For many, the iron lung's lifesaving benefits were - and, for a few, still are - worth the trouble of living in a cylindrical breathing machine.

In this Weird History mini-documentary, Mark Takahashi talks about his family’s experience with Japanese Internment Camps during World War II. After Pearl Harbor and the issuing of Executive Order 9066, Mark's paternal and maternal grandparents, Toyo and Seytsu, were sent to Japanese internment camps. Mark tells the story of both of their experiences before, during and after the war.

WWI was one of the most catastrophic events in human history. But soldiers at the front lines who spent life in the trenches lived through a particularly harrowing war experience. Their stories reveal an experience that was often bleak, but also movingly human.

How did Baldassarre Cossa, the pirate pope, become the pope and leader of the Catholic Church? From 1410-1415, Cossa reigned as Pope John XXIII, but he wasn't the only pope at the time. In fact, Cossa was one of three popes who struggled to rule over the church. Known as the Western Schism, the split lasted from 1378-1417, and multiple popes declared supremacy but refused to step down. In the chaos, the former pirate seized power, literally placing the stole of Peter on his own shoulders.

Although cleanliness in the Middle Ages was primitive compared to what modern people enjoy, it doesn't mean medieval hygiene didn't exist. Despite living in an era long before indoor plumbing, shampoo, and nail salons, people used the best hygiene practices they could. Unfortunately, they didn't have a lot to work with. Peasants had it especially bad and weren't often able to afford luxuries like more than one set of clothing. For the lower classes, personal hygiene in the Middle Ages meant keeping clean however you could, even if it wasn't easy.

You may have seen the 2007 movie, or even read the 1997 book, but the real story of the man behind ‘Into The Wild’ and his untimely death in the Alaskan Wilderness is a lot more twisted and confusing than you’d probably ever think. Chris McCandless’ death was far from straight-forward.

The ‘70s were a big decade for Lucifer. The Exorcist came out in late ‘73, Anton LaVey was really feeling himself with the growing popularity of his Church of Satan, and his book, The Satanic Bible, was really hitting its stride. This enigmatic mixture of Satanic hysteria was a perfect storm that set up one of the most horrific cases of child abuse by way of religious ceremony and tradition.

Ancient Rome was at its apex from the second century BC through the second century AD. During the Pax Romana of the first and second centuries AD, Rome benefited from the expansion of its empire, with vast amounts of wealth and diverse cultural influences flooding into its borders. What was Ancient Rome like? It had a little bit of everything. The city of Rome was a bustling urban center full of commoners, animals, and politicians - all running into each other on crowded streets, in public buildings, and at any number of sporting events. Life in Ancient Rome was full of excitement, with plenty of opportunities for entertainment and spectacle contributing to the cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Reservedly advocated as a humane killing device by Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin during the 18th century, the guillotine executed people en masse during the French Revolution; France discontinued its use after 1977. The mechanism of death evoked fear and altered public sentiment about execution. During that time, many viewed capital punishment as a grand, public spectacle, but death by guillotine was a quicker, less-involved process than hanging or traditional beheading at the blade of an ax. French Revolution participants and other crowds who witnessed guillotine executions had mixed reactions to what they saw when the blade fell. Some spectators questioned the so-called painless contraption of death, while others demanded the blood and gore of previous practices. Either way, the guillotine's widespread use became infamous as a historical instrument of allegedly merciful fatality.

King Henry VIII might be known as a bad husband with a hot temper who straight beheaded a couple of his wives. But he was also a surprisingly talented musician and was an animal lover. Henry was a complicated man. Today, we’re going to talk about some strange facts that you didn’t know about Henry VIII.

A tale as wild as the Seven Seas, the story of the Lady Juliana, a special convict ship full of prisoners sent to Australia, is one of the strangest in the continent's history. The Lady Juliana had a specific mission: carrying a cargo of female prisoners the British government hoped would help reform the struggling convict colony in New South Wales. This motley crew of British women ultimately had a lasting impact on the history of Australia.

Sparta had one of the most respected and fiercest fighting forces of their era. Daily life in ancient Sparta supported the military machine to the point where all other aspects of life revolved around it. From the time a Spartan was born to their death, they served the state and its armed forces. Spartans had to be perfect, both in society and on the battlefield. Their civilization worked as a military unit, preparing both men and women to be their best for whatever challenges they faced.

A highly-secretive program, the United States Federal Witness Protection Program protects witnesses before, during, and after a criminal trial. Also called the Witness Security Program (WITSEC), the program is a joint venture of the US Department of Justice and the United States Marshals Service. In movies and TV shows, it seems like people enter this program all the time. However, in real life, WITSEC is incredibly selective. Since anonymity is the goal, agents may also tailor protection procedures to be less conspicuous, meaning witnesses likely won't have full a protection detail at all times because it makes them stand out.

Wild West sheriffs kept law and order on the frontier alongside fellow lawmen and the local citizenry. They’ve been dramatized, glamorized, and exaggerated in films and literature for generations and yes, the life of a Wild West sheriff was dangerous, but it could also be... weird.

Queen Elizabeth the first may have been a virgin who can’t drive but what most people don’t know is that she was one of the most brutally cut-throat and significant rulers England has ever had. A badass to some, a merciless imperialist to others, it’s clear that our girl Liz stands out among the storied lineage of English monarchy.

The Industrial Revolution was a period in history where factory work was beginning to claim dominance over the workforce, beginning in England and eventually spreading over the pond into America. But lacking in regulation, oversight and, in some cases, basic knowledge of disease and how it’s spread, the lower class citizens and factory workers of this time lived in literal squalor.

You may have heard of their calendars, seen their temples, or admired one of their cool looking sculptural artifacts in a museum, but chances are you have no idea what life was really like for the Aztecs.

For centuries, many have called gout "the disease of kings" because it affected men who ate rich diets and drank heavily. As early as the ancient Greeks, doctors wrote about gout, claiming that only wealthy men could become afflicted with it. And when royals like Henry VIII came down with gout, it transformed into a fashionable condition. Just like the French imitated the royals at Versailles, Europeans aimed to get gout as a status symbol. In the 16th century, men claimed that gout prevented other maladies and even called it an aphrodisiac.

During its heyday from 1682 to 1789, Versailles wasn’t just a palace - it was the center of France’s royal world. French royals, nobles, and state officials lived together in the sprawling palace complex. But despite the regal setting, everyday life for courtiers at Versailles was often stressful, regimented, and surprisingly unsanitary.

The Black Death was the plague that changed the world. As the most profound epidemic in human history, the plague claimed the lives of millions, with nearly half of Europe's population perishing from the disease. Some feared they were living through the apocalypse amidst the chaotic upheaval, while others turned to sinful pleasure during the plague to distract from the horror. And as for what happened to victims of the plague, well, it wasn't opportune.

Lipstick has been linked with royalty and the devil. It's been called a sign of female emancipation and female oppression. Lipstick history dates back thousands of years, to ancient lipstick made from crushed gemstones and lead. In ancient Greece, harlots legally had to wear lipstick, while 18th century Britain declared lipstick a sign of witchcraft. And the origin of red lipstick, still a trendy look today, involves some downright disgusting ingredients.

The people who undertake Secret Service training keep presidents, vice presidents, first families, and even candidates safe. But their own lives can be incredibly dangerous. The Secret Service agent job description includes both protection and investigation. Being an agent may seem glamorous, but it's often anything but. Agents spend long hours watching crowds for suspicious behavior, constantly functioning on high alert. They carry weapons, investigate crimes, secure locations, and keep some of the most powerful people in the world safe.

The history of alcohol in America, from colonial cider drinkers to prohibition hooch smugglers, shows the lengths Americans went for their booze. Some cowboys were said to be so desperate at the saloons they threw back a mixture of gin and strychnine, while some speculate that the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in winter because they ran out of beer. In the late 19th century, Americans flocked to bars to try new, exciting cocktails, while German immigrants popularized a new style of beer.

Interspersed throughout the vast, open landscape of the Wild West were settlements, towns, and cities full of saloons, brothels, boarding houses, and other establishments where pleasure was for sale. Adult pleasure in the Wild West went along with drinking, fighting, and crime, contributing to less-than-luxurious lives for Wild West saloon girls. Conversely, madams could hold a large amount of wealth and influence. Madams managed their staff who serviced men visiting the boarding houses, parlors, and saloons where they set up shop.