Bruno Pugh
History is filled with grand narratives of empires rising and falling, epic battles, and incredible discoveries, but it’s also peppered with oddities that defy explanation and logic. These weird historical facts, often hidden in the footnotes of scholarly texts, offer a fascinating glimpse into the downright bizarre episodes that have shaped our world. Here are 15 of the most peculiar times in history that would satisfy any curious mind.
Caligula Made His Horse a Senator
Renowned for his eccentric and tyrannical rule over the Roman Empire, Roman Emperor Gaius, known as Caligula, had one of the most interesting anecdotes from his regime involving his favorite horse, Incitatus. Demonstrating his disregard for the Roman Senate and traditional governance, Caligula elevated Incitatus to a senator.
The Most Unusual Thing Saved Freuchen
Arctic explorer Peter Freuchen was on an expedition in 1926 when he was caught under an avalanche. By amputating his foot and making a shiv out of his excrement, he managed to avoid death.
The Grooms of the Stool
One typical feature of Henry VIII’s court was the “Grooms of the Stool,” who were entrusted with the personal duty of cleaning the king’s behind. Henry VIII had four such servants during his reign; they were all knighted ultimately.
Abe Lincoln Was a Wrestler
Prior to entering politics, Abraham Lincoln was a world champion wrestler. Lincoln was admitted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1992 after winning over 300 matches and suffering only one defeat during his career.
Family Portraits with the Dearly Departed
In the Victorian era, post-mortem photography became a beautiful way to memorialize loved ones who have passed on. This practice involved photographing the recently deceased, often positioning them to appear as if they were still alive, sometimes alongside living family members. These photos were poignant keepsakes, capturing the person’s last tangible memories.
You Can Go to Court for Impotence
Thanks to legal provisions, women in Renaissance France had a special kind of marital redress against their husbands’ behavior in the bedroom. It was reasonable for a wife to contest her spouse’s infertility in court. These were many cases that frequently included medical examinations and occasionally even a congressional hearing upon which the couple’s intimate life was monitored.
A Deceased Jockey Won a Race
A race at Belmont Park in New York was won by jockey Frank Hayes in 1923, even though he was dead. When his horse crossed the finish line for a 20-1 outsider victory, he suffered a massive heart attack in the middle of the run, but his body surprisingly remained in the saddle.
Yamaguchi Lived to Tell the Tale
At the time the first atomic bomb fell, a man named Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima. Weirdly enough, he left and returned to Nagasaki and his family the day before the second atomic bomb was dropped. At ninety-three, he lived to survive both attacks and is probably considered one of the luckiest men ever to walk this planet.
The Curious Case of the Tomato Trial
A tomato trial was held in Salem, New Jersey, in 1820 due to the general idea that tomatoes were harmful. Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson finished the argument by eating a basket of tomatoes without adverse effects.
The Pope Said No Cats Allowed
When he was in power, Pope Gregory IX ordered the eradication of felines throughout Europe, declaring them connected to the devil’s worship. It’s thought that the absence of cats contributed to the growth of rats and the spread of the bubonic plague.
The First Woman in Congress
In 1916, Jeanette Rankin made history as the first woman to serve in Congress, representing Montana. Her groundbreaking election occurred four years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, finally granting women the right to vote nationwide in 1920. Rankin’s achievement not only shattered gender barriers in political representation but also underscored the growing momentum of the historic women’s suffrage movement in the early 20th century.
The King Had Mega Secret
Elvis Presley’s life was marred by severe constipation, a condition that troubled him persistently. This ailment was mainly due to a colon problem called the “megacolon.” Tragically, it was while attempting to relieve this illness that Elvis Presley passed away. This aspect of his health challenges starkly contrasts the glamorous image usually associated with the King of Rock and Roll.
The Battle of Los Angeles Wasn’t Real
Amidst World War II tensions in 1952, Los Angeles County became the center of a significant military reaction when the U.S. Army discharged 1,400 anti-aircraft rounds into the night sky. This intense response was triggered by what was believed to be a Japanese air raid, an event that has since been termed “The Battle of Los Angeles.” However, it was later determined that the perceived threat was a false alarm, with no enemy aircraft present.
Columbus Didn’t See the Little Mermaid
Christopher Columbus claimed to have seen what he thought to be mermaids in 1493 while on his expeditions. But in his descriptions, he said they were “not as pretty as they are depicted,” pointing out that their faces had an unexpectedly mannish look. Debunking the mythological encounter, it is now commonly agreed upon that Columbus’s mermaids were actually manatees.
Chaplin Lost a Chaplin Look-alike Contest
When the great Charlie Chaplin was at the height of his fame, he gladly participated in a look-alike competition in San Francisco, attracting a large number of fans who wanted to appear just like him. In a delightful twist, Chaplin humorously found himself in 3rd place among his impersonators, according to his son, Charles Chaplin Jr., who wrote about his famous father.
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