Lisa O
History is like a treasure chest packed with stories that remind us of who we are and why we do what we do. More than just studying the past, it helps us understand today’s world by uncovering the roots of our actions and ideas. But some tales from history are so bizarre they’ll make you wonder if they’re true. Here is a list of the top 15 weirdest historical events that actually happened.
The Pope’s War on Cats
Although no official historical record confirms this, it seems Pope Gregory IV was not a fan of cats. He once declared that black cats were tools of Satan and ordered their extermination across Europe. Ironically, with fewer felines around in the 13th century, the number of rats carrying the plague increased, contributing to the Black Plague outbreak.
The Great Emu War of Australia
During the Great Depression, farmers in Western Australia were encouraged to grow wheat. But this led to a quirky problem: migrating emus swarmed in, wrecking the crops and causing a real headache. To tackle this, soldiers armed with automatic weapons were called in. It turned into one of the wildest animal control missions ever attempted. Despite the soldiers taking down hundreds of emus, these resilient birds held their ground. That’s right—we lost a battle with the birds!
Caligula’s Horse Priest
Roman Emperor Gaius, famously known as Caligula, wasn’t just eccentric—he was downright bizarre. According to ancient historian Suetonius, Caligula adored horses more than people, especially his prized steed, Incitatus. He showered Incitatus with luxuries like a marble stable, ivory manger, jeweled collar, and even a proper house. Caligula’s antics went so far that he once tried to appoint his horse as a senator of Rome, settling instead on making it a priest.
Turkeys as Sacred Symbols
In modern times, turkeys are the star of the Thanksgiving table across America. But rewind to 300 B.C., and these magnificent birds played a far more mystical role among the Mayans. They weren’t just birds; they were revered as sacred conduits of the gods themselves. Turkeys embodied power and prestige, etched into Mayan art and lore as symbols of divine significance and honor.
Selling Wives in Britain
Between the 17th and 19th centuries in England, something quite unusual was happening: wife-selling became a peculiar trend. Divorce was prohibitively expensive for many lower-class Britons, so they found another solution—they sold their wives. This odd and weird custom unfolded in public places like markets, taverns, and fairs, where spouses were traded like goods.
Tesla’s Fear of Pearls
Nikola Tesla, a true genius of his time, had some fascinating quirks. Despite his brilliance, he had unusual fears. He couldn’t stand pearls and wouldn’t even speak to women wearing them—once sending his secretary home for wearing pearl jewelry. Tesla also had a flair for fashion, donning white gloves every evening for dinner and priding himself on his dapper style.
Napoleon vs. the Rabbit Horde
Napoleon Bonaparte, one of history’s top generals, had an unexpected encounter with rabbits. The emperor arranged a rabbit hunt through his chief of staff, who gathered 3,000 fluffy opponents for the occasion. However, when released, the bunnies didn’t flee as expected—they charged fearlessly at Napoleon and his men in a surprisingly aggressive attack. Napoleon’s survival instincts indeed kicked in that day!
Heroin as Cold Medicine
Our ancestors had some strange habits, and not in a good way—some were downright dangerous and even deadly. Imagine using one of the deadliest and most addictive substances in history as casually as your grandma offers Werther’s candy. And the weirdest part is: Heroin wasn’t just used for adult coughs; it was even given to children for their coughs!
Roman Urine Mouthwash
It might sound unbelievable (and pretty gross), but Romans did buy bottles of Portuguese urine to use as mouthwash. They believed the ammonia in urine could clean mouths and make teeth whiter. Even more surprising, this practice persisted, with urine remaining a surprisingly common ingredient in mouthwash across Europe well into the 18th century.
Aeschylus’ Deadly Encounter
Aeschylus left behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in Greek tragedy, but his story doesn’t end there—his death is as bizarre as it is unforgettable. Revered as the father of tragedy among the ancient Greeks, Aeschylus met a peculiar fate. A very hungry eagle misunderstood his bald head for a rock and dropped a tortoise on it to crack open the shell for a meal.
Hitler’s Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
In 1939, a Swedish parliament member named Erik Gottfried Christian Brandt caused quite a stir by suggesting Adolf Hitler should get the Nobel Peace Prize. Just a few days later, after many people protested, they took back the strange idea. The whole thing sparked a huge argument, and in the end, they decided not to give out the peace prize that year.
Hitler’s Surprising Victims
When we talk about Hitler, it’s important to understand the complexities of his ideology. While he’s often portrayed as a symbol of racism and white supremacy, his targets weren’t defined solely by race. The Nazi regime persecuted many groups, including Jews (who were not considered racially Aryan by the Nazis), Slavs (who are considered white), Roma (also known as Sinti and Roma), people with disabilities, homosexuals, and political dissidents.
Women’s Fight for Smoking Rights
You may have heard of Suffragettes fighting for voting rights, but did you know they also battled for the right to smoke? In 1929, daring women hit the streets, lighting cigarettes and boldly declaring them as “torches of freedom” on their signs. This wasn’t just about smoking—it was a fierce stance for independence and equality.
Selling Anti-Comet Pills
Halley’s Comet has lit up the night sky for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that scientists got a close look. This exciting discovery led to wild rumors, especially after they found a toxic gas called cyanogen in the Comet’s tail. People started to panic, and crafty con men took advantage—selling “anti-comet” pills and special umbrellas to protect against the “deadly gas.”
Straw Hat Riots in New York
New Yorkers have gotten mad over some odd things, but hats take the cake. In the early 1900s, it was a big fashion mistake for men to wear straw hats after September 15th. One year, some kids started this hat-busting tradition a bit early on dock and factory workers, sparking riots that lasted over a week. Groups of kids roamed the city, smashing hats. Thankfully, no one died, but many were hurt and arrested—all over hats!