Wait, That Actually Happened? Mind-bending Historical Moments You Won’t Believe
The Lioness of Brittany: A Merciless Pirate Queen
In the 1300s, Jeanne de Clisson, a noblewoman, became a pirate after the French King wrongfully executed her husband. She sold her possessions, acquired warships, and directed her rage upon French ships. Jeanne, also known as the “Lioness of Brittany,” had no mercy.
Her cunning torture strategy involved sparing only one person from each ship, who would then tell the French King the horrible story of her rage. Her bold deeds and deft plan made Jeanne a terrifying symbol of vengeance.
Next: The Ship-Based Society that had its own currency.
They Survived for a Year on a Floating Iceberg
In a fascinating tale of perseverance, an expedition of adventurous explorers led by Ernest Shackleton evaded the icy grips of death in Antarctica in 1914. Despite their vessel’s destruction by ice floes, they survived on a floating iceberg for a year.
The crew proceeded on a daring escape using three boats; two landed on Elephant Island, while the third traversed the dangerous Drake Passage, seeking help. Ultimately, their extraordinary voyage brought them to safety, leaving an inspiring legacy of survival.
Next: How a Teen Survived a Plane Crash in the Amazon Rainforest.
She Plummeted 3,000 Meters, Strapped to her Seat
Imagine flying through the sky on a stormy day when a lightning strike suddenly hits the plane you are in. That is the story of Juliane Koepcke, a young girl who survived in a dense rainforest after a lightning-struck plane left her stranded.
Despite being injured and alone, she bravely relied on her instincts and father-taught tracking methods to navigate the forest. Fortunately, founding a river, she carefully followed it. Eleven days later, she finally returned to civilization by boat.
Next: How Sicily was conquered using a corpse during WWII.
Operation Mincemeat: A Corpse That Changed History
In 1943, during World War II, the Allies devised a brilliant plot to trick the Nazis and gain a tactical edge. Operation Mincemeat showed the use of trickery in a combat situation.
The centerpiece of this tactical plot was a body clothed in military attire, abandoned at sea with an apparently top-secret letter in its pocket. After believing the letter’s contents, the Nazis moved their forces to Sardinia in preparation for an impending attack. Meanwhile, the Allies quickly conquered Sicily.
Next: This stray dog became a sergeant and fought alongside soldiers in WWI.
Sergeant Stubby: A Canine War Hero
Dogs have a long history of being loyal friends—even during wartime. Meet Sergeant Stubby, a heroic canine that fought in World War I.
This stray dog, spotted and smuggled on board a ship by a soldier, impressed the commanding officer with his saluting abilities. With its keen senses, Stubby could warn the squad of gunfire and bombings before others could detect them. The mutt even singlehandedly detained a German soldier, demonstrating the remarkable bond between humans and their furry friends.
Next: The man who was the protector of Mexico and Emperor of America.
The Crown Without a Kingdom: An Enigmatic Emperor of the United States
Meet Joshua Norton, an exceptional individual from San Francisco. In 1859, he proclaimed himself the Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Despite no real power, the public admired and respected him.
Emperor Norton personified charisma and conviction, even calmly controlling a chaotic mob with nothing but prayer. San Franciscans adored him, and police officers would salute him everywhere he went. His unique story continues to enchant people as arguably the only commoner in history to crown himself.
Next: The stench that suffocated London in 1858.
Smelly Old London
Imagine living in 1858 London, with air so bad it smelled like garbage! The odorous situation first arose when the River Thames became a waste dump; the stench was so dreadful it earned the name “The Great Stink.” Central London was like a never-ending reek fest.
Of course, the odor didn’t arise suddenly. People had been complaining about it for quite some time till they couldn’t stand it anymore. Eventually, London pulled up its sleeves and constructed its sewage system.
Next: Laughter can kill you!
The Last Laugh: When People Died of Laughter
Laughter can kill. A 6th-century Greek painter, Zeuxis, passed away from it. He insisted on using an older woman as a model for his painting of Aphrodite. However, he continued laughing at the artwork and died.
Similarly, Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen, had a servant who laughed when she learned of her husband’s death. And in 1989, Ole Bentzen died from a heart attack while laughing during a comic scene in a play, most likely due to extremely high blood pressure.
Next: A writer predicted this man’s death four decades earlier.
Writer Edgar Allen Poe Predicted a Tragic Death
In a strange act of psychic abilities, renowned novelist Edgar Allen Poe wrote a terrifying story in 1838 about Richard Parker, a young sailor who his starving, shipwrecked peers devoured.
More than 40 years later, in 1884, a ship named the Mignonette met a tragic end. Hunger and desperation led the four survivors to the horrible decision to eat their youngest crew member. As it turned out, this unlucky young guy shared the same name as Poe’s character, Richard Parker.
Next: A Man with a cryptic message is found dead on an Australian beach.
A Well-Groomed, Athletic Man Found Dead on the Beach
Shortly after WWII, a corpse washed up on an Australian beach. No one knew the man. He was carrying a book with a coded message, adding to the puzzle. Locals thought that he’d been searching for his missing daughter.
His toned body suggested a dancing background, potentially in ballet. Whispers indicated he and his lover were spies. Could his demise have resulted from heartbreak, the climax of a spy love story? Witnesses buried him, but his identity and death remain a mystery.
Next: A lucky man who survived 600 assassination attempts.
Fidel Castro: The Man Who Cheated Death More Than 600 Times
Fidel Castro survived almost 600 assassination attempts throughout his lifetime. Despite being cunning, the CIA’s efforts were in vain. One failed attempt used a set of shoes with Thallium laces intended to poison his bloodstream.
Moreover, the CIA attempted to capitalize on Castro’s known love for dairy by poisoning his milkshake. However, the pill never left the freezer by some strange quirk of fate. Another unsuccessful plan involved hiding explosives under a seashell. Incredibly, Castro still survived, defying all odds.
Next: The ‘zombie’ soldiers who won the battle during WW I.
The ‘Zombie’ Soldiers of Russia
During World War I, a frightening incident occurred, worthy of the horror film – “Attack of the Dead Men.” The Germans, battling the Russians at Osowiec Fortress, used a deadly weapon, poisonous gas. Without safety masks, the Russians soon were coated in blood and began hacking up their lungs.
Meanwhile, the Germans shook in dread at seeing these zombie soldiers. The Russians continued to fight with determination despite the intense pain of gas poisoning and won, despite most of them dying.
Next: A woman pirate who unleashed hell on France.
The Lioness of Brittany: A Merciless Pirate Queen
In the 1300s, Jeanne de Clisson, a noblewoman, became a pirate after the French King wrongfully executed her husband. She sold her possessions, acquired warships, and directed her rage upon French ships. Jeanne, also known as the “Lioness of Brittany,” had no mercy.
Her cunning torture strategy involved sparing only one person from each ship, who would then tell the French King the horrible story of her rage. Her bold deeds and deft plan made Jeanne a terrifying symbol of vengeance.
Next: The Ship-Based Society that had its own currency.
Yellow Fleet of 1967
The Yellow Fleet was a once-in-a-lifetime event from 1967. Fifteen cargo ships were stranded in the Great Bitter Lake due to the closed Suez Canal during the Six-Day War between Israel and Arab nations and were stuck in the canal for eight years until it reopened in 1975.
The crew members founded their society, which included a newspaper, a mail service, sports activities, and even currency. The Yellow Fleet’s story represents solidarity and human resiliency in the face of adversity.
Next: A bear who fought Nazis for cigarettes and beer.
The WWII Bear’s Epic Fight for Cigarettes and Brews!
Did you know that in times of war, not only dogs but even bears served alongside soldiers? During WWII, a bear named Wojtek joined forces with Allied soldiers. The commanders were cautious at first, but Wojtek rapidly showed his usefulness.
Even funnier is the fact that this bear had a salary! His pay was beer and a few cigarettes. Wojtek eventually relocated to a zoo after the war, where he lived for 20 years with frequent visits from fellow soldiers.
Next: The soldier who bit off his finger to get back into combat.
Lost His Hand, Yet He Called It “Fun”
Adrian Carton de Wiart was remarkable, constantly hungry for conflict and action. Adrian was the kind of person who adored things that other people would have considered harmful. He even bit off his finger to return to battle, happily embracing risk and danger.
He suffered a bullet injury to the head and lost his hand during one battle. Surprisingly, Adrian described that as “fun.” War wasn’t just a life-or-death situation for him; he had a strange but genuine love of fighting.
Next: Locusts blocked the Sun and created complete darkness.
When Locusts Darkened the Skies
It’s not a figment of imagination; swarming locusts can block out the light as they move. It occurred in 1875 and was dubbed “The Great Locust Swarm.” When the pack moved, it blocked the light and created complete darkness.
While this was exciting, the locusts caused devastation on fields from California to Minnesota. They consumed all edible stuff, not even sparing cloth and plants. Only the buildings were left unharmed. And though authorities tried, it was impossible to stop them.
Next: Monkey, who was a rail employee for nine years.
When the Baboon Ran the Rails
Here’s another amusing example of animals getting employed for human duties. Meet Jack, the baboon hired to change train signals. He never made a mistake and spent nine years working for the railway!
But before you think he worked for free, records show Jack got paid 20 cents per day and a half-bottle of beer once a week. We can only imagine unaware people witnessing a monkey changing the railroad signs. They probably thought they were dreaming with their eyes open.
Next: Paleontologists hired spies to destroy one another’s discoveries.
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