Weird History

Wild facts and historical photos that made us say "Whoa!"

More Stuff for History Nerds 

Whoa Facts

Belief is fluid. That's not a bastardized Bruce Lee quote, nor does it refer to a mythical river or rogue wave (which we'll get to later); it means that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/amazing-animals-scientists-didnt-believe-were-real/eric-vega">what people believe is in constant flux.</a> The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-people-proven-right-all-along/will-morgan-1">history of belief </a>affirms that statement.&nbsp;For centuries, ordinary people thought the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-figures-crazy-proven-right-all-along/emily-mast">sun revolved around Earth</a>, disease was caused by demons, and a hole in the head could cure most ailments. Although it may seem like our ancestors were more gullible, they didn't buy many of the phenomena that we now accept as fact.&nbsp;Note: many quotes are translated from their original languages.

Totally Real Things People Used To Think Were Fake

General

Real Things People Used To Think Were Fake

Shane Fraser

Play That Song

Historical Facts

Whether written with the intent to uplift, inspire, comfort, or draw awareness, musical lyrics have the power to conjure deep emotions and a sense of connection among listeners. If written well, even <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/english-songs-with-foreign-languages/jason-f-collins">song lyrics in other languages </a>can get stuck in our heads for days at a time.&nbsp;And while we may know every word of our favorite songs, we often don't realize that there are surprisingly <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/stories-behind-song-lyrics/lauren-glen">unexpected stories</a> behind the lyrics we so easily recognize. Whether it's an upbeat tune or a dramatically somber melody, songwriters often draw on historical references to inspire the themes of the ballads they write. Historical references in songs from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-references-in-beatles-songs/gordon-cameron">The Beatles</a> to The Beastie Boys, here are some of the most notable songs with historical references we didn't catch before.&nbsp;

12 Songs With Historical References We Didn’t Catch Before

Song

Real History References In Famous Pop Songs

Lauren Glen

A Rose by Any Other Name

Expecting parents have big choices to make, and choosing the perfect name for their bundles of joy is often at the top of the list. Whether settling on a well-known moniker or opting for one that stands out from the crowd, parents hope the decisions they make for their children will hold up to the personalities they develop.&nbsp;Still, no matter how much thought goes into the baby-naming process, there's always room for the unknown. Some newborns are intentionally given <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-baby-names/lauren-glen">controversial names</a> that don't sit well with their respective cultures, while others receive common ones that have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/name-meanings-dark/lauren-glen">surprisingly dark meanings</a>.&nbsp;If new parents are hoping to dodge the weighted history of a name by choosing classics like Chad, Molly, Courtney, Jason, or others on this list, they may be surprised to learn that their child's namesake has a surprisingly deep origin story worth looking into. Read on to discover the unexpected history behind some of the world's more common names.&nbsp;

Unexpected Facts About The Origins And Meanings Of Common Names

Given Name

The Surprising History Behind Common Names

Lists about action stars and characters who are eternally sweaty and smeared with dirty blood, having just leapt out of reach of another fiery explosion.


Yippee-Ki-Yay, Mister Falcon

Actors can develop reputations for how they behave off-screen as well as based on the roles they take. Typecasting aside, some actors have definitely become synonymous with masculine energy. Or, simply put, they're macho.These men may fight, talk sh*t, drive fast, and boast big muscles - but they're not always <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-can-fight/mike-mcgranaghan">action stars</a>, per se. They often protect and defend others, stand up to injustice, and present a bravado that's both impressive and intimidating. We know them when we see them, and we kind of count on them to bring manliness to any role - whether they want to or not.&nbsp;Actors like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/burt-reynolds-movies-and-films-and-filmography/ranker-film">Burt Reynolds </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-sean-connery-stories/shane-fraser">Sean Connery</a> have long been considered macho. Nostalgic favorites like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-sylvester-stallone-rambo-facts/jacob-shelton">Sylvester Stallone</a> and Bruce Willis have, too. And performers with relatively short resumes continue to fall under that label all the time. When it comes to the most macho actors we could think of, the guys on this list definitely qualify. And, finding out more about them may have puffed up our chests a bit, too.

Facts About 14 Quintessential Macho Actors That Prove They're Tougher Than Leather

Actor

Melissa Sartore

Lists about and ranking the best, worst, most interesting, and most surprising names of real people, normal and famous.

What's In a Name?

For new parents, naming children can be one of their most important decisions. As they comb through lists of the most <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-popular-girl-name-by-decade/anncasano">popular girl names </a>and most<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-popular-boy-name-by-decade/anncasano"> popular boy names</a>, they consider whether to stick with a traditional-sounding moniker or go for something more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-baby-names/lauren-glen">edgy and controversial</a>.While many people may believe they're playing it safe by choosing classic baby names that have withstood the test of time, some have surprisingly dark meanings. Which popular names translate to concepts like regret, sorrow, warlike, hairy, or even misshapen head? Read on to find out!

25 Names With Surprisingly Dark Meanings

Names With Unexpectedly Dark Meanings

Fascinating info that will make you the most interesting person at every party.

Wild Facts You Should Know

The world is a deeply strange place, and these weird facts prove it. These aren’t run-of-the-mill, recycled facts that pop up every now and again. Instead, this list digs deep to uncover <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-unknown-historical-facts/alby-thompson">truly wild history facts</a> and facts about the present <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-facts-true-history/alby-thompson">that are 100% true</a> and still relatively unknown.&nbsp;Some of the bizarre things we learned include odd facts about fellow members of the animal kingdom, the disorienting reality of time in the North and South Poles, and why Long Island should probably think about adopting a new name for the most ridiculous, and most unexpected, reason possible. Many of these facts will amaze, some will disgust - but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-history-unexpected-facts/alby-thompson">all of these unexpected facts</a> will surprise.

12 Bizarre Facts That Make Us Question Everything We Thought We Knew

Bizarre Facts True Surprising

Alby Thompson

Planet Earth is BIG! Get out there, take a look, and experience what cities and people all over the world have to offer.

Around the World

Cities are, of course, a major part of a nation’s sense of self, and this is particularly true of large urban centers. Locales like London, Rome, and Tokyo loom large in the public imagination, drawing millions of visitors each year. Those who visit such cities often enjoy learning more about the places and things they encounter.&nbsp;While some unusual facts about major cities are well-known, hidden histories and surprising bits of trivia often lie off the beaten path. We now take a closer look at some of the most fascinating facts about many of the world’s noteworthy cities, to gain a fuller understanding of just how unique they are. Below, find 14 fun facts about cities from around the world and vote for the most interesting!

14 Fun Facts About Big Cities Around The World

City/Town

Thomas West

History may have already happened, but the past still <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-facts-surprising-082223/alby-thompson">holds plenty of surprises</a>. These facts run the gamut from relatively unknown stories about famous people’s lives to details about well-known organizations or historical figures that seem almost too wild to be believed.But whether they're earth-shaking or simply fascinating, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-facts-surprising-true/melissa-sartore">these unexpected historical nuggets</a> have one important thing in common: they're all legit. Every one of these events actually happened, from the importation of sand to a world-famous beach to the violent origin story of a famous pop duo.So, which are the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-history-facts/tracey-graham">weirdest, most remarkable historical facts</a>? Read our list of the 12 most unbelievable true stories in history and vote on which is most unbelievable below.

12 Most Unbelievable True Stories in History We Couldn't Make Up If We Tried

12 Most Unbelievable True Stories in History

People describe their experiences working with stars of all ages in all environments.

Stars on Stars

While most actors are able to compose themselves enough to deliver believable performances during the filming process, it's often later revealed that <a href=" https://www.ranker.com/list/co-stars-who-hated-each-other/jacob-shelton">co-stars from our favorite films</a> and TV shows <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-couples-who-hated-each-other-in-real-life/donn-saylor">openly despised one another</a> when the cameras weren't rolling.&nbsp;As with any other job, a little animosity between co-stars is to be expected. Acting is an art form, and actors may <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-refused-to-work-together/anncasano">refuse to work </a>with one another because their methods are just incompatible. However, some actors have developed a reputation for being “difficult” to work with in almost any situation. That can be because their backstage demands are too much for crews to handle, because of general “diva” behavior, or because they genuinely believe they know what's best for everyone else on set.&nbsp;Sometimes these “difficult” reputations are overblown or even the result of mean-spirited gossip. Many of these temperamental actors' co-stars have nothing but good things to say about them. But, every now and then, some celebrity's behavior is so atrocious that co-stars are willing to risk their own reputations to tell the truth. Below, find our list of 12 actors who are difficult to work with, according to their costars.

12 Actors Who Are 'Difficult' To Work With, According to Co-Stars

12 Actors Who Are Difficult to Work With

Psst! Hey, kid: wanna see something cool? Check out these lists of neato facts, pics, and vids of science working around you, all day in every way.

That's Just Science

Have you ever read something and been like, “Ehh, that can't be true”? But in the realm of science, sometimes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-unnerving-science-facts/melissa-sartore">truth is stranger than fiction</a>.&nbsp;We've dug into amazing facts from every corner of the scientific world: anatomy, the animal kingdom, astronomy, meteorology, chemistry.&nbsp;From light-years wide <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-earth-and-space-science-facts/ivey-nucilli">voids in space</a> to the weight of clouds to the age of sharks, there are unbelievable facts all around us. So if you're curious to learn something that you might be able to contribute to your next trivia night, read on to see our list of twelve weird science facts that sound like pure fiction. (You might even discover that you have a long-lost relative living just down the road.)

12 Weird Science Facts That Sound Like Pure Fiction

Emily Mast

There are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cool-history-facts/setareh-janda">some stories we read in history books</a> that we have to shake our heads at. There's no way that Poland had an actual bear working in its army, right? Robert Oppenheimer didn't actually try to poison someone, did he?&nbsp;Yet, these are all true. We have records from eyewitness accounts, diary entries from those involved, even photographic evidence. We live in a wild and truly unbelievable world, and we continue to discover more gems from the past that just don't seem plausible, like a rebellion that was born from a chamber pot prank.&nbsp;As long as there are humans, there will be<a href=" https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-history-facts/tracey-graham"> stories that we can't believe actually happened</a>. Below, find our list of the twelve most interesting historical stories that we can't believe are actually true. Which one most surprised you?

12 Most Interesting Historical Stories We Can't Believe

War Movies

Every so often, Hollywood manages to release <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-90s-twin-films/sergio-pereira">two films</a> in a very short period of time, both of which cover the same subject. Sometimes this works to both films' advantage, but far more often it does the opposite, allowing one to notably surpass the other. This can be the case even when both films manage to snag both a prominent director (such as Martin Scorsese or Oliver Stone) and a roster of big stars (such as Adrien Brody, Brian Cox, and George Clooney).These dynamics are even more evident when the films in question are based on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-that-tell-the-same-true-story-v1/mike-mcgranaghan">historical events</a>. Audiences will typically favor one film over the other, regardless of the quality of the movie in question. Thus, it’s worth taking a look at some of the more underrated historical films which were overshadowed by their twin.

Underrated Historical Films That Got Overshadowed By Their More Successful 'Twin'

Film

Underrated Historical Twin Films

How do you feel about a little lite apocalypse?

It's the End of the World

The End of the World

It's not often that the world comes to an end - in fact, it technically can only happen once. But in the world of fiction, the world has ended in response to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-the-world-will-end/molly-weinfurter">every threat </a>to the human race. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/terrifying-nuclear/michael-muir">Nuclear war?</a> Check. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/natural-disasters-that-almost-ended-the-world/daveesons">Natural disaster?</a> Check. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actual-reasons-ai-fear/brenden-donnelly/">Rogue artificial intelligence?</a> Check. In fact, if every piece of fiction were true, the apocalypse would have happened <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_apocalyptic_and_post-apocalyptic_fiction">at least 1,000 times over</a>. &nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/good-end-of-the-world-movies/zach-seemayer">End-of-the-world fiction</a> is popular regardless of genre or target age because it works so well. These stories tap into our basest societal fears and act as a form of commentary on social, political, and environmental problems. While sometimes they provide an “antidote” to the problem in the form of characters who act selflessly toward making the world a better place, more often than not they're merely a reflection of our real-world fears taken to their logical (and sometimes illogical) extremes, giving a voice to the deep-seated anxieties that keep us up at night.Whether the apocalypse is caused by a highly contagious virus, an energy crisis, or climate change, there's usually some basis of truth behind it, making it even more terrifying. But that ultimately begs the question: Which fictional apocalypse keeps you lying awake at night in fear of your own demise?

13 Horrifying Fictional Apocalypses That Keep Us Up At Night

Brenden Donnelly

Revisiting the best, worst, most polarizing episodes ever to grace the small screen.

Unforgettable Episodes

Many of us look to television shows to offer a reprieve – a lighthearted escape from reality. But sometimes, those feel-good shows tackle <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-betrayals-plot-twists/shane-fraser">some pretty heavy issues</a>, allowing the audience to reflect as they watch.&nbsp;Tackling these social issues is even more important in kid-facing shows, where they may not have been introduced to some of these concepts before. How to handle sexual predators, diet culture, drugs, cults, racial discrimination – all of these topics were addressed in shows aimed at teens.&nbsp;Do you remember these episodes? Did their messages stick with you? Do you think they did a good job of addressing these important issues?

The Best TV Show Episodes That Tackle Social Issues

TV Program

Fun trivia about the most interesting actors in the biz.

Fascinating Actor Facts

Celebrities

How do we define an “underrated” actor or actress? Typically, it’s a character actor who’s appeared in dozens if not hundreds of movies and TV shows without quite reaching the upper echelon of stardom. That’s no knock on these performers’ talents. In fact, they’ve often proven their abilities to carry films with leading roles in independent movies, or they’ve won major awards.&nbsp;Just like any sampling of the population, performers from this subcategory come from all walks of life, and have all kinds of backstories. Some have famous relatives. Others have shocking medical histories. Still others might have hidden passions or talents. These biographical details might not affect their work on camera, but they’re interesting all the same. Here are 12 underrated actors from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lesser-known-90s-actors/cortland-jacoby">1990s </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lesser-known-00s-actors/cortland-jacoby">2000s</a> with shocking stories to tell.

12 Underrated Actors with Shocking Stories to Tell

Jim Rowley

Ranking the plot twists we didn't see coming. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Ooh, Twist!

Some of the greatest films ever made covered a historical event. Whether it's a war movie or about a significant moment in history <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/least-accurate-biopics-ever/setareh-janda">or a biopic</a>, odds are, it will have some serious production value. Some movies in this category are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-historically-inaccurate-movies/genevieve-carlton">incredibly accurate</a>, while others play <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-figure-inaccuracies-in-movies/isadora-teich">fast and loose with the facts</a> to tell the story. Whatever the case, historical films are almost always entertaining.Looking back through history, one thing that tends to pop up a lot is betrayal. People were always selling someone out for one reason or another, and it had an impact. This list looks back on the most egregious backstabs in historical movies the audience didn't see coming. While most historians may have expected it, the general public may not. And some movies on this list (looking at you, Gladiator and Braveheart) take a historical setting and heavily fictionalize the events, so there are surprises in store for everybody. Here are the biggest movie betrayals in history - vote on the most treacherous below!

12 Biggest Movie Betrayals in History

Jonathan H. Kantor

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Weird History lists on Ranker

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Weird History lists and rankings.

A look at major events that happened a long time ago and the people who played the biggest roles in shaping the world as we know it.

Historical Facts & Figures

Historical Figures

Some of the most prolific&nbsp;figures in history got off in ways that would have been considered untoward in their time.&nbsp;Nowadays, many&nbsp;of the&nbsp;behaviors described here are seen as normal, or at least, somewhat so. But back in the day, some of these writers, revolutionaries, philosophers, and the like kept their sexuality&nbsp;and kinks a secret, only to be discovered decades after their passing by scholars and curious readers.Perhaps if these legends were alive now, they would wave their flags proudly and let the world know what turns them on. Or not, and that's fine too; after all, it's nobody's business what you're into.

10 Historically Important Figures With Extra Colorful Personal Lives

Person

The Most Historically Important Perverts Of All Time

Beau Iverson

Before tickets even went on sale, every major motion picture employed dozens of people and cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars. Here is how some of them screwed it all up.

Famous Film Fails

Death

Real accidents happen on the sets of big budget movies, but most of them don't cost the cast or crew their lives. Film productions follow a number of regulations to keep performers and crew members safe, but while shooting scenes of manufactured peril, performers sometimes put themselves in situations where the slightest miscalculation can quickly become deadly. Some occurred on <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-nausea-inducing-great-films/randolph" target="_blank">nausea-inducing sets</a>; others happened in seemingly commonplace situations.What are some examples of people dying on movie sets? People have lost their lives on films as early as 1928's Noah's Ark. Here are some of the worst cases where mistakes and misfortune have collided to produce fatal consequences.

12 Film Sets On Which People Were Actually Killed

Deaths on Movie Sets | List of Fatal Accidents During Film Productions

Matt Blackwood

Weird, spooky, and tragic stories of people who passed in odd ways or on strange days.

Unusual Demises

Looking closer at the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe, a period during which artists, architects, politicians, scientists, and writers embraced humanism, bringing their society from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

The Renaissance

Weird

List of odd deaths that happened during the Renaissance, including some of the rumors and legends behind them. This list includes stories of people dying from laughter, a ruler who died due to shyness about using the restroom, and a man who was beaten to death with his own artificial limb. "The Renaissance" is a term used to refer to a broad cultural movement that swept across Europe from the 14th through the 17th century, as well as the period in European History that divides the Late Middle Ages from the beginnings of the modern era. Through the term is most typically used to refer to the Renaissance in Italy - which includes a number of the most famous writers, thinkers, and artists of the period - the Renaissance itself spread to a number of European nations, including Scandinavia, The Netherlands, England, France, Hungary, and Russia.Need more? Check out the most unusual murders of other eras such as the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/unusual-deaths-bizarre-deaths-during-the-middle-ages/notable-famous-deaths">odd deaths during the Middle Ages</a> and the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/unusual-deaths-bizarre-deaths-of-the-21st-century/notable-famous-deaths">bizarre deaths from the 21st century.</a>

The 9 Strangest Deaths of the Renaissance And Early Modern Eras

Renaissance Deaths | List of Strange Renaissance Era Killings

Notable Famous Deaths

There were some strange deaths that have occurred during the 20th century and these are the most bizarre ways that people passed in the 1900s. The following list includes some the most unusual ways of passing imaginable. There are plenty of strange ways to perish, but these might be the strangest&nbsp;of all&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;unique and extremely rare circumstances that you can think of.

What are the most bizarre ways famous people have died in the last century? Do you know someone who swallowed a toothpick at a party and then perished because of peritonitis? Did you know about an actress who passed when she fell down a chimney, thinking it was a balcony? If not, read this list of all the unusual deaths of 20th century people who died in strange ways.

On This Day in History...

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