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40 “Everyday History Facts” They Probably Didn’t Teach You In School, As Shared By This Instagram Account
Carl Sagan once said, “You have to know the past to understand the present.” While some may think that history is just a whole lot of dates and names, it’s actually much more than that. In fact, it’s the little details that help you to get a deeper knowledge of a certain era or event, and let you figure out why things happened the way they did.
If you’re always searching for new tidbits of information and find yourself trying to expand your mental horizons, we’ve got you covered. Just take a look at this Instagram account dedicated to making history more interesting one day at a time. From Elvis Presley to Shrek the Sheep, this page will help you put things into context.
Bored Panda has collected some of the best facts posted by the account, so continue scrolling and make sure to upvote the ones that were new to you. Also, be sure to check out our previous posts about weird history facts here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
On July 15, 1878, Anna Coleman Ladd graces the world with her presence. Coleman is credited for being the god-mother of Anaplastology. She spent most of her days in Red Cross tents, experiencing first hand the gruesome nature of one of the bloodiest battles of human history during the Battle of the Somme. Coleman assisted soldiers who were battered beyond recognition, sculpting face masks in an attempt to restore them to their former selves. She molded pieces from galvanized copper, tin foil, and human hair by hand. Coleman provided the soldiers of WWI with an invaluable gift, a reflection they could come to terms with.
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#2
In 1955, Rosa Parks gets arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Parks’ act of disobedience led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott went on for more than a year as African Americans walked or carpooled to work and school. The bus company suffered greatly, since African Americans were 70 percent of their riders. In November of 1956, the US Supreme Court ruled the bus segregation as a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. This called off the protest and Rosa Parks became one of the first to ride the newly desegregated buses.
But why is it important to study history in the first place? Dr. Tony Joel, an Associate Professor of History at Deakin University, wrote that this subject is a multifaceted discipline that can increase our cultural awareness: “By studying history, you’ll gain a range of transferable skills, from informed citizenship and critical thinking, to research and general awareness.”
History is one of the “traditional” disciplines in the humanities. While it may look like the popularity of this study field is decreasing, Joel said that it’s still a subject that many students enjoy: “It seems that, even if they’re enrolled in engineering, nursing, science, law, commerce or something else, many students love to dabble in a little bit of history as part of their course.”
According to him, it’s a common error to think that studying the past simply involves remembering the who, what, and when. These types of questions are just the start of it: “Historians are far more interested in exploring the how and why questions—that is, interpreting events to better understand how they unfolded and why they occurred.”
#3
In 1957, Elvis Presley gets drafted to the United States Army. Despite thousands of Presley’s fans asking for him to be spared, Elvis still joined the army. Presley’s entrance in the army was widely praised as he was seen as a model for all young Americans. Presley had a massive influence on society. When he received his polio shot by an army doctor on television, vaccination rates increased from 2 to 85 percent by the time he was discharged in 1960.
#4
In 1916, the greatest female sniper of all time, Lyudmila Pavlichenko is born. As a member of the Soviet Army during World War II, she killed 309 Nazis, earning the name “Lady Death.” The feared Germans offered Pavlichenko lots of chocolate and to make her German officer in exchange for her to switch sides. After declining, the Germans said “if we catch you, we will tear you into 309 pieces and scatter them to the winds!” The Germans were unsuccessful and in 1974 Pavlichenko passed due to a stroke.
Joel mentioned the oft-quoted aphorism by philosopher George Santayana: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. It’s important to interpret the general facts surrounding different historical events in order to develop a better understanding of our world today.
“And if we heed Santayana’s warning, then remembering history—and learning important lessons from it—should help us to avoid previous mistakes and prevent previous misdeeds from happening again,” the professor explained.
#5
In 2010, Miep Gies dies. Gies was the last survivor who helped hide Anne Frank and her family during World War II. Despite Gies’ heroic contributions trying to save the Franks from the Nazis, the Franks were captured. However, Gies protected Anne Frank’s notebooks that described Frank’s experience in her 2 year hideout. These experiences were later published as “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.” The diary became one of the most widely read book on the Holocaust.
Ashlea Saunders 2 years ago
All antivaxxers who want to claim they're being treated as badly as the Jews need to read this.
#6
In 1992, Japan apologizes for forcing more than 200,000 Korean women to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II. These women also known as “Comfort Women” were selected by Japanese who deceived Koreans. The Japanese saw Koreans as an inferior race and wanted to strip Koreans from their culture. The women were brutally forced to serve 40 to 50 men a day. Since, these women were the only source of comfort for soldiers they were in front of the line and many died from explosions, bullets, and s**cide. After the war, life was difficult for the women as they were left stranded and many were unable to return home. Some were sent home when allied forces found them, but even when they were returned home their families were ashamed of the them and were abandoned.
Julie C Rose 2 years ago (edited)
What part of “sex slaves” and “brutally forced” isn’t strong enough language for you? Like, the media downplaying things is absolutely an issue, but I feel like you’re defining “downplaying” by the absence of one specific word and not looking at whether the overall tone of the text is downplaying what those women went through. It’s a kind of gamification of social justice that punishes people for not using the exact preferred terminology even though they’re very clearly on the side of the victims, and it’s not productive.
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Caro Caro 2 years ago (edited)
The fate of the 'comfort women' in World War II was bitter and cruel. About 200,000 Korean, Indonesian, Dutch, Filipino, Taiwanese, Burmese, Australian and Chinese women were systematically used as sex slaves by Japanese soldiers. In 1998, a Japanese court ruled in favor of three South Korean women who had filed a complaint against Japan. However, the High Court in Hiroshima rejected the decision, arguing the Japanese government does not have to pay compensation to the women because all of the compensation had been paid off through peace treaties that officially ended the war. None of the other lawsuits were successful.
Tamra Stiffler 2 years ago (edited)
The look on these women's faces is heartbreaking. And then the smiling man...this just boils my piss. I cannot imagine the trauma of being raped once, let alone 40-50 times per day!!
Poultry Geist 2 years ago
I was just looking at him grinning like a jackass
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Bacony Cakes 2 years ago
It's not even funny. Sh*t's worse than political cartoons.
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Tracy Sellars 2 years ago
That (insert c word) smiling in the back of the picture I hope he had all the vile, repulsive diseases and disasters rained down upon him.
Grace Noyes 2 years ago
This photo is so sad and creepy. The grin on the soldier's face and the look of despair in the faces of the women.
The Starsong Princess 2 years ago
Comfort women is such a misnomer. They were enslaved and repeatedly raped and tortured.
Tamra Stiffler 2 years ago
Yes..."comfort women" is a pathetic whitewashing attempt to conceal the truth of these women's lives: repeated, torturous rape.
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potato salad 2 years ago
The reason why japanese are good in medical fields, was because of the human experiment they did.You can google Japan human experiment Unit 731 . The reason why my Korean friends hate Japan(government), is because they refused to apologize. They never apologized as far as I know
Dutchdancemum 2 years ago
This book tells the story of one of them https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DF0TM2S/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title
Alethia Nyx 2 years ago
Who sensors out the word suicide? Like it is a taboo that should be hidden, instead of something that should be addressed.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
I've noticed it happening a lot since Tiktok censors suicide. Now it's censored almost everywhere I see
Load More Replies... Monkey Spunk 2 years ago
Let's not forgot that it took enormous international pressure to force Japan to apologise. Japan have now rewritten a lot of their history in school books to avoid any nasty references like this so it looks like they were all sweetness and light during WWII.
Jaaawn 2 years ago
*s u i c i d e. This is their story, this is their history. At least show them respect by telling their side uncensored.
Ivo H 2 years ago
Yes! I hate when anyone censoring the word suicide! It makes it look like the word (and the act) is somehow taboo. And we definitely SHOULD talk about suicide!
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Guy MacGregor 2 years ago
Funny how kidnapping, enslavement and rape are ok, but suicide? NEVER! Come on BP... You can't want to speak about something you try to censor at the same time.
Russian Otaku 2 years ago
The is trash description it wasnt that happy and light hearted. Was way f*****g worse. They even fed them to dogs or crippled them to prevent struggling or even paltry attempts to run away. Goes on and on and no reparations from japan where given let alone actual solid concrete acknowledgement worthy of being called acknowledgement
Suzi Q 2 years ago
I feel so sorry that hose women had to do that! Worse yet their families rejected them because of shame. If the woman were victims of any other violent crimes, they wouldn't treat them that way. Rape is a violent crime. It's so sad. Why did they need to censor the word "suicide?" I get that it's harsh to sensitive people but seriously, the article itself is harsh. Suicide is reality. We should be talking about it not censoring it .
Halo183 2 years ago
why were their families ashamed? The women couldn't help themselves! Just wow, this place is messed UP.
Tara Raay 2 years ago
Same reason people blame women for being raped. Society thinks men can’t just be a disgusting twisted c**t, the woman had to have done something.
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Tinder of the SkyWings 2 years ago
Why is the word suicide censored? Bored Panda, if you're reading this, we need to destigmatize this word so that we can talk about this openly.
Flabuless-Jaye 2 years ago
This is appalling. Used and abused by the Japanese, and then left to fend for themselves in an unknown country or are abandoned by their own Korean families. Horrendous.
Mickie Shea 2 years ago
It's so sad that women are treated as masterbation tools when they are such a vital part of humanity. Probable a lot more than some men. Yet, war has never be3n kind to women, children or others.
Jeffrey Diehl 2 years ago
The Japanese still refuse to acknowledge their part in WWII, brushing off as "an unpleasant time" and playing themselves as victims of the atomic bombings. Very different from the Germans in this regard.
Terry Tobias 2 years ago
Before you read the description, you can tell from the picture something is horribly wrong. The womens' faces compared to the man's grin...
moonlit muffins 2 years ago
what my mother told me (she is full korean) is that the japanese took so many koreans to their country because they needed soldiers and slaves. when they were defeated by the americans in the 2nd world war, the japanese were forced to return them. they piled the excited koreans onto boats and when they were far from shore. they sank those boats.
FrillyDragon 2 years ago
For more awful facts about the WWII Japanese army/government, look up the Nanking Massacre and Unit 731. Two separate things, but OH BOY. If you want to be horrified further, those will do it.
Marjolijn De Bakker Pouw 2 years ago
Unfortunately it were not only the Korean women. The Dutch women were also used, in the Netherlands they are called “troostmeisjes” comfortgirls.
Anne Mitchell 2 years ago
Why not write the complete word. Shoe respect. SUICIDE. These women deserve for people to know they were so badly treated they only had one alternative.
Everything_Fubar 2 years ago
I've seen this picture before but with a caption saying that these specific ones were rescued and protected
Yugan Talovich 2 years ago
More recently, a Japanese politician kicked the statue of a comfort woman to remind us all what a lot of them really feel about it.
Sunny Topia 2 years ago
I remember a movie where its based on true story about this... its very2 sensitive for me tho... I wish I could just kll those psycho. 🥲😭
Elizabeth Bell 2 years ago
Not seen as good enough to be considered human, but good enough to provide 'comfort'...
Sterling Hill 2 years ago
FREAKS ME OUT!! The Japanese have been a real duality - Delicate Tea Ceremonies and beautiful embroidered kimono... BUT: THIS!! Read about the Rape of Nanking - Breathtakingly horrible. Massacre and atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army after it captured Nanking AND they have hundreds of photographs and films and the Japanese STILL deny it ever happened. "In 1990, Japanese government officials formally denied the Nanking Massacre by stating that it was a lie. On November 10, 1990, the deputy Japanese Consul in Houston told Americans that according to Japanese sources, the massacre never occurred." Wikipedia
Kelvin Scott 2 years ago
it was such a sad /bad reflection on humanity , wonder if any of the men were ever done for war crimes
Gary Sansom 2 years ago
One would like to hope modern Korea would apologise to the families of these poor women for not caring for them on their return....
Geordie Girl 2 years ago
They wanted to strip Koreans of their culture....Jeez, I'm surprised they all didn't die of sexually related diseases!!!
Terry Diebold 2 years ago
And those who woked aboard ships were thrown overboard alive when they were too exhausted to stand up.
Helen Vertannes 2 years ago
Nothing seems to change much with the way different countries see other people as inferior who they can just abuse or kill (I'm sure many if these women were killed by soldiers because they knew there would be no punishment, plus I expect some died from injuries from the repeated rapes. As a female I can only be astonished that they survived the treatment). Look at Russuan invading the Ukraine, then the threat of China that they are going to take Taiwan. History repeats itself with every war.
Birma Gustafsson 2 years ago
Women always looses when men controle their lives, bodies and fates. Not even as victims of a brutal treatment are they treated fairly, because a woman is a secondary member of society, barely human according to men.
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
Far too late for an apology, but at least Japan did what the US still can't do. Our government still hasn't acknowledged what it did to the indigenous peoples they tortured or the Blacks they enslaved.
EJN 2 years ago
It was not just Korean women, although they suffered a lot. Poor Japanese girls were also recruited with lies and ended up in the same situation. Not only did they suffer during the war, they suffered EVEN MORE after the war because their own countrymen/women rejected them and made it difficult for them and their children to live in Korea. Even today, if you are a relative by blood to one of the comfort women in the past, you will probably have difficulty in finding a marriage partner should it be known.
Brian Bennett 2 years ago
Why do the people in power do horrid things and then feel an apology is adequate for forgiveness! Humans have not changed especially powerful bastards that run companies and countries!
Bruce Pummeroy 2 years ago
the families that abandoned them when they got home are worse than the Japanese who used them.
Cat Crazy Lady 2 years ago
I thought the same thing! Was surprised when I didn't see any comments (except yours)
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Rachael Sampson 2 years ago
The Japanese Government was f*****g terrible. But don't blame the regular Japanese citizens who had nothing to do with these atrocities
Finding out the little details or little anecdotes about our past is not only fun but also helps us re-think the knowledge surrounding a certain historical event. In fact, whether it’s learning new things about history, psychology, or gathering random information floating around the internet, people certainly benefit from learning facts.
Previously, we reached out to Daniel T. Willingham, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and author of Outsmart Your Brain, to talk about why humans are so drawn to acquiring new information. “What’s odd about facts is that the content matters less to whether or not you’d like to learn about it than you’d think,” he said.
#7
In 2004, Shrek the Sheep is finally sheared. The sheep was hiding for 6 years from shearers because of his strong dislike of getting haircuts and was eventually found. The sheep’s fleece weighed a record 60 pounds at the time. The shearing was viewed by millions live on TV.
Mica Silvia 2 years ago
Imagine being scared to have your haircut but when it happens it's aired live on TV.. poor little sheep 🐑
#8
In 1913, Harriet Tubman passes away. Tubman is known for escaping slavery and for helping around 300 slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. Among those captured were Tubman’s parents and none of those that escaped were captured again. Due to her success in helping slaves escape, slave owners put a $40,000 reward to capture Tubman.
“Curiosity seems to be an innate drive we share with many other species that prompts us to learn about our environment, which obviously helps individuals to survive,” the professor explained. “We are not curious about everything—we are curious when we think a little exploration will lead to a lot of learning.”
Yet, some people believe that taking the time and energy to learn interesting facts is a waste of time. The professor disagrees, saying that factual knowledge is a really important driver of reading comprehension and other high-level thinking skills, like problem-solving.
#9
In June 1944, 14-year-old George Stinney, was convicted and put to death by the electric chair for the murders of two girls ages 7 and 11. Stinney was questioned in a small room, alone – without his parents, without an attorney. Therefore, people believe Stinney was coerced into confessing the murders. Stinney was then rushed to trial and after a two-hour trial and a 10-minute jury deliberation, Stinney was convicted of murder and sentenced to die. Stinney became the youngest person in modern times to be put to death. 70 years after his death, Stinney was exonerated.
#10
In 1992, Whitney Houston’s hit song “I Will Always Love You” premiers. Many associate this song with Whitney Houston. However, the song is a cover of Dolly Parton’s song. Parton agreed to let Houston use it after she was asked by Kevin Costner who co starred “The Bodyguard” with Houston at the time. Parton then heard Houston’s version and was blown away. Houston ended up winning 10 Grammy awards for the song and Parton became a legitimate songwriter.
Stephanie Did It 2 years ago
Dolly was a legitimate songwriter DECADES before Whitney covered that sweet and poignant song.
“Think about how much easier it is to read a passage if you’re familiar with the general topic—I don’t care how ‘skilled’ a reader you are, if (like most Americans) you’re unfamiliar with the game of cricket, you will not be able to make sense of a newspaper account of the game,” Willingham mentioned. However, “a ten-year cricket fan in India or another cricket-mad country would have no problem.”
#11
In the 17th and 18th century, boys usually 6 years old were purchased from their poverty stricken parents by a master sweep in England. These boys would become chimney sweeps. Children would climb up chimneys using their elbows, back, and knees. Unfortunately, some children would get stuck and never get out. Since kids were put in unnatural positions, their growth was stunted and they would suffer from lung problems, soreness, and Chimney Sweep Cancer. In 1864, Parliament passed the “Act for the Regulation of Chimney Sweepers” which ended the use of young boys to clean chimneys.
#12
In 1887, Hellen Keller meets her teacher, Anne Sullivan. When Keller was 19 months old she lost her sight and hearing. Sullivan taught Keller techniques that led Keller to become a college graduate, lecturer, and activist. For this accomplishment, Sullivan became known as “the miracle worker.”
Bella Wexhome 2 years ago
also the reason you don't hear about Helen Keller for a chunk of her life is cause she was a socialist and communist sympathizer
Some people blame the web for overloading our brains with tons of information, others say that we don’t actually need to learn facts since they’re just a few Google searches away. However, we are the ones putting those little details into context. Later on, we can connect the dots and come up with new answers and clever ideas.
#13
In 1993, Andre the Giant dies. Andre was a professional wrestler who was 7 ft. and 4 in. tall and weighed 520 pounds. Andre’s massive size was due to a brain tumor that produced large amounts of a human growth hormone. The giant had a high alcohol tolerance, as he was able to drink 108 12 oz beers in one sitting. With the mixture of his tumor and unhealthy lifestyle, Andre died due to heart failure at 46 years old.
#14
In 1979, sixteen year old Brenda Spencer shoots at a elementary school from her home. Spencer killed 2 men and wounded 9 kids, as she lived across the street from the school. The rifle that Spencer used was gifted to her for Christmas by her father. When asked why she committed the act, Spencer said “I just don’t like Mondays. I did this because it’s a way to cheer up the day. Nobody likes Mondays.” As of result, Spencer is currently serving two 25 year sentences.
Ashlea Saunders 2 years ago
She'd actually asked her father for a radio. He should have listened.
#15
In 1895, German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen becomes the first person to observe X-rays. This finding occurred accidentally as he was testing to see if cathode rays could pass through glass. He noticed a glow from a nearby chemically coated screen and labeled this an X-ray because of its unknown nature. Rontgen then learned that the X-ray can penetrate human skin but not higher density parts like a bone and can be photographed. This was a major finding in the medical world as doctors no longer needed to open a body to see inside the human body.
#16
On this day in 1972, the deadliest snow storm in history begins. The 7 day snow storm dropped 10 to 28 ft of snow on Iran. The snow buried thousands of people and two villages had no survivors. By the end of the storm, 200 villages were wiped off of the map and 4,000 people died.
#17
In 1921, the Tulsa Race Massacre begins. One of America’s worst and least known incidents of racial violence. On May 30th, an African American man, Dick Rowland was riding in an elevator with a white woman. It is unclear as to what happened in the elevator, but it believed that the woman screamed and Rowland fled the scene. The police arrested Rowland the following day and began an investigation. The next day, a newspaper reported that Rowland would be lynched. This began a 2 day riot where the outnumbered African Americans had their businesses and homes burned in Greenwood, one of the few up and coming African American cities at the time. As of result, it is now believed that around 300 African Americans have died while 10 white people have died. Roughly 9,000 African Americans were left homeless and thousands were arrested.
#18
In 1926, famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini dies from a poisoned appendix. Interestingly, two weeks prior to his death Houdini was giving a lecture and commented on how he has the ability to withstand blows. Moments after making the comment a student punched Houdini twice in the stomach. However, Houdini had no time to prepare. These blows ruptured Houdini’s appendix and the bacteria eventually poisoned his system. “Never try to fool children, they expect nothing, and therefore see everything...”-Harry Houdini
#19
In June 1871, 8’1 Anna Haining Swan and 7’9 Martin van Buren Bates became the tallest married couple ever. The two fell in love when they met each other as employees of a circus. After moving in to a custom made house, the two were unfortunately unable to have a healthy baby as their first child died in a few hours and their second child that weighed 23 pounds survived for 11 hours. Their second child has the record for being the heaviest baby. When Anna died in 1888, Martin ordered a statute of her from Europe.
#20
In 1942, news of Holocaust death camp killings becomes public for the first time. The news broke out almost 7 months after the extermination of Jews began. The genocide began in Chelmno, a death camp in Poland that used gas vans as the main source to achieve their goals. This was used because it was silent and invisible. The gas vans would end up killing 360,000 Jews.
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
The Holocaust numbers also need to include the gay men, Roma, and disabled people who were also systematically rounded up and sent to death camps ( or in the case of disabled children just euthanized). And it's worth noting that gay men were left in the camps by the allies and their Nazi era criminal convictions for being gay were allowed to stand.
#21
In 2018, former United States Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar is sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexual assault. Nassar was found to abuse over 260 women and girls. This case showed the power of the #MeToo movement and was an example of how abusers can escape justice for decades.
#22
In 2004, the first legal same sex marriage is performed in Massachusetts. On November 2003, the state ruled that the ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional. Eventually, same sex marriage became legal in all 50 states on June 26, 2015, when the Supreme Court ruled that states must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.
#23
Chinese foot binding began in the 10th century, as a way to impress the emperor in his favorite dance. Eventually, the tradition of foot binding spread and it was perceived as a sign of beauty and wealth. It was believed that in order to have a good marriage, girls from the age of 4 to 9 had to have their feet bound. Foot binding caused infections which rotted toes and foot deformity. In 1912, China banned the tradition.
#24
In 1692, the first people are accused of witchcraft as part of the Salem Witch Trials. The trials began when two little girls began having fits and a doctor diagnosed them of suffering the effects of witchcraft. The community then began accusing people of witchcraft, mostly middle aged women. As of result over 150 people were arrested and around 20 people were put to death. The trials finally ended a year later when the governor realized that many innocent lives were being lost.
#25
Before he became president, Abraham Lincoln was a dominant wrestler. Thanks to his long limbs, in approximately 300 matches Lincoln was only defeated once. Lincoln was known for talking trash in the ring and even challenged an entire crowd: “I’m the big buck of this lick. If any of you want to try it, come on and whet your horns.” At 21 years old, Lincoln was the wrestling champion of his county in Illinois. In 1992, Lincoln was honored in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
#26
In 1945, the US Army liberates Buchenwald concentration camp. When the Gestapo headquarters (Germany’s secret police), found out that Americans were close they ordered the camp administrators to blow up all the evidence of the camp including the inmates. However, they did not know that the administrators already fled out of fear. The camp held thousands of Jews. Many died from disease, malnutrition, executions, and were used as test subjects for vaccinations. Among those saved were famous author, Elie Wiesel.
Caro Caro 2 years ago
https://www.buchenwald.de/en/69/ ...... By the end of the war, Buchenwald is the largest concentration camp in the German Reich. More than 56,000 die there as the result of torture, medical experiments and consumption. Over 8,000 Soviet prisoners of war are shot to death in a killing facility erected especially for that purpose. Members of the resistance form an underground organization in the camp in the effort to curb SS violence. The “Little Camp” nevertheless becomes the “hell of Buchenwald”. The enfeebled inmates continue to die by the thousands right up until the camp’s liberation. When the Americans reach Buchenwald and its subcamps in April 1945, the supreme commander of the Allied Forces, Dwight D. Eisenhower, writes: "Nothing has ever shocked me as much as that sight."
#27
In 1992, the first smartphone is released. IBM’s Simon launched at $899 and featured a 4.5 in LCD touch screen. The phone was ahead of its time as it could send and receive emails, faxes, and pages. The Simon went on to sell 50,000 units.
#28
In 1934, Bonnie and Clyde are shot to death by police. The two were known for stringing various robberies together. The public saw Bonnie and Clyde’s as dangerous outlaws and as “Robin Hood” like folk heroes. Their fame was increased by the fact that Bonnie was a woman, an unlikely criminal, and because the couple posed for playful photographs together, which were later found by police and released to the media.
Luther von Wolfen 2 years ago
Banks were widely regarded as unjustly foreclosing on farms and other properties during the Depression. Bank robbers were celebrated because they appeared to hurt banks, and because they were doing what many fantasized about doing.
#29
In 1952, the Great Smog of 1952 begins. The heavy smog began when residents burned coal to stay warm and with the mixture of smoke, soot, and sulfur dioxide from the industries and cars nearby caused a heavy smog that covered the city. The smog lasted for 5 days and killed more than 4,000 people. The high death totals occurred due to respiratory issues that it caused, as people had problems with breathing and were vomiting phlegm. Also, visibility was limited as there was no sunlight. When the smog finally blew away, the British government passed laws to stop residents from using coal to heat their homes.
#30
In the 1930s, London parents would use the “baby cage” to hang their babies out the window. Parents would do this because of the conception that babies need to be “aired” to “renew and purify the blood.” Therefore, responding to a lack of outdoor space, some London communities began installing “baby cages.” Eventually due to the growing safety concerns of babies in the 20th century the custom ended.
Saint Thomas 2 years ago
It's kind of ironic they were "airing" them, when you know London was a heavily polluted city at the time.
#31
In 1946, French fashion designer, Louis Reard invented the modern bikini for women. The word “bikini” came from the United States atomic bomb testing site, Bikini Atoll. Therefore, Reard wanted to make a fashion statement that was explosive just like an atomic bomb.
Mohammad Ammar 2 years ago
The way the U.S cheated the people of bikini to use their land as a testing site was horrible. Watch Johnny Harris's video on it.
#32
In 1945, Soviet troops enter Auschwitz. The Soviets freed over 7,000 survivors of the concentration camps and as of result, they revealed to the world the horrors that occurred in the camps. During the existence of the camp over 1 million Jews were brutally murdered. Prior to the Soviets entrance, the Germans were aware that the Soviets were on their way and therefore they tried to cover their crimes by shooting sick prisoners and blowing up crematoria.
Raven Sheridan 2 years ago
How people can deny that the holocaust even happened, just boggles my mind!
#33
In 1942, Anne Frank and her parents hide in a secret apartment behind her father’s business to avoid being captured by the Nazis. In this hiding spot, Anne Frank wrote her diary which went on to become a best seller, that is translated in over 70 languages. Despite hiding for more than 2 years, the Nazis captured the family. However, Anne Frank’s diary was left behind.
Caro Caro 2 years ago
This was in the Dutch newspaper (AD) today: A six-year investigation by a cold case team led by a former FBI agent into Anne Frank's betrayal sheds new light on the case. Notary Arnold van den Bergh, a member of the controversial Jewish Council, is the traitor to the eight people in hiding in the Secret Annex, according to the team. An anonymous note with his name on it, found in a police investigation from the 1960s, is proof of this, they say. This is stated in the book The Betrayal of Anne Frank by Canadian writer Rosemary Sullivan, which will be published this Monday. The name of the notary is not new. The man was already on a list of possible traitors.
#34
In 2012, 17 year old Trayvon Martin is shot and killed by the captain of the neighborhood patrol, George Zimmerman. Martin was on his way home from a convenience store and was spotted by Zimmerman who was patrolling the area after a series of break ins have occurred. Zimmerman was suspicious of Martin and contacted the police, who told him not to follow the man. Zimmerman disobeyed the order and moments later shot Martin. When the police arrived, Martin was dead and Zimmerman had a bloody nose and cuts on the back of his head. Zimmerman. Is es self defense as an excuse and as of result was found not guilty an a charge for second degree murder. In 2013, the city where the incident happened ruled that it is now forbidden for neighborhood watch volunteers to carry a gun and pursue suspects.
Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
And then the murderer tries to cash in on his fame among right wingers by selling "art" and attempting to sell the gun he killed Treyvon with as a collector's item. I can't remember if he actually succeeded or not.
#35
In 1974, one of America’s most famous serial killers Ted Bundy strikes again. Bundy used his charm to pick up his young victims. When Bundy was finally recaptured in 1979 after escaping jail twice, he confessed to killing 36 people. However, some claim that he killed over 100 people. Eventually, in 1989 Bundy was executed.
Pamela24 2 years ago
That's a common misconception that Bundy was "charming" his victims but it's actually not true. He broke into a sorority house and murdered a couple of women during the night. He ambushed then when they were walking home alone in the dark. The only woman who managed to escape him wasn't charmed, she was scared and intimidated. Yes, some women were falling for him during and after his trial. But his victims didn't fall for his charmes. They were violated by a sadistic egoistical coward.
#36
In 1961, Princess Diana is born. During her marriage, the “People’s Princess” was president or patron of over 100 charities. The Princess publicized work on behalf of homeless and also disabled people, children and people with HIV/Aids. Princess Diana was also known for her renowned style and was closely associated with the fashion world, patronising and raising the profile of younger British designers.
#37
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush vomits on Japan’s Prime Minister. Bush was invited for dinner by the Prime Minister. During dinner, Bush felt ill and and then fell to his side. Bush ended up vomiting on the lap of the Prime Minister. This incident became one of the most widely ridiculed moments against a president.
#38
In 1865, slavery gets abolished in America. The 13th Amendment was adopted and ruled that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” 246 years after the first shipment of slaves to Jamestown slavery was abolished. However, issues to overcome slavery was an issue for America for over a century with the Reconstruction era and African American civil rights movement in the 1950 and 60s.
Luther von Wolfen 2 years ago
The picture shows African-American men in prison uniforms, presumedly members of a chain gang - which was legal slavery, after the 13th Amendment.
#39
In 1999, two teenagers kill 13 people in Columbine High School. Prior to the incident the two killers, recorded videos stating what they would do and apologized to their parents for their actions. The two would both kill themselves after the shooting. Since this incident there has been an average of 10 school shootings a year in the US.
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What do you think ?
Jo Choto 2 years ago
The entire history of humanity seems to be defined by war, death, wealth and sex.
Lexi Stoffel 2 years ago
I wasn't taught this is school and I just graduated from high school.
Load More Replies... Courtney Delaney 2 years ago
While this article had interesting facts, it was painful to read. The grammar alone - did ANYONE proofread this? The commas and lack of commas was more than frustrating, and the phrase is "as A result" not "as OF result."
Tahani 2 years ago
Do check out Dark History by Bailey Sarian on youtube, she has covered a few of these stories already!
Courtney Delaney 2 years ago
Fellow fan of ALL THINGS Bailey Sarian. Love Dark History (also a podcast), but REALLY LOVE Murder, Mystery, Makeup Monday!!!
Load More Replies...
TrixicBird(Any pronouns) 2 years ago (edited)
My addition: A queer black woman created rock n´ roll. look Sister Rosetta Tharpe up.
Kiwii Stone 2 years ago
A lot of these are taught in the UK (and I suspect many other European countries). Many others occurred to recently to be 'taught in history'. So I'm interested to see what they'll change the title of this list to
Sadie Richert 1 year ago
I don’t think I was meant to be a person. People are sick. Maybe I was meant to be a dolphin or something
Jo Choto 2 years ago
The entire history of humanity seems to be defined by war, death, wealth and sex.
Lexi Stoffel 2 years ago
I wasn't taught this is school and I just graduated from high school.
Load More Replies... Courtney Delaney 2 years ago
While this article had interesting facts, it was painful to read. The grammar alone - did ANYONE proofread this? The commas and lack of commas was more than frustrating, and the phrase is "as A result" not "as OF result."
Tahani 2 years ago
Do check out Dark History by Bailey Sarian on youtube, she has covered a few of these stories already!
Courtney Delaney 2 years ago
Fellow fan of ALL THINGS Bailey Sarian. Love Dark History (also a podcast), but REALLY LOVE Murder, Mystery, Makeup Monday!!!
Load More Replies... TrixicBird(Any pronouns) 2 years ago (edited)
My addition: A queer black woman created rock n´ roll. look Sister Rosetta Tharpe up.
Kiwii Stone 2 years ago
A lot of these are taught in the UK (and I suspect many other European countries). Many others occurred to recently to be 'taught in history'. So I'm interested to see what they'll change the title of this list to
Sadie Richert 1 year ago
I don’t think I was meant to be a person. People are sick. Maybe I was meant to be a dolphin or something
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