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30 Counterintuitive Trivia Tidbits About Historical Figures

By:: Cracked Writers; Eric B

November 01, 2021

30 Counterintuitive Trivia Tidbits About Historical Figures

"Those who do not understand history are bound to repeat it," is often shockingly true. Yes, knowing about the past is vital—not just the major names and key events, but also the minor facts that help us comprehend a historical individual or the age in which they existed. Perhaps it's a startling discovery that causes you to reconsider common wisdom. Perhaps it's a bizarre anecdote that catches your attention. But whatever case may be, it's the small, startling bits of the past that are possibly the most entertaining—the kind of information that is so bizarre and out there that it just can’t be replicated.

Even in death, affluent, talented, famous, and infamous people from our history have the potential to capture our imagination. It turns out that what we think we know about historical figures is frequently only the tip of the iceberg. The truth may be unexpected or painful, but it is far from predictable...

30

CRACKEDO COM SADDAM HUSSEIN WROTE ROMANCE NOVELS He consulted with professional writers on his works before releasing them under a pen name that translates to Written by He Who Wrote It. — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

29

Isaac Newton was a waiter. Until he got an undergraduate scholarship, he waited tables at Cambridge. CRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

28

Abraham Lincoln was a trash-talking wrestler in the army. As a president, Lincoln was a patient leader, but as a young adult, he'd kick your ass. During one of his matches, Lincoln defeated his opponent, then turned to the crowd and said: I'm the big buck of this lick. If any of you want to try it, come on and whet your horns. Which is basically 19th century speak for Come at me, bro. CRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

27

Ray Charles believed that the inability to hear music was more of a handicap than the inability to see, despite being blind himself. Because of this belief, he funded several people's cochlear implants anonymously through a charity he founded, which continues doing SO to this day. CRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

26

CRACKED C COM Marilyn Monroe struggled with stuttering throughout her life. — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

25

Cleopatra is known for being the last pharaoh of Egypt, but she was not actually Egyptian. She was Macedonian. CRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

24

CRACKED.COM Ernest Hemingway, author of literary classics such as For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea, had also published recipes for apple pie and hamburger (to name a few). the HEMINGWAY COOKBOOK CRAID HONETH — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

23

Ernesto Che Guevara was also nicknamed EI Chancho The Pig)... Because he seldom bathed. CRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

22

The life of Icelebrated architect FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT was marred by incredible TRAGEDY. HUMM In August 1914, any he returned. home to discover a disgruntled former employee had burned Wright's house down after murdering Wright's entire family with an axe. GRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

21

GENERAL GAIUS JULIUS CAESAR WAS FAMED FOR BEING SUCH A LADIES' MAN THAT HIS OWN SOLDIERS OFTEN MARCHED TO THE TUNE OF ROMANS, LOCK UP YOUR WIVES. THE BALD ADULTERER IS BACK IN TOWN GRACKED.COM — Source: 22 Bizarre, Unexpected Facts About Historical Figures

20

GeoRGE Meyer HAS CREDIT AS A PRODUCER, creative CONSULTANT, WRITER, OR Story eDITOR ON A STAGGERING 350 erisodes of tHe SIMPSONS, IF you HAVE AFAVORITE simpsons Line OR MOMENT SPRING It WAS OBABLY WRITTEN By GeoRGe, MOE'S! CRACKED.COM http://www.snpp.com/other/interviews/meveroo html — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

19

Klingons The Federation Starfleet Command The Prime Directive The Gorn Khan The Warp Drive ...all created. by Gene Coon. CRACKED.COM — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

18

Producer Gary Kurtz coached the actors in Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. CRACKED.COM wttp://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/11/an-interview-with-gary-kurtz — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

17

100 years before Rosa Parks, Elizabeth Jennings Graham took a stand against segregated public transportation. She was a church organist, and she needed to get to church to perform. She hopped on a horse-driven streetcar, despite being told it was full, and the driver had her forcibly removed. She sued. Her lawsuit led to the desegregation of New York Public Transit. Incidentally, Chester A. Arthur was her lawyer. CRACKED.COM — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

16

Edith Bolling Galt Wilson did the President's job. She's sometimes called the first woman president, because she took over her husband Woodrow Wilson's duties after he suffered a stroke and doctors advised her to step in. At that time, women couldn't vote. But by the end of Wilson's term, they could. CRACKED.COM http:/iveww.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/edithwilson — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

15

In 1811. slave named a Charles Deslondes led between 200 and 500 uniformed, semi-armed. flag-bearing multi-ethnic slaves toward New Orleans, in an attempt to conquer the city and establish Black a republic on the Louisiana coast. The army was met and brutally defeated by the New Orleans Militia, and Deslondes was executed. Whether it was because the idea of an organized slave uprising was frightening, or because the rebels were met with what can charitably be described as a massacre (despite having caused just two deaths), the newspapers downplayed-and even ignored-the uprising. It's still virtually missing from history books. GRACKED.COM — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

14

Yel'i Chucai made CRACKED.COM Genghis Khan a ruler. Yelu was Genghis' Prime Minister, and when Genghis decided to level China to make pastureland for his horses, Yelu counseled him to show mercy and spare the people, so they would become his subjects. He was able to persuade Genghis to spare many Chinese cities, ERICAN including the capital city of Kaifeng. http://www.beijingmadeeasy.com/beiing-historv — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

13

CHRIS CLAREMONT TURNED THE X-MEN FROM A DEFLINCT SERIES TO THE BEST-SELLING COMIC BOOK OF ALL TIME. EXCELSIOR, INDEED. CRACKED.COM http.nymag.com/nymetro/arts/features/3522/ — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

12

John Wayne copied all of his everything from a man named Yakima Canutt. Not only was he Wayne's stunt double, he also taught him how to fight, on and off horseback. And while Wayne was learning those lessons, he was also memorizing all of Canutt's mannerisms. I spent weeks studying the way Yakima Canutt walked and talked. He was a real cowhand. I noticed that the angrier he got, the lower his voice, the slower his tempo. I try to say my lines low and strong and slow, the way Yak did. -John Wayne CRACKED.COM Willis, Gary (1998). John Wayne's — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

11

Octave Chanute gave the Wright brothers designs, support, and financial backing. He's also been proven to be the designer of the first functioning airplane, predating the Wrights by four years. Chanute and the Wright brothers had a falling out, because Chanute felt the technology they were working on should be shared freely. Editorial Getty photo CRACKED.COM thttp://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/dec/01/theairlineindustry.g2 — Source: 23 Amazing People Who Were Screwed Out of History Books

10

Howard Hughes was an American business tycoon, investor, aviator, engineer, inventor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. He was linked romantically to Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn, and Ginger Rogers, among others. THE CRAZY: In 1947, Hughes refused to leave his screening room for four months, living entirely on milk, chocolate, and chicken and relieving himself in the empty containers. At the time of his death from kidney failure, his hair and fingernails had grown out of control, and his weight had dwindled to just 90 pounds. CRACKED.COM http://schoolpsychologistfiles.com/10-most-extreme-cases-of-ocd-in-history/ — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

9

Ulysses S. Grant worked to sweep out slavery, protect African-American citizenship, and support economic prosperity in the wake of the Civil War. THE CRAZY: He never let anyone see him nude. Late into his 60S, Grant bragged that no one had seen him naked since he was child - not even the nurses and aides who were assigned to help him in the war. CRACKED.COM Daniel O'Brien 2014 How to Fight Presidents Dafending Against the Badasses Who Ran This Country — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

8

Empedocles was a Greek scientist and philosopher who lived in the 4th century BC. Among his discoveries: That light travels at a speed That Earth is a sphere . Centrifugal force That air is a substance, not an absence of substance An early theory of evolution THE CRAZY: He believed he was a god. TO prove his divinity, Empedocles leapt into Mt. Etna- an active volcano. And died. CRACKED.COM http:/iwww.philosophy.gr/presocratics/empedocles.htm — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

7

Winston Churchill is regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century. As Prime Minister, he rallied the British people during the second World War, and led his country from the brink of defeat to THE victory. CRAZY: He liked to parade around his office naked. Both Franklin D. Roosevelt and his son Elliot had run-ins with naked Churchill. In Elliot's case, Churchill had specifically requested to meet with him. He walked into Churchill's office to find him standing completely naked with a cigar in his mouth, dictating a letter to his male secretary. CRACKED.COM http//www.ihrorg/ihr/09/v09p261 Jrving.htm/ — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

6

Salvador Dali was celebrated for his playful work and flamboyant personality. Fans loved the visual puns in his surrealist paintings. THE CRAZY: He thought he was possessed. In 1947, Dali had a friar named Gabriele Maria Berardi perform an exorcism on him. He gave the friar a crucifix sculpture he had made, as a thank-you gift. CRACKED.COM tp://cathnews. acu. edu .au/510/72 php — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

5

Christian VII was King of Denmark from 1766-1808. His motto was Gloria ex amore patriae (glory through love of the fatherland). THE CRAZY: He masturbated SO much, it interfered with his duties. The court physicians actually worried that his chronic chicken-choking would render him infertile, and that it was stunting his growth. CRACKED.COM Whatainen, Sennefelf. and Bregnsbo Scandinavia in the Age of Revolution — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

4

Charlie Chaplin was the adorable Little Tramp of the silent film era. In 1972 he received an Honorary Academy Award for the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century. He continues to be held in high regard, and his work is often ranked among the greatest films of all time. THE CRAZY: He used to throw custard pies at naked women. Chaplin invented the casting couch in the sickest way possible. He'd audition actresses by having them strip naked SO he could mime-fondle them. Then he'd pelt them with custard pies. CRACKED.COM — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

3

Ben Franklin was really into G-MILFs. In all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones.. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd may be attended with much Inconvenience... Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion... and lastly they are SO grateful. -Ben Franklin, 1745 he also raved that older women, when everything but the part below the girdle is coverd by a basket, are the same as young ones. CRACKED.COM arthmore.edu/SocSci/bdorsey1/41docs/51-fra.html — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

2

Lord Byron was one of the greatest British poets. He was a leading figure in the Romantic movement that took place during the first half of the 19th century. He's regarded as one of the greatest British poets, and remains widely read and influential. THE CRAZY: He collected pubes. Byron had numerous affairs, and collected a lock of pubic hair from each of his lovers. He kept them on file at his publishing house, where they remained for more than 100 years after he died. CRACKED.COM Robert t Schnakenberg, 2008 Secret Lives of Great Authors — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

1

Andrew Jackson is probably in your wallet right now. He was a national hero, and was elected by popular vote. As President, he sought to act as the direct 92059 representative of the common man. STATES TED RESERVE SYS1 AZ LEGALTENDER PUBLIC THE Roses CRAZY: He He had a violent temper and was constantly challenging people to duels. The number of duels Jackson participated in ranges from 13 to hundreds, depending on the source. He had SO many bullets in his body that he rattled like a bag of marbles when he walked. CRACKED.COM Wallace 2004 Character Profiles In Presidential — Source: 24 Famous (And Insane) Historical Figures

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