Ancient Civilizations
1. The Great Emu War (1932)
- In Australia, after World War I, returning soldiers were given land to farm, but they faced an unexpected enemy: emus.
- Approximately 20,000 emus invaded the farmland in Western Australia, consuming crops and damaging fences.
- The government deployed soldiers armed with machine guns to combat the birds, but the emus proved remarkably agile and elusive.
- The “war” ended in failure for the humans; they were unable to significantly reduce the emu population, and it became a source of embarrassment.
2. The Dancing Plague of 1518
- In July 1518, residents of Strasbourg (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) were struck by a sudden and uncontrollable urge to dance.
- It began with one woman, Frau Troffea, who danced for days without rest. Soon, dozens joined her, leading to a full-blown epidemic.
- Historians speculate that this could have been a case of mass hysteria, perhaps induced by ergot poisoning (a hallucinogenic mold found on damp rye).
- The city officials, believing the dancers needed to keep dancing to recover, even hired musicians to encourage the bizarre behavior.
Medieval Oddities
3. The Cadaver Synod (897)
- In one of the most bizarre events in papal history, Pope Stephen VI put the deceased Pope Formosus on trial.
- Formosus’s corpse was exhumed and propped up in a courtroom, where he was accused of various crimes, including violating church law.
- The trial was conducted with a deacon serving as the voice of the deceased, and the outcome was a guilty verdict.
- This event not only shocked the public but also led to political chaos in the papacy, illustrating the dangerous intersections of religion and politics in medieval Europe.
4. Animals on Trial
- In medieval Europe, animals could be put on trial for crimes. For example:
- In 1386, a pig in France was tried and executed for the murder of a child.
- In 1474, a rooster was tried for laying an egg that was believed to be a sign of witchcraft.
- These trials often included legal representation for the animals, and they were treated with a seriousness that reflects the societal norms regarding justice at the time.
The Age of Exploration and Enlightenment
5. The Great Molasses Flood (1919)
- On January 15, 1919, a large molasses storage tank burst in Boston, releasing a wave of molasses that surged through the streets at an estimated 35 mph.
- The flood claimed 21 lives and injured around 150 people, causing significant property damage.
- The event is often cited as an example of industrial negligence and led to changes in regulations on construction and safety.
6. The Phantom Time Hypothesis
- Proposed by historian Heribert Illig, this theory suggests that the early Middle Ages were fabricated and that 297 years of history (AD 614 to 911) never happened.
- Illig argues that this was done by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III, Pope Sylvester II, and the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII to place themselves in a more favorable timeline.
- Although widely dismissed by mainstream historians, the theory has gained a cult following and showcases how history can be interpreted in numerous ways.
Modern History
7. The Cabbage Patch Kids Riots (1983)
- The 1980s saw the rise of the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, which became a cultural phenomenon.
- In 1983, demand for the dolls led to chaos in stores as parents fought for the toys during the holiday season.
- Reports of physical altercations between shoppers highlight the extreme lengths people would go to secure these coveted dolls, turning the shopping experience into a black Friday-style melee.
8. The 1977 “Wow!” Signal
- On August 15, 1977, astronomer Jerry R. Ehman detected a strong radio signal from outer space while working on a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) project.
- The signal lasted for 72 seconds and was so remarkable that Ehman circled it on the printout and wrote “Wow!” next to it, giving it its name.
- Despite extensive follow-up studies, the source of the signal has never been identified, leading to speculation about extraterrestrial life.
The Quirky Side of War
9. The Ghost Army (World War II)
- The “Ghost Army” was a tactical deception unit of the U.S. Army during World War II.
- Comprised of artists, sound engineers, and other creative professionals, they used inflatable tanks, sound effects, and fake radio transmissions to mislead the enemy about troop movements.
- Their efforts contributed to the success of several operations, showcasing the importance of creativity and deception in warfare.
10. The War of the Whiskers
- In the early 20th century, a feud known as the War of the Whiskers erupted in the city of Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- It began when local barber William H. W. Hurst took offense at a rival barber’s advertising campaign promoting “shaving without whiskers.”
- The feud escalated into a series of comical confrontations, including public debates and mock battles over the merits of facial hair.
Conclusion
The weird history timeline facts highlighted in this article illustrate that human history is filled with strange occurrences and eccentric events that often defy explanation. From the inexplicable to the absurd, these stories remind us that history is not just a collection of dates and figures but a rich tapestry woven with the antics and oddities of humanity. As we continue to explore the past, it’s essential to remember that even the strangest events can offer valuable lessons about our society, culture, and the human experience. Whether they evoke laughter, disbelief, or curiosity, these peculiar historical moments contribute to our understanding of what it means to be human.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event in 1815 caused global temperatures to drop for several years?
The eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia is considered the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history and led to what is known as the 'Year Without a Summer' in 1816.
Which ancient civilization used urine as a cleaning agent?
The ancient Romans collected urine in public urinals to use as a source of ammonia for laundry and cleaning.
What bizarre law was enacted in the United States during Prohibition in the 1920s?
During Prohibition, the U.S. government mandated that industrial alcohols be made undrinkable to prevent consumption, which led to the poisoning of thousands.
What unusual practice did the Ancient Egyptians engage in to honor their deceased?
The Ancient Egyptians practiced mummification, which involved embalming the dead and often included placing them in elaborate tombs filled with goods for the afterlife.
What strange form of entertainment became popular in the 19th century involving corpses?
In the 19th century, 'body snatching' became a macabre practice where grave robbers would steal corpses to sell to medical schools for dissection.
Which historical figure was known for their bizarre death involving a horse?
Emperor Caligula of Rome is infamous for allegedly declaring his favorite horse, Incitatus, a consul and reportedly planning to make him a priest before his assassination.
What peculiar event in 1950 involved a large number of people in a small town in the United States?
The 'Great Smog of London' in 1952 was mimicked in 1950 in the town of Donora, Pennsylvania, where a temperature inversion trapped pollution, leading to over 20 deaths and thousands of illnesses.
