Ethan Tyrrell
The Wildest Holiday In History: Gwyl Mabsant
The Welsh festival of Gwyl Mabsant was a weeklong party complete with gambling and lots of booze.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Bread Stamps Helped Prevent Fraud in Ancient Rome
A simple technology of the time, Roman bakers used special stamps to mark their loaves.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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How 200,000 Beavers Took Over Part Of Argentina
In 1946, beavers were brought in to help the Argentinian fur trade. Instead, Argentina ended up with more beavers than they ever expected.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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The 'Limping Lady' Was World War II Most Underrated Hero
Virginia Hall was one of the most successful spies in WWII, but she remains largely unknown today. And that is just how she would like it to be.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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In The Middle Ages, Reading Was More Complicated Than We Think
Estimates vary on literacy rates in the Middle Ages, but text was everywhere.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Knights Had An Embarrassing (And Dangerous) Risk From Horseback Riding
In addition to the expected risks knights dealt with, they also had to worry about fatal butt problems.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Prima Nocta: The Weird Medieval Marriage Law (That Didn't Exist)
Prima nocta was a practice that would really ruin a marriage night. However, it was really just a myth.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Gong Farmers Had The Crappiest Job Of The Middle Ages
In a time before flushing toilets, someone had to get rid of human waste. Gong farmers stepped up to the task.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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When Ping-Pong Helped Improve U.S./China Relations
In 1971, a group of unexpected American diplomats traveled to China and helped create diplomacy between the two countries.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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A Wild West Town Staged Fights And Crimes -- Without Telling Tourists
Residents of Palisade, Nevada ran an elaborate hoax involving fake shootouts and bank robberies.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Ernest Hemingway's (Less Famous) Brother Created His Own Country
Leicester Hemingway may not be as well-known as his brother, but he tried to make his claim in history by founding an island nation.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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The London Beer Flood: The Alcoholic 'Act Of God'
In 1814, a vat of beer burst open in a London brewery, and the results were deadly.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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That Time Germans Waged War (Against Potato Beetles)
In 1950, the potato beetle population surged in East Germany. The government responded with an insane propaganda campaign.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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The 'Skunk Ape' Is The Florida Man Of Cryptids
In the Everglades, there have been reports for decades of a Bigfoot-type creature known now as the Skunk Ape.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Before The 'Cola Wars,' Coca-Cola Was On The Frontlines Of WWII
Throughout WWII, more than 5 billion bottles of Coke were sent to servicemen.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Bounty Jumpers Scammed Both Sides During the Civil War
Men could get a bonus called a bounty for enlisting in the Civil War. Some found a way to profit from this system.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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One Of History's Most Prolific Monsters Might Be Innocent
Elizabeth Bathory of Transylvania is often considered one of the main inspirations for modern vampires, but there is a good chance was the victim of a deadly lie.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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How Honduras And El Salvador (Sort Of) Went To War Over A Soccer Match
The Football War was fought for just a few days between Honduras and El Salvador. It started after a tense soccer match.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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Winston Churchill Had A Doctor's Note To Avoid American Prohibition Laws
Winston Churchill usually had a drink in his hand, and thanks to a doctor's note, he even got past Prohibition laws.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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The Woman Who Took On All Of New York City (By Smoking)
In 1908, New York had a short-lived ordinance. One woman was arrested for violating it.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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