Strange History
The past was wilder than your textbook.
The Mongols Mailed Letters Via Pony Express 700 Years Before America
Genghis Khan ran a relay courier network across Asia. Discover the surprising story behind the mongols mailed letters via pony express 700 years before americ
The Aztecs Played a Game Where the Losers Were Sacrificed
Ullamaliztli combined sport, religion, and very high stakes. Discover the surprising story behind the aztecs played a game where the losers were sacrificed in
Pirates Wore Eye Patches to See in the Dark
It wasn't all about losing eyes. Discover the surprising story behind pirates wore eye patches to see in the dark in this in-depth Strange History read on dum
Tea Bags Were Invented by Accident
A tea merchant sent samples in silk pouches. His customers brewed the pouches. Discover the surprising story behind tea bags were invented by accident in this
Ben Franklin Proposed the Turkey as the National Bird
He thought the eagle had questionable morals. Discover the surprising story behind ben franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird in this in-depth Stra
The First Email Was Sent in 1971
Ray Tomlinson sent it to himself and forgot what it said. Discover the surprising story behind the first email was sent in 1971 in this in-depth Strange Histo
A Roman Emperor Made His Horse a Senator
Caligula is famous for this. He may have actually meant it as an insult. Discover the surprising story behind a roman emperor made his horse a senator in this
The Dancing Plague of 1518
Hundreds of people danced for weeks in Strasbourg. Some died. Discover the surprising story behind the dancing plague of 1518 in this in-depth Strange History
Ancient Egyptians Used Honey as a Wound Dressing
Modern hospitals are catching up to a 4,000-year-old idea. Discover the surprising story behind ancient egyptians used honey as a wound dressing in this in-de
The Shortest War in History Lasted 38 Minutes
Lunch took longer than the Anglo-Zanzibar War. Discover the surprising story behind the shortest war in history lasted 38 minutes in this in-depth Strange His
Napoleon Was Once Attacked by a Horde of Rabbits
Yes, the emperor of Europe was routed by bunnies. Discover the surprising story behind napoleon was once attacked by a horde of rabbits in this in-depth Stran
Tug of War Was an Olympic Sport
From 1900 to 1920, nations dragged each other across lines for gold medals. Discover the surprising story behind tug of war was an olympic sport in this in-de
Medieval Europeans Believed Sneezes Released the Soul
'Bless you' began as spiritual emergency triage. Discover the surprising story behind medieval europeans believed sneezes released the soul in this in-depth S
Scotland Once Had Its Own Failed Empire
The Darien Scheme bankrupted Scotland in the 1690s. Discover the surprising story behind scotland once had its own failed empire in this in-depth Strange Hist
Pope Gregory IX Declared War on Cats
A 13th-century papal decree blamed cats for the spread of evil. Discover the surprising story behind pope gregory ix declared war on cats in this in-depth Str
The Library of Alexandria Burned Multiple Times
There was no single dramatic fire. There was a slow, repeated loss. Discover the surprising story behind the library of alexandria burned multiple times in th
Romans Used Crushed Mouse Brains as Toothpaste
Their oral hygiene was unfortunately innovative. Discover the surprising story behind romans used crushed mouse brains as toothpaste in this in-depth Strange
The First Olympic Games Had Only One Event
Forget gymnastics, archery, and skateboarding. It was just a footrace. Discover the surprising story behind the first olympic games had only one event in this
Vikings Used a Sunstone to Navigate
On cloudy days, Norse sailors found the sun with a crystal. Discover the surprising story behind vikings used a sunstone to navigate in this in-depth Strange
Australia Once Lost a War Against Emus
In 1932, the Australian army deployed machine guns against birds. The birds won. Discover the surprising story behind australia once lost a war against emus i