Weird History

Everything you didn't know about the so-called leaders of the free world, from their favorite foods to their pets' names.

U.S. Presidents

History

The death of a president is always a big deal, whether it is unexpected - such as John F. Kennedy&#39;s assassination - or predictable, like Ronald Reagan&#39;s death after suffering from Alzheimer&#39;s disease for ten years. While former presidents always get the full memorial Monty, the death of a sitting president can cause political upheaval as the successor takes the reigns. But just how many US presidents have died? Sure, you probably have a rough idea, but do you know the circumstances of their deaths and the legacy they left behind?&nbsp;

Looking to the past is crucial to understanding the present. And knowing how all the US presidents died - especially the ones that died in office - can shed some light on our current political situation. In total, 39 US presidents have passed on. Keep reading to learn about all the US president deaths that have happened since the inception of our country.

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How All The Departed US Presidents Have Died

US President

How All the Departed US Presidents Have Died

Mel Judson

Are we all alone in the universe? Probs not.

Close Encounters

Area 51

Mysteries, conspiracies, and downright creepy stories&nbsp;surround&nbsp;Area 51. There are rumors about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/area-51-creepy-stories/kellen-perry">the highly classified Air Force base</a> in Nevada being&nbsp;home to everything from alien life to clandestine military operations.&nbsp;Journalist Annie Jacobsen <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.amazon.com/Area-51-Uncensored-Americas-Military/dp/0316202304?tag=rankercom-20">published her book</a>&nbsp;Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base, in which she proposes another theory. According to Jacobsen, Area 51, AKA Groom Lake,&nbsp;became the site of several top-secret government weapons technology programs. Jacobsen's work contains extensive research and interviews with former employees. So what's really <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/storm-area-51-raid-what-would-happen/ranker-news">inside Area 51</a>?

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Area 51's Secrets Explored From Nuclear Experiments To Stalin's Mutant Pilots 

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Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Secret Military Base

Ellie Nelson

Though the U.S. is not even 250 years old, history textbooks already must omit a great deal. Here are in-depth looks at a few of the most fascinating and less flattering events and scenes that took place on American soil.

America's Forgotten History

From the early inhabitants of the original 13 colonies, to the pioneers who moved West and South as America expanded, there was one common problem when it came to establishing new settlements: What would they name their city?Some US cities and towns were named after a founder, a nearby geological feature, or a place the settlers had come from, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-small-towns/noah-henry">others</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-town-names/laura-allan">had very unusual names.</a>And the city or town could end up being renamed, sometimes multiple times. Here are the stories about how some US cities got their original monikers, and the reason(s) why the name ended up being changed.

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US Cities That Changed Their Names, And The Surprising Reasons Why

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US Cities That Changed Their Names

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Firsthand Accounts

These nudist family stories from the people who grew up in them open a window into a unique upbringing that many people might find surprising. Growing up in a nudist environment means experiencing daily life without conventional barriers, embracing a lifestyle choice rooted in body positivity, freedom, and normalization of the human form. These stories highlight the perspectives of being raised in such environments, offering insights into how these experiences shaped their understanding of self-image, acceptance, and individuality.For those curious about the realities of nudist family life, a collection of stories from individuals who grew up in these settings is available below. They share anecdotes of navigating social norms, how they explained their lifestyle to friends, and the various lessons learned about confidence and diversity. These narratives provide a fascinating look at how societal norms can differ significantly, and underscore the themes of acceptance and self-esteem that play crucial roles in their personal development.Dive into these captivating nudist family stories and discover the variety of experiences that form such communities. These firsthand accounts not only entertain but also challenge preconceptions, inviting readers to view body image and personal upbringing through a different lens, and perhaps, learn something new about inclusivity and personal freedom.

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14 Stories About Growing Up In A Nudist Family

Joesph Langdon

Military

Many of us have heard of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-spartan-life-was-like/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">unusual practices of Sparta</a>, the war-obsessed, ancient Greek society. Let&#39;s be real: many&nbsp;of us learned them from the notorious 2006&nbsp;film, 300.&nbsp;While the movie, and our history books, highlight some of the more impressive aspects of Spartan society, there are&nbsp;plenty of weird facts about Sparta&nbsp;that seem&nbsp;too extreme to be real.&nbsp;

For example, did you&nbsp;know Spartan&nbsp;teens participated in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/extreme-ancient-sports-that-sound-fake-but-are-true/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">yearly festival of exterminating&nbsp;slaves</a>&nbsp;to quash any thoughts of rebellion? Or that Spartan babies were dunked in wine to test their worthiness to live? Or that women of Sparta shaved their heads and dressed like men on their wedding nights?

So get cozy, grab your sword (if you have one),&nbsp;and read on to dive <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christopher-mccandless-into-the-wild-true-story/colleen-conroy?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">into the wild</a>&nbsp;traditions of Sparta. Make sure to vote up the facts that seem too outrageous to be real.

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Facts About Sparta That Sound Made Up - But Aren't

Emily Pogue

1990s

The 1990s was the era of grunge, independent films, and the dawning of the world wide web, but what was it like at the grocery store? For generations, people have commented on the rising cost of groceries, but when factoring in inflation, some items are actually cheaper today than they were in the 1990s. Food prices in 1990 were often similar to today&#39;s prices - which one would hope for since it wasn&#39;t all that long ago - though some items have actually come down in price in the past 30 years.

Have you ever wondered, &ldquo;how much was a loaf of bread in the 1990s?&rdquo; How about the price of eggs? This list will break down <a href="http://https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=12&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjL-JT44NnoAhWQhJ4KHatpA1cQFjALegQIBxAB&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fnaldc.nal.usda.gov%2Fdownload%2FCAT91960192%2FPDF&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LzA_fIuaI7cfmaiGusyVK" target="_blank">1990 food prices</a> by listing the average price back then, the 1990 price factoring in inflation &ndash; using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics&#39;s <a href="https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=0.60&amp;year1=199001&amp;year2=202003" target="_blank">inflation calculator</a> &ndash; and today&#39;s cost for the same items.

Vote up the grocery store items that you think have the best 2020 value and vote down any food that you&#39;d rather go back in time to purchase.

How Much Grocery Store Items Cost In 1990 Vs. 2020

Food

Jude Newsome

Fascinating, beautiful, and enlightening photographs from history, in their original black-and-white forms, colorized, or even in sepia.

Life in Pictures

A look at some of the oldest known, recorded, and/or existing things on earth.

Old School Cool

Historical Photos

Photography has influenced society since its inception in the 11th century. The oldest photographs depict fascinating details about life before pictures were common. From&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/list/photos-from-history-that-transport-you-directly-into-the-heart-of-wartime">historical war photos</a>&nbsp;to amazing images of space, the earliest surviving pictures known to humans&nbsp;have a profound and engaging aura.&nbsp;The very first camera was invented by an&nbsp;Iraqi scientist in the 11th&nbsp;century. Called the "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thespruce.com/brief-history-of-photography-2688527">camera obscura</a>," the device only projected images onto other surfaces, and upside down at that. However, in the early 19th century, photography as we know it was born. French photographer Joseph Nicéphore Niépce&nbsp;used a portable version of the 11th-century device "to expose a pewter plate coated with bitumen to light." This became the first incarnation of permanent photography.The images in this list are some of the oldest photographs, and most of them are the first of their kind. From the first picture ever taken&nbsp;by Niépce&nbsp;to the first movie, these images capture the development of permanent photography throughout the course of the 19th century.&nbsp;

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These Are The 19 Oldest Surviving Photographs Known To Humankind, And They're Stunning

These Are The 19 Oldest Surviving Photographs Known To Mankind

Cleo Egnal

Alcohol

Did you know that some of the former presidents of the US were huge drinkers and recreational drug users? Huge! Granted, most people in the country were pretty hard drinkers in the 19th century. (Got a toothache? Whisky! Depressed? Gin! Starting your day? Cider!) But even in the context of their own time periods, these ex-presidents loved to party.Here is the question: which one would you most want to go on a bender with?! Think hard! This is totally serious and important. &nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bender">Urban dictionary defines a bender as</a>&nbsp;"the status of being bent for more than a day. Usually results in loss of memory, money, strange tattoos, and other things you'll have a hell of a time explaining." So, not just a couple of beers at a bar, but a full-on blackout fest. Which former president would you bring with you? WHICH ONE?!Odds are, you don't know the personal story of each <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-u-s-presidents-from-best-to-worst">former US president</a>. That's okay. Context has been provided as well as the pros and cons to consider before you make your choice. So grab a glass of whiskey to sip on, pull up a chair, and rank these ex-presies. If you're drinking already and feeling bold, rerank this list and put it in your own order.&nbsp;

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Which Ex-Presidents Would You Want to Go on a Bender With?

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Elise Hennigan

People have been living all around the world for literally thousands of years. Here are some of the most interesting things human beings have ever done (that we know about).

Fascinating Ancient History

Explainer

The 6th century boasted many exceptional&nbsp;events, people, and historical contributions. The exception, however, was&nbsp;one year that was particularly burdened with a level of tragedy and strife&nbsp;most historians say surpassed any other moment in history: 536 CE. This was the worst part of the Dark Ages.&nbsp;

Calling the medieval period the &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reasons-dark-ages-were-not-dark/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Dark Ages</a>&quot; may seem to be a&nbsp;bit of an exaggeration to the period overall, but scientists and historians recently determined the worst time to be alive was, in fact, during one of these so-called dark years. Across the globe, from Europe to Asia to South America, civilization stalled as people dealt with hardships brought on by horrific natural events.

Plagues, famines, and natural disasters all contributed to the challenges of 536, as did messy political shifts and cultural upheavals. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-life-was-like-in-medieval-castles/shanell-mouland" target="_blank">Living in medieval Europe</a> was anything but easy, and the 6th century appeared&nbsp;exceptionally difficult to survive.&nbsp;Don&#39;t worry, though - about 100 years later <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-did-humans-survive-536-ad-worst-year/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">everything recovered as best it could</a>.

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Historians Agree 536 Was The Worst Year To Be Alive - What Happened?

Reasons 536 CE Was The Worst Year To Be Alive

Melissa Sartore

Lists about real life on the wild American frontier and fictionalized versions of the Old West.

Wild, Wild West

Watchworthy

There's no paucity of shows about frontier life, and finding a good Wild West series is somewhat subjective. There are numerous television series, such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-the-life-and-legend-of-wyatt-earp-cast-list-for-the-show-the-life-and-legend-of-wyatt-earp/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp</a> (1955-1961), that incorporate well-established figures, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historically-inaccurate-western-movie-tropes/genevieve-carlton">Western tropes</a>, and themes to entertain viewers and provide a level of authenticity. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-western-movies-ever-made?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">The best westerns</a> of all time knows how to deliver historical accuracy.Other shows, like Wild Wild West&nbsp;(1965-1969),&nbsp;a series no one would confuse for accurate, push the envelope and integrate innovative ideas into elaborate and adventurous plots and characters.&nbsp;&nbsp;When it comes to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/western-tv-shows-and-series/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">classic Western series</a>, shows like&nbsp;1950s cowboy shows like Bonanza,&nbsp;Gunsmoke, and, more recently,&nbsp;Deadwood&nbsp;have managed to create and maintain a well-established following. Just because these shows about frontier life are popular, however, does not mean they provide a realistic depiction of their subject. How accurate are these Wild West series? And where do they just not quite hit the mark?

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The Most Accurate TV Shows About The Wild West

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Step right up! Lists about the strange, fascinating, and horrifying history of circuses and carnivals in America and around the world.

The Greatest Show on Earth

The fascinating, sometimes tragic lives of identical twins joined in utero who beat the odds, survived infancy, and became people of interest around the world.

Conjoined for Life

Interesting

Millie and Christine McKoy were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/conjoined-twins-daisy-and-violet-hilton-facts/nicky-benson">conjoined twins</a>&nbsp;who&nbsp;toured the world as "The Carolina Twins" and the "Two-Headed Nightingale" during the 19th century. The children of slaves, Millie and Christine spent time <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/human-attractions-pt-barnum-freak-show/melissa-sartore">working for P.T. Barnum</a>&nbsp;as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hottentot-venus-trivia/colleen-conroy">human oddities</a> but were able to transcend that label and achieve international fame. As the only African-American conjoined twins of their time, they received attention from royalty, doctors, and audiences alike, while being poked, prodded and gawked at for their entire lives. Their tragic end, however, may be the most heart-wrenching part of their story.

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Born Into Slavery, Died As Royal Entertainers: The Journey Of The McKoy Conjoined Twins

Born Into Slavery, Died As Royal Entertainers: The Jaw-Dropping Journey of The McKoy Conjoined Twins

Wild facts and fascinating photos from history that made us say "whoa!"

More History This a-Way

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, we know of the wide variety of subjects the FBI keeps files on. Along with the obvious <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/serial-killer-history-capture/melissa-sartore">serial killers</a>, terrorists, and embezzlers, the FBI investigates actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, cartoonists, and even a fast food “colonel.” The reasons for said federal surveillance range from the subject receiving death threats to having communist sympathies to possessing giant collections of adult material.&nbsp;See which famous people were connected to which FBI investigations, and let us know which are the most surprising.

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People We're Surprised The FBI Kept Files On - And Why

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People We're Surprised The FBI Kept A File On And Why

Shane Fraser

2024: Year In Review

Pop Culture

Another year, another slew of celebrity relationships we're passionately invested in despite knowing neither person involved. Beloved celeb couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively took over the summer box office. Sabrina Carpenter cheekily cast her new boyfriend Barry Keoghan as her love interest in her music video for “Please Please Please.” Travis Kelce popped in to perform in a London show of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. And the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sweet-stories-of-the-olympics-2024/elle-tharp">2024 Paris Olympics</a> gave us live footage of supportive couple goals, like the viral moment between Olympian spouses Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall.So whether it's a Hollywood romance that's endured into the golden years against all odds, or a new splashy romance of 2024, these are the cutest celebrity 2024 couples <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/long-lasting-celebrity-relationships/setareh-janda">whose love we're rooting for</a> this year and beyond.

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The Cutest Celebrity Couples Of 2024

The Cutest Celebrity Couples Of 2024, Ranked

Elle Tharp

Maps

<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/18-extremely-important-maps-of-the-u-s-that-show-how-divided-our-nation-truly-is/dan-hopper" target="_blank">America</a> is the home of the free and the land of the brave, but there&#39;s a lot of darkness behind all of that red, white, and blue. Not only are maps great teaching tools, they can also be used to llustrate&nbsp;the creepiest facts about the United States, with inhuman dots around the country representing all of the random and tragic occurrences we face daily.

Below are the darkest and most compelling submissions from the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/" target="_blank">r/mapp*rn</a> subreddit that left us seeing the United States&nbsp;in a new, much creepier light.&nbsp;

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19 US Maps That Show The Darkest Ways The Country Is Divided

Jamaal Armstrong

Film Trivia

If a movie script includes a scene set at a huge public gathering,&nbsp;like a sporting event or a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/behind-the-scenes-ferris-bueller-parade/nathan-gibson" target="_blank">parade</a>, that presents a challenge for the production team. There are lots of ways a film production can execute a crowd scene, but none of them are cheap. A production could use&nbsp;thousands of extras, but those extras&nbsp;all have to be paid. Modern movies can rely on CGI to create virtual crowds, but convincing visual effects&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nutscomputergraphics.com/en/how-much-are-visual-effects-for-hollywood-movies-and-why/" target="_blank">can cost tens or even hundreds of millions</a>. One company even lets movie productions rent <a href="https://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/04/inflatable-plastic-crowd-in-movies.html#:~:text=The%20Inflatable%20Crowd%20Company%20offers,the%20Hollywood%20movie%20Sea%20Biscuit." target="_blank">inflatable plastic crowd members</a>, but those don&#39;t come free, either.&nbsp;

Often, the simplest and cheapest solution is to film at a real-life event. But while this might keep a movie&#39;s budget low, it can also create a whole slew of logistical headaches for the production team.&nbsp;Here are some&nbsp;movies that filmed at real-life events, and how they pulled it off.

13 Movies That Filmed Scenes At Real-Life Events

Film

Jim Rowley

Fails

With how many films Hollywood pumps out every year, it&#39;s just a statistical fact: <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/box-office-flops-from-your-birth-year/michelle-nati" target="_blank">They can&#39;t all be winners</a>. Sometimes even the biggest budgets and most glamorous stars can&#39;t save a film from cratering at the box office. However, even when a film tanks, the filmmakers aren&#39;t always willing to own up to it - and some <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/proud-flop-actors-of-hollywood/tyler-mitchell" target="_blank">stars stand by them</a> no matter what.

But give it a few years and some more respectable films under their belts, and actors are usually willing to be more candid. Collected below are a few occasions when movie stars were brutally honest about their biggest flops.

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What Actors Said About Their Biggest Flops

Candid Actors Confess: Biggest Flops and What They Said

Pierce Nahigyan

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Weird History lists on Ranker

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Weird History lists and rankings.