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It is commonly agreed that our modern civilization owes much to the ancient Western empires. Almost every contemporary government reflects the organizational systems or ideologies established by the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The enduring impact of the Renaissance and the revolutionary principles from the French Revolution continue to shape our lives today. The British Empire's far-reaching influence is evident, as millions across the globe speak English. Moreover, Western advancements in technology and science have significantly altered the world’s trajectory for the better.
Despite the widespread recognition of these monumental events in Western history, most are already well-known. They’ve been reiterated time and again, leaving little to add. The goal of this list is to showcase lesser-known anecdotes, ones without a grand global impact, which is why the following facts are presented without any chronological order or logical connections. So let’s dive into these fun discoveries and perhaps learn something new along the way.
10. Medieval Stairways
Fact: Medieval spiral staircases were designed to turn clockwise for strategic purposes.
In medieval times, spiral staircases were predominantly constructed from stone and spiraled in a clockwise direction. This design was intended to disadvantage attacking swordsmen, who were typically right-handed. The asymmetry hindered their movement, forcing them to engage with the central pike, while the defender, facing down the stairs, retained better mobility.
Examples of these ancient spiral stairways, dating from the 14th to 17th century, can still be found at Crathes Castle and Myres Castle in Scotland. While the clockwise design was standard, exceptions do exist, such as the counter-clockwise spiral at the Scala of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.
9. Wrestling Lincoln
Fact: Abraham Lincoln was an exceptional wrestler.
Abraham Lincoln is widely celebrated as one of the most iconic Presidents in U.S. history, particularly for his pivotal role in the abolition of slavery. Yet, beyond his historical significance and his prominent presence in popular culture, there are lesser-known aspects of his life.
In his youth, Abraham Lincoln was renowned for his remarkable wrestling prowess, attributed to his physical strength and long limbs. It is said that he lost only one out of 300 wrestling matches during his career. His extraordinary wrestling skills earned him the title of 'Outstanding American' and a place in the Wrestling Hall of Fame.
8. Bountiful Beer
Fact: Beer was much more than just a drink for Europeans.
In the Middle Ages, beer was considered a vital part of daily life, serving not only as a source of pleasure and intoxication but also as a medicinal remedy. It could be flavored with a variety of ingredients, ranging from fir tree bark to thyme and even fresh eggs. People of all ages, including children, drank it. Beer was particularly popular among urban populations that didn't have access to reliable drinking water, which was a crucial resource both socially and economically. It was also much cheaper than wine and became a significant source of tax revenue for the state.
During the Renaissance, beer was even considered safer to drink than water due to its fermentation process, which killed harmful bacteria responsible for diseases like cholera and dysentery. Modern beer, while still widely enjoyed in the Western world, bears little resemblance to the brew consumed in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
7. Bare Knuckled Boxing
Fact: The final bare-knuckle boxing match in history stretched over 75 intense rounds.
In bare-knuckle boxing, a round would continue until one fighter was knocked down or thrown to the ground, with wrestling moves also allowed. John L. Sullivan, famously known as the Boston Strong Boy, is widely regarded as the last heavyweight champion in bare-knuckle boxing. He was also the first American athlete to earn over one million dollars.
A little-known fact is that John L. Sullivan triumphed in the final bare-knuckle boxing match ever held, defeating Jake Kilrain on July 7, 1889. Dubbed 'The Boxing Match of the Century,' this legendary contest remains one of the most pivotal in the history of the sport.
To grasp the sheer brutality of this fight, official reports from those present describe the 35th round, where Kilrain suffered a broken nose, split lips, and a swollen eye. Sullivan wasn't unscathed either, with a black eye, a bleeding ear, and swollen hands. This was only halfway through the fight. Kilrain even drank a quart of whiskey during the bout, while Sullivan stuck to tea.
In the 75th round, after enduring 40 more grueling and bloody rounds, a doctor warned Kilrain’s trainer that continuing the fight could lead to his boxer’s death in the ring. The trainer finally threw in the towel, ending the fight and marking the end of an era defined by blood, sweat, broken ribs, and lost teeth.
6. Cold Cream Origins
Fact: A young Greek gladiator is credited with the invention of cold cream.
Galen of Pergamon, an influential Ancient Greek physician, surgeon, and philosopher, is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions across multiple fields of science and medicine, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and neurology. However, in his youth, Galen was a budding gladiator living in Roman Greece. Fascinated by gladiators, he trained at a gladiator school in Pergamon. To relieve the fatigue from long sword-fighting sessions, Galen created a mixture of olive oil, beeswax, and rose petals. The concoction evaporated water from the skin, leaving a cooling and soothing sensation. He called it ceratum humidum, which we now recognize as cold cream. Thankfully, Galen chose to pursue a career in science rather than continue his life as a gladiator.
5. Racist Mobster
Fact: An Italian-American mobster met his demise due to his racism.
Gregory Scarpa, Sr., a notorious enforcer for the Colombo crime family under boss Carmine Persico, was responsible for at least three murders in 1991. Aside from his criminal actions, Scarpa held deeply racist views, particularly toward African Americans. In 1986, after undergoing emergency ulcer surgery at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn, he refused blood donations from the local blood bank, fearing that the blood might have come from African Americans.
Instead of accepting the blood from the bank, Scarpa opted to receive blood donations from family members and close associates. One of those associates was Paul Mele, a bodybuilder and steroid user, who had contracted HIV from a shared needle. Mele unknowingly passed the virus to Scarpa, which eventually led to AIDS and ultimately caused the mobster's death.
4. JFK Cigars
Fact: JFK had a deep fondness for Cuban cigars, perhaps more than he should have.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy enacted a trade embargo against Cuba, halting trade between the two nations due to Cuba’s oppressive government. This embargo remains in place today. However, Kennedy made sure to acquire some Cuban goods before the restrictions took effect.
The night before the embargo was signed into law, Kennedy made a request to his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, asking him to procure 1,200 Cuban cigars. Salinger successfully secured the cigars, and Kennedy was able to enjoy them before the embargo came into force.
3. Drunk Founding Fathers
Fact: The founding fathers of the United States had a strong fondness for alcohol.
During his time in France, Thomas Jefferson spent much of it in the Burgundy vineyards. John Adams was known to drink cider every morning, a habit he kept until his death. In 1787, just two days before signing the U.S. Constitution, the 55 delegates gathered at a tavern to celebrate. A bill from the evening reveals they consumed 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, 8 bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, 8 bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and 7 bowls of punch, all alcoholic.
It's worth noting that in those times, drinking heavily without losing composure was socially acceptable and common practice. This attitude gradually shifted, leading to alcohol prohibition in the early 20th century in the United States.
2. Italians and Greeks
Fact: The people of Southern Italy trace their roots back to the Ancient Greeks.
While many historians agree that Ancient Greek culture had a profound influence on Roman civilization, some modern archaeologists, geneticists, and anthropologists suggest that the connection between the two may go beyond mere cultural exchange.
The term Magna Graecia, or Greater Greece, refers to parts of southern Italy that were colonized by the Ancient Greeks nearly 3,000 years ago. Migrations within Europe have long been part of the continent's history, and for the ancient Greeks, southern Italy was akin to the America of its time.
Long before the Roman Empire rose to power, the Greeks ventured westward in search of new territories. They settled along the coastlines of Calabria and Sicily, overpowering local tribes, constructing grand temples to their gods, and founding Greek-speaking colonies. Naples, in fact, was established by the Greeks, its name derived from the Greek Nea Polis, meaning 'New City.' Greek continued to be spoken in Naples until the 9th century AD.
Although the Greek cities were ultimately destroyed by the Romans, the genetic link between the two cultures persisted. To this day, the Greek influence remains evident in many parts of Southern Italy. Southern Italian dialects incorporate numerous Greek words, and the cultural impact can also be seen in local music and cuisine. A prime example is the Italian dish parmigiana, which closely resembles the Greek moussaka.
As mentioned earlier, it is only in recent years that archaeologists have been able to uncover the historical connections between two of the Western world’s most powerful ancient civilizations. However, many pieces of this historical puzzle are still yet to be discovered, and it is hoped that new findings will surface in the near future.
1. Nazi Fanta
Fact: The Fanta soft drink was created by the Nazis
It may sound surprising, but Fanta was actually created by the Nazis in Germany in 1941. Due to trade embargoes during World War II, it became challenging for the Nazis to import Coca-Cola syrup into the country. In response, Max Keith, the head of Coca-Cola Deutschland, decided to develop a new product for the German market.
Using locally available ingredients like whey and pomace, Keith and his team brainstormed names for the new beverage. After being told to use their imagination, salesman Joe Knipp enthusiastically shouted ‘Fanta!’ And so, Fanta was born. Today, there are over 100 different flavors of Fanta available worldwide.
