Buzz
It often feels like humanity has been in a downward spiral for years. Wars, economic collapses, and a global pandemic haven't exactly made things easier. That said, in many (if not most) aspects, life today is better than ever before. Technology has completely transformed our way of living. However, that doesn’t mean society doesn’t still face serious issues. And who should be held accountable for them? Well, dead people, of course!
We’re being a bit playful here, but it’s worth noting that many long-deceased famous figures were so influential during their lifetimes that the consequences of their actions are still felt today. In this article, we’ll highlight ten such individuals. Though these infamous historical figures have been gone for years, their actions during their lives continue to affect us in profoundly negative ways.
10. Adolf Hitler
It’s hardly a shock that Adolf Hitler tops this list. His role in the lead-up to and during World War II is enough to place him here alone. The horrific actions he carried out with the Nazi Party in Germany continue to haunt global memory. But, over time, Hitler’s influence on society has proven to be even more far-reaching than we often acknowledge. Regrettably, neo-Nazi movements have persisted worldwide, and some groups have even gained traction in parts of the United States and Europe.
The internet has made it significantly easier for Neo-Nazi groups to connect and coordinate with each other. Even today, they continue to observe important Nazi-related dates and anniversaries, such as Hitler’s birthday. Despite the horrific events of the Holocaust, some individuals remain attached to the same ideology that fueled it. This is a troubling reality that we must all take seriously.
But that’s not all. Unfortunately, Hitler’s political influence still lingers in Germany today. Even decades after his death towards the end of World War II, his legacy remains a painful part of history for many Germans who lived through the war, as well as their descendants. After all, there were millions of Nazi Party supporters in the 1930s and 1940s. These people didn’t simply vanish overnight. Instead, Germany had to find ways to reintegrate them into society, which led to years of tensions and divisions among families, friends, and communities across the nation.
9. Charles Darwin
You might be surprised to find Charles Darwin on this list, but here he is! The problem isn’t so much his revolutionary work on evolution, but how it’s been misinterpreted in the years and centuries since his passing. When Darwin published his findings in 1859, his theories were highly controversial. However, he had spent over 20 years gathering evidence, so he was well-equipped with proof. The challenge lay in the complexity of his argument, which many struggled to understand—and, in fact, many still don’t fully grasp to this day!
For instance, the connection between humans and primates had long been speculated, even before Darwin. As Darwin released On the Origin of Species, other scientists were circulating misleading diagrams that incorrectly linked humans and primates. This fueled confusion and misinterpretation of Darwin’s work on the subject. Over time, this misreading evolved to fit various personal beliefs, and after Darwin's death in 1882, the distortion only grew stronger.
In contemporary America, many conservative Christian groups have opposed the teaching of evolution. A 2013 Pew Research Center study revealed that only about 60% of Americans accepted Darwin’s theory of evolution. Sadly, creationists have seized on this divide to reignite the debate, and as many as a third of Americans support their views. Even more concerning, some state legislators have pushed for creation science to be taught in schools. Despite over 150 years of scientific evidence, Darwin’s theory of evolution remains a contentious issue. So much for the science being settled, right?
8. Henry VIII
Henry VIII is known for many things, especially for having two of his wives executed. However, his most lasting legacy, which still resonates today, is his split from the Catholic Church. In the mid-16th century, he sought a divorce and remarriage, but the Church denied his request. In response, he founded the Church of England. Though Henry, who passed away in 1547, had been a devout Catholic, his actions to break with the Church didn’t follow its rules. (Let’s not even get into the executions…)
His schism with the Church had far-reaching consequences, particularly in Ireland. Henry pressured Ireland to abandon Catholicism during his reign, which led to tension with Irish leaders. In 1534, Lord Offaly of Kildare led a Catholic uprising against Henry, which the English brutally suppressed, leaving lasting scars that endured for centuries.
Even long after Henry’s death, the religious divide continued. Figures like Oliver Cromwell were involved in dealing with the aftermath. However, this issue remains relevant today, particularly in Northern Ireland. Protestant parades in cities like Belfast often result in clashes with Catholics, with violence being a common occurrence. With nearly equal numbers of Protestants and Catholics, tensions remain high, and both sides are deeply rooted in their beliefs.
The impact of Henry’s decisions can even be seen in today’s politics. Take Brexit, for instance! Northern Ireland was divided between those who wanted to leave the European Union and those who wanted to remain, and religious divisions played a part in this conflict. It’s astounding to consider, but Henry’s desire to marry whomever he chose set off a series of events that continues to influence us nearly five centuries later.
7. James Madison
James Madison stands as one of the most pivotal figures in America’s founding. As the first person to truly immerse himself in drafting the Constitution, he holds a significant place in American history. However, interestingly, he is also at the center of a major ongoing debate in America—the battle over gun control. Madison was a strong proponent of allowing citizens the right to bear arms. He is the one who proposed and wrote the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1791.
Naturally, it’s not hard to see where we are today with the gun control issue. Madison understood the importance of having a ready militia at the nation’s disposal. But he had no way of foreseeing how guns would evolve into one of the most contentious social issues of our time. His primary concern was safeguarding against the potential for a tyrannical government—which, of course, is precisely what he and his fellow revolutionaries fought against centuries ago in the battle against the British.
Today, however, the Second Amendment has become one of the most fiercely debated political topics in the United States. Constitutionalists argue that Madison intended to give individuals the right to own and use firearms freely. On the other hand, most left-leaning textualists assert that Madison only intended to grant that right to organized militias—not individuals. The debate has raged for centuries. And given the current divisive discussions on guns, it seems unlikely that a resolution will come anytime soon.
6. Peter Benchley
When Peter Benchley penned the novel Jaws, he had no idea it would spark such a massive controversy. Yet that’s exactly what happened once the story was adapted into a blockbuster film. When the movie premiered in 1975, it triggered what’s known as the “Jaws Effect.” This phenomenon led to a widespread belief that sharks were bloodthirsty killers, despite the fact that shark attacks are incredibly rare (and even more rarely fatal!). The film’s dramatic storyline made people think otherwise, and due to its enormous success, those misconceptions persisted for decades.
The real-world consequences for sharks were severe. Rather than just fueling fear of sharks, it also gave rise to a wave of hunting. According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Jaws provided some with an excuse to kill sharks in the name of public safety. This, despite the lack of evidence that it actually made anyone any safer.
Ecologists estimate that up to 100 million sharks are killed every year, causing their populations to be decimated in many regions. Even worse, the loss of sharks has thrown entire ocean ecosystems into disarray. As a result, the so-called “Jaws Effect” continues to impact the world today.
To his credit, Benchley made efforts to correct the public’s misconceptions. After the film’s release, he worked tirelessly to change how people viewed sharks. Until his death in 2006, he advocated for a more accurate understanding of these creatures and the damage caused by the fear his book inadvertently spread. Sadly, the harm had already been done. Today, the false beliefs surrounding sharks are still difficult to dismantle. Though Benchley never intended for things to unfold this way, Jaws irrevocably altered the fate of sharks—and not for the better.
5. Henry Ford
Henry Ford made a profound impact on the world long before his death in 1947. His creation of the assembly line revolutionized the manufacturing process for cars and virtually everything else. At the beginning of the 20th century, Ford’s mass-production model made automobiles more affordable and accessible to the masses. His innovative business methods helped shape the future of American commerce, and those effects continue to be felt today. However, Ford’s legacy extends beyond just vehicles and factories—his controversial views and practices are still topics of heated discussion.
Unfortunately, Ford is also known for his infamous racist and anti-Semitic beliefs. He refused to hire Jewish or minority workers, and used his private detective agency to prevent unions from forming in his factories. Unlike many other business leaders at the time, Ford was aggressive in stopping his employees from organizing. His anti-union actions had a lasting impact, contributing to the decline of union membership in the U.S. and playing a major role in shaping the challenging future of labor relations.
But Ford’s legacy doesn’t stop there. During the early 1900s, many American cities had thriving public streetcar systems. Ford, however, was opposed to public transportation. He pushed cities to remove streetcars and instead promote car ownership. His company lobbied for the construction of paved roads to support automobile traffic. As the roads improved, streetcars disappeared, and cities became more reliant on cars.
Today, the U.S. remains deeply dependent on automobiles. Urban planning has favored cars for decades, largely thanks to Ford’s early push. Public transportation in many cities has struggled to catch up. Despite growing concerns about environmental impact and efficiency, Americans’ love affair with cars persists. Unfortunately, public transit remains an underfunded priority in much of the country.
4. Dr. John Stith Pemberton
In 1886, Dr. John Stith Pemberton created Coca-Cola, which soon became a popular drink. By 1888, he filed to establish the Coca-Cola Company. Sadly, he passed away just five months later, but his invention (as you’d expect) continued to thrive. Today, Coca-Cola is one of the biggest global brands. Dr. Pemberton was beloved in Atlanta, and his funeral was a reflection of his status as one of the city's most esteemed citizens. Coca-Cola was also regarded as a special beverage, once believed to possess magical medicinal qualities. Over time, it became the world’s leading soft drink.
However, in more recent years, Pemberton’s legacy has been met with challenges. Numerous studies have pointed to the links between soda consumption and obesity. Despite attempts by Coca-Cola to improve its image, it has faced ongoing criticism. A notable example of this was in 2019, when it was accused of influencing obesity policies in China to encourage children to drink soda.
In the United States, health experts have raised concerns about Coca-Cola’s marketing strategies aimed at teenagers. Critics argue that the aggressive advertising tactics have played a role in the rising obesity rates among young people. In Mexico, the situation is even more dire, with the country having the highest death rates due to chronic illnesses linked to excessive sugar consumption.
As health officials continue to highlight the dangers of soda consumption and its connection to various health issues, Coca-Cola remains under scrutiny for its omnipresence. It’s clear that Dr. Pemberton never envisioned his drink becoming the center of such ongoing debates—especially ones that continue over a century later. Today, Coca-Cola is one of the brands still at the center of controversial discussions surrounding public health and the obesity epidemic.
3. Fred Phelps
The Westboro Baptist Church has gained notoriety for its extreme views, and the Southern Poverty Law Center classifies it as a hate group. Founded in 1955 by Fred Phelps, the church is most infamous for its vehement anti-LGBT stance. Over the years, they’ve picketed more than 40,000 events across the U.S., making headlines for their shocking and often outrageous statements, including the belief that the September 11 attacks were divine retribution for America’s sins.
The church’s membership is quite small, mainly due to the divisive nature of its ideology. Initially started with Phelps’ family members, the group has been predominantly composed of the Phelps clan. Some members have since left, especially following Fred’s death in 2014, but the remaining followers continue to push his controversial beliefs. Despite being banned from countries such as the UK and Canada, the Westboro Baptist Church remains resolute in its mission.
Today, most Americans are appalled by the actions and beliefs of the Phelps family and their followers, often considering them a misguided cult. Documentaries have been made about them, with filmmakers even visiting their Kansas base. However, despite their diminishing numbers, Fred’s legacy of hate persists. The Westboro Baptist Church continues to insert itself into major social debates, leveraging media coverage and social media platforms. After nearly 70 years, they have become more infamous than ever, even if they are universally despised. Ironically, Fred Phelps might be one of the rare individuals who has successfully united Americans—against him!
2. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross is a well-known figure in the study of grief, most famously for her development of the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages were designed to help people navigate moments of deep trauma, including death and loss. Throughout her career, Kübler-Ross frequently addressed death and its significance. In her 1997 autobiography, she expressed a profound belief about death: 'I always say that death can be one of the greatest experiences ever. If you live each day of your life right, then you have nothing to fear.'
Her work resonated with many, and countless people found solace in her ideas. However, since Kübler-Ross passed away in 2004, there has been some controversy surrounding her theories. Some individuals have misinterpreted and misapplied her ideas. Originally, she developed the five stages through interviews with terminally ill individuals who shared their experiences as they moved from denial to acceptance of their own impending death. Her work wasn't intended to explain how we grieve for others, but rather to offer guidance for those confronting their own mortality.
Over time, Kübler-Ross's once revered reputation has become more complicated. A 2002 study by McGill University found that only 11% of individuals grieve in the way Kübler-Ross described. In recent years, some therapists have moved away from her model because it doesn’t align with their patients' experiences. As a result, the five stages of grief are becoming less relevant in modern therapeutic practices. Even two decades after Kübler-Ross’s passing, her legacy continues to be a point of debate in the mental health field, as grief is now understood to be far more complex than a linear progression.
1. Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan, the First Lady of the United States during the 1980s, is perhaps most widely recognized for her staunch opposition to drug use. Her iconic 'Just Say No' campaign reached teenagers across the nation, leaving a lasting impact. While some embraced the campaign’s message, others criticized it for oversimplifying the issue. Today, even years after her death in 2016, Nancy Reagan’s legacy remains strongly associated with her fight against drugs.
While many initially hailed her as a champion in the fight against drugs, Nancy Reagan’s legacy has grown more contentious over time. Experts now argue that her approach was overly simplistic. By advocating for abstinence-only policies, she ignored the complex nature of addiction. Presenting drug use as merely a personal choice led those battling addiction to feel ashamed, which only made it more difficult for them to seek the help they needed.
Nancy and her husband’s push for harsh drug laws resulted in significant policy impacts. Their 'war on drugs' led to the expenditure of over a trillion dollars, yet it yielded few concrete successes. The campaign also contributed to mass incarceration, locking up countless individuals for non-violent, drug-related offenses. Despite these efforts, drug use continues to be a major issue in the United States.
Even now, many conservative factions continue to endorse Nancy’s stringent stance on drugs. Unfortunately, this emphasis on zero-tolerance policies has hindered the exploration of more progressive, effective treatment options. As a result, the U.S. remains entangled in one of its most severe drug crises. While Nancy’s outdated policies still shape drug laws today, they aren’t always beneficial, and the drug epidemic shows no sign of abating.
