Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The Most Disturbing Historical Facts They Know

People Share The Most Disturbing Historical Facts They Know

History is not all hunky dory. In fact, history is often stressful and disturbing.

The thing about that is that humans control which bits of history get passed on. So things that are recorded are often not the whole story. The disturbing bits get left behind.


But then, sometimes the disturbing bits make it through.

u/Nitroottet asked:

NSFW What is the most disturbing history fact you know?

Here were some of those answers.

Warning: NSFW.

Prison For Poor Judgment

Giphy

There was a woman in the 1700s who, after a miscarriage, went into labor and delivered a dead cat and several live baby rabbits. After a lengthy investigation, English royals discovered that this woman put the animals inside her cervix (which was still open from the miscarriage) when no one was looking to give the appearance that she was giving birth to them. She served 5 months in jail for being "an impetus liar and cheat".

nataliesandwich

Blowing Up

Heart monitors worn on the Challenger space shuttle show that the crew wasn't killed instantly, but actually survived for a while. I like to think they weren't conscious for any of it, but they probably suffered horribly for some time.

GaijinDaimyo

Unknown Soldier(s)

Giphy

There is a neolithic massgrave in Germany of 26 young children and men with a high number of injuries on their legs. They were intentionally crippled before they were killed by arrows and blunt force. The systematic and deliberate way the victims lower bones were broken indicate torture. The group missing girls and women also means they were most likely abducted. Warfare 7000 years ago.

srikos

Nothing Will Stop Us

Great War, year 1915. In polish fortress in Osowiec (at that time under control of Russian Tsar) took place an living-dead counterstrike. This was Germany's third assault on the Fortress, this time they used gas that was a mix of chlorine and bromine, as they knew the Russians did not have proper protection. After the gas attack Germans marched towards the fortress, but but they did not expect the bayonet charge of burned, spitting blood and parts of their lungs Russians. The view surely was terrifying as 7000 German soldiers fell back driven away by 100 Russian survivors, as expected the damage caused by gas was lethal

BionicUndead

The Worst Kind Of Person

Kellogg created corn flakes so people would be too bored to masturbate.

Seriously.

He thought anything with flavor would cause "excitement" and make you masturbate. The corn flakes you eat now are sweeter than what they used to be. He also advised people to put carbolic acid on little girl's nether regions so they could never derive pleasure from masturbation/sex... among other crazy things.

He was nuts.

michonne_impossible

The Crap-Jobs

Giphy

That Herny Viii employed a "Groom of the Stool" to help him go to the toilet. It was a highly coveted position by his courtiers as it got you alone time with the king to bend his ear as well as wipe his arse.

Anyway there was one instance where after the by now, extremely overweight king had been constipated for weeks; the Groom of the Stool was happy to report to the King's physician that the "King has had a mighty fair siege"

RaedwaldRex

Scapegoats

After a major rebellion against the British Company Rule in India, the Brits retaliated by strapping Indians to the front end of cannons and firing. A couple years later the Raj was founded. I can't think of a more punishment that blends cruelty and visibility any further.

YungSpade2001

What A Time To Be Alive

As some of you might know, king Louix XIV of France moved the aristocracy to the castle of Versailles to be able to control them better. There were daily banquets, which lasted for hours. The only problem was that Louix XIV had severe diarrhea, so he needed to wear huge diapers to be able to sit for hours. The other attendants were forbidden to leave before the king, so they all sat in a brewing cloud of fecals.

Schobeer

Said She, "Make Me Amused"

Giphy

Queen Victoria instituted a system of Certifying prostitute as Syphilis free. They were called the Queen's ladies of the night. Many Prostitutes hung the certificate above their beds as a point of pride.

pygmypuffonacid

More from People

Donald Trump
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Design For New Commemorative Coin Featuring Trump Just Dropped—And People Can't Believe It's Real

On March 19, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), comprising people appointed by MAGA Republican President Donald Trump, unanimously approved a final design concept proposed for a 24-karat gold United States semiquincentennial commemorative coin.

Instead of featuring the Declaration of Independence or some other images central to the foundation of the nation in 1776 or more universally recognized symbols from the last 250 years, the CFA chose a sketch based on a photo of Trump leaning over the Resolute desk in the Oval Office for the coin's obverse or "heads" side.

Keep Reading Show less
Gavin Newsom; ICE agents at Atlanta airport
Steve Jennings/Getty Images; Megan Varner/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Said What We're All Thinking About Trump's Decision To Deploy ICE To Airports

After President Donald Trump moved to deploy ICE agents to U.S. airports amid a partial government shutdown that has caused exceptionally long delays at TSA lines nationwide, California Governor Gavin Newsom pointed out exactly why the move is so troubling for citizens and non-citizens alike.

ICE agents are still getting paid during the shutdown, unlike TSA agents, who are currently working unpaid and struggling amid the affordability crisis. News outlets have confirmed ICE agents have been deployed in airports that serve Democratic strongholds, particularly John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports (New York), O'Hare International Airport (Chicago), and others.

Keep Reading Show less
Reese Witherspoon
JC Olivera/Variety/Getty Images

Fans Can't Believe How Old Reese Witherspoon Is After She Just Celebrated A Milestone Birthday

Reese Witherspoon just celebrated a milestone birthday, but it wasn't her 30th or even her 40th.

Legally Blonde's Reese Witherspoon just celebrated her 50th birthday, and just like Elle Woods, she's proven yet again that it's "not hard" for her to look fabulous.

Keep Reading Show less
Chappell Roan (left) and soccer star Jorginho Frello (right) are at the center of a reported security incident involving his 11-year-old stepdaughter in Brazil.
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images; Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images

Chappell Roan Speaks Out After Soccer Star Says Her Security Guard Aggressively Confronted His Young Daughter

Chappell Roan has responded to an alleged altercation between the singer’s security guard and the daughter of soccer star Jorginho Frello.

On Saturday, Frello wrote on Instagram that he, his wife Catherine Harding, and his 11-year-old stepdaughter were staying at a São Paulo hotel ahead of Roan’s headlining performance at Lollapalooza Brazil when the singer, who was also apparently staying there, walked past their table at breakfast.

Keep Reading Show less
Nicholas Brendon; Anthony Head; Sarah Michelle Gellar; Charisma Carpenter; Alyson Hannigan
Fotos International/Getty Images

Nicholas Brendon's 'Buffy' Costars Pay Emotional Tribute To Him After His Sudden Death At 54

Nicholas Brendon, who was best-known for his role as Xander on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has passed away at the age of 54.

Brendon's family said he died suddenly and peacefully in his sleep.

Keep Reading Show less