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The study of history offers valuable lessons for the present, helping us understand the world and avoid past mistakes. As the famous saying goes, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” However, history is also filled with bizarre, humorous, and sometimes unsettling facts that continue to baffle us. From a voice actor waking up from a coma by channeling a cartoon rabbit to an entire neighborhood being flooded with beer, here are some historical oddities that remain difficult to comprehend.
1. Mel Blanc’s Voice Brought Him Out of a Coma
Mel Blanc, the legendary voice behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and numerous Looney Tunes characters, experienced a life-threatening car accident in 1961 that left him in a coma. Doctors struggled to reach him until one decided to ask, “Bugs Bunny, how are you doing today?” Blanc, still unconscious, responded with the character’s famous line: “Myeeeeh. What’s up, doc?” This remarkable moment marked the beginning of his recovery, and he went on to live until 1989.
2. A Train Dispatcher’s Final Warning Saved Lives
In December 1917, Canadian train dispatcher Vincent Coleman recognized the imminent explosion of a munitions-filled ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Despite knowing he had little chance of survival, he sent a final message to an incoming train, warning of the impending disaster. While the train was already delayed, his warning ensured that hundreds of passengers avoided the catastrophic blast that would claim thousands of lives.
3. Theodore Roosevelt Delivered a Speech After Being Shot
Theodore Roosevelt, known for his toughness, was giving a speech in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during his 1912 presidential campaign when he was shot by an assassin. Miraculously, the bullet was slowed by the thick manuscript of his speech and his glasses case. Despite the injury, Roosevelt refused immediate medical attention and finished his speech before seeking treatment. Though he survived, he ultimately lost the election.
4. The President of France Fell Out of a Moving Train
Paul Deschanel’s presidency in 1920 was short-lived, partly due to his erratic behavior caused by health issues. One of his most bizarre incidents occurred during a train journey when he opened a window to get fresh air—only to accidentally tumble out. Stranded by the tracks, he was found by a railway worker who initially refused to believe he was France’s president. Fortunately, he managed to find someone who did.
5. The Great London Beer Flood of 1814
In a lesser-known disaster, London experienced a beer flood in 1814 when a massive vat at the Horse Shoe Brewery burst, sending over 100,000 gallons of beer flooding into the poor neighborhood of St. Giles. Tragically, several people drowned in the incident. The brewery faced no legal consequences, and the affected residents received no compensation.
6. Tycho Brahe’s Pet Moose Died From a Drinking Habit
Renowned astronomer Tycho Brahe wasn’t just famous for his celestial discoveries—he also had an unusual pet: a moose. This domesticated animal developed a taste for beer and was known to indulge at parties. Unfortunately, during one such event, the inebriated moose fell down a flight of stairs and met its untimely end.
7. Napoleon Improved His Exile Island
After his defeat in 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to Elba, a small island off Italy. Rather than sulking, he set about improving its infrastructure, creating roads, schools, and legal reforms. Though he later escaped and returned to power for a brief period, Elba continued to benefit from the changes he implemented.
8. The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand Was a Coincidence
The assassination that triggered World War I almost didn’t happen. The first attempt to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand failed, prompting a change in his travel route. However, a miscommunication led his driver to take the original path—coincidentally placing him right in front of assassin Gavrilo Princip, who seized the opportunity and carried out the fatal attack.
9. The CIA’s Attempt at Spy Cats Failed Miserably
During the Cold War, the CIA devised a bizarre plan to use cats as spies. They implanted microphones and transmitters into a feline agent dubbed “Acoustic Kitty.” However, their efforts were immediately thwarted when the cat, on its first mission, was hit by a car. Unsurprisingly, the project was scrapped.
10. The Ohio-Michigan War Over Toledo
In the early 19th century, Ohio and Michigan engaged in a territorial dispute over the Toledo Strip. Tensions escalated to the point where both states raised militias. The conflict was only settled when President Andrew Jackson intervened, awarding Toledo to Ohio while compensating Michigan with land in the Upper Peninsula.
11. Spanish Conquistadors Built a Useless Catapult
During Hernán Cortés’ siege of Tenochtitlán in 1519, his forces were struggling to breach the city. Desperate for a solution, Cortés approved the construction of a catapult. Unfortunately, the device was so poorly designed that it launched projectiles straight to the ground in front of it. The useless machine was promptly destroyed.
12. Alexander the Great’s Love for Naming Cities
One of history’s most renowned conquerors, Alexander the Great, established or renamed numerous cities in his honor. The most famous of these is Alexandria in Egypt. However, he also named one city, Bucephala, after his beloved horse, Bucephalus, commemorating the loyal steed’s role in his campaigns.
