The manchineel tree, found in tropical regions of North and South America, is notorious for being the most dangerous tree in the world. Its Spanish name, “manzanilla de la muerte,” translates to “little apple of death,” which hints at its lethal nature.

After the catastrophic nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in 1986, the Red Forest became one of the most contaminated areas in the world. The high levels of radiation caused the trees to turn a reddish-brown color, hence the name “Red Forest.” Despite this, the area has surprisingly become a haven for wildlife.

Al Herpin, born in 1862 in France, later moved to the United States and became known as the “Man Who Never Slept.” Herpin claimed that he had not slept a single night in his entire life, a phenomenon that baffled doctors and scientists.

On March 18, 1915, during the Mexican Revolution, Wenceslao Moguel Herrera, a revolutionary soldier, was captured by government forces. He was sentenced to death without trial and lined up for execution by firing squad.

Before modern plumbing, ancient civilizations developed various methods of waste removal. The Mohenjo-daro of the Indus Valley (2800 B.C.E.) and Ancient Rome had advanced sewer systems. Medieval toilets, or garderobes, in castles emptied waste into moats or cesspits, while the poor used buckets.

The image of a Viking warrior wearing a horned helmet is iconic and widespread in popular culture. However, this representation is a myth. Historical evidence suggests that Vikings did not wear horned helmets in battle.

In 2009, 28-year-old Artyom Sidorkin from Izhevsk, Russia, began experiencing intense chest pain and coughing up blood. Fearing the worst, he visited doctors who suspected lung cancer based on his severe symptoms and abnormal X-rays.

The term “vomitorium” often conjures images of ancient Romans indulging in excessive feasting and then retreating to designated spaces to purge their meals. This widely held belief, however, is a historical inaccuracy.

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. An autopsy was conducted at Bethesda Naval Hospital, where Kennedy’s brain was removed for further examination. The brain was placed in a stainless steel container to be studied to understand the nature of the gunshot wounds.

Oymyakon, a rural locality in the Sakha Republic of Russia, holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded outside Antarctica. On February 6, 1933, temperatures plummeted to -67.7°C (-89.9°F). Known as the “Pole of Cold,” Oymyakon’s average winter temperatures range between -50°C (-58°F) and -60°C (-76°F).