Rat Island, located off the coast of the Bronx in Long Island Sound, has a fascinating history. Originally named “Rattle Island,” it was used by Dutch sailors in the 17th century who employed rattles to warn passing ships of dangerous rocks. The island’s name eventually evolved to “Rat Island,” possibly due to prisoners, referred to as “rats,” using it as a resting point while escaping from nearby Hart Island.

Sylvester Magee was born on May 29, 1841, in North Carolina. His parents, Ephriam and Jeanette, were enslaved on the J.J. Shanks plantation. At the age of 19, Magee was sold to Hugh Magee, who owned the Lone Star Plantation in Covington County, Mississippi.

Born in 1564 in Gillingham, Kent, England, William Adams started his maritime career at age 12 as an apprentice to a shipbuilder. He served in the Royal Navy under Sir Francis Drake during the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

In 1959, psychologist Milton Rokeach conducted a groundbreaking study at Ypsilanti State Hospital in Michigan. The study, later known as “The Three Christs of Ypsilanti,” aimed to explore the effects of conflicting belief systems on individuals with schizophrenia. Rokeach brought together three patients, Clyde Benson, Joseph Cassel, and Leon Gabor, each of whom believed himself to be Jesus Christ.

In 2018, geologists at Monash University in Melbourne made a startling discovery: rocks in Tasmania share a unique geochemical fingerprint with those in the Grand Canyon. This finding suggested that parts of Tasmania were once physically connected to the southwestern United States.

On October 5, 2018, a highly anticipated auction took place at Sotheby’s in London. Among the items was a painting by the elusive street artist Banksy, titled “Girl with Balloon.” As the hammer fell, selling the artwork for £1.04 million, an unexpected event unfolded.

In 2002, Lydia Fairchild, a mother from Washington state, faced an unusual and terrifying ordeal. When she applied for public assistance, routine DNA tests were conducted to confirm her children’s paternity and maternity. Shockingly, the results showed that while her partner was confirmed as the father, Lydia’s DNA did not match that of her children.

In 2017, Dmitry Baksheev’s mobile phone was found by a road worker in Krasnodar, Russia. The phone contained disturbing selfies of Dmitry posing with dismembered body parts. This discovery led to the arrest of Dmitry and his wife, Natalia Baksheeva. Police raided their home and found seven bags of body parts stored in their refrigerator and freezer, along with other remains scattered in their basement and nearby areas.

Charles Sherwood Stratton was born on January 4, 1838, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. At birth, he was a typical size, but by six months, he had stopped growing. At the age of four, Charles stood at just 25 inches tall and weighed 15 pounds. In 1842, Phineas Taylor Barnum, a famous showman, discovered him and saw potential for a great attraction. Barnum taught Charles to sing, dance, mime, and impersonate famous people.

In 2017, the estate of Rita and Jerry Alter, a retired couple from New Mexico, became the center of attention. Known for their modest lifestyle, they had traveled the world and collected art pieces along the way. After their passing, a valuable painting was found among their belongings.