In 19th century England, a curious and controversial practice known as wife selling emerged as an unofficial method for ending marriages. Divorce was prohibitively expensive and legally complex for the lower classes, leading some men to resort to selling their wives as a means of separation.

Ubasute, also known as “abandoning an elderly person,” is an ancient Japanese practice rooted in folklore and historical accounts. The term “ubasute” translates to “abandoning an old woman,” and it refers to the act of leaving an elderly relative in a remote location, typically a mountain, to die. This practice was allegedly used during times of famine and hardship when families could no longer support their elderly members.

In the 1930s, IBM, under the leadership of Thomas J. Watson, established a significant presence in Germany. The company’s German subsidiary, Dehomag, played a crucial role in providing technology and support to the Nazi regime.

In May 1845, Sir John Franklin led a British expedition to find the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic. The expedition consisted of two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, carrying 129 men, advanced naval technology, and provisions for three years.

In 2017, Nick Mead, a British tank collector and owner of Tanks-A-Lot, made a remarkable discovery. Mead had purchased an ex-Iraqi Army Type 69 tank on eBay for $37,000, trading an Abbot self-propelled howitzer and a British Army truck in the process. While inspecting the tank with his mechanic, Todd Chamberlain, they found ammunition and decided to film the rest of their search to avoid potential legal issues.

In June 2008, Stuart Hill, a 74-year-old known as “Captain Calamity,” declared the tiny island of Forewick Holm in the Shetland Islands as the sovereign nation of Forvik. Hill’s proclamation aimed to challenge the UK’s authority over Shetland, arguing that the islands were never officially integrated into Scotland or Britain.

Discovered in 1911 by Australian geologist Griffith Taylor, Blood Falls is a striking natural phenomenon in Antarctica. Located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, it is a bright red waterfall that seeps from the Taylor Glacier into Lake Bonney. The vivid red color of the water, which looks like flowing blood, has fascinated scientists and visitors alike.

In the early 1980s, Glasgow, Scotland, witnessed an unusual and deadly conflict known as the Ice Cream Wars. This feud was not about frozen treats but rather about the lucrative business of drug distribution and stolen goods, using ice cream vans as the front.

During World War II, the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) developed a unique and unusual chemical weapon called “Who Me?” This device was designed to be used by the French Resistance against German officers. The weapon emitted a foul odor reminiscent of fecal matter, intended to humiliate and demoralize the enemy.

In the early 18th century, George Psalmanazar captivated Europe with his elaborate tales and fabricated identity. Claiming to be a native of Formosa (modern-day Taiwan), Psalmanazar arrived in London in 1703, presenting himself as an exotic foreigner with unique customs and a distinct language.