20 Most Horrible Historical Facts Schools Do Not Teach

the history of our world spans millions of years and is a rich tapestry woven from countless events while some aspects of history have been retold to suit the narratives of different eras the core of what happened remains unaltered who is actually complaining about his set of porcelain teeth here in today's video we will explore everything from the crazy Witch Trials of Europe to the woman who committed horrifying murders in the 20 most horrible historic iCal facts schools do not teach number 20 witch trials in Europe from the 15th to the 18th centuries Europe was engulfed

by widespread hysteria over witchcraft driven by fear Superstition and religious extremism The Witch Trials which spread across the continent saw countless individuals accused of practicing witchcraft often based on dubious or fabricated evidence known as the burning times or the great hunt this period witnessed between 40,000 to 60,000 executions with the vast majority of those convicted being women accusations of Witchcraft often targeted those who challenge societal Norms or were perceived as threats to the status quo these convictions were frequently obtained Through Torture forcing the accused to confess to consorting with the devil performing dark magic or

attending witch's Gatherings those convicted faced horrific punishments typically burning at the stake hanging or drowning The Witch Trials represent a tragic era in European history characterized by intense fear and Dee rooted misogyny this period serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by mass hysteria flawed Justice systems and the destructive consequences of unchecked societal Panic number 19 the story of mini Dean caregivers hold an essential place in society often entrusted with the lives of children by families who must rely on their assistance however the chilling case of mini Dean might give you pause when

considering whom to trust with such a significant responsibility V Hela Dean more commonly known as Minnie holds the Grim distinction of being the only woman ever executed in New Zealand's history in the mid 19th century after facing Financial hardships Minnie and her husband relocated to Winton while her husband worked with pigs Minnie began offering her Services as a nanny caring for unwanted children in exchange for money during this time having children out of wedlock was seen as a deep source of Shame leading to the rise of baby Farms where mothers could discreetly leave their children

Minnie at any given time had between three to nine children in her care given the high infant mortality rate during this period it wasn't initially suspicious when several children under her watch died although authorities conducted investigations they were unable to find any evidence of Foul Play however public Sen turned against Minnie and rumors of her involvement in the deaths began to swirl in 1889 a 6-month-old infant and another child in Minnie's care died prompting authorities to take a closer look they began investigating the conditions of the children under her supervision despite the difficulties in proving

her guilt in 1895 a shocking Discovery was made during a search of her home three children's bodies were found buried in her garden the evidence pointed to one child being poisoned with medication and another strangled many parents had entrusted their children to Minnie even ensuring their lives for significant sums of money despite her lawyer's defense that Minnie had concealed the deaths out of fear and distrust she was found guilty by the court on August 12th 1895 mini Dean was hanged for her crimes her story remains one of New Zealand's most infamous and tragic Tales cementing

her Legacy as a figure of both horror and shame in the country's history number 18 books bound in human leather stepping into a library or bookstore today finding a book bound in natural leather is a rare occurrence most books are now crafted with synthetic materials but historically genuine leatherbound books were common what might surprise many however is the unsettling reality that some of this leather was more than just authentic it was disturbingly human in one of History's darkest practices human skin was once used to bind books books and even craft shoes a fact that sends

shivers down the spine this macabra process called anthropodermic bibliopegy involved using human skin for book binding although no longer practiced this method was popular between the 17th and 19th centuries directly tied to the Gory Act of tanning human skin after a body was dissected the procedure to prepare human leather mirrored the methods used to treat animal hides except the material was harvested from human flesh this gruesome practice typically utilized the skin of executed criminals deemed no longer in need of it astonishingly some of these books are still in existence today preserved as Eerie remnants of

the past the thought that human skin was repurposed in such a way is unnerving one can only imagine the shock people might feel if they realized that their skin could end up covering a book after death number 17 the Chinese massacre in the United States on the night of OCT October 24th 1887 one of the most horrific and violent race riots in US history tore through Los Angeles the chaos erupted in the city's Chinatown as over 500 residents driven by anti-chinese hatred Unleashed a night of unrelenting Terror by the time the violence had ended 19

Chinese immigrants had been murdered in Cold Blood by the vengeful mob the spark for this massacre was a dispute between two rival Chinese factions which inadvertently resulted in the death of a white man Robert Thompson news of the incident spread quickly Fanning the Flames of already simmering racial tensions and setting the stage for the brutal events to come as the riot grew the mobs swelled in size composed of residents from all walks of life Merchants laborers and even members of law enforcement who were meant to uphold order the brutality was unimaginable as Chinese businesses were

ransacked and homes were destroyed Chinese residents were forcibly dragged into the streets where 15 of them were hanged from makeshift Gallows their bodies left hanging as Grim symbols of the knights savagery once the violence ended Chinatown lay in Ruins with nearly every Chinese resident either killed or forced to flee the most shocking part came in the aftermath despite the sheer scale of the massacre only 10 men were arrested and put on trial charged with manslaughter in a bitterly unjust turn of events all 10 were acquitted thanks to a loophole that excluded Chinese Witnesses from testifying

in court due to their race consequently no one was ever held accountable for the massacre and this tragic event soon faded from Collective memory number 16 James Jameson's dark obsession with cannibalism many people associate the name Jameson with quality whiskey but the story of one of its founding family members James Jameson is much darker and more disturbing as the great grand son of John Jameson the creator of the famous whiskey brand established in 1780 James inherited both wealth and status but instead of just indulging in the Privileges of his lineage James pursued an adventurous life

in 1888 he joined a highly publicized expedition to Central Africa what transpired during this journey is shocking and deeply unsettling multiple accounts of Jameson's actions exist though the core details remain consistent while leading the rear column of the expedition in Congo a region notorious for cannibalistic tribes Jameson allegedly developed a grotesque interest in witnessing the act of cannibalism firsthand according to most reports he Bartered six handkerchiefs in exchange for a 10-year-old slave girl tragically the girl was handed over to local tribesmen tied to a tree and subsequently killed and eaten instead of intervening Jameson reportedly

observed the horrific scene and even sketched the event using watercolors Jameson died not long after this incident but years later the horrific tail surfaced casting a dark shadow over his legacy and the company that bore his family's name in defense of her husband Jameson's Widow published a letter claiming he was falsely accused stating that he had unwittingly witnessed the incident while trying to settle a dispute with an Arab Merchant however testimonies from others involved in the event confirmed the the grizzly truth cementing James Jameson's Sinister fascination with cannibalism in history number 15 the craft behind

stained glass Church Windows when you step into an ancient Church the sight of vibrant stained glass windows often steals your breath away these colorful masterpieces not only add to the beauty of the building but also serve as detailed illustrations of religious stories like Leonardo da Vinci's the last supper and significant moments from the Bible the creation of these striking Windows is an art form that dates back to the 6th Century though it reached New Heights in the 12th century when its techniques were carefully recorded by a German monk in 1112 the process of making stained

glass is both intricate and fascinating it begins by mixing materials such as potassium carbonate and sand which are then heated at extremely high temperatures to form the glass to achieve the brilliant colors that Define stained glass metal oxides are added during the heating process these oxides transform the glass into a kaleidoscope of vibrant Hues once the glass cools Artisans paint it by hand using mixtures of copper lead and other metals one unexpected ingredient used in this painting process is urine which is added as a binding agent when fired in a kiln the urine helps the

metal oxides bond with the glass resulting in a permanent and durable finish this unusual method has stood the test of time allowing churches around the world to preserve these works of art for centuries showcasing not only the skill of The Artisans but also the fascinating Traditions that continue to shape this unique craft number 14 the story of the American flag the American flag known worldwide as a symbol of freedom and unity has an intriguing origin story tied to one determined young man Robert heft born in 1942 in Sagen Michigan and raised by his grandparents in

Lancaster Ohio after his parents divorc played a key role in its creation when heft was 17 years old his American history teacher Stanley Pratt gave the class a project to Showcase their patriotism and love for the nation Robert decided to design a new version of the American flag envisioning a flag with 50 stars in anticipation of Alaska and Hawaii joining the Union despite his forward-thinking idea heft was given a low grade of a d for his work as his teacher saw no need for 50 stars with the country still comprising only 48 states refusing to

be discouraged heft made a bold proposal to his teacher if Congress officially adopted his design his grade should be changed with persistence and optimism Robert submitted his flag design to president Dwight Eisenhower's Administration Against All Odds his design design was selected from over 1,500 submissions on July 4th 1960 the United States adopted hefts 50 star flag commemorating the country's Independence Day with a new emblem Upon returning to Lancaster High Robert's teacher upheld their agreement and raised his grade recognizing the incredible impact of hefts once dismissed project number 13 the Tuskegee syphilis study one of the

most infamous and unethical medical experiments in American history is the Tuskegee syphilis study which began in 1932 under the United States Public Health Service the study targeted more than 600 impoverished African-American men mostly sharecroppers from Tuskegee Alabama of those nearly 400 had syphilis but were misled into believing they were being treated for bad blood a term used locally to describe various ailments in reality the men were given no real treatment even after penicillin emerged in the 1940s as a highly effective cure for Syphilis instead of receiving this life-saving antibiotic the men were intentionally denied treatment

so that researchers could observe the long-term effects of untreated syphilis the consequences were tragic many of the men succumbed to the disease suffered debilitating health problems and unknowingly passed syphilis onto the their spouses and children this deeply unethical study continued for 40 years finally coming to an end in 1972 after public outcry sparked by media exposure the Tuskegee syphilis study left an indelible stain on the history of medicine and led to sweeping reforms in research ethics including the creation of review boards to protect human subjects from such egregious violations of their rights ever again number

12 Shadows of the head World War II the most destructive conflict in human history left an enduring Legacy not only through its Devastation but also through the haunting remnants it left behind when the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a grim and Eerie phenomenon emerged in the aftermath the black Shadows of the Dead these haunting imprints were left behind by the intense light and heat of the nuclear explosions capturing the outlines of people objects and everyday scenes known as the Shadows of the Dead these imprints were formed in

an instant preserving the shapes of children on bicycles couples near cars and other Frozen moments in time as the world around them was obliterated these Eerie remnants serve as haunting reminders of the devastating power unleashed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki scientifically the Shadows are believed to have formed due to the intense light radiation that accompanied the explosion similar to how an ordinary Shadow blocks light in this case the Heat and radiation altered the color and texture of the surfaces around objects and people leaving behind darkened outlines the individuals exposed to this light radiation suffered severe burns

and while some survived the initial explosion many later died from their injuries now nearly 80 years after the tragedy these Shadows still linger symbolizing the unimaginable destruction of that fateful moment and serving as a constant reminder of the war's terrible toll number 11 Thomas Edison's talking doll Thomas Edison the legendary American inventor and entrepreneur is best known for his incredible innovations that shaped modern technology with over 1,93 patents in the US and thousands more internationally his contributions have had a profound impact on society Edison's achievements include the creation of the phonograph which revolutionized the way

we record and listen to sound he also made significant improvements to the Telephone and Telegraph developed the first commercially viable incandescent light bulb and even popularized the use of the word hello at the start of phone conversations however despite his many successes even Edison faced notable failures one of the most infamous being his attempt to bring phonographic dolls to the marketplace in 1887 Edison conceived a unique toy a 22 2in doll with a built-in miniature photograph that could play children's songs by 1890 after years of development his company was ready to mass-produce these dolls which

could recite poems and sing Tunes when a child turned a handle on the doll's back the toy seemed like a groundbreaking idea combining technology and entertainment for children but despite its Innovation the doll failed to meet expectations the process of turning the handle to make the doll sing was cumbersome for young children and the wax records inside quickly wore out cracked or deformed even worse the doll's mechanical voice instead of enchanting children often frightened them with its Eerie unnatural sound a voice better suited for a modern horror film than a nursery though the doll was

only on the market for 6 weeks before it was discontinued its failure serves as a reminder that even the greatest inventors can misstep and not every Innovative idea captures The public's imagination time for the fancy Topic in a grim and tragic event lost to the pages of History dozens of prisoners faced a public execution during the final days of a secret war in Australia that tore Nations apart these individuals once soldiers and denters were condemned by military tribunals their crimes were for leaving the battlefield but the Swift judgments left little room for defense crowds gathered

in Eerie silence as the prison roners stood on platforms NES ready to seal their Fates the harsh reality of their demise was met with a mixture of horror and Fascination by those forced to witness the scene for years this execution was erased from history books its memory only preserved in Hidden archives and whispered Tales why were these individuals chosen to be erased from the collective memory and what other dark moments in history remain Untold let us know in the comments with the # fancy topic number 10 Belgium's atrocities in the Congo free state from 1885

to 1908 the Congo free state now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo was subjected to one of the most harrowing periods of colonial exploitation in history during this time King Leopold II of Belgium controlled the region as his private territory despite never having set foot in the Congo his rule Unleashed A Reign of Terror resulting in the deaths of millions of congales people Leopold's primary objective was to extract as much wealth as possible from the region particularly Rubber and ivory to achieve this he implemented a brutal forced labor system subjecting the local population to

unimaginable cruelty men women and even children were forced to collect rubber under horrific conditions often enduring severe punishments like whipping and mutilation if they failed to meet stringent quotas despite a widespread propaganda campaign portraying Belgium's rule as a Force for good the reality was a nightmarish existence for the congales people marked by exploitation violence and gross human rights violations the region suffered staggering mortality rates with many dying from overwork malnutrition and disease leading to a significant decline in the population it wasn't until 1908 when International pressure driven by campaign ERS such as Edmund Dean Morel

and Roger casement became overwhelming that Belgium was forced to Annex the Congo officially ending Leopold's personal control however the damage had already been done the Congo was left scarred its people devastated and its vast natural resources severely depleted number nine the history of Dentures today addressing Dental issues is relatively simple thanks to Modern Dental Prosthetics however the history of Dentures is a fascinating and at times disturbing Journey this Story begins around 700 BC with the at truskin of ancient Northern Italy they were among the first to craft Dentures using human or animal teeth while these

early false teeth were not particularly durable and deteriorated rapidly they were relatively easy to make and remained in use for centuries until the 1700s around this time denture materials evolved with crafts people beginning to use Ivory sourced from walruses elephants and even hippopotamuses by the 1770s French dentists sought to improve on Ivory by developing porcelain Dentures which were hand painted to mimic the look of real teeth despite their aesthetic appeal these porcelain Dentures were fragile often shrinking during the firing process which compromised their functionality in contrast human teeth particularly those scavenged from battlefields like waterl

after the 1815 conflict were in high demand these so-called waterl teeth were mounted onto an ivory base and many were sourced from executed criminals or sold by impoverished individuals desperate for money in 1820 English silver smith and gold smith Claudius Ash revolutionized the field by mounting porcelin teeth onto 18 karat gold plates complete with gold swivels these new dentures were both more aesthetically pleasing and functional though they were notoriously difficult to keep clean by 1850 denture bases received another significant upgrade with the introduction of vulcanite a durable form of hard rubber into which porcelain teeth

could be set as the 20th century dawned acrylic resin and various Plastics became the go-to materials for crafting Dentures marking a significant Improvement in comfort and durability number eight Pharaoh Pepe II and his dislike for insects the Egyptian Empire is renowned for its Grandeur and Powerful pharaohs yet some of these rulers displayed behavior that bordered on the bizarre one such example is Pharaoh Pepe II who began his rule during Egypt's Old Kingdom at the age of six succeeding his older brother marry Pepe II holds the record as the longest reigning monarch in history with sources

indicating he ruled for an astonishing 94 years while his Reign was notable for its length Pepe II was also known for his eccentricities one peculiar Story recounts how Pepe II was so irritated by flies that he allegedly ordered his servants to smear themselves with honey in this way the honey would attract the Flies keeping them away from the Pharaoh though this may sound extreme Pepe II's disdain for flies contrasts with the fact that the insect help significant symbolic meaning for the ancient Egyptians flies were admired for their persistence and swiftness qualities highly valued in soldiers

in fact the bravest warriors were often awarded the golden fly for their Battlefield tenacity the importance of flies extended Beyond Metals fly shaped amulets made from materials like gold lapis lazuli and Bone were worn for protection and strength although Pepe second found a creative solution to avoid these insects his story showcases the contrasting attitudes toward flies in ancient Egyptian Society number seven the Pope's Crusade against cats religion has shaped many events in history but not all religious decrees have had the intended effect in the 13th century Pope Gregory the tth issued a controversial directive that

almost triggered an unforeseen disaster in 1227 shortly after becoming Pope Gregory became convinced that cats particularly black ones were linked to demonic forces he believed that cats were instruments of the devil and this fear led him to declare a war on the creatures his influence was so vast that many people heeded his call and the widespread killing of cats began when the Black Plague started spreading across Europe Gregory the 19 believed the pestilence was divine punishment for his war against evil as a result the pope doubled down on his cre crade to exterminate cats seeing

their destruction as a necessary step to rid the world of the devil's influence ironically this act only worsened the situation scientists later discovered that the plague was spread by fleas carried by rats cats as natural predators of rodents could have played a key role in controlling the rat population instead the mass killing of cats allowed the rodent population and by extension the fleas that carried the plague to explode exacerbating the spread of the disease Pope Gregory's war against cats ultimately did more harm than good a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of misplaced beliefs number

six Martin Cooney's incubator incubators are now a standard feature in hospitals offering life-saving care for premature babies however the origin of this Essential Medical Technology is tied to a man named Dr Martin Cooney who is credited with bringing incubators into mainstream medicine Cooney an American physician with roots in France had apprenticed under Dr Pierre constant Budan a prominent figure in neonatal medicine in 1897 Cooney introduced the incubator to the public despite considerable opposition from the medical community doctors at the time were skeptical of the device due to the high mortality rates of premature babies and

the exorbitant cost of producing an incubator which could reach $75,000 driven by a personal mission having used an incubator to save his own daughter's life Cooney was determined to make the technology widely available to fund his work and raise awareness Cooney took an unconventional route he exhibited premature babies in incubators at events like Coney Island although this Drew public Fascination and helped fund his Endeavors it also sparked controversy critics accused him of exploiting vulnerable infants for profit especially given his lack of formal medical education Cooney's inspiration for the incubator came from observing a chicken egg

incubator at an Agricultural Fair he adapted the design for human infants crafting a temperature controlled humidity regulated plexiglass box connected to an oxygen supply this allowed fragile newborns to thrive in an environment tailored to their needs despite initial skepticism Coon's pioneering efforts led to a major medical breakthrough saving countless lives and shaping the future of neonatal Care number five the siege of Leningrad the siege of Leningrad stands as one of the most brutal and prolonged blockades in the history of warfare executed by the Axis powers against the Soviet city of Leningrad modern day St Petersburg

during World War II initiated on September 8th 1941 the Nazi army launched an offensive aim at capturing the city but despite their Fierce determination they failed to breach its defenses for an agonizing 872 days German and Finnish forces encircled the city cutting off all vital supply routes leaving only the precarious Waterway across Lake logga as the sole Lifeline connecting Leningrad to the outside world the city's residents endured a harrowing famine one of the most devastating in recorded history leading to the death of over one-third of the population reducing Leningrad inhabitants to fewer than 800,000 as

Food Supplies dwindled during the unforgiving winter months shortages of essential items such as fuel coal and gas compounded the suffering leaving many to freeze to death in their homes the situation grew so desperate that the consumption of horse and dog meat became commonplace however in a macabra Twist reports soon surfaced a of an increased supply of meat later revealed to be a result of widespread cannibalism official records list over 2,000 cases of cannibalism but the actual number was likely much higher the siege of Leningrad remains one of the longest and deadliest sieges in history with

a staggering number of casualties both from combat and the horrific conditions endured by the city's residents number four Mozart's lwd songs Wolf Gang Amadeus MO art renowned for his genius and extraordinary musical talents is celebrated worldwide for his unparalleled contributions to classical music even though he lived only 35 years his prodigious skills particularly his ability to compose and improvise earned him a claim at a young age including becoming the youngest member of the prestigious bolognia philarmonic Academy at just 14 Mozart's musical Brilliance continues to inspire and Captivate audiences to this day but beyond the polished

compositions lies a lesser known side of the composer one filled with playful mischief and unexpected vulgarity contrary to the refined image often associated with classical musicians Mozart had a mischievous streak that occasionally surfaced in his Works among his many compositions were a number of songs featuring crude and sometimes body humor in 1782 he composed a musical cannon that contained lyrics with suggestive and indecent language to ensure the work's broader appeal the publisher opted to tone down the lyrics to make them more acceptable another notorious example includes a piece humorously titled lick me in the ARs

a playful and scandalous work intended to amuse his close friends some of these risque compositions were private jokes While others served as cheeky challenges to societal Norms of the time while Mozart's playful and occasionally obscene compositions stand in stark contrast to his masterful Symphonies and concertos they add an intriguing layer to his complex Legacy revealing the lighter and at times rebellious side of the musical genius number three the Opium Wars in China the Opium Wars in the mid 19th century represent a significant turning point in China's modern history the first war fought between 1839 and

1842 involved China and Great Britain following this a second conflict known as the second Opium War erupted from 1856 to 1860 where a weakened China found itself facing both Great Britain and France defeated in both Wars China was forced to accept harsh terms which included seeding Hong Kong to the British opening several treaty ports to foreign trade and granting special privileges to foreign Nationals in these ports the situation worsened as British opium sales soared within China defended under the banner of free trade despite the disastrous consequences for the Chinese government and its people the motives

behind Britain's involvement in these wars remain debated some argue that it was a fight to defend free trade principles While others believe it was driven by Britain's desire to protect its Global reputation during a time of unrest from the Chinese perspective the first Opium War signaled the beginning of the decline of late Imperial China triggering what is known as the century of humiliation Chinese historians today view the wars as acts of aggression that taught the nation a bitter lesson about vulnerability leading to domination this humiliation would later fuel revolutionary movements aimed at overthrowing imperialism and

feudalism in China number two the great emu war of Australia while Wars are typically fought between humans Australia's great emu War of the 1930s was a strange conflict that pitted humans against emuse after World War I Australia faced an agricultural crisis which was further Complicated by an unlikely enemy emuse these large flightless birds would migrate inland during breeding season Finding their way to newly cultivated farms in Western Australia and wreaking havoc on crops the damage was so significant that exasperated Farmers many of whom were War veterans sought help from the government in response a small

military Force armed with machine guns was sent to Cull the Emu population however the Emu proved to be surprisingly difficult to control their Speed and Agility allowed them to evade the military's attempts leading to widespread ridicule and public criticism over the handling of the situation the operation was eventually called off and the government switched to a bounty system to manage the Emu population this approach turned out to be more successful the great mu War remains one of Australia's most unusual historical events highlighting the unexpected complexities that can arise in managing wildlife and agriculture number one

Hitler and Disney Adolf Hitler notorious for leading Nazi Germany into World War II and orchestrating the Holocaust remains one of history's most reviled figures however a surprising detail about Hitler's private life emerged in recent years his fascination with Disney films while he banned American movies due to his strong anti-American stance he maintained a deep admiration for Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which he described as the greatest animated film ever made in 1938 when Roy Disney visited Germany a copy of Snow White was reportedly sent to Hitler's private Cinema where he watched it in

secret Hitler's interest in Disney didn't end there as a young man and even later as a dictator he often Drew Disney characters and enjoyed watching anime ated films after dinner recently discovered sketches from 1940 featuring characters from Snow White and an unfinished drawing of Pinocchio further confirmed Hitler's genuine affection for Disney's work yet despite this unusual hobby it's important to note that his interest in Disney cartoons did nothing to soften his actions or ideology this unexpected detail serves as a strange and unsettling glimpse into the personal life of one of the world's most infamous leaders

which of these stories did you find the most shocking let us know in the comments below see you next time