WWII pilot Douglas Bader, who lost his legs in an accident, avoided blackouts caused by G-forces. Because Bader had prosthetic legs, blood couldn't pool in his lower extremities during high-G maneuvers like it did in other pilots. This unusual advantage helped him become one of Britain's top fighter aces despite his disability.
7.
While visiting Otsu, Japan, future Tsar Nicholas II was attacked by a policeman with a sword. His cousin Prince George of Greece saved his life by parrying the blow with his walking stick, preventing a major diplomatic crisis.
8.
In 1850, Jacques Benoit created "snail telegraphs," believing mated snails remained psychically connected. He placed paired snails on synchronized alphabetic dials, thinking touching one would cause its mate to move, creating a bizarre communication system. This experiment failed.
9.
John Parker, the guard at Lincoln’s box the night of his assassination, wasn’t fired immediately and later guarded Mary Todd Lincoln.
10.
Church knockers, like the famous Durham Sanctuary Knocker, offered fugitives 37 days of legal protection if they could reach them. Once inside, they could confess crimes and choose between trial or exile, a practice known as "right of sanctuary."
11.
In 1789, during the French Revolution, only about 12% of France's population spoke French fluently. Most people spoke regional languages like Occitan, Breton, or various dialects. The Revolution's leaders actively worked to standardize French as part of their nation-building efforts.
12.
In 1692, an elderly Livonian claimed in court to be a werewolf who battled witches in hell, shocking the judges with credible evidence. Thiess, an 80-year-old Livonian peasant, testified he was a "hound of God" - a benevolent werewolf who fought evil witches in hell to protect crops. His detailed testimony bewildered judges, who expected a typical satanic confession. He was lightly punished.
13.
In WWI, half of France's army mutinied post-Nivelle Offensive, rejecting orders; the event was concealed from public knowledge for decades. Around 40,000-80,000 French soldiers refused to attack after the disastrous Nivelle Offensive killed 120,000 men in just days. Leaders kept this quiet, executing only 27 ringleaders while improving conditions to prevent further unrest.
