Most Americans are taught that Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover North America. However, the story of Leif Erikson proves that’s a lie. This hard-living Viking came from a long line of explorers before setting foot in what he called “Vinland”—and he left a trail of mysteries and tragedies in his wake.
Queen Victoria may have been the “Grandmother of Europe,” but her own mother was a titan on the home front. Believe me, just like her daughter, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg Saalfeld was no slouch in the drama department. From her scandalous romances to her disturbingly mommie dearest ways, this is one historical figure worth knowing about.
While Lord Byron became known for his poetry, he also became known for something else: his horrible treatment of women. Byron selfishly played with the hearts of women, and it didn’t matter if they were single, married, carrying his child or, on one occasion, even a member of his own family. When a country in crisis asked for his help, Byron finally did something altruistic. Tragically, it was this selfless act that drove Byron to an early grave.
For the Japanese people, Hirohito was a god. But behind the gilded facade and the royal duty he was born to, Hirohito was just a man like any other, and a flawed one at that. While his reign as Japanese Emperor centered around the growing power of the military and a series of terrible wars, Hirohito's own life was much different behind closed doors.
For a time, no woman was feared more in the court of King Henry VIII than the radical Protestant Anne Askew—and for very good reason. With the things she knew, Askew could have toppled the kingdom. But in exchange for facing down her enemies, all Anne got back was an utterly tragic end.
George II may have been King of Great Britain, but what he really wanted in life was to get on the battlefield. The royal loved nothing more than a good fight—especially with members of his own family. But he was also hiding some racy secrets behind closed doors. This King was both a prolific lover and a serious fighter—and as if that wasn’t exciting enough, his life also held some seriously jaw-dropping twists. Read on for these facts about George II.
The Vanderbilts are likely America's closest thing to a royal family—at least, they spent money like one. The money came from Cornelius Vanderbilt, and the lavish spending came from just about anyone carrying the Vanderbilt name. Watching this family’s dramatic economic decline would be something close to comedy... if it wasn’t so darn tragic.
When King George I took over the English throne in 1714, the vaunted House of Hanover began its centuries-old reign over the British Empire, ending only with Queen Victoria. Yet dark secrets lay at the root of this seemingly glorious family tree, corrupting and corroding all that grew out of it.
Rasputin rose from an illiterate Russian peasant to one of the most powerful men in the Romanov Empire, and he did it by means that still stump historians today. Loved by an ardent, powerful few and hated by the masses, dark rumors always swirled around the “Mad Monk” who had the Tsarina in his thrall…including the details of his mysterious end. The trouble is, some of those rumors are true.
Known as one of the most skilled and ruthless commanders in history, Julius Caesar spent his life taking what he wanted with few people willing or able to stop him. After getting a taste of power and glory at a young age, he knew his destiny was to rule in one way or another. However, he made countless enemies, especially among those closest to him, so although he believed he was untouchable—others greatly disagreed.
Move over James Bond. Step aside, Ethan Hunt. There’s a new super spy in town. Virginia Hall was the real-world spy whose daring adventures behind enemy lines during WWII helped guarantee an Allied victory. She gathered valuable information, rescued downed airmen, and staged daring prison escapes. And on top of that? She did it all with only one good leg.
Marlene Dietrich, David Bowie, and Prince all played fast and loose when it came to what was the norm of dress and behavior for their gender. Let’s go back an astonishing 400 years and meet one of the original gender-fluid celebs. This was a Queen way off in Sweden and right from her birth, people had confused reactions to the child. Was it a girl? Was it a boy? Queen Christina didn’t really care what people thought. She just wanted to live life to the fullest—and she most certainly did.
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