Weird History

Though the U.S. is not even 250 years old, history textbooks already must omit a great deal. Here are in-depth looks at a few of the most fascinating and less flattering events and scenes that took place on American soil.

America's Forgotten History

Jeopardy!

American history - relatively speaking, there's not that much of it, right? As far as the timeline of world civilizations goes, the United States is pretty young. Maybe that's why a lot of people really enjoy learning <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-american-eras/jacob-shelton">American history</a> in school. It's accessible, and the names and events are familiar.&nbsp;Well, that's what we thought, but then we looked at all the different questions (or answers, depending on how technical you want to get) about US history that appear on Jeopardy! and realized there's a whole lot more than what was in our textbooks. The number of things <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jeopardy-questions-that-stumped-best-players/damon-davis">Jeopardy! questions</a> brought to light about the history of the US are truly remarkable.&nbsp;Here's a selection of questions about American history that have been asked on Jeopardy! that make all of those history tests we took in school look easy. What do you think?&nbsp;

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'Jeopardy!' Questions About US History That Most Americans Can't Answer

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The 22 Hardest 'Jeopardy!' Questions About American History, Ranked

Melissa Sartore

David Bowie

You&#39;d think a man with so many alter egos would have, well, a pretty big ego. But when he wasn&#39;t Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, or the Thin White Duke, he was David Bowie - a man who by all accounts was gracious, kind, and generous, even when he didn&#39;t have to be. Of course, it&#39;s hard to separate the man from the myth, especially a myth of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/david-bowie-facts/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">Bowie proportions</a>. His fine attention to detail, musical innovation, and daring stage presence cemented him as&nbsp;the&nbsp;glam rock icon, and showed the world you should be proud to let your freak flag fly. Backstage, he had a biting wit and the same&nbsp;alluring charisma.

Over the course of his prolific, five-decade&nbsp;career, Bowie developed a large circle of famous friends and collaborators in the creative world. While an outpouring of tributes came from celebs and fans alike, the stories and memories below are from those who worked with him over the years. They give us a brief glimpse behind the curtain into the kind of guy he truly was, and make&nbsp;us all the more grateful that he graced this planet with his presence.

Vote up the items that make you want to steal time, just for one day, and spend it with&nbsp;Bowie.

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14 David Bowie Stories From People Who Worked With Him

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The 1990s was the era of grunge, independent films, and the dawning of the world wide web, but what was it like at the grocery store? For generations, people have commented on the rising cost of groceries, but when factoring in inflation, some items are actually cheaper today than they were in the 1990s. Food prices in 1990 were often similar to today's prices - which one would hope for, since it wasn't all that long ago - though some items have actually come down in price in the past decades.Have you ever wondered, “How much was a loaf of bread in the 1990s?” How about the price of eggs? This list will break down 1990 food prices by listing the average price back then, the 1990 price factoring in inflation - using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl?cost1=0.60&amp;year1=199001&amp;year2=202003">inflation calculator</a> - and today's cost for the same items.Vote up the grocery store items that you think have the best 2020 value and vote down any food that you'd rather go back in time to purchase.

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How Much Grocery Store Items Cost In 1990 Vs. 2020

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Jude Newsome

Ranking the plot twists that got us good. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Didn't See That Coming

Ranking the plot twists we didn't see coming. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Ooh, Twist!

Watchworthy

Backstabbing is an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/lovers-who-betrayed-the-hero-movies/alex-kirschenbaum">essential form of cinematic conflict</a>. Presenting a cast of ostensibly trustworthy characters and having <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/shocking-movie-rat-reveals/thomas-west">one or more betray the others</a> will elicit gasps, screams, and tears from viewers. The more surprising and significant the betrayal, the bigger the reaction.Here are movie backstabs that fall into one or both of those categories. And - in case it's not clear - major spoilers are ahead!

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One Of The Most Shocking Betrayals In Movie History Is Based On A Real-Life Double-Cross

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15 Of The Most Shocking Betrayals In Movie History, Ranked

Jason Bancroft

Lists about FX's cult hit series about Jax Teller, his family, and the members of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original, which aired from 2008-2014.

Sons of Anarchy

Kurt Sutter and the cast of Sons of Anarchy&nbsp;did their homework when writing and playing motorcycle club&nbsp;members,&nbsp;but, as is the case with any television show, several elements still don&#39;t mesh with reality. Granted, when you write a TV series, you want to garner attention, attract viewers, and give your wife, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/katey-sagal-facts/brandon-michaels" target="_blank">Katey Sagal</a>, a compelling character, so who can really blame Sutter for making a few tweaks?&nbsp;

But what do real bikers think of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-sons-of-anarchy-episodes/reference" target="_blank">Sons of Anarchy</a>? Many of them respect the series, but take issue with its portrayals of violence and illegal activity, as well as what they consider to be its generous treatment of women.&nbsp;On top of that, the show infamously went a bit off the rails &ndash; or over the bars, as it were &ndash; in its <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-season-of-sons-of-anarchy/reference" target="_blank">later seasons</a>. How accurate is&nbsp;Sons of Anarchy? Is there a real life&nbsp;Sons of Anarchy&nbsp;crew rolling through California somewhere?&nbsp;

The short answer is, the show is vaguely factual &ndash; emphasis on vaguely. Motorcycle club culture is a real thing, and here&#39;s how it&nbsp;differs from&nbsp;SoA.

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'Sons Of Anarchy' Gets A Shocking Amount Wrong About Real California Motorcycle Gangs

10 'Sons Of Anarchy' Details The Show Gets Wrong About Real Motorcycle Gangs

Melissa  Sartore

A look at major events that happened a long time ago and the people who played the biggest roles in shaping the world as we know it.

Historical Facts & Figures

The most creative, brilliant, and difficult doozies that left us scratching our heads.

Riddle Me This

If you've ever watched Jeopardy!, you know that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/triple-stumper-hardest-jeopardy-questions-2020/jgu">some questions are harder </a>than others. Well, some answers are harder than others - but you know what we mean.&nbsp;When it comes to questions about people, however, an additional difficulty may arise. Regardless of the category, a question about an individual can appear. It may be a politician, artist, musician, performer… the list goes on.&nbsp;Maybe that's why <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jeopardy-behind-the-scenes/setareh-janda">Jeopardy</a>! questions about historical figures are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jeopardy-history-questions-champions-missed/melissa-sartore">so challenging.</a> Almost anyone and everyone is, in theory, fair game.&nbsp;We found that to be true and had a hard time answering many of the questions here. Test your knowledge and see how you do!

The Most Mind-Bending 'Jeopardy!' Questions About Historical Figures

The 17 Hardest 'Jeopardy!' Questions About Historical Figures, Ranked

Edward I of England

Edward I (actually the fourth, but who&#39;s counting?)&nbsp;is familiar to most as the antagonist in the 1995 film Braveheart. Played to malevolent perfection by veteran Irish actor Patrick McGoohan, Edward is typically remembered as a tyrannical but brutally effective ruler. A more restrained portrayal of an aging ruler by Stephen Dillane can be seen in 2018&#39;s&nbsp;Outlaw King,&nbsp;but there have been no major portrayals&nbsp;of Edward&#39;s rule as a whole or of him in his prime.

The real Edward I was&nbsp;one of the most influential monarchs to ever take the English throne. His lengthy reign shaped the course of not only English history, but also Scottish and Welsh history for years to come.&nbsp;

He lived an eventful life&nbsp;full of adventure, intrigue, innovation, and savage cruelty against those who opposed him. This collection showcases some of the most interesting details of Edward&#39;s life that haven&#39;t been shown on screen. Yet.&nbsp;

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Everything 'Braveheart' Gets Wrong About Scottish History

'Braveheart' Historical Inaccuracies About King Edward I

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From the early inhabitants of the original 13 colonies, to the pioneers who moved West and South as America expanded, there was one common problem when it came to establishing new settlements: What would they name their city?Some US cities and towns were named after a founder, a nearby geological feature, or a place the settlers had come from, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-small-towns/noah-henry">others</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-town-names/laura-allan">had very unusual names.</a>And the city or town could end up being renamed, sometimes multiple times. Here are the stories about how some US cities got their original monikers, and the reason(s) why the name ended up being changed.

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US Cities That Changed Their Names, And The Surprising Reasons Why

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US Cities That Changed Their Names

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Fun trivia about the most interesting actors in the biz.

Fascinating Actor Facts

Jack Black

He's known for his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reasons-to-love-jack-black/donn-saylor/">iconic voice and goofy demeanor,</a> but Jack Black's history is just as epic as he is. There are many reasons to stan the actor/producer/rocker extraordinaire. After growing up in California to two divorced engineers (more on that later), he attended UCLA before starting his acting career in TV and movies like The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-the-new-leave-it-to-beaver-cast-list-for-the-show-the-new-leave-it-to-beaver/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">New Leave It To Beaver</a>, The Cable Guy, Mr. Show, and The NeverEnding Story III: Escape from Fantasia.He had his big break in 2000 when he costarred in High Fidelity where he sang Marvin Gaye's “Let's Get It On” and showcased his vocal range and enthusiasm. This would become part of his brand which he would bring into films like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jack-black-school-of-rock-moments/mviladegutt">School of Rock</a>, Nacho Libre, The Holiday, Kung Fu Panda, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. His personality onscreen would transfer over into his press junkets, where he would <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/holiday-actor-interview-moments/cortland-jacoby/edit">forget what movies he was in</a> and take every opportunity to talk about his band with Kyle Gass, Tenacious D.&nbsp;This list looks at some of Jack Black's finest moments, personal history, and his overall contribution to music, movies, and joy in general. Vote up your favorite JB fact.

Jack Black Facts And Stories That Will Make You Love Him Even More

13 'Jack Black' Fun Facts That Will Surprise You

Erica Thomas

Taking a look at the funniest, most frightening, most unforgettable scenes in our favorite '90s flicks.

'90s Movie Moments

Who doesn’t love a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-with-twist-endings/anncasano">perfectly executed plot twist</a>? Who can resist watching a movie that they expect to go one way, only for a twist to blindside them when it takes an unexpected turn? These turns and twists leave you shocked, harrowed, terrified, excited, or irreparably affected by it.&nbsp;The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/plot-twists-more-famous-than-the-film/mike-mcgranaghan?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best plot twists</a> are unpredictable. For whatever reason, blockbuster ‘90s movies were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movie-twists-that-ruin-the-movie/nathan-gibson">rife with plot twists</a>, and most couldn’t go and see a movie without having their mind blown when a story took a sudden and unexpected turn. Some of these films we discuss you might be familiar with, while others might take you by surprise. So continue reading to explore the best plot twists the ’90s - but beware, spoilers ahead!

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Is 'The Sixth Sense' Really The Best Plot Twist Of The '90s?

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Jeopardy!&nbsp;- the game where the questions are the answers and the answers are the questions. It&#39;s&nbsp;been on for decades, bringing quiz show fun to audiences around the world. As contestants and people playing at home tune in to tackle new questions each night, they&#39;re met with some common categories and themes.

One of the areas that shows&nbsp;up on&nbsp;Jeopardy!&nbsp;over and over is popular culture. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jeopardy-history-questions-champions-missed/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Sliced by decade</a>, genre, and location, pop culture categories also feature wordplay and puns to <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/funny-jeopardy-answers/chris-abraham" target="_blank">keep folks guessing</a>. Movies, TV, music, games, food - nothing is really out of bounds, making pop culture questions <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/triple-stumper-hardest-jeopardy-questions-2020/jgu" target="_blank">that much more challenging</a>.

We went into the annals of&nbsp;Jeopardy!&nbsp;and found some of the most difficult nostalgic pop culture questions to see how tough they really were. Not to brag or anything, but we got a lot of them right - how&#39;d you do?&nbsp;

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Tough 'Jeopardy!' Pop Culture Questions That Will Take You Back In Time

24 Hard And Nostalgic 'Jeopardy!' Pop Culture Questions, Ranked

Robin Williams

Robin Williams delighted audiences with his boisterous physical comedy in films like&nbsp;The Birdcage,&nbsp;Night at the Museum,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mrs. Doubtfire,&nbsp;his childlike spirit in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hook-behind-the-scenes/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">Hook</a>,&nbsp;and his deeply moving portrayal of beloved characters in&nbsp;Good Will Hunting&nbsp;and&nbsp;Patch Adams.&nbsp;His passing&nbsp;in 2014 devastated his family, friends, and fans, but helped bring to light the importance of discussing mental health issues. Williams had a long and storied <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-robin-williams-facts/pierce-nahigyan" target="_blank">career</a> in film, comedy, and television, working with a wide variety of actors and directors.

He forged lasting relationships with some of the biggest names in comedy, including&nbsp;Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, and still generously mentored young stars who remain grateful, to this day, for his <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/heartwarming-robin-williams-stories/maggie-clancy" target="_blank">kindness</a> and leadership. Read on to hear what some of his many co-stars remembered about working with the legendary comedian.&nbsp;

'His Heart Was So Big': Robin Williams' Co-Stars Talk About Working With The Iconic Comedian

What People Who Worked With Robin Williams Said About Him

Leah Collins

Elvis Presley

To say Elvis Presley was a superstar is probably an understatement. After all, he was the King of Rock and Roll.&nbsp;Through the 1950s, 1960s, and up until his death in 1977, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-elvis-presley-facts/jon-skindzier">Elvis wowed audiences</a> and accumulated throngs of fans. The musician, actor, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ranker-rundown-elvis/jtdesaulnier?page=2">and pop culture icon</a> was a heartthrob the likes of whom many modern observers may not understand. His <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.biography.com/musician/elvis-presley">passing in 1977</a> was devastating for millions of people around the world, but his legacy has endured.&nbsp;Proof of Elvis's longevity can be found in the continued <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-all-time-elvis-presley-songs">influence he's had on music</a>, but it's his fans who keep the singer's memory alive. People who met Elvis don't shy away from talking about the experience. Online forums, newspaper articles, blogs, and other media are rife with stories about meeting the King.We gathered accounts of what it was like to meet Elvis Presley. From kisses, to kindness, to keeping cool - here are some stories about meeting Elvis that make it clear why so many people did (and continue to) love him tender.&nbsp;

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What Was Elvis Presley Really Like? Fans Share Stories About Meeting The Music Icon

Fans Share Stories About Meeting Elvis Presley

Kevin Costner

Among the many&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/80s-movie-star-fun-facts/jonathan-kantor">Hollywood leading men</a>, Kevin Costner is a fan favorite for his movie and television roles in productions such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Bodyguard, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-yellowstone-episodes/ranker-tv">Yellowstone</a>. He has starred in numerous Hollywood blockbusters and has won two Academy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globes, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.&nbsp;Here are a few fun facts about Kevin Costner that will give you a glimpse into the man behind the actor.&nbsp;

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The Weirdest Kevin Costner Facts Even His Biggest Fans Don't Know

Surprising Kevin Costner Facts That Will Make You A Die-Hard Fan

Lila Reid

The original versions and real stories behind the fairy tales we've been whispering to sleepy children.

Once Upon a Time

Disney

Did you know there&#39;s a real-life Snow White? The real life stories and inspirations behind classic <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tragic-childhood-fairy-tale-stories/melissa-sartore?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">childhood fairy tales</a>, like <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/story-of-the-real-beauty-and-the-beast-couple/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">the tragic and very real couple</a> who inspired Beauty and the Beast, are fascinating, if not a bit detrimental to childhood memories. After all, every story has an inspiration, or an origin, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is no exception.

Snow White&#39;s story was first made popular by the <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/snow-white-real-look-back-life-story-countess-margarete-von-waldeck-701110" target="_blank">Brothers Grimm</a> in the early 1800s, and has been <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/29186/snow-white-not-just-fairy-tale" target="_blank">engrained</a> into pop culture with the advent of the adorable 1937 <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-movie-writers/reference" target="_blank">Disney movie version</a>. Although the tale seems far fetched &mdash; a beautiful girl is sent to be killed by her stepmother, and has to live among dwarves in the forest until she is poisoned, only to be rescued by a magical royal kiss &mdash; it was actually inspired by potentially one of two women, and the equally intricate and devastating lives they lived. The real Snow White story is farther from fiction than you&#39;d have ever guessed.

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Historians Have Narrowed Down The Real-Life Snow White To Two Possible Women

Historians Believe There Really Was A Real Snow White

Comedians

Martin Short is a entertainer in a category all his own. The musician, actor, and stage performer has played numerous TV roles, including Second City Television&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-shocking-snl-moments/best-of-snl" target="_blank">Saturday Night Live</a>&nbsp;favorite Ed Grimley,&nbsp;and the inept and inappropriate Jiminy Glick.

<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001737/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1" target="_blank">On the big screen</a>, Short has been in favorites&nbsp;like&nbsp;Three Amigos!&nbsp;and the movies from the&nbsp;Father of the Bride&nbsp;franchise. He&#39;s also been in lesser-known comedies like&nbsp;Pure Luck and&nbsp;Inner Space. Short&nbsp;has performed a one-man show on Broadway, toured with his good friend Steve Martin, and makes regular visits to&nbsp;SNL. His relentless energy seems to know no bounds.

As a Hollywood staple, Short has stayed relatively off the radar when it comes to controversy, conflict, or drama. There&#39;s a lot to know about him, however. From his first love to his colon care, Short is a fascinating individual. In the spirit of his&nbsp;character&nbsp;Ed Grimley, take a look at things we learned about Short that are&nbsp;much more than &quot;totally decent&quot; and made us say, &quot;Give me a break!&quot;&nbsp;

The Gut-Wrenching Martin Short Interview That Proves He's The Nicest Guy In Hollywood

13 Martin Short Facts And Things You Didn't Know About Hollywood's Nicest Guy

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Weird History lists on Ranker

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Weird History lists and rankings.