A Brief History In Argentina, during the “Dirty War” (1974-1983) people involved in opposition to the government were kidnapped and killed, those victims referred to as “the disappeared” (desaparecidos). Live babies cut from the wombs of pregnant women murdered for their babies were called “Children of the Disappeared,” and given over to adoption for families of reliable political supporters of the government. Today we list 10 ways of killing someone in order to send a message or make a point that have a specific name or nickname for the killing or mutilation involved. Digging Deeper 1. Sicilian Necktie. (AKA Columbian Necktie, Peruvian…
Browsing: Lists
Read More
A Brief History On November 20, 1518, Sir Marmaduke Constable, a Tudor Era English courtier and soldier, died in a most unusual way. One may even say, in an idiotic way. This gentleman died when he drank a glass of water and swallowed the frog that was in the water! (No, we have no idea why there was a frog in his water.) Normally we like to save the best for last, but in this case, old Marmaduke has to take top prize for dreaming up stupid ways to die. We list Mr. Constable and 9 others who probably wish…
A Brief History On November 15, 1969, the Cold War in the icy waters of the Barents Sea became very real when the US submarine USS Gato collided with the Soviet submarine K-19. Lucky for both crews, neither sub sank and no lives were lost. Throughout history, ships have found ways to run into each other or other objects, sometimes on purpose, but usually by accident. Today we list 5 of these unfortunate occurrences. Digging Deeper 1. USS Gato vs. USSR K-19, 1969. While both ships were patrolling the arctic waters of the Barents Sea North of Scandinavia and Murmansk, the…
A Brief History On November 9, 1918, in the face of catastrophic defeat after four years of debilitating war, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany abdicated his throne and went into exile in the Netherlands. Throughout history, leaders have been forced by political or personal circumstances to give up power and leave office, sometimes of their own free will and other times because of outside influence. Here we list 10 of those leaders that left their position of leadership before their time was due. (Resigning to assume a higher post does not count.) Digging Deeper 1. Kaiser Wilhelm, Germany, 1918. Kaiser Bill…
A Brief History On November 7, 1933, Fiorello La Guardia was first elected Mayor of the City of New York, an office he would hold until December 31, 1945. As any mayor of New York City is automatically well known to all of America, so was La Guardia, but in his case perhaps a lot more famous than usual. Heck, a major airport is named after him! Also on November 7 (1967 this time), Carl Stokes of Cleveland became the first African American man elected as mayor of a major American city. Since it is way too hard for our…