Category: Trivia

History, Trivia

Napoleon Ali Bonaparte? Napoleon’s near conversion to Islam

The controversial great man theory of history, popular during the 19th century, believes that history can largely be explained by the actions of great men, who are influential and unique with some exceptional natural attribute, such as intelligence, courage, leadership, or something similar, that has a decisive historical effect. One individual that potentially fulfills the great man role is Napoleon Bonaparte. Continue reading Napoleon Ali Bonaparte? Napoleon’s near conversion to Islam

Bob BennettLeave a comment
History, Trivia

William Langer, the (short-lived) dictator of North Dakota

The economic tumult of the 1930s wrought considerable havoc in governments around the world, and the United States was no exception. Huey Long, a left-wing populist governor and Senator in Louisiana, is the most well-known emblem of authoritarian American politicians during this era. The comparatively ineffectual William Langer is much less studie Langer was elected North Dakota governor in 1932 as a member of the … Continue reading William Langer, the (short-lived) dictator of North Dakota

Andrew G. Johnson
History, Trivia

Britain’s last witchcraft imprisonment was during World War II

Witchcraft trials tend to conjure images of Salem or medieval Europe. This connotation implies that witchcraft convictions are a convention long abandoned by the vast majority of the world, a mere relic of ancient superstition. In fact, Great Britain persisted with witchcraft convictions well into the twentieth century. Helen Duncan is known as the last British person to be imprisoned for witchcraft under the country’s … Continue reading Britain’s last witchcraft imprisonment was during World War II

Andrew G. Johnson