In the 18th century, it was fashionable for wealthy Europeans to keep their own dwarves. They played music for entertainment and were given as gifts. A small price to pay for entertainment.
Ancient Chinese people practiced foot binding on young girls, which involved bending the toes or curving the feet to make the girls appear smaller and more attractive.
In 1866, Liechtenstein sent 80 men to participate in the Austro-Prussian War. They returned with 81 soldiers, suffered no casualties, and gained one friend.
The ancient Greeks exercised naked. The word "gymnasium" comes from the Greek word meaning "place where one exercises naked."
In 1325, two rival Italian city-states, Bologna and Moderna, went to war over a stolen bucket.
Between 1913 and 1915, it became possible to mail babies using the U.S. postal service.
Ancient Thebes once had an elite army of 150 pairs of homosexual men. They remained undefeated in war for many years.
In the 18th century, pineapples were rented out as a symbol of wealth and power. Some people would rent one for just one night, simply to show it off to partygoers.
The population density of ancient Rome was eight times that of modern-day New York City.
Because diarrhea was very common, and opium consumption caused constipation, people began to use opium habitually in the 19th century.