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Weird History

Aside from the uncontested election of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/george-washington-facts/coreybarger" target="_blank">George Washington</a> in 1789,&nbsp;and James Monroe&#39;s unopposed reelection in 1820, every other <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-u-s-presidents-from-best-to-worst" target="_blank">US president</a> has had to overcome at least one opponent. While historical immortality is guaranteed to the winner, history has not always been kind to the runners-up.

The fates of those who came close to winning the presidency differ greatly. Some bounced back and won the following election, others failed again (and again in one case), and a few made their mark outside of politics. This collection looks at what those who finished second in presidential elections did next.&nbsp;

What The Losers Of Presidential Elections Did Next, Ranked By How Well They Bounced Back

M. Muir

Watchworthy

Watchworthy - What to Watch, According to Votes

On television, New York appears to be a wild, wonderful place where anything can happen. And affordable. Which we all know isn’t the case.&nbsp;As favorite TV characters languish in giant lofts, three-bedroom walk-ups, and “classic 8” apartments on the Upper West Side, it begs the question: How? And how much?&nbsp;Here are some famous NY-based apartments from the small screen, including their layouts, the rent they would go for, the actual rent they would require in today's market, and whether the characters could actually live there.&nbsp;

The High Cost Of Living In Fictional New York

The Most Expensive Homes In Fictional New York, Ranked By What's Worth The Splurge

The course of history has often been shaped by rivalries between states and countries. Some were limited contests for trade, while others were epic battles to death between the world&#39;s greatest powers. Some of the fiercest rivals of yesteryear are staunch allies today;&nbsp;it just took a few hundred years and a whole lot of battles to work things out.

This collection looks at some of history&#39;s most notable rivalries, from the great struggles&nbsp;of the ancient world to the First World War.&nbsp;

History's Longest And Most Intense Rivalries

11 Of History's Longest And Most Intense Rivalries

Travel

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tv-home-values-today/michael-muir">The homes</a> of many of our favorite TV characters are almost as memorable as the protagonists themselves. Some are mere facades built in studio backlots, but many others are real homes you could buy in real life if you were so inclined. And wealthy.&nbsp;If you’ve ever fantasized about living it up in the mansion from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (actually in Brentwood) or kicking back in the bungalow of The Golden Girls (not really in Florida), read on and plan for that future lottery win.&nbsp;

Famous TV Houses, Ranked By Zillow Value

15 Famous TV Houses, Ranked By Zillow Value

The Warriors

All right now, for all you boppers out there in the big city, all you lovers of the 1979 cult classic&nbsp;The Warriors&nbsp;with an eye for the action, let&rsquo;s get down to it. Here&rsquo;s a list with you in mind. If you&rsquo;ve got to make it all the way back to the big CI in one night, which members of that real live bunch from Coney do you choose to have your back?&nbsp;

Remember, boppers, look out not just for how well your crew handles themselves in a rumble, but for how likely they are to get you home in one piece. Be looking good, Warriors, all the way back to Coney. Real good.

Ranking All The Warriors In The Warriors In 'The Warriors'

Military

While swords tend to be the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dumb-fictional-weapons/jacob-shelton">weapon of choice for heroes in fantasy</a> and historical movies, spears and polearms were actually far more common. It’s not hard to see why - polearms are far more cost-effective, have better reach, and are pretty straightforward to use, especially in formation.&nbsp;While <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-missile-weapons/gordon-cameron">killing at a distance</a> is usually preferable, if you do have to get in melee, you’re much better off with a spear than anything else. Which of these historical polearms would you actually want to take into battle?

Historical Spears That Really Made Their Point

12 Historical Spears That Make A Point 

Soviet Union

It was years in the making, but when it actually came, the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/soviet-union-collapsed/michael-muir?ref=profile_own" target="_blank">collapse of the Soviet Union</a> in 1991 occurred suddenly. In the immediate aftermath, the Russian people hoped for blue jeans and other Western goods - and the freedom that came with them.

Their hopes were not fulfilled as Russia underwent a dramatic transformation from a planned economy to the market&nbsp;economy via a highly controversial &ldquo;shock therapy&rdquo; process.&nbsp;Amid the wild fluctuations in currency&nbsp;value came a constitutional crisis, a widely condemned&nbsp;invasion of Chechnya, and the rise of a new breed of politician.

This explainer looks at the facts behind Russia&rsquo;s so-called &ldquo;wild &#39;90s.&rdquo;

What Really Happened Right After The Collapse Of The USSR

Animals

No matter the culture, ideology, or language, animals were and are a continuing source of artistic inspiration in all corners of the world.&nbsp;This collection showcases some of the world's most <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pets-of-the-ancient-world/eric-vega">interesting, moving, and thought-provoking animal</a> statues. Some involve local quirks and humor;&nbsp;others offer a glimpse into a murky past,&nbsp;while many serve as tales of loyalty and sacrifice.&nbsp;

Moving Stories Behind Statues Dedicated To Animals

English is a language with many influences. A hefty percentage of English words are taken from French, and are particularly evident in <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-british-english/michael-muir?ref=profile_own" target="_blank">British English</a>. The influence of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/vikings-in-the-modern-world/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">Old Norse</a> and others can all be readily seen in everyday use. Another major source of our modern vocabulary comes from decidedly ancient origins, particularly the Greco-Roman world.

This collection features words and phrases and the stories behind them drawn from the ancient world.&nbsp;

Everyday Words And Phrases That Came From The Ancient World

Everyday Words And Phrases Most People Don't Know Came From The Ancient World

Sports

Few story types stir the imagination quite like tales of underdogs coming good. Many of our favorite books, movies, and TV shows are about individuals and groups overcoming adversity to succeed. We’re just plain hard-wired to root for the underdog.Real life isn’t nearly so generous as fiction, however, and in the realm of elite athletic competition, there’s seldom room for sentiment. But every so often, surprises do happen. From the unfancied soccer teams that won huge tournaments, to the over-the-hill champion who rolled back the years, to the slow speed skater who shined when it mattered, this collection looks at those precious few times the underdog truly had its day.

11 Sports Underdogs Who Won Big

The Grim Reaper comes for us all in the end, but some people really keep him waiting. While many <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/heads-state-died-office/michael-muir?ref=profile_own">notable figures</a> have passed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-artists-passing/setareh-janda">way before</a> their time, the folks featured here - alive and deceased - have all made it at least well into their 90s.&nbsp;From the oil tycoon whose last wish went unfulfilled to the beloved TV star who had one last joke up her sleeve, this collection looks at those who led incredibly long lives.&nbsp;

18 Notable People From History With Serious Longevity

History

Many of the creature comforts we take for granted today are actually thousands of years old. From the very first calendars to urban planning to the first experiments with steam power, the people of the ancient world made some incredible discoveries that in some cases weren&#39;t fully realized until the modern era.&nbsp;This list shows some of the most&nbsp;surprising examples of modern technology found in ancient times.&nbsp;

13 Surprisingly Modern Technologies From The Ancient World

War TV & Film

The uncompromising brutality of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/saving-private-ryan-facts/anncasano">Saving Private Ryan</a>’s depiction of World War II still hits just as hard today as it did when it was released back in 1998. It's a far cry from the sanitized depictions of the conflict that came before it, and Steven Spielberg and crew <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/saving-private-ryan-behind-the-scenes/jim-rowley">worked diligently</a> to honor veterans with an authentic portrayal. Although a few departures from recorded history for the sake of the narrative take place, and a few minor quibbles about the equipment exist, the film’s attention to detail is admirable.The events take place deep in the conflict, and we see a variety of great and terrible weapons fielded by both the American and German forces. From the makeshift explosives to “Hitler’s buzzsaw,” this collection looks at the real history behind every weapon seen in Saving Private Ryan.

The Historical Details Behind Every Weapon Seen In 'Saving Private Ryan'

The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-great/michael-muir">First World War</a> was known in its own time as the Great War or the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/27/world/europe/world-war-i-brought-fundamental-changes-to-the-world.html">War to End All Wars</a> - a period of unimaginable brutality where combat didn't end, but changed forever. Only four years separated the beginning and end of WWI, but warfare in the summer of 1914 had little resemblance to the combined arms and mechanized combat of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pivotal-world-war-one/michael-muir">Hundred Days Offensive</a> that ended it.This collection shows how cutting-edge technology was used alongside brute force, and how generals entered the conflict with no idea of what was to come. From the swords that were supposed to cut a path through the enemy to the shotguns that actually did, this list looks at some of WWI's most interesting weapons.

12 Fascinating WWI Weapons

<blockquote>The mercenary captains are either capable men or they are not; if they are, you cannot trust them, because they always aspire to their own greatness, either by oppressing you, who are their master, or others contrary to your intentions; but if the captain is not skillful, you are ruined in the usual way.&nbsp;</blockquote>- <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h.htm">Nicolo Machiavelli, The Prince</a>On the face of it, mercenaries and private armies are a pretty attractive proposition for rulers and states. The former meant that in times of war, somebody else is doing the fighting and dying, while the latter are ideal to secure one’s own position of power. But both require a very careful balancing act - and even more gold. The problem with hired guns is that their loyalty only extends to the next paycheck. If the gold runs out, a better offer comes in, or if they just <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-deaths-of-kings/emily-mast">get sick of their leader</a>, doom is a near certainty.This collection looks at the various times in history private armies and mercenaries turned on the very people and states that paid them in the first place.

10 Times In History When Private Armies Turned On Their Employers

World Cup

The Women's World Cup only goes back to 1991 - more than six decades after the men's inaugural tournament, so while the women's game doesn't have the same rich history as the men's, the Women's World Cup has made some giant strides in recent years.In some cases, the women's teams' achievements on the big stage have greatly outshone what the men have managed - the US women are probably the best-known example, but there are some even greater discrepancies out there. In other cases, the successes (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/worst-team-world-cup/michael-muir?ref=profile_own">or failures</a>) of the men and women are oddly aligned.This collection looks at how the records of the women's teams that made the knockout rounds of the 2023 World Cup compare with their male equivalents. Although they are often powerhouses of the men's game, there's no place for Argentina, Brazil, Germany, or Italy after they all dropped out in the group stages of the women's tournament.

How The Performance Of Women's World Cup Teams Compare With The Men's

Why take out just one enemy, when the right mix of chemicals can take out many enemies at once?Explosives have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hiroshima-24-hours/quinn-armstrong">been around in various guises</a> for longer than you might realize. Some worked pretty darn well, others were complete disasters, but all were probably worth the effort of trying. From the crude but awesomely named “thunderclap bomb” to the pocket nuke, this collection looks at the devices that provided the most bang for their buck.

15 Historical Explosives That Have Us Ducking For Cover

Not everyone dies a hero. In fact, most don’t, and in the grand scheme of things, the overwhelming majority of wartime casualties have been anything but heroic. Some of the most memorable deaths in war films aren’t the glorious sacrifices, but those unfortunate ones that can be pretty <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/haunting-war-scenes-movies-fans/melissa-sartore">hard to watch</a>. There’s something about a truly hopeless or unlucky end that stays with you long after the credits roll.&nbsp;Whether it’s through carelessness, cowardice, plain bad luck, or a combination of these, this collection looks at the most pointless, depressing, and easily avoided demises seen in war films. &nbsp;

13 Deaths In War Movies That Were Depressingly Pointless

World History

It's never easy to be a leader, and for many, life at the top can be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/heads-state-died-office/michael-muir?ref=profile_own">dangerous</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/shortest-reigning-monarchs-from-history/setareh-janda">short</a>. There are also times when states, countries, or empires go through a series of leaders with bewildering speed.Whether it's the chaotic final days of a disastrous conflict, the rebuilding period afterward, or just plain bad luck, this collection looks at various times in history when the turnover at the top was ridiculously rapid.

12 Times In History Turnover At The Top Got Ridiculous

Health

When you imagine elite fighters in the ancient era, chances are you&rsquo;ll think of the coordinated might of the Roman legion and the individual flair of the gladiator. There were similarities with how <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/workout-secrets-greeks/michael-muir?ref=profile_own" target="_blank">the Greeks</a> pursued fitness, but also some key digressions. By examining&nbsp;how both the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/life-fighting-in-the-roman-front-lines/ryan-sargent" target="_blank">Roman legions</a> and the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ancient-roman-gladiator-facts/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">gladiators got into fighting shape</a>, we can still learn a great deal in the present day.

This collection looks at the uncompromising methods the Romans used in pursuit of martial excellence. From the forced marches of raw recruits to the plentiful helpings of barley, the fitness secrets of the Romans will be revealed.

The Actual Ways The Romans Got Fighting Fit

True Crime

It&#39;s a tricky business staying one step ahead of the law, especially if you find yourself on the FBI&#39;s Most Wanted list. Yet some of the individuals featured here evaded capture for staggeringly long periods of time; in some cases, almost entire lifetimes spent on the run.

Some were the result of cunning, others of corruption and a worldwide web of resources, while others were just plain old dumb luck and incompetence on the part of the pursuers. This collection features some of the longest-lasting manhunts in modern history whose &quot;hunted men&quot; were finally caught.&nbsp;

The Longest Manhunts in History

How Long The Longest Manhunts In History Actually Were

Then & Now

It&#39;s not easy being royalty.

Sure, the job comes with a lot of perks but the countless responsibilities and dangers of the crown&nbsp;can certainly take their toll over the years.&nbsp;This list features images of historical royals at the beginning and end of their reigns. Some of the men and women showcased here enjoyed long and prosperous reigns while others were short and chaotic. A few&nbsp;ruled into old age and&nbsp;some&nbsp;were removed&nbsp;from the throne&nbsp;by foreign powers or their own &quot;loyal&quot; subjects.&nbsp;

20 Historical Royals At The Beginning And End Of Their Reigns

Animated TV

It's been on the air for more than 30 years, but for most longtime fans of The Simpsons, the &nbsp;show was at its brilliant best during the first 10 years. In the time sometimes known as the golden age of The Simpsons, many great characters showed up for a one-off joke. Though they were only on screen for a matter of seconds, the memory of those one-and-done&nbsp;characters&nbsp;has lived on for years. From Homer's exact double, to the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/notable-talk-show-host_s)/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">talk show hosted</a> by a bear, this collection looks at the best one-off characters from the best period of The Simpsons' long run.&nbsp;

Obscure But Memorable One-Joke Golden Age Simpsons Characters

Historical Facts

"<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.idea.int/blog/explainer-what-%E2%80%98sportswashing%E2%80%99-and-how-does-it-threaten-democracy">Sportswashing</a>" is a rather new term used to describe the age-old practice of authoritarian regimes using the spectacle of sporting events to launder their reputations at home and abroad. While it's hardly subtle, it has proven effective many times in recent memory.&nbsp;From the gaudy pageantry of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/1936-summer-olympics-gold-medal-winners/reference">Berlin Olympics in 1936</a> to the state-of-the-art stadiums built with blood and gold in the Middle East, this collection looks at how some of the most famous and infamous sporting moments of the past century often had sinister undertones.

How Controversial Regimes Used Major Sporting Events To Mend Their Reputations


World War II might have ended with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hiroshima-24-hours/quinn-armstrong">biggest of bangs</a> and featured <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/world-war-2-planes/mike-rothschild">planes </a>and an array of tanks of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/top-tanks-ww2/michael-muir?ref=profile_own">excellent </a>and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/worst-tanks-ww2/michael-muir?ref=profile_own">dubious</a> quality, but the majority of the combat was still contested by infantry fighting with small arms. With the hard lesson of WWI still fresh in the mind, the world’s major powers poured considerable resources into weapons development in the interwar years, pessimistic that the next conflict wouldn’t be far away. Those dire predictions held true, and in 1939 the efforts of the weapons manufacturers were put to the ultimate test.From the handheld anti-tank weapon named after a novelty instrument to the $10 submachine gun, this collection looks at some of the most interesting weapons of WWII and the stories behind them.

The Stories Behind 12 Of The Most Interesting World War II Weapons

Few places placed as much importance on physical fitness as the city-states of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-ancient-greece-facts/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">ancient Greece</a>. In the pursuit of athletic excellence, the Greeks developed ideas and methods that are still remarkably applicable to the present day. Such fundamental fitness concepts as a proper warm-up and cool-down have their origins in the sandy gymnasiums of Athens and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-but-true-sparta-facts/emily-mast" target="_blank">Sparta</a>. While the dress code of the modern gym is a little stricter, the lessons gleaned from those ancient workouts are well worth a look.&nbsp;

This collection examines&nbsp;the stories behind how the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ancient-athletes-better-than-modern-sports-stars/theodoros-karasavvas" target="_blank">Greeks got into such amazing shape</a>. From using a newborn calf to achieve Herculean strength, to letting it all hang out on the gym floor, the workout secrets of the Greeks will be unveiled.&nbsp;

How The Ancient Greeks Actually Got So Fit

The 16th-century English poet John Lyly once wrote, &quot;The rules of fair play do not apply in love and warfare.&quot; This has since become the more familiar proverb, &quot;All&nbsp;is&nbsp;fair in love and war.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;

As the contents of this list show, when it comes to victory, nothing is off limits. Some methods demonstrate remarkable&nbsp;imagination and adaptation on the part of the people using them, while others simply reflect the brutal reality&nbsp;of fighting for your very survival.&nbsp;

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