History is a tapestry woven with grand narratives, but sometimes the smallest, strangest details tip the scales. In this roundup of 10 historic events, we dive into the oddball side of the past—where epilepsy, fungi, and even a sleepy mayor played starring roles.

10 Historic Events That Shaped History

1 The French Revolution And Ergot Mold

In 1789, rumors of hidden brigands in the French woods sparked the Great Fear, a wave of panic that helped ignite the French Revolution. While the political climate was volatile, one overlooked factor may have been a contaminated rye harvest. Researchers in the 1980s, led by Mary Kilbourne Matossian, suggested that ergot—a toxic mold that thrives on rye—could have poisoned a sizable portion of the populace.

Ergot produces alkaloids that cause vivid hallucinations, paranoia, and even convulsions. Historical analyses estimate that roughly one in twelve rye crops suffered from the fungus due to damp springs and chilly winters. Such widespread poisoning could have fueled the collective dread and irrational behavior that characterized the Great Fear, giving ordinary peasants a neurochemical push toward rebellion.

In a brief aside, author Gordon Gora, who is hustling to finish several projects, can be reached at [email protected] for further inquiries.

2 Sir Thomas Bludworth And The Great Fire Of London

September 2, 1666, began like any other night in London—until the royal baker’s house on Pudding Lane ignited. The blaze quickly leapt from timber to timber, threatening the densely packed city. Sir Thomas Bludworth, the mayor at the time, was awakened by the alarm but chose to retreat back to his bed, allegedly muttering, “A woman might piss it out.” He dismissed the urgency, delaying any decisive action to demolish surrounding structures that could have acted as firebreaks.

By the time Bludworth finally rose, the inferno had already claimed a third of the city. Contemporary diarist Samuel Pepys recorded his disdain for the mayor’s indifference, noting that Bludworth may have been inebriated that night. Despite the catastrophe, Bludworth retained his governmental roles until his death, his legacy forever linked to that fateful night of slumber.

The Great Fire ultimately reshaped London’s architecture, prompting stricter building codes and the creation of firebreaks that still influence modern urban planning.

3 Henry VIII’s Insanity And CTE

King Henry VIII began his reign as a vigorous, shrewd monarch, but a series of head traumas appear to have set the stage for his later volatility. In 1524, a jousting accident left him with lingering migraines, and in 1536 a horse‑laden armored mount collapsed onto him, rendering him unconscious for two hours.

These blows likely contributed to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative condition now recognized in athletes who endure repeated head injuries. Symptoms of CTE—memory loss, mood swings, and impaired judgment—mirror the historical accounts of Henry’s erratic behavior, his paranoia, and his increasingly tyrannical treatment of his wives.

While we cannot examine Henry’s brain directly, modern analyses of his documented actions align closely with CTE’s clinical profile, offering a plausible medical lens through which to view his descent into despotism.

4 Charles Whitman Was Influenced By A Tumor

On August 1, 1966, former Marine Charles Whitman ascended the University of Texas clock tower in Austin and unleashed a horrific shooting spree, killing 13 people and wounding 32 more before taking his own life. An autopsy revealed a startling find: a glioblastoma, roughly the size of a nickel, lodged in his thalamus and pressing against his hypothalamus and amygdala.

The amygdala regulates emotions and aggression; a tumor impinging on this region can dramatically alter behavior. While Whitman’s actions were monstrous, the presence of this malignant growth offers a biomedical clue that may have amplified his violent impulses.

This case underscores how hidden neurological conditions can intersect with personal tragedy, prompting deeper inquiry into the brain‑behavior relationship.

5 The Seven Day War And Divine Intervention

When Arab coalitions announced plans to invade Israel in June 1967, the odds seemed stacked against the fledgling state. Yet a cascade of baffling missteps turned the tide dramatically. Egyptian commanders received an order to replace senior officers in Sinai, but the newcomers were unfamiliar with the terrain, compromising defensive readiness.

Just three hours before Israel’s pre‑emptive air strike that would cripple the Egyptian Air Force, Egyptian intelligence attempted to warn ground troops of the impending attack—yet the message never reached the field commander. Later, when a Jordanian radar picked up an Israeli jet, a red alert was dispatched to Cairo, but a decoding error rendered the warning unreadable.

The final blow came when Israeli forces launched their strike; senior Egyptian officers were absent, having spent the previous night watching a belly‑dancing show. These uncanny coincidences, which many Israelis attribute to divine favor, reshaped the Middle East map in a matter of days.

6 Fashion And Tuberculosis

The Victorian era’s sartorial elegance was unexpectedly intertwined with the specter of tuberculosis. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the disease was romanticized as a symbol of delicate femininity, prompting women to adopt a pallid, gaunt aesthetic that mimicked the appearance of a consumptive patient.

Clothing designers even crafted gowns and accessories to accentuate this ethereal look, while men’s fashion shifted away from robust beards—believed to spread the contagion—to cleaner shaves. The turning point arrived after Robert Koch isolated the tuberculosis bacterium in 1881, ushering in germ theory and a wave of public health reforms that gradually erased these morbid trends.

Although the precise impact of these fashion changes on disease transmission remains debated, the episode illustrates how health anxieties can dictate cultural expression.

7 Anthony Eden’s Sickness And The Suez Crisis

Following Winston Churchill’s 1955 resignation, Anthony Eden assumed the British premiership just as Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser seized the Suez Canal—a vital artery for European oil shipments. Eden’s leadership, however, was compromised by lingering health woes stemming from a 1953 gallbladder operation gone awry.

During the procedure, a surgeon inadvertently cut his bile duct, leaving Eden with chronic pain that he managed with a cocktail of painkillers, barbiturates, and amphetamines. His erratic behavior during the ensuing Suez Crisis—marked by poor strategic choices—contributed to Britain’s waning global influence and culminated in his resignation in 1957.

8 The Hatfield And McCoy Anger Disorder

The legendary Hatfield‑McCoy feud, immortalized in American folklore, may have been amplified by a rare genetic condition: Von Hippel‑Lindau disease. This disorder produces tumors on the adrenal glands, prompting excess production of “fight‑or‑flight” hormones, high blood pressure, and severe headaches—all of which can fuel irritability and aggression.

Studies suggest that three‑quarters of the McCoy lineage carry this disease, with many modern descendants still exhibiting related symptoms, including adrenal tumors. The physiological stressors associated with the condition could have intensified the already volatile rivalry between the families.

While folklore paints the feud as purely cultural, the underlying medical factor offers a compelling biological angle on the historic bloodshed.

9 Moses’s Burning Bush

Moses, a cornerstone of Abrahamic tradition, may have experienced his famed “burning bush” through the lens of psychopharmacology. The acacia trees he frequently referenced contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a potent hallucinogen also central to the Amazonian brew ayahuasca.

If Moses ingested DMT—whether intentionally or via contaminated water—he could have perceived luminous visions akin to the biblical account of a flaming, yet unconsumed, bush. Modern research into DMT’s effects shows intense visual phenomena, lending credence to the hypothesis that Moses’s divine encounter was chemically induced.

10 Joan of Arc’s Epilepsy

Joan of Arc is celebrated for claiming heavenly voices guided her to rally French forces during the Hundred Years’ War. Contemporary scholars, however, have examined the possibility that her visions stemmed from a neurological condition—specifically, idiopathic partial epilepsy with auditory features (IPEAF).

Individuals with IPEAF often report hearing and occasionally seeing vivid apparitions, sometimes preceded by auditory triggers like ringing bells—paralleling Joan’s accounts of saintly voices and the “sound of bells” that heralded her experiences. While definitive proof remains elusive, the hypothesis offers a plausible natural explanation for her reported divine encounters.

Unfortunately, confirming this diagnosis is impossible today; no DNA samples from Joan exist for modern genetic testing.

Alcohol can be a tricky experience. Drink enough and it can make almost any event more fun and memorable. Drink too much and it does the opposite – you forget everything and the bits you do remember, you probably wish you didn’t.

But this doesn’t apply only to bachelor parties and New Year’s celebrations. In fact, we’re going to take a look at ten historical events where alcohol definitely played a crucial role in the outcome.

10. The Wedding of George IV

It would be fair to say that when King George III of England announced the engagement of his son and heir, George IV, to Caroline of Brunswick in 1794, the junior George wasn’t a fan of the arrangement. For starters, he was already technically married to Maria Fitzherbert, although their marriage was invalid under English law. Plus, he preferred a carefree life filled with wine, women, and gambling, but eventually, he wasn’t left with much of a choice. George IV had racked up so many debts thanks to his excessive spending and neither his father nor Parliament would bail him out unless he found a suitable Protestant wife and sired an heir.

Enter Caroline of Brunswick. She had the perfect pedigree, but not much else going for her. Allegedly, the first words George uttered when he laid eyes on his bride-to-be were: “Harris, I am not well; pray get me a glass of brandy.” 

And that glass of brandy was followed by another one…and then another one…and then, well, you get the idea. George could hardly stand to be in her presence sober, and when it finally came time to tie the knot, on April 8, 1795, the prince regent was so drunk that he had to be carried up the aisle. He slurred his way through the vows and even started crying at one point. The ceremony was followed by what we assume was an incredibly awkward reception and then, finally, the wedding night, where George failed to perform his “royal duty” because he passed out in the fire grate.

9. The Eggnog Riot

West Point has a long and varied history that goes back all the way to the birth of America. Situated in a strategic position on the Hudson River, it was a valuable military post during the Revolutionary War and gained infamy when Benedict Arnold tried to turn it over to the British. Then, in 1802, it became the first military academy in the country. 

In 1817, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer became the academy’s superintendent and developed the curriculum which is still partly used today. After a few years in charge, Thayer decided that discipline at West Point was on a downward slope, mainly due to drinking. Alcohol was already prohibited but, of course, everyone still got drunk and the faculty generally looked the other way unless the offense was particularly egregious. But in 1826, Thayer put his foot down and said absolutely no alcohol, not even for that year’s Christmas party. Unsurprisingly, the cadets ignored him and smuggled a few gallons of whiskey into campus a few days prior. Then, on Christmas Eve, they got wasted on eggnog.

The rowdiness started with some loud singing. Not too bad at first, but things turned serious when two of the academy captains, Ethan Hitchcock and William Thornton, tried to end the party. Hitchcock literally read the Riot Act to a group of cadets, but instead of dispersing, they armed themselves with sticks, rocks, and swords, looking for a fight. One of them even fired a shot at the captain when he tried to open their door. The captains called for their superiors when they realized that the nog hit the fan, and the drunken cadets took advantage of the opportunity by completely trashing the barracks in order to barricade the doors and windows. 

The following day, everyone was hungover, wondering what they had done the night before. Ninety cadets had taken part in the riot, including one Jefferson Davis, future President of the Confederacy. Ultimately, though, only 19 were court-martialed, plus the soldier who allowed them to smuggle the booze on campus. Eleven were expelled.

8. The Field of the Cloth of Gold

In June 1520, King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France held a two-week-long summit at Balinghem, near Calais, in order to strengthen the bond between the two nations. Both kings were keen to show off their wealth and opulence in front of the other one, which is why the event became known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold.

There were huge feasts every day. The food was plentiful, the wine was unceasing, and the music was raucous. There was dancing, there was theater, and there was even a dragon kite made especially for the occasion, that featured both royal symbols entwined with one another.

And, of course, there were lots of games to keep the people entertained. Jousting was the most popular spectacle, but wrestling was also a welcomed sight, especially when the weather turned sour. Then, one day, after a few glasses of wine, Henry did the unthinkable – he broke protocol and challenged King Francis to a wrestling match, threatening to lay the smackdown on his candy ass. Not wanting to look like a jabroni, Francis accepted the challenge and met Henry inside the squared circle for a literal royal rumble.

Both kings were young lions, in their mid-to-late 20s, but on this occasion, Francis proved to be the cream of the crop, easily going over his English counterpart. Henry, however, was gracious in defeat and suggested an archery contest for a rematch, where he emerged triumphant.

7. Andrew Jackson’s Inauguration

On March 4, 1829, Andrew Jackson was inaugurated as the seventh President of the United States. After the swearing-in ceremony in front of the Capitol Building, Jackson invited the crowd of roughly 21,000 on-lookers to join him at the White House for an open house reception. 

Unfortunately for him, most of the crowd took him up on the offer. It wasn’t long before the White House was filled to the brim with rich and poor, upper and working class, who wanted to congratulate the new president. The raucousness wasn’t helped by the addition of alcohol and before you knew it, the furniture was knocked over, dishes and glasses were broken on the floor, and muddy footprints were everywhere. One attendee, Margaret Smith, described the scene:

“Ladies fainted, men were seen with bloody noses and such a scene of confusion took place as is impossible to describe,—those who got in could not get out by the door again, but had to scramble out of windows.”

President Jackson himself, ultimately, made his escape through a window and sought refuge at a nearby hotel. Eventually, Jackson’s steward had the bright idea of installing large tubs filled with whiskey punch on the White House lawn, and that managed to lure out most of the crowd, like moths to the flame, but the carpets smelled of cheese and booze for months after.

6. The Signing of the Constitution

In September 1787, 55 delegates from all the American states except Rhode Island attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The gathering culminated with the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, although only 39 delegates agreed to sign the document. Everyone knew it was a landmark moment, so the delegates celebrated it the best way they knew how – by getting absolutely hammered.

Two days before the signing, all 55 delegates gathered at a local tavern and partied like the British were getting ready to invade again. Curiously enough, the bill for that historic evening was preserved, so here is what the Framers of the Constitution drank between them: 54 bottles of Madeira wine, 60 bottles of claret, eight bottles of whiskey, 42 assorted bottles of porter, beer, and hard cider, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch.

The cost for a party that went down in the history books – £90, which is over $20,000 today. This included a two percent breakage fee from the innkeeper since it seemed that some of the delegates got a little too rowdy with his furniture.

5. Washington’s Entry into Politics

Staying with the Founding Fathers, we’re going to focus on the foundingest (not a real word) father of all – George Washington – and how alcohol helped his entry into politics. By the time he was in his mid-20s, Washington was already a distinguished military man thanks to his role in the French and Indian War, so a political position was the next natural step for him. 

In 1755, the 24-year-old Washington ran for a seat in Virginia’s House of Burgesses, which was the colony’s elected representative body. But the future father of the country lost his first campaign, garnering only 40 votes while his opponent secured 271. How so? His opponent got his voters wasted on beer, wine, whiskey, and rum punch.

Even so, lessons were learned, so three years later, Washington ran again for the same office and, this time, he didn’t skimp out on the booze. His electoral office had 144 gallons of rum, beer, and hard cider ready and waiting for the thirsty voter willing to cast his vote for George Washington. The result – Washington won handily with 331 votes and launched his career in politics.

4. The October Revolution

The October Revolution was one of the most crucial episodes in the modern history of Russia, which allowed the Bolsheviks led by Lenin to seize power and, eventually, form the Soviet Union. It all started on November 7, 1917 (or October 25 going by the old calendar) in Petrograd, today known as Saint Petersburg, when the Bolshevik Red Guards captured the Winter Palace. Of course, not everyone was on their side. The Bolsheviks had a civil war ahead of them and needed to prepare. There was just one problem, though – when they took over the Winter Palace, they also seized the largest private wine collection in the world.

Lenin couldn’t just deny access to the people. His whole shtick was that the riches of the aristocracy actually belonged to the laboring masses. So what followed was the grandaddy of all keggers, as the people of Petrograd got absolutely smashed on the czar’s private stash. Predictably, this led to drunken mobs, lootings, and street violence, but Lenin hoped that they would get it out of their system after a few days.

They did not. As Bolshevik playwright Anatoly Lunacharsky put it: “The whole of Petrograd is drunk.” Nothing the Bolsheviks did could stop the thirsty masses. They erected walls around the cellar, but they were broken down. They placed guards, but they just started selling the booze. They poured the wine into the streets, and the crowds drank it from the gutter. The city’s jail cells were all filled with drunken looters. There was only one solution. Martial law was imposed and the Bolsheviks had to wait for weeks until the booze finally ran out.

3. Lincoln’s Assassination

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln is already an infamous moment in history, so we’re not going to dwell on it too much. We’re just going to look at the role that alcohol played in the proceedings.

First up is John Wilkes Booth, who initially went to the saloon near Ford’s Theater and had a couple of drinks to strengthen his resolve. His confederate, George Atzerodt, who had been tasked with killing Vice President Andrew Johnson, did the same thing, except that the alcohol had the opposite effect on him. Even though the vice president was sitting all alone in his hotel room, Atzerodt couldn’t bring himself to do it, so he just spent the night drunkenly roaming the city.

Last, but not least, we have Officer John Frederick Parker, the Washington cop who had been assigned to protect the president. If he had been present, could he have stopped Booth from killing Lincoln and changed the course of history? We will never know because during intermission Parker decided to leave the president and go to the Star Saloon next door to have a couple of drinks with Lincoln’s footman and carriage driver. 

2. The Burning of Persepolis

During the mid-4th century BC, Alexander the Great invaded the Achaemenid Empire and, in 330 BC, he captured the Persian capital of Persepolis. When he entered the city, Persepolis was one of the grandest metropolises that the ancient world had ever known. When he left, it was nothing but smoldering ruins. The burning of Persepolis was one of Alexander’s most infamous acts, but the question remains – did he do it on a drunken dare?

Almost all the ancient historians agreed that Alexander and his men were drunk when they burned the place down. They had celebrated their victory by looting, feasting, and, of course, drinking the night away. But historian Diodorus Siculus points the finger at a woman named Thais, an Athenian who got close to the drunken Alexander and kept prodding him throughout the festivities, telling him what an achievement it would be for him to destroy the pride of the Persians. Which was the ancient equivalent of a “double-dog dare” so, obviously, Alexander was left with no choice.

Only one Roman historian named Arrian claimed that Alexander was sober when he burned Persepolis and that he did it simply as revenge for what the Persians did to Athens during the Greco-Persian Wars a hundred years earlier. 

1. The Rise of Agriculture

Is beer responsible for civilization as we know it? According to some archaeologists, the answer is maybe. We can all agree that the agricultural revolution was a key element in the development of the earliest human societies. Instead of going out to hunt and gather, people decided to grow stuff and then make other stuff with it. The places where agriculture thrived soon evolved into the first villages and boom! Another ancient civilization is born.

Tradition tells us that early humans domesticated grain for bread, but maybe they used it for beer first. This is known as the beer-before-bread hypothesis and, as you can tell from the name, it is not a proven theory yet, it’s just an idea. It has been around for over 60 years and it is gaining more and more acceptance. 

The intoxicating effect of alcohol would have given it an important ceremonial role. At the moment, the Natufian culture from the Levant holds the record for the oldest man-made alcohol thanks to some 13,000-year-old stone mortars that were used to brew beer, and they, too, were believed to drink the booze during ritual feasts to venerate the dead. This could suggest why ancient cultures like the Natufians would prize beer over