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Thomas Wadhouse was an English circus performer who lived in the 18th century.

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He is most famously known for having the world's longest nose, which measured 7.5 inches (19 cm) long. Strand Magazine, Vol. XI (published in 1896), described Wadhouse as follows: "Thus, if noses were ever uniformly exact in representing the importance of the individual, this worthy ought to have amassed all the money in Threadneedle Street and conquered all Europe, for this prodigious nose of his was a compound of the acquisitive with the martial. But either his chin was too weak or his brow too low, or Nature had so exhausted herself in the task of giving this prodigy a nose as to altogether forget to endow him with brains; or perhaps, the nose crowded out this latter commodity. At all events, we are told this Yorkshireman expired, nose and all, as he had lived, in a condition of mind best described as the most abject idiocy." Other records seem to indicate that Wadhouse was intellectually disabled and most likely su...

Remarkable tale of Rube Waddell, an American baseball player

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This is the remarkable tale of Rube Waddell, an American baseball player from the early 1900s, whose life story is nothing short of astounding. During baseball games, Waddell had a peculiar habit of vanishing to chase fire trucks, and his easily distracted nature became evident when opposing fans tempted him with puppies, causing him to abandon the game and play with them. Notably, in 1903, Waddell had a whirlwind year that saw him transition from sleeping in a firehouse in Camden, New Jersey, to tending bar in a saloon in Wheeling, West Virginia. Remarkably, in between those events, he achieved great success as a pitcher, winning 22 games for the Philadelphia Athletics. His adventures continued as he toured the nation in a melodrama called "The Stain of Guilt," where he impressed audiences by improvising his lines in every show, earning critical acclaim. Waddell's antics didn't end there. In 1905, he s...

Nighthawks" is an iconic painting created by the American artist Edward Hopper in 1942

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"Nighthawks" is an iconic painting created by the American artist Edward Hopper in 1942. It has become one of the most famous and recognizable works in American art history. The painting depicts a scene of urban solitude and loneliness, featuring four people in a brightly lit diner late at night. The diner's interior is the central focus, with large windows allowing viewers to glimpse the empty streets and buildings outside. To understand the historical background of "Nighthawks," it is crucial to consider the broader context of the time in which it was created: 1. World War II: In 1942, the world was in the midst of World War II. The United States had entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The war effort was in full swing, leading to significant social and economic changes within the country. 2. Urbanization and Industrialization: The early 20th century saw a rapid growth of urb...

Jim Thorpe, a celebrated Native American athlete hailing from Oklahoma, achieved fame as an Olympic Gold medalist

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Jim Thorpe, a celebrated Native American athlete hailing from Oklahoma, achieved fame as an Olympic Gold medalist and is often regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history. In 1912, he represented the United States in the Olympics held in Sweden, where he was joined by future General George Patton as a teammate. Before conquering the three-day decathlon, encompassing ten track and field events, Thorpe had already secured a gold medal in the pentathlon with remarkable ease. However, during the second day of the decathlon, just before the 1500 meters race, Thorpe encountered a setback – his shoes had disappeared, likely stolen. In a desperate search for a solution, he turned to his teammates and managed to find an extra shoe, though it was too small. Nevertheless, he squeezed his foot into it. He then stumbled upon the other shoe in a trash bin, which, conversely, was too big for him. To make it fit, he ingeniously padded it with a c...

Causes of Death in London - 1632.

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During the early 17th century in London, various factors contributed to the mortality rates among its inhabitants. One belief held by many medical practitioners was the influence of planets on health and mental well-being. Those deemed "planet-stricken" were believed to have fallen under the malevolent forces of certain planets, exhibiting symptoms resembling aneurysms, strokes, and heart attacks. Another significant cause of death was Consumption, now known as Tuberculosis, caused by bacteria primarily targeting the lungs. By the turn of the 20th century, it had become the leading cause of death in the United States. The King's Evil, also known as scrofula, was a tubercular infection affecting the lymph glands in the throat. People believed that being touched by a monarch could cure this ailment, but between 1629 and 1660, it still resulted in an average of approximately 30 deaths per year. Death...

The Siberian Ice Maiden is a well-known mummy discovered in 1993 in the Republic of Altai, Russia.

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The Siberian Ice Maiden is a well-known mummy discovered in 1993 in the Republic of Altai, Russia. She is believed to have been a Siberian belonging to the Pazyryk people, and her age at the time of death was estimated to be between 20 to 30 years old. The burial took place in a chamber within a burial mound, and her cause of death is thought to be a combination of breast cancer and injuries from a fall. Accompanying the Ice Maiden in the burial chamber were two food trays, which residue analysis suggested contained ceremonial offerings of beverages, various meats, and yoghurt. Additionally, the burial included the remains of three horses. A pot found nearby revealed traces of cannabis and opium, potentially indicating their use as painkillers. Given the grave's context and the items found, there is speculation that the woman held a significant role in society, possibly as a high priestess. Unfortunately, the grave...

The photograph of Kurt Cobain in tears has been extensively published

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"The photograph of Kurt Cobain in tears has been extensively published. Tilton watched Cobain smash his guitar through an amplifier and walk offstage. He followed him backstage. The pent-up emotion 'just had to go somewhere,' says Tilton, and Cobain burst into tears. 'What I really love about it is that it is a very real moment, and he allowed it. Other artists would have said, 'Not now, lan, please!' It is very unusual," adds Tilton, "for anyone from a band to show such vulnerability!" Nirvana played a concert in Beunos Aires where the crowd threw mud and trash at the all-girl opening act.  Kurt Cobain was so upset that he sabotaged the show by playing mostly lesser known songs and teasing 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' without ever playing it.