1. Stretch Monster Everyone remembers Stretch Armstrong, but his green-skinned nemesis Stretch Monster was a little less common—and now, a lot more valuable. Made of the same gooey, stretchable material, this scaly creature with red eyes looked like something out […]

1. Wife Carrying Competitions (Finland) At first glance, this might seem like a quirky athletic event, but the roots of Finland’s wife carrying competitions are more unsettling. The tradition is said to be inspired by a 19th-century gang leader who

1. Letting Kids Nap Outside in Scandinavia In countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland, it’s totally normal to see babies bundled up and napping in their strollers—outside. Even in freezing temps, parents leave their infants to sleep on porches or

1. Pennhurst State School and Hospital – Spring City, Pennsylvania This crumbling institution once housed thousands of individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and the history isn’t just dark—it’s downright heartbreaking. Opened in 1908 and shut down in 1987, Pennhurst

1. The Vatican Has Its Own ATM—and It’s in Latin Believe it or not, the Vatican’s ATM machines offer Latin as a language option. That means you could be withdrawing cash while reading “Inserito scidulam quaeso ut faciundam cognoscas rationem”

1. Assuming Everyone Speaks English It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone in Europe speaks English fluently, especially in big cities. But outside the tourist hubs, you might get some confused looks if you don’t try a

1. Emperor Caligula of Rome Caligula wasn’t just your average unpredictable emperor—he was a full-on spectacle. This Roman ruler once tried to make his horse, Incitatus, a consul, complete with a marble stable and jeweled collar. Historians still debate whether