Category: history

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Can a Person Refuse a Pardon from the President?

How many times have you heard the words “presidential pardon” in the last several weeks? Of course, all presidents pardon citizens during their terms, but it seems to be a hot-button issue lately. And along with all the pardon news comes questions about how much power the president actually has. One interesting question people have been bringing up is whether someone can refuse a presidential pardon if they are so inclined. This issue has come up during our nation’s history, and the answer is yes.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Here are two examples of people refusing pardons. One took place in the 1830s under President Andrew Jackson. Two men named George Wilson and James Porter and a co-conspirator were sentenced to death in 1830. Porter was executed relatively quickly, but Wilson was pardoned by Andrew Jackson before he could be executed, but Wilson refused the deal, possibly due to a misunderstanding about other crimes that he was due to be sentenced for.

Photo Credit: Public Domain

The Supreme Court ruled in 1833 that “A pardon is a deed, to the validity of which delivery is essential, and delivery is not complete without acceptance. It may then be rejected by the person to whom it is tendered, and if it be rejected, we have discovered no power in a court to force it on him.” Interestingly, the details of what ultimately happened to George Wilson are not known.

Another case in which an American refused a presidential pardon took place in 1915. A city editor for the New York Tribune named George Burdick invoked his Fifth Amendment rights to refuse to testify because he didn’t want to name sources for articles about alleged custom fraud. President Woodrow Wilson pardoned Burdick, hoping that the editor would be inclined to testify and name sources now that he couldn’t be charged. Burdick refused the pardon, didn’t talk, and was found guilty of contempt.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

One interesting note: while anyone is able to refuse a pardon, Americans are not allowed to refuse commutations of their sentences.

h/t: Mental Floss

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10+ Facts About the Wonderful World of Comics

You may think you know a lot about comic books, but trust me, you can always learn more.

Even if you’re the biggest fan of the Marvel universe or of the classics like Superman, Batman, and Dick Tracy, you’ll learn a lot from these facts.

1. I wish this was real life

Photo Credit: did you know?

2. Damage Control

Photo Credit: did you know?

3. That would’ve been interesting

Photo Credit: did you know?

4. Wow!

Photo Credit: did you know?

5. I need to pick this one up

Photo Credit: did you know?

6. Good job Dad!

Photo Credit: did you know?

7. Nic Cage

Photo Credit: did you know?

8. Father and son

Photo Credit: did you know?

9. FYI

Photo Credit: did you know?

10. Very cool

Photo Credit: did you know?

11. Hellboy

Photo Credit: did you know?

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A study about class differences…

A study about class differences in 18th & 19th century England, showed that on average, a wealthy 16-year old boy was 8.5 inches taller than a poor 16-year old boy, as a result of malnourishment and living standards. 00

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Man Sets the Record Straight About the Largest Slave Rebellion in Colonial American History

The largest slave rebellion in North American history – the Stono rebellion – is commemorated by a small signpost in South Carolina and a total of three sentences. But one man took to Twitter to (epically) set the record straight.

So here’s your history lesson for the day all wrapped up in a neat, tidy Twitter thread.

Here’s the original signpost:

Photo Credit: Twitter

And so begins your education:

Photo Credit: Twitter

You’re not the only one just learning about this now.

Photo Credit: Twitter

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7 Facts You Learned in School That Are No Longer True

It stands to reason that, with technology and our understanding of the world changing so rapidly over the past several decades, at least a few of the things we were taught back in the day would no longer be applicable.

Even so, you may not have considered these seven “facts,” or when, exactly, they became obsolete.

#7. Who built the pyramids?

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It wasn’t the Israelites exiled to Egypt, since the massive structures were erected before the Jews existed.

#6. The names of the nine planets.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union decided that Pluto is a dwarf planet, and therefore doesn’t count. So there are only 8.

#5. The toilets in Australia.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If you’re still under the assumption that the water spins the opposite way down the drain in Australia, you’d be wrong. The reasoning behind the claim is the coriolis effect, but it’s not strong enough on Earth to affect small appliances like a toilet or sink.

#4. The hardest material in the world is…

Photo Credit: Pixabay

I bet you said a ‘diamond,’ but if so, you’d be wrong. According to the Scientific American, there are two substances that are (quite a bit) harder: wurtzite boron nitride and lonsdaleite.

#3. You can’t see the Great Wall from outer space.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

According to NASA, the Great Wall is only visible from a max of 1200 miles up – low Earth orbit, not outer space.

#2. How witches were killed.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In the United States, more witches were hanged than burned, especially during the Salem trials. Witchcraft was punishable by hanging here – in Europe, where the crime was heresy, more burning was done.

#1. Your favorite dinosaur is dead…again.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

There’s no such thing as a brontosaurus. Womp-womp.

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Australia’s ‘Man with the Golden Arm’ Donated Blood Consistenly for 60 Years

Every two weeks for the last 60 years, James Harrison has donated blood in his native Australia. But he recently rolled up his sleeve for the last time, as the country’s Red Cross Blood Service only allows people to donate blood until they turn 81-years-old.

Over the course of his long blood giving career, it’s estimated that Harrison helped save the lives of over 2 million babies born to Australian women.

Harrison needed major chest surgery when he was only 14-years-old and relied on the blood of strangers to help get him through the operation. He vowed he would donate his own blood as long as he was able to, and he’s been true to his word for six decades now.

Harrison’s blood contains an antibody that is used to make Anti-D, a medication given to mothers with a negative blood type. The drug prevents medical afflictions in newborn babies that can sometimes lead to death. Prior to the discovery of Anti-D in the 1960s, thousands of babies died from a disease called haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN).

Photo Credit: Facebook,History Nerd

Harrison said, “It’s a sad day for me. The end of a long run. I’d keep on going if they’d let me.” Harrison was widely praised for his selflessness and in 1999 received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Let’s hope many follow this great man’s example.

h/t: Mashable

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These Digitally Restored Images of 5 Famous Historical Ruins Look Incredible

As amazing as it is to wander through the amazing ruins of the ancient world, it can be hard to visualize what they might have looked like in all of their painted, jewel-encrusted fineries. Luckily, one of the cool things we can do these days with digital devices is to re-imagine and digitally restore these old buildings, allowing people to get a glimpse of what they might have looked like brand-new.

These images are awe-inspiring, truly, and I, for one, wish once again that time travel were possible.

#5. Lower Terrace, Masada (Masada, Israel)

Josephus Flavius, a governor of Galilee and Roman historian, told of the fortress of Masada that was built by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 B.C.E. The ruins stand atop an isolated rock cliff overlooking the Dead Sea, which is beautiful on its own, and featured three terraces.

The image only imagines what the lower terrace, reserved for entertainment and relaxation, would have looked like in its heyday, covered by frescoes and gilded columns.

Photo Credit: My Voucher Codes

#4. Domus Aurea Octagonal Court (Rome, Italy)

Emperor Nero’s “Golden House” was constructed between 65 and 68 C.E. and played host to his lavish parties and banquets. Roman historian Suetonius describes the building as a “circular banquet hall which revolved incessantly, day and night, like the heavens” and also goes into detail regarding gem-encrusted walls, ivory and mother-of-pearl decorations, and ceilings that showered guests with flowers and perfumes.

The following image was created from his account.

Photo Credit: My Voucher Codes

#3. Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

This complex housed a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu and took around 30 years to construct. At the end of the 12th century it was converted to a Buddhist temple and is one of the world’s largest religious buildings. The massive building is home to elevated towers, porches, and different levels of courtyards linked by a series of stairways.

Photo Credit: My Voucher Codes

#2. The Parthenon (Athens, Greece)

Photo Credit: My Voucher Codes

The Parthenon was built in the mid-5th century and housed a golden statue of Athena. It was over 12 meters high and contained about 1,140 kilos of gold and ivory.

#1. Roman Baths (Bath, England)

The bathhouse was constructed around 70C.E., as the baths were an important part of life in Ancient Rome. Citizens congregated there to mingle, gossip, and relax in the geothermally heated water. The roof is long gone, but it was originally an impressively high and barrel-vaulted.

Photo Credit: My Voucher Codes

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15 Totally Epic Items Stored at the Smithsonian

After seeing Night at the Museum and watching Bones for several years, I have to say that it didn’t surprise me to learn that there are some pretty cool things stored in the Smithsonian Museum. That said, I didn’t realize how epic some of them actually were until now.

#15. Unknown political prisoner.

Photo Credit: American Art

I can’t stop staring.

#14. This filing cabinet…

Photo Credit: Facebook

Where Phyllis Diller kept her jokes.

#13. This waste collection system…

Photo Credit: Facebook

Used onboard NASA’s space shuttles.

#12. A wooden clock.

Photo Credit: Imgur

Yes, the sheet is carved from wood, too.

#11. The skeleton of anthropologist Grover Krantz.

Photo Credit: Reddit

And his dog, Clyde.

#10. Giant, glowing mushrooms.

Photo Credit: Instagram

They expand and contract when you step on their pads.

#9. A missile system…

Photo Credit: Facebook

Guided by pigeons.

#8. The original C-3PO and R2-D2 droids.

Photo Credit: Facebook

From 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

#7. The Woolworth’s lunch counter where a sit-in protest happened.

Photo Credit: Facebook

It was to challenge racial inequality in the South.

#6. The very first Macintosh computer.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Before they were Apple.

#5. The preamble to the Constitution…

Photo Credit: Imgur

Spelled out in license plates.

#4. The Remington Self-Check Kit

Photo Credit: Twitter

A home pregnancy test created in the 1970s.

#3. A box of glass eyes.

Photo Credit: Facebook

From before WWII.

#2. A dead parrot collection.

Photo Credit: Reddit

Why? Who knows.

#1. The world’s first frozen margarita machine.

Photo Credit: Facebook

This is important stuff!

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12 Toys from the 1980s That Will Blast You Straight to the Past

There’s no disputing that the 1980s were an iconic time – hair, rock, and fashion, sure, but mostly it was the toys that set our childhoods apart from the others. They might have been liable to kill us, but man…they were awesome.

If you’re in the mood for a quick hit of nostalgia, take a scroll through these 12 toys – the likes of which we’re not likely to see again.

#12. Voltron

Photo Credit: RC Toy Memories

What’s not to love about 5 robotic lions that combined to form a gigantic, sword-toting robot? Nothing, that’s what.

#11. He-Man (Masters of the Universe)

Photo Credit: Pinterest

These uber-masculine, sword-toting action figures were popular enough to spawn comic books, two feature films, and three television series, all within the same decade.

#10. Nintendo Entertainment System

Photo Credit: Nintendo

They weren’t the first, but many 80s kids will argue with game series like Zelda, Mario, and Final Fantasy, NES was the best 80s gaming had to offer.

#9. Glo Worms

Photo Credit: Blogspot

I brought these up a few months ago and no one remembered them, but these toys with light-up worm bodies and human heads were a massive hit in the 8os.

#8. Cabbage Patch Kids

Photo Credit: YouTube

Though they were introduced in the 1970s, it was the 1980s that had Cabbage Patch Kids flying off shelves.

#7. Jem

Photo Credit: YouTube

Before there was Hannah Montana, there was Jem – a teenager who lived a double life as a holographically-enhanced rock singer named Jerrica. Both sported amazing 80s fashion, of course.

#6. Strawberry Shortcake

Photo Credit: Vermont Country Store

I myself had a sleeping bag featuring the little lady, but the dolls and other items that smelled like strawberries were seriously the best.

#5. Popples

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Why just have a stuffed animal when you could have a stuffed animal that zipped into a furry ball? Two toys are always better than one, right?

#4. Rainbow Brite

Photo Credit: Wharble

What little person doesn’t harbor a fantasy of riding a white unicorn across a glittering rainbow? All of us – and Rainbow Brite let us live out our dreams through her adventures.

#3. Star Wars Everything

Photo Credit: Vulture

We are the original Star Wars generation, and we owned everything from action figures to sleeping backs and a whole bunch of crap in between.

#2. My Little Pony

Photo Credit: MLP Merch

They were officially branded in 1982, and the line of horses featuring different colored manes and an array of decorations on their rumps have hardly fallen in popularity since.

#1. Transformers

Photo Credit: Nothing But Nostalgia

The cartoon manifested in the 80s, and even though the most recent iteration is more high-tech and fancy, ours were just as awesome.

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15 People Own up to Believing in These Full-Blown Conspiracy Theories

Area 51 is real and the government has been keeping it a secret. We’ll never know who really killed JFK. The chickens used by KFC are headless, flightless “birds” that are never actually alive.

Whether you’re willing to admit to it or not, there’s probably at least one conspiracy theory that makes you wonder whether it could possibly be true. But these 15 people are sure they’ve found one that is legit.

#15. Everyone knows this

“The opioid epidemic in USA is from insurance companies being too cheap to pay for a real treatment.

Giving someone percocet is much cheaper than doing MRIs, surgery and physical therapy.

Especially true for car crash victims and being hurt on the job. Every personal injury attorney knows this.”

#14. Wake up, sheeple

“The hours between 3-5 Am are a hallucination brought about by sleep deprivation

Wake up Sheeple”

#13. Ladies, unite

“That women’s clothing doesn’t have proper pockets so they’re pushed to by purses and whatnot.”

#12. Put down your phones

“The Facebook app records everything you say to send you targeted ads.”

#11. They’re coming for us all

“bitcoin was created by a rogue AI.”

#10. It’s definitely weird

“Mattress stores being mob money laundering operations. There are too many of them that are always open with NO customers. It’s weird.”

#9. A sporting chance

“The NBA is rigged and Tim Donaghy wasnt the only ref rigging games for his own benefit.”

#8. A royal question

“No idea if this is basically conspiracy theory, but I 100 percent believe that Princess Diana was trying to run away from being murdered and got killed anyway.”

#7. I just assumed

“Octopuses are aliens.”

#6. The truth is out there

“Oklahoma City bombing was a bigger plot than we are allowed to know.”

#5. Secrets don’t make friends

“Taylor Swift is a lesbian and has been in a happy relationship with supermodel Karlie Kloss for years. Her latest album is about Karlie.”

#4. Damn the man

“The powers that be plant the seeds of fake conspiracy theories for internet conspiracy theorists to find and assemble. They then use social media algorithms to bubble the results. So any conspiracy theory that you read on the internet is just what The Man wants you to believe.”

#3. Troll masters

“IHOP claims their new name (IHOB) stands for “international house of Burgers” but it’s definitely “international house of Breakfast”, and they’re all just trolling us.”

#2. Tech games

“Progress in every technology is thwarted by big business who protect their interests by slowly letting it come to the public sphere.”

#1. He didn’t get what he deserved

“Hitler survived and became a goat herder in Argentina. I saw a declassified file on the CIA official website and it looks like him. I’m training to be a history teacher so I won’t teach that in school but if I’m asked in private…. Yo soy führer.”

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