36+ Shocking Secrets That Paint History Differently

We all recall digging into history during our days in school. But in those days, it was mostly only major events, like big wars and political happenings, that were touched upon. Now that we’re grown-ups, we’re noticing a completely different aspect of history – one that’s rife with controversy, teeming with scandals, and saturated with darkness.

From peculiar methods of birth control to clandestine romances to unorthodox weapons, our understanding of the past is evolving in unprecedented ways. Prepare yourself for bizarre historical truths that will leave you reevaluating everything you believed to be accurate.

Anne Frank’s Unedited Diary

“Anne Frank’s Diary” is globally known as one of the most famous diaries. For a long time, there has been a lot of intrigue about what the diary really said. Otto, Anne’s dad and the sole family survivor, did not release particular portions of the diary which were thought to be a bit too bold.

With the help of updated image processing technology, we can now see what was hidden in Anne Frank’s diary. Specifically, the first two pages of her diary displayed five phrases that had been scribbled out, four humorously risque anecdotes, and a total of 33 lines containing more mature content. This is according to the information from Anne Frank House. In an uncensored version, Anne openly discusses her personal feelings, the topic of menstruation, and also the subject of contraception.

Crocodile Dung Was Used as Ancient Egyptian Contraceptive

Our ancestors never cease to perplex and astound us with their innovation and sharp wits. In the days of old, women discovered many methods to prevent becoming pregnant, one of which bizarrely included the use of animal feces as a form of birth control device known as a pessary.

In 1800 BC, Egyptian women discovered an unusual way to avoid getting pregnant. They would use the feces of crocodiles, along with other substances, as a sort of homemade insert. Nowadays, we understand that using animal poop for this purpose is not clean or safe. But interestingly, animal waste has some alkaline properties, which are also present in the spermicides that we use in the present day.

Warren Harding’s Soft Side

Even though he’s not really famous for being a great boss, 29th U.S. President Warren G. Harding is seen as one of the least successful presidents in U.S. history. His presidential term was filled with scandalous stories and his personal life was filled with just as much controversy and risk. It’s unfortunate, but it seems that his reputation will forever be marked by these events.

After he left this world, love messages were unearthed that showed an undercover love affair with his best friend’s wife. The letters were filled with a mix of cryptic and frisky language, incorporating secret code words that illustrated their hidden escapades and activities.

Atonie van Leeuwenhoek and His Essence

Known as the pioneer of microbiology, Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek is the man behind the invention of the single-lens microscope. He decided to explore his own being through his invention, only to find himself taken aback by what appeared. Assuming that everybody else would feel the same disgust he felt, he chose not to disclose his shocking revelations.

After he saw what he named as “animalcules” zipping around under his microscope, he wasn’t so sure about sharing his observation with the others in his circle. But eventually, he decided he had to. As it turned out, his decision marked a significant breakthrough in the field of reproductive science.