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Jim Rowley - Lists at Ranker

Historical Facts

There's a big difference&nbsp;between actual historical events and how the general public commonly remembers them. It works kind of like a game of telephone. Start with a simple fact, like "Benjamin Franklin once performed a kite experiment to study the electrical properties of lightning." As the story gets retold and embellished, eventually that story becomes&nbsp;"Benjamin flew a kite in a storm, got struck by a bolt of lightning, and proved electricity existed." Maybe that's more exciting, but it's not accurate.&nbsp;We all know, or think we know, stories from "history" that are&nbsp;really more like historical urban legends. If you've spent any time trying to investigate the origins of historical stories and found that many of them are exaggerated, you might think that true history is dry and prosaic.&nbsp;But that's not so! Interesting true stories from history can be just as weird&nbsp;as the "popular" versions we're more familiar with.&nbsp;Here are some&nbsp;stories from history that sound made-up or exaggerated, but really did happen.&nbsp;

Weird True Stories From History

Weird Historical Stories That Sound Made Up (But Aren’t)

United States

Jim Rowley

Watchworthy

Watchworthy - What to Watch, According to Votes

Cinema has long been fascinated with the human mind, offering a wide range of films that delve into its complexities. When discussing the best movies about psychology, this list spans psychological thrillers, dramas, horror, and more. These films captivate audiences by exploring themes of mental illness, psychological manipulation, and the intricate workings of the human psyche.Take The Silence of the Lambs, for instance. This psychological horror-thriller delves deep into the minds of both a brilliant FBI trainee and a manipulative genius, resulting in a chilling narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. Another classic is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, a gripping drama that offers a poignant look at the mental health care system and the struggles of those confined within it. Both films offer profound insights into psychology through their unforgettable characters and compelling storylines.Now it's your turn to weigh in. Which movies involving psychology have left the most significant impact on you? We've compiled a list of these thought-provoking films, and we need your votes to determine which ones truly stand out. Cast your vote to help us highlight the most compelling cinematic explorations of the human mind. Your input will ensure that the best in psychological cinema gets the recognition it deserves.

The 17 Best Movies About Psychology, Ranked

Entertainment

Some go to the movies to be entertained. Others go to the movies to be challenged. Then, there are a brave (or depraved) few, who hope to be challenged way, way beyond the standards that most mainstream audiences would find acceptable. For those viewers, there exists a category of movies so f*cked up that most audiences haven't even seen them - and in many cases, that's because rating boards <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/every-major-nc17-movie-explained/mike-mcgranaghan">slapped them with an NC-17 rating</a>, an X-rating, or the rare “unrated” status. These movies typically feature gore, drug use, sex, or all of the above.However, it would be reductive to categorize these screwed up films as pointless exercises in shocking viewers. Some of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-disturbing-horror-movies/orrin-grey?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most disturbing movies</a> on this list are also some of the most critically acclaimed. Many have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satire-movies-and-films/ranker-film">a valid political or satirical point</a> to make in their depravity, while many others offer up compelling writing, visuals, and performances that stick with you, for better or for worse. These films may be worth watching, even if viewers come to regret it later.&nbsp;

The 15 Most Disturbing Movies Of All Time, Ranked

15 Disturbing Movies That You Can't Unsee

Film Trivia

If a movie script includes a scene set at a huge public gathering,&nbsp;like a sporting event or a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/behind-the-scenes-ferris-bueller-parade/nathan-gibson" target="_blank">parade</a>, that presents a challenge for the production team. There are lots of ways a film production can execute a crowd scene, but none of them are cheap. A production could use&nbsp;thousands of extras, but those extras&nbsp;all have to be paid. Modern movies can rely on CGI to create virtual crowds, but convincing visual effects&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nutscomputergraphics.com/en/how-much-are-visual-effects-for-hollywood-movies-and-why/" target="_blank">can cost tens or even hundreds of millions</a>. One company even lets movie productions rent <a href="https://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/04/inflatable-plastic-crowd-in-movies.html#:~:text=The%20Inflatable%20Crowd%20Company%20offers,the%20Hollywood%20movie%20Sea%20Biscuit." target="_blank">inflatable plastic crowd members</a>, but those don&#39;t come free, either.&nbsp;

Often, the simplest and cheapest solution is to film at a real-life event. But while this might keep a movie&#39;s budget low, it can also create a whole slew of logistical headaches for the production team.&nbsp;Here are some&nbsp;movies that filmed at real-life events, and how they pulled it off.

13 Movies That Filmed Scenes At Real-Life Events

Hollywood has been making biopics about US presidents for about as long as Hollywood has existed - for example, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/pop-culture/">the first known film</a> about George Washington was a silent film made by the Kalem Company in 1908 and is now considered lost.&nbsp;The story of how someone becomes the “leader of the free world” is an inherently high stakes one, and it resonates with American audiences in a way that movies about other countries’ leaders rarely do.&nbsp;But <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/least-accurate-biopics-ever/setareh-janda">just like any Hollywood biography</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-pop-culture-gets-wrong-about-being-president/tpetersccc">presidential biopics</a> are often a blend of fact and fiction. Sometimes this is done for storytelling reasons, sometimes for political ones, and sometimes simply because somebody got their facts wrong. And some might as well be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-fictional-presidents/ranker-characters">fictional presidents</a> entirely.&nbsp;

The 14 Best President Biopics, Ranked By Accuracy

14 Biopics About US Presidents, Ranked By Accuracy

1980s

As everyone who loves to reminisce about <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/when-mtv-was-awesome/brandon-michaels">when MTV was awesome</a> knows, it used to be all about the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-controversial-music-videos/michelle-nati">music videos</a>. Today, MTV is credited with helping launch the careers of artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and thousands more.&nbsp;But when Viacom purchased MTV in 1985, it gradually rearranged the network’s priorities away from purely showing music videos and toward becoming a purveyor of pop culture, specifically aimed at young people. Over time, MTV became the home of everything from Beavis and Butthead to Jackass to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/teen-mom-scandals/patrick-thornton">Teen Mom</a>. Naturally, in the process of courting young people’s attention, MTV has courted controversy. All those programs mentioned above, plus many more, have pushed the envelope of good taste and what’s acceptable on TV.&nbsp;But music still makes for controversial headlines, too. Quite a few of these scandalous moments involve the MTV Video Music Awards, AKA the VMAs. This shouldn’t be a surprise. In general, whenever you attempt to quantify an entire industry’s artistic achievements into a definitive “best of” award system, you’re going to invite conflict - especially when big egos are involved. Just think of Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift's win.Vote below for the most shocking moments in MTV history.&nbsp;

The 16 Biggest MTV Controversies, Ranked

MTV Controversies That Could Win A VMA For Biggest Scandal

Mystery Entertainment

Ah, the most hated TV villains of all time – the characters who make us scream at our screens and clutch our pillows in frustration. These are the antagonists who have mastered the art of being despicable, turning our favorite shows into emotional roller coasters. Whether through their sinister plots, heartless betrayals, or sheer malevolence, they've etched themselves into our minds as the epitome of evil.Take Ramsay Bolton from Game of Thrones, for instance. His sadistic tendencies and casual cruelty made him one of the series' most unforgettable foes. Or consider Fred Waterford from The Handmaid's Tale, whose patriarchal tyranny and moral hypocrisy created a chilling depiction of dystopian authority. Both characters are prime examples of villains we love to hate, serving as constant reminders of what true malevolence looks like in the TV realm.Now, it's your turn to weigh in. We've compiled a list of the best TV show villains, and we want to know who tops your list. Vote for the worst TV villains who have earned your ire and see how your picks stack up against those of other fans. After all, nothing brings viewers together quite like a mutual hatred for a well-crafted antagonist.

The 17 Most-Hated TV Villains Of All Time, Ranked

The 18 Most-Hated TV Villains Of All Time, Ranked

Athlete Facts

For as much as we fans like to idolize star athletes, they are, after all, still human. Even the greatest athletes can fall victim to mishaps of all varieties. Sometimes this means <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/gnarly-sports-incidents/zachary-benau">injuries</a> or ailments sustained in the course of being an athlete, but it’s arguably even more relatable and compelling when it’s the sort of problem that could happen to anyone. That might mean a sudden health scare, a violent attack, a drug addiction, the breakout of war, or a horrible car crash.These sorts of scenarios could end most athletes’ careers - becoming a sports star already requires <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sports-underdogs/michael-muir">beating incredible odds</a>, even without misfortune coming along to mess it up. In some cases, though, sports stars come back from these events and perform just as well as before, if not better. That makes their accomplishments even more remarkable.&nbsp;These are arguably the most incredible athlete comebacks in modern sporting history - vote on which are the most unbelievable.

The 12 Most Impressive Athlete Comebacks In Sports History, Ranked

The 12 Most Impressive Athlete Comebacks In Sports History

Wild Facts

When it comes to thrill-seeking and pushing the limits of human endurance, some sports carry a higher risk than others. In this post, we're exploring the most dangerous sports that attract adrenaline junkies and fearless competitors from around the globe. These activities require not only skill and precision but also nerves of steel, as participants face life-threatening challenges and unpredictable conditions.Take Formula-1, for example, where drivers hurtle down the track at mind-boggling speeds, negotiating tight corners and battling for pole position, all while knowing that a single mistake could be catastrophic. Mountain-Climbing is another perilous pursuit, with climbers braving extreme weather, treacherous terrain, and sheer cliffs as they strive for the summit. Then there’s Bull Riding, a sport that pits man against beast in a heart-pounding struggle for control, with cowboys risking serious injury every time they mount an ornery bull. Each of these sports pushes its athletes to the brink, combining danger with unparalleled excitement.Now, we want you to weigh in. Which sports do you think rank among the most daring and hazardous? Vote on the most dangerous sports and help create a comprehensive list that highlights the ultimate tests of courage and endurance. Your input will shape the definitive guide to the world's most perilous athletic endeavors.

The 16 Most Dangerous Sports, Ranked By Fans

The 16 Most Dangerous Sports, Ranked

Assassin’s Creed &nbsp;is one of the most popular <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/video-games-that-saved-dying-franchises/jim-rowley">video games franchises</a> of all time, moving more than <a href=" https://www.statista.com/statistics/1276750/assassins-creed-lifetime-unit-sales/">200 million copies</a> between the first title’s release in 2007 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Most games in the series tell the never-ending story of the conflict between two ancient shadowy groups, the Assassins and the Templars, who each vie to control magical artifacts created by a precursor master race. In many of the games, the player explores these historical conflicts by controlling a modern-day character who dives into their ancestor’s genetic memory.&nbsp;But to many fans, all of that is fancy window dressing. At their core,&nbsp;the Assassin’s Creed games offer up a fun sandbox-style&nbsp;stealth-combat sim. Each one takes the player to a different, lovingly rendered historical location. In other words, these games offer something for practically everyone.&nbsp;To be fair, not every game in the franchise has been received with equal acclaim. Many have accused developer Ubisoft of rushing out titles without offering enough new features, which led to franchise fatigue. If you’re looking to jump into the series but don’t want to play every single title, this rankable guide will get you started.

Every 'Assassin's Creed' Game, Ranked By Players

Every ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Game (Ranked By How Much They’re Worth Playing Today)

Weird History

Like practically any sport, soccer, or football, or futbol, has a long and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sports-controversy-history-moments/tracey-graham">checkered history</a>, full of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/athlete-gambling-scandals/melissa-sartore">gambling</a>, corruption, racketeering, murder, and more. This is to be expected. Any time human endeavors involve such heightened emotion and such huge amounts of money, those among us might be tempted to do something unethical to gain an edge, or just a bigger slice of the pie.&nbsp;The following covers worldwide soccer scandals at the national and international levels. They range from the distant, like the supposed sex scandal involving the 1974 Dutch national team, to the recent, like the 2015 FIFA corruption revelations.&nbsp;Even if men's soccer <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/america-soccer-war/michael-muir">didn’t quite take off in America</a>, you’ll find that its scandals are on par with any major American sport.

The 12 Biggest Soccer Controversies In The Sport's History

12 Soccer Controversies That Shook The Sport

Unscripted

Sports can bring out the best in people, but they can also bring out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/sports-controversy-history-moments/tracey-graham">the worst</a>. This is true with both men's sports and women's sports. When the stakes get the highest, some athletes lose their scruples and try to find an illegal competitive advantage, whether that means receiving coaching during a tennis match, heating luge blades so they go down the track faster, taking performance-enhancing drugs, or straight-up attacking a rival.Women's sports have seen all sorts of other scandals and controversies that have little to do with sportsmanship. As various movements like the women’s rights movement and various LGBTQ+ rights movements have all fought for more representation and equality, women’s sports have found themselves at the center of those conversations. Sometimes a sports issue is about more than just sports.&nbsp;Below are some of the biggest controversies that have occurred at every level, from exhibition matches to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-olympians/setareh-janda">Olympics</a>, in the past several decades of women’s sports. Which ones became the most inescapable, constantly-discussed scandals among sports fans?

The 12 Most Controversial Scandals In Women's Sports, Ranked

12 Controversial Scandals In Women's Sports

Just like practically any other human endeavor, the music industry has been plagued by controversy. One can go back about as far as popular music has existed to find examples - like the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri in Hapsburg-era Austria.&nbsp;Modern popular music has frequently <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/metal-musician-controversies/jacob-shelton">courted scandal</a>, too. Often, this is the sort of controversy found in any other boundary-pushing artistic endeavor. From John Lennon to Sinéad O’Connor to the Dixie Chicks and beyond, musicians across generations have become famous by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/musicians-talk-about-controversial-songs/lauren-glen">challenging the status quo</a>. Bring these types to a mass audience and controversy is inevitable.&nbsp;But the music industry has experienced all other kinds of scandals, as well. Too often, individuals with undeniable talent and limitless wealth have abused their privilege to victimize countless people. For musicians like Phil Spector, Michael Jackson, and R. Kelly, these crimes overshadow their musical accomplishments.&nbsp;Below you’ll find musical scandals from the last 60-plus years of music.

The 20 Biggest Music Scandals of All Time, Ranked

The 20 Biggest Music Scandals That Shocked The Industry

Animated Characters

Since it premiered in December 1989 as a Christmas special, the Fox <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-adult-animation-shows-right-now/akansha-kakkad?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">adult animated sitcom</a> The Simpsons has spawned over 700 episodes and counting. What started as a satire of sitcoms and their tropes became not just the longest-running sitcom of all time, but the longest-running scripted show, period. And it did that with its characters. While The Simpsons is ostensibly about the nuclear Simpson family - Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie - it’s just as much about the dozens of colorful residents who inhabit their hometown of Springfield.&nbsp;But while many Simpsons side characters are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/simpsons-characters-deserving-of-a-spinoff">strong enough to warrant a hypothetical spin-off</a>, others have fallen by the wayside and stopped appearing in prominent roles. There are really two categories of ex-Simpsons character: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-simpsons-deaths/jim-rowley">those who passed away canonically</a>, and those who were discontinued for other reasons. You’ll be voting on your favorite characters from the latter category.The Simpsons has stopped using characters for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes, a character just didn’t have much utility beyond one or two episodes. Other times, the performer who voiced the character passed away. And then there’s Apu, which is his own special case. It should be noted that some of the characters appearing on this list haven’t officially been discontinued, as they still appear on the show in background roles. That makes The Simpsons one of the only shows where a character can live in a sort of indefinite purgatory - which is the sort of thing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/golden-age-simpsons-characters/michael-muir\">“golden age” Simpsons</a> would have made fun of.&nbsp;

The 12 Retired 'The Simpsons' Characters, Ranked

Retired 'Simpsons' Characters, Ranked By How Much You Miss Them

Directors

Pretty much anyone not living under a rock knows <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://slate.com/business/2021/03/marvel-comics-history-bankruptcy-cinematic-universe.html">the story of the Marvel Cinematic Universe</a>. It’s about as compelling as that of any of its characters. In 1996, the long-standing comic book company’s film prospects were dim, as it declared for bankruptcy that same year. About 12 years later, Marvel reversed its fortunes with the first Iron Man film, directed by Jon Favreau. Iron Man’s success ushered in a golden era of superhero films. Some told the stories of iconic Marvel characters. Others introduced mainstream audiences to relatively unfamiliar faces from the Marvel canon. That bet on Iron Man has led to a golden era grossing nearly <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchise/fr541495045/">$30 billion</a>.&nbsp;It would be unfair to single out any individual for the success of this filmmaking endeavor, but one group that definitely deserves credit is its directors. The MCU has received contributions from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/directors-who-stepped-down-from-movie-franchises/anncasano">directors</a> of all stripes. Some have admittedly flopped. Others could be considered <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/one-hit-wonder-movie-directors/dave-schilling">one-hit wonders</a>. But a rare few have delivered box office hits that led to successful sub-franchises and even opportunities to direct other films in the MCU.

The 15 Best Marvel Movie Directors, Ranked

The 15 Best Marvel Movie Directors, Ranked By Fans

Controversy

All sports come with scandal, because pretty much all human endeavors come with scandal. But when it comes to the major North American sports, most people wouldn’t consider professional golfers to be among the most scandal-prone among athletes.&nbsp;However, golf is surprisingly full of controversy. Yes, this includes breaking esoteric golfing rules, like the time when Jordan Spieth had to forfeit the lead after three rounds in a PGA Tour event all because he turned in an inaccurate scorecard. But golf attracts all kinds of other scandals, too, in all varieties. This includes on-course scuffles, off-course shenanigans of the personal variety, high-stakes financial crimes, and even associations with human rights abusers.&nbsp;Which of the following golf scandals was the most shocking? You be the judge.&nbsp;

The 12 Biggest Pro Golf Scandals Of All Time, Ranked

12 Golf Controversies That Shook Up The Sport

French Revolution

Today, we think of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/french-court-etiquette/setareh-janda" target="_blank">1700s-era France</a> as a period of unwashed and unparalleled&nbsp;squalor. While this is partially a misconception, it does contain&nbsp;some truth. During the 18th century, people&#39;s attitudes towards personal hygiene were laxer than they are today, for a variety of reasons.

In a world without the hundreds of modern conveniences we take for granted, personal hygiene was&nbsp;expensive and logistically difficult to maintain. Besides that, experts of the time believed that being too clean was unhealthy.&nbsp;Towards the end of the century, medical and scientific advances showed the benefits of cleanliness, and hygiene was gradually understood to be beneficial. Despite this, cleanliness was still a luxury reserved for the elite.

The French Revolution (1789-1799)&nbsp;was meant&nbsp;to secure more rights for all citizens, and&nbsp;it completely transformed the country&#39;s political landscape. However, it also changed the day-to-day aspects of French lives, including people&#39;s hygiene. For many living in the 21st century, bathing is little more than a mundane habit,&nbsp;but during the French Revolution, hygiene was very much a political issue.

French Revolution Hygiene: Just How Poor Was It?

Just How Poor Was People’s Hygiene During The French Revolution?

Fails

Funny Fail Videos: Compilation Lists of the Best Fails

In order for commerce to thrive online, there needs to be trust. That goes both ways. Companies need to be able to trust their customers, but customers also need to be able to trust companies with their personal or financial information. Yet the very thing that makes online commerce thrive - the accessibility of the internet - is also what makes it vulnerable. Millions of lines of code can be meticulously written to power cutting-edge software, but all it takes is one enterprising hacker to discover a flaw and exploit it to potentially put everyone at risk. Even if the code is flawless, there’s still the human element. All a hacker needs to do is send a plausible-seeming email or instant message to a legitimate employee at a certain company and entice that employee to open a malicious attachment, and they’re in. And when you’re talking about government-sponsored hackers, their skills, tools, and ambition only get more sophisticated.Given all this, it should be no surprise that companies of all varieties fall victim to cyberattacks, exposing their trusted customers’ information to malicious actors. Often, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-major-companies-responded-to-backlash/lauren-glen">public backlash</a> is severe. Most people have probably had their personal data stolen online, regardless of their vigilance - the FBI estimates that American businesses alone lost <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.pymnts.com/news/security-and-risk/2024/fbi-more-than-12-billion-lost-to-online-fraud-in-2023/#:~:text=American%20consumers%20and%20business%20owners,Americans%20are%20growing%20more%20vigilant">$12.5 billion</a> to Internet fraud in 2023.&nbsp;Here are the biggest cyber attacks of the 21st century. These are some of the most serious <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/companies-that-survived-scandals/will-morgan-1">scandals</a> in recent memory. But they’re also just the highlights. Cyber fraud certainly goes much deeper than this, and it never hurts to be watchful.&nbsp;

The 16 Biggest Data Breaches of All Time

The Worst Data Breaches With The Biggest Impact

Thrillers

Netflix’s 3 Body Problem premiered on March 21, 2024 and racked up a solid if not spectacular 11 million views. Like Liu&nbsp;Cixin’s novel on which it’s based, The Three Body Problem, the show presents a high-stakes story of intergalactic espionage and warfare bolstered by a foundation of hard science, specifically physics concepts. Also like the show, nearly every line of dialogue is filled with extra meaning that rewards multiple viewings, especially if you’re familiar with the second and third books in Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, The Dark Forest and The End of Death.&nbsp;Like the books, the series tells the story of the conflict between Earth and an alien race who live on a planet with three suns - on the show, they’re called the “San-Ti.” Unlike the books, the Netflix adaptation by Game of Thrones show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, filters the story through the eyes of “the Oxford Five,” a quintet of former Oxford University physics students that includes Auggie, Saul, Jin, Jack, and Will. They all once studied under Vera Ye, whose mysterious suicide kicks off the series and sets the stories in motion.&nbsp;Here are standout quotes from the first three episodes. Vote for your favorites below.&nbsp;

The 16 Best Quotes From Netflix's 'Three Body Problem'

The 16 Best Quotes From Netflix's '3 Body Problem,' Ranked By Fans

“The Mom” has been a television archetype going all the way the back to the beginning, and conjuring up images of a devoted parent, spouse, and homemaker à la June Cleaver. But just like society’s definition of a “traditional mother” has changed, so too has television’s depictions of moms. And in many ways, the 1990s marked a turning point.&nbsp;In the 1990s, TV moms tended to fall on a spectrum. On one end was the more traditional sort, the kind who was wise, kind, supportive, and always put her children ahead of herself - think Amy on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-boy-meets-world-episodes/ranker-tv">Boy Meets World</a>. At the other end is the sort of person who’s fed up with those sort of expectations and refuses to meet them, like Peggy Bundy.&nbsp;Above all, these 1990s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/favorite-tv-moms-of-all-time-v3">TV moms</a> defined TV motherhood for a wide swath of viewers. Vote for your favorites below.&nbsp;

The 16 Best Moms From 90s TV, Ranked by Fans

The 16 Best Moms From '90s TV, Ranked By Fans

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Since its release in 2015, CD Projekt Red’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reasons-witcher-3-is-better-than-skyrim/leo-reyna">The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt</a> has sold more than <a href=" https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/05/30/the-witcher-3-has-become-the-9th-or-3rd-best-selling-game-in-history/?sh=531dc89738e0">50 million copies</a> so far, making it one of the best-selling <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">video games of all time</a>. Like previous games in the series, this one lets the player take control of Geralt of Rivia, a “witcher,” or a bounty hunter who mostly focuses on monsters that plague the medieval fantasy setting known only as “The Continent.”The third game in the series involves the arrival of the eponymous Wild Hunt, basically a flying, undead people-harvesting party, and Geralt’s efforts to stop it. But the real meat of the game is its massive open world, which is full of side quests and other distractions whose writing is arguably stronger than anything in the main quest line.&nbsp;As always, Geralt wields two swords: a silver sword for monsters, and a steel sword for humans and other non-human (but natural) creatures like wolves and bears. While all the swords in the game handle pretty much the same, each one has important stats and bonuses that can enhance nearly every playstyle. This guide to the best swords in The Witcher 3 will help you turn Geralt into the unstoppable fighting machine he’s supposed to be. &nbsp;In addition to their unique characteristics, the swords - unless otherwise noted - typically have three upgrade slots that allow you to attach runes to give even more bonuses.Vote up your favorite gear to wield when it's witching time.

The 16 Best Swords in The Witcher 3, Ranked By Gamers

The 16 Best Swords in 'The Witcher 3' To Take Down The Wild Hunt

Comedy TV

Since it premiered in 1989 on Fox, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-simpsons-episodes-ever">The Simpsons</a> has gone on to become one of the most popular TV series in history, and literally the longest-running scripted series of all time, with over <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://simpsonswiki.com/wiki/List_of_episodes">765 episodes</a> and counting.&nbsp;In that time, The Simpsons has covered nearly every subject imaginable, usually in a comedic way. For a comedy show, a surprisingly high number of characters have died over the years. To be sure, since it’s animated, the show can get away with an occasional death for humor or shock value - like when flying nanny Sherry Bobbins <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5zxqMQi-PM">got sucked into that jet engine</a>, or when supervillain Hank Scorpio’s goons <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w_MfOb0vtc">execute James Bont</a>. One-off characters like that won’t be appearing on this list. Instead, you’ll be voting on characters whose deaths were most impactful.Here's a list of main or semi-regular Simpsons characters the show has killed off for a variety of reasons. Vote up the ones you miss the most.

Characters The Simpsons Killed Off

Characters 'The Simpsons' Killed Off, Ranked By How Much They'll Be Missed

Austin Powers Trilogy

A quiet hit in theaters and a mega-hit on home video, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery became one of the all-time greatest comedy movies and kicked off a franchise that’s made nearly $500 million worldwide. While Austin's catchphrases aren't shouted as regularly or as loudly as they were in the early 2000s, the series has remained a major part of culture, eclipsing Mike Myers's Wayne's World in iconography, quotability, and nostalgia.On the surface, the films are a parody of the James Bond franchise with plenty of Saturday Night Live-style absurdity thrown in, but they’re so much more than that. The Austin Powers franchise as a whole is more like a love letter to British culture of the 1960s and ‘70s. There’s no consensus on what exactly inspired Myers to create the character - besides Bond, Austin has been said to be inspired by ’60s BBC DJ Simon Dee, Michael Caine’s character Harry Palmer in the 1965 movie The Ipcress File and the Burt Bacharach song “The Look of Love,” which explains why Bacharach appears in all three movies.&nbsp;But at his core, Austin is a romantic soul who covers that up with a healthy dose of ‘60s-style libidinousness. A man out of time, he’s struck a chord with audiences strong enough to warrant three movies, plus a one-hour special that aired on MTV, an obscure media relic that some fans of the franchise will argue is a better watch than Goldmember, so it's included alongside the three films of the trilogy for the sake of thoroughness.&nbsp;Is Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me better than Austin Powers in Goldmember? Can either of them really compare to the first film? And how does the deep cut promotional special compare?

Every Austin Powers Movie, Ranked From Best To Worst By Fans

Every 'Austin Powers' Movie, Ranked

Tom Hanks

When it comes to romantic comedies, few onscreen couples are as formidable as Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Audiences have enjoyed watching these two pretend to fall in love with each other so much that they’ve done it in three different films: 1990’s Joe Versus the Volcano, 1993’s Sleepless in Seattle, and 1998’s You’ve Got Mail.&nbsp;Of course, true Hanks/Ryan fans would be upset if we omitted the other time when they played an onscreen couple, 2015’s Ithaca, in which Ryan plays a widower who sees visions of her deceased husband, played by Hanks. For obvious reasons that one doesn’t quite fall into the same category as the other three.&nbsp;Now it’s time to determine which of Hanks and Ryan’s movies is the best.&nbsp;

Every Tom Hanks And Meg Ryan Movie, Ranked By Fans

Every Tom Hanks And Meg Ryan Movie, Ranked By Rom-Com Die-Hards

Reports of UFO&nbsp;sightings regularly appear in the media&nbsp;around the world, often in the form of actual <a href="https://www.space.com/canadian-aircrafts-report-ufo-july-2021" target="_blank">unidentified flying objects</a>.&nbsp;But UFO&nbsp;sightings are nothing new. Humans throughout history have reported seeing strange objects flying in the sky, but more specific reports of flying saucers and extraterrestrials date to the 1940s&nbsp;and &#39;50s.&nbsp;

One of the strangest accounts of a UFO-related incident occurred in 1957. According to the 2001 book&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-at-Pentagon-Revised/dp/1539057518/ref=sr_1_2?crid=9N6WMGEZ8HMB&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=valiant+thor&amp;qid=1629156704&amp;sprefix=valiant+thor%2Caps%2C226&amp;sr=8-2" target="_blank">Stranger at the Pentagon</a>&nbsp;by Dr. Frank E. Stranges, on March 16, 1957, a person&nbsp;identifying themselves as &quot;Valiant Thor&quot; came forward claiming to be a visitor from the planet Venus. According to Dr. Stranges&#39;s book, Valiant Thor&nbsp;had several meetings with&nbsp;high-level American officials, including President Dwight Eisenhower. In&nbsp;Stranger at the Pentagon, Stranges reveals Valiant Thor&#39;s reason for approaching the American president.&nbsp;

This incident is just one example of a UFO&nbsp;sighting researched by <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-11-me-7248-story.html" target="_blank">Dr. Stranges</a>, a UFO&nbsp;expert and conspiracy theorist who started the &quot;National Investigations Committee on UFOs&quot; in 1964. Here are odd details from the very strange story of Valiant Thor, the man who claimed to be from Venus.

The Strange Story Of Valiant Thor, The Man From Venus

Savvy moviegoers know that movies based on historical events are never completely accurate (partly because people like us <a href="/list/best-movies-loosely-based-on-true-stories/ranker-film" target="_blank">point it out</a>). It&#39;s easy for a film lover to become jaded&nbsp;and assume that every sensational moment in a historical movie was dreamed up by a screenwriter -&nbsp;but just because historical movies fudge the truth, that&nbsp;doesn&#39;t mean they&#39;re 100%&nbsp;false, either.&nbsp;

History itself is full of shocking and extreme human behavior, and sometimes filmmakers don&#39;t need to exaggerate what really happened. Sometimes real life does play out like a movie, and you might not even be aware of some <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-movie-characters-that-actually-existed/stephanroget" target="_blank">movie characters based on real historical figures</a>.&nbsp;These 12 movie&nbsp;scenes that actually happened might seem like Hollywood inventions, but&nbsp;sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Historical Movie Scenes That Actually Happened

Unbelievable Scenes From Historical Movies That Actually Happened

Celebrities

Anyone who has grown up with a sibling knows&nbsp;how easily rivalries can develop. The desire of brothers and sisters to&nbsp;outperform each other is a nearly universal emotion,&nbsp;one that transcends social class, culture, and time period. In other words, everyone is prone to this rivalry, even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/embarrassing-presidential-siblings/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">US presidents</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

History is chock-full of famous siblings with particularly juicy beefs. If humans are already naturally inclined toward&nbsp;competing with their sibs, adding power, wealth, or fame to the equation only inflames that tendency. In societies with hereditary governments, siblings have done all kinds of terrible things to each other to seize power for themselves. In more modern times, while dynastic political families do still exist, high-stakes sibling squabbling&nbsp;often plays out in corporate boardrooms or lawsuits. But throughout history, one thing is clear: <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-british-royal-family-facts/alby-thompson" target="_blank">Family is complicated</a>.

Read on for some&nbsp;of the ugliest sibling rivalries across history.&nbsp;

The Worst Sibling Rivalries In History

The Most Bitter Sibling Rivalries In History

The chain of command and obeying orders are two concepts that are essential to military success. But military history is still full of people who disobeyed orders. Armies are made up of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/adrian-de-carton-wiart-unkillable-soldier/setareh-janda" target="_blank">individuals</a>, and regardless of the time period or culture, there are always people who buck the system.&nbsp;

The reasons soldiers have disobeyed are as varied as the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unusual-military-units/jim-rowley" target="_blank">world&#39;s militaries themselves</a>. Many have refused commands that they personally found objectionable, like Col. Raoul Berube, the WWI commander who refused to fire on his troops for their perceived cowardice. With others, like Union General Daniel Sickles in the Civil War, their reasons had more to do with their own glory. And sometimes,&nbsp;soldiers have disobeyed because their&nbsp;orders were too cautious,&nbsp;as Australian Lt. Thomas Derrick did during the Battle of Sattelberg in 1943.

Here are some times people disregarded orders -&nbsp;and changed history along the way.

11 Times People Disregarded Orders And Changed History

Pompeii

Pompeii is an&nbsp;important archaeological site as well as&nbsp;a source of fascination. The ancient Roman city has been studied so thoroughly that&nbsp;many strange facts about Pompeii and its tragic end have emerged over the years. After the volcanic eruption of Mount&nbsp;Vesuvius in 79 AD, volcanic ash flooded the town and buried it in a matter of hours, along with many of its inhabitants. Pompeii&#39;s&nbsp;precise location was lost to time, although its memory wasn&#39;t. Throughout the medieval period and into the Renaissance, the city&nbsp;remained a tantalizing mystery. Once it was finally rediscovered&nbsp;in the 18th century, it offered something almost no other archaeological site could: a nearly intact&nbsp;Roman city, preserved just how it was, as&nbsp;a time capsule.&nbsp;

The archaeological site called&nbsp;&quot;Pompeii&quot; actually includes three cities: <a href="https://www.pompeiitours.it/blog/pompeii-vs-herculaneum-whats-the-difference/" target="_blank">Pompeii itself, nearby Herculaneum</a>, and <a href="http://pompeiisites.org/en/stabiae/" target="_blank">Stabiae</a> to the southwest. All were essentially Roman resort towns, and all were&nbsp;affected&nbsp;by the volcanic eruption in different ways. Pompeii was hit first with a shower of pumice stones, injuring some inhabitants and driving the others inside. Herculaneum avoided the pumice showers, and advance warning allowed many residents&nbsp;to&nbsp;escape. Pompeii and Herculaneum&nbsp;were then flooded with &quot;pyroclastic flows,&quot; which are fast-moving rivers of ash and gas. Meanwhile, Stabiae, farther away, was covered in about 16 feet of volcanic ash, but unlike the other two cities,&nbsp;human activity continued after the eruption.&nbsp;

Both cities have yielded important archaeological finds, some of which are so unique they&nbsp;sound made up.

Facts About Pompeii That Sound Made Up

Facts About Pompeii That Sound Made Up - But Aren’t

History

Television news is capable of reaching hundreds of millions of people around the world. This has a way of giving major news events a shared feeling. People from all walks of life come together to witness history unfold in real time, creating memories that can last a lifetime.&nbsp;

Experiencing&nbsp;these events in a very different way are the people who actually report on them. Typically, television journalists are expected to maintain an objective point of view, and to react to events with minimal emotion. But journalists are people, too, and they have the same reactions to the news that everyone does -&nbsp;they just don&#39;t show it. In some cases, broadcasters might even have personal connections to the people involved in these events. When these events end tragically, that only compounds the difficulty.&nbsp;

From Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite to Tom Brokaw and Anderson Cooper, many broadcasters have opened up about what it was actually like to report on the world&#39;s biggest news events. Here&#39;s what these journalists experienced while breaking world-historical news.

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