Everyone has something they’re really into—maybe you love watching your favorite TV show over and over, or you collect cool things. Sometimes, these interests can get a bit intense, and there’s a thin line between a fun hobby and something a bit more extreme. Let’s dive into some of the unusual obsessions of royalty and famous leaders from history!
Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, was a huge fan of golf. He even had a special putting green built at the White House. But there was a problem—his predecessor, President Harry S. Truman, loved feeding the squirrels there. These squirrels started digging up Eisenhower’s precious green! Eisenhower wanted them gone, and the staff tried different ways to manage the squirrels, like catching and releasing them elsewhere. This squirrel saga even made it into the news!
Peter III of Russia, who was emperor for a short time in 1762, had a rather unusual obsession with toy soldiers. His wife, Catherine the Great, mentioned this in her memoirs. Peter was so into his toys that he once held a pretend trial for a rat he accused of being a traitor. Talk about a unique hobby!
Joanna of Castile, also known as Joanna the Mad, went through a tough time after her husband, Philip the Handsome, passed away. Her grief was so deep that she behaved in strange ways, like spending hours with his body and traveling with his coffin. Her obsession with her late husband led to her living in seclusion for the rest of her life.
Ibrahim I, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1640 to 1648, had a difficult childhood, spending much of it in a cage. When he became Sultan, he developed an obsession with women, which led to some troubling behavior. His reign was quite unstable, partly because of his unpredictable actions.
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria was a talented writer with a very peculiar belief—she thought she had swallowed a glass piano as a child. This belief was part of a psychological condition known as the Glass Delusion. It made her act in ways that showed her obsession with being clean and fragile.
King Charles II of France also suffered from the Glass Delusion. He was so afraid of breaking that he took extreme measures to protect himself, like having iron rods sewn into his clothes. His fear made him take some pretty unusual precautions!
Andrew Jackson, a former U.S. president known for his controversial time in office, had a pet parrot named Paul. At Jackson’s funeral, Paul surprised everyone by swearing, showing just how much he had picked up from his owner. The parrot’s language was so shocking that it had to be taken out of the service!
Thanks for reading! If you’re curious about more unusual historical obsessions, feel free to explore and learn more. History is full of fascinating stories!
Choose one of the historical figures mentioned in the article and create a comic strip illustrating their unusual obsession. Use your creativity to depict the events humorously or dramatically. Share your comic strip with the class and explain why you chose that particular obsession.
Pair up with a classmate and conduct a mock interview. One of you will be a journalist, and the other will be a historical figure from the article. Prepare questions and answers that delve into the reasons behind their obsession and how it affected their lives. Perform your interview for the class.
Work in small groups to design a board game based on the obsessions of the historical figures discussed. Create rules, game pieces, and a board that incorporates elements of their stories. Once completed, play the game with your classmates and see who can manage their obsessions best!
Imagine you are one of the historical figures from the article. Write a diary entry describing a day in your life, focusing on your obsession. Include your thoughts, feelings, and any challenges you face because of your obsession. Share your entry with the class and discuss how it might have impacted your life.
In groups, script and record a short podcast episode discussing the obsessions of one or more historical figures from the article. Include interesting facts, interviews, and your analysis of why these obsessions might have developed. Share your podcast with the class and discuss what you learned.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Everyone has something they’re passionate about—maybe you’ve watched every episode of “Seinfeld” multiple times, or perhaps you collect unique items. Some obsessions can become quite intense, and there’s a fine line between quirky interests and more extreme behaviors. Here are some of the unusual obsessions of royalty and famous leaders throughout history.
**Eisenhower’s Squirrel Dilemma**
Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president, loved golf so much that he had a putting green built on the White House grounds. However, his predecessor, Harry S. Truman, enjoyed feeding the squirrels there, which led to a conflict. Eisenhower disliked the squirrels digging up his putting green and suggested they be removed. The groundskeeping staff attempted various methods to manage the squirrel population, including a trap-and-release program, but the situation became a minor political issue when it was reported in the media.
**Peter III of Russia**
Peter III of Russia, who reigned briefly in 1762, was more interested in playing with toy soldiers than ruling. His obsession with these toys was noted by his wife, Catherine the Great, in her memoirs. He even staged a mock trial for a rat he accused of treason, demonstrating his unusual interests.
**Joanna of Castile**
Joanna of Castile, known as Joanna the Mad, experienced a deep psychological crisis after the death of her husband, Philip the Handsome. Her grief led her to behave erratically, including spending hours with his corpse and insisting on traveling with his coffin. Her obsession with her late husband ultimately led to her seclusion for the rest of her life.
**Ibrahim I of the Ottoman Empire**
Ibrahim I, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1640 to 1648, had a troubled upbringing, having spent much of his childhood in a cage. When he became Sultan, he developed an obsession with women, leading to abusive behavior. His reign was marked by instability, partly due to his erratic actions.
**Princess Alexandra of Bavaria**
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria was a talented writer who believed she had swallowed a glass piano as a child. This belief, part of a psychological phenomenon known as the Glass Delusion, led her to behave in ways that reflected her obsession with cleanliness and fragility.
**King Charles II of France**
King Charles II of France also suffered from the Glass Delusion, taking extreme precautions to avoid situations that might cause him harm. His fear of breaking was so intense that he had iron rods sewn into his clothing for protection.
**Andrew Jackson’s Parrot**
Andrew Jackson, known for his controversial presidency, had a pet parrot named Paul. At Jackson’s funeral, the parrot shocked attendees by swearing, reflecting the strong bond and influence Jackson had on the bird. The incident was so surprising that Paul had to be removed from the service.
Thanks for watching! If you have any other unusual historical obsessions you’d like to learn about, let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more intriguing history.
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while removing inappropriate language and sensitive details.
Addictions – Strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something – In history, many people have struggled with addictions to substances like alcohol, which affected their health and lives.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Learning about history helps us understand how past societies have shaped the world we live in today.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior – Psychology helps us understand why people behave the way they do in different situations.
Royalty – Members of a royal family, such as kings, queens, princes, and princesses – Throughout history, royalty has often played a significant role in shaping the politics and culture of their countries.
Obsession – An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind – The king’s obsession with building the largest palace in the world led to the kingdom’s financial ruin.
Grief – Deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death – After the war, many families experienced grief over the loss of their loved ones.
Delusion – A false belief or opinion, often held despite evidence to the contrary – The emperor’s delusion that he was invincible led to his downfall in battle.
Behavior – The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others – Understanding human behavior is a key aspect of psychology, helping us to predict how people might react in certain situations.
Toys – Objects for children to play with, often reflecting cultural and historical influences – In ancient times, children played with toys made from natural materials like wood and clay.
Squirrels – Small rodents known for their bushy tails and habit of storing food for winter – During the Great Depression, people observed the behavior of squirrels to learn how to conserve resources.
