Explore the astonishing and audacious true stories of historical figures who defied expectations and achieved the impossible. Learn about the incredible courage of Robert Smalls, an enslaved man who commandeered a Confederate warship to sail his family to freedom during the American Civil War. Discover the bizarre success of Timothy Dexter, an 18th-century businessman who built a fortune on seemingly foolish investments, like selling bed warmers to the tropics. This collection of unbelievable tales also features Ching Shih, the formidable pirate commander who led one of history's largest fleets and successfully negotiated her own retirement, and Lilian Bland, the pioneering aviator who designed, built, and flew her own airplane, the Mayfly, in 1910.

The stories of remarkable resilience continue with Tsutomu Yamaguchi, the Japanese engineer who unbelievably survived the atomic bombings of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Each of these stories highlights the power of unconventional thinking, daring, and sometimes, sheer luck. These accounts of bravery, eccentricity, and strategic genius from history offer powerful lessons on challenging the status quo and forging one's own path.

If you want to learn more about the theft of the Mona Lisa, listen to my other podcast, Who ARTed where I interviewed the author of the book, The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices