When we think of France, we tend to first imagine the romantic, the gastronomically exclusive, the luxurious, or the destination for classy European travel. When we imagine the atrocious and the wicked, our minds may initially jump to Henry VIII, Nazi Germany, or North American serial killers. Yet it is France where some of the highest (or should we say, lowest) levels of villain have originated, including the shockingly abusive Marquis de Sade, who’s name is the origin of the word Sadism itself. In this account, we explore these darkest and most surprising histories.

Art, in its many shapes and sizes, is particularly appreciated for its beauty and the emotions it stirs up. What makes any particular piece of art into a masterpiece, however, is the level of honesty that’s been infused into it by its creator. It is then up to us to see and appreciate it. Now, for all that art can give us, some say that it doesn’t really offer any utilitarian use. And here’s where “practical art” comes into play.

Viruses are a particularly fearsome “germ.” Though viral infections may resemble bacterial infections, antibiotics are useless against viruses. There are very few dedicated antivirals to kill them off. But who even knows if ‘kill’ is the right word to use for something that stretches the definition of ‘alive’? Viruses: they’re like microscopically tiny zombie-robots, hijacking cells and turning them into factories for themselves. But humanity can exploit viruses’ supremely odd workings and sneaky ways for their own purposes.

Ancestry tests provided by companies like 23andMe, Ancestry.com, and Helix are more popular than they’ve ever been. As more people have their DNA tested to see where in the world their ancestors came from, it’s led to some fascinating results. In some cases, the results are downright shocking and can uncover secrets that have been buried for years, if not decades.

Since the first modern homo sapiens emerged some 50,000 years ago, it’s estimated that 107 billion human beings have at one time or another lived on planet Earth. The overwhelmingly vast majority of these people have been forgotten by history, but there are a very few individuals whose names and achievements will echo through the ages.

The Battle of the Somme is rarely talked about, and not often the subject of movies, but it was one of the most important battles of WWI and much more significant for the history of warfare than many realize. This battle was one of the bloodiest in recorded history, and forced the Germans to fight on an extra front in a last ditch effort to divert their forces from their battle against the French at Verdun.

During the 1800s, Phineas Taylor Barnum – better known as “P.T. Barnum” – became famous as “The Great American Showman.” Barnum specialized in displaying odd and intriguing attractions to audiences who were eager to pay to see something out of the ordinary.

One of the main ways Barnum drew crowds was to exploit abnormalities in human beings. The display became known as his “Freak Show,” which traveled around the world and inspired many other circuses to follow suit with their own versions. It should be noted that “freak” is an outdated, and rather offensive term, since these people were simply that: people. They just so happened to be born with disabilities. However, many of these performers were blessed with the chance to become rich and famous, which is more than many able-bodied people could say at the time.

Daredevils are everywhere, and a quick Google search for the “Darwin Awards” will prove just how often ridiculous stunts can lead to death. However, there are a select few people who were able to pull off their dangerous stunts and actually and live to see another day… but that doesn’t mean they all went according to plan. Here at TopTenz, we want you all to stay alive for as long as possible. So, please. Please don’t try any of these stunts at home.

Accounts of sexual misconduct, assault, and even rape have rocked the entertainment industry over the last few months. Movie stars, directors, and producers have all fallen under the weight of charges against them. The likes of Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, Harvey Weinstein, and Brett Ratner have all been made to reckon with their past actions, and have seen swift repudiation from the film industry.

Located in Eastern Europe and part of the former Iron Curtain, Romania does not draw in many tourists compared to many other nations within the European Union. Nevertheless, in recent years their numbers has been steadily rising to an annual total of 9.3 million international tourists. Given its geography and geopolitical past, the country has a lot to offer in terms of both cultural heritage and diverse landscapes.