Nintendo's Weird, Wild Origins: The Surprising History of a Gaming Giant
From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Founder Robert Ripley Honored in Florida Tourism Hall of Fame
Up Close & Peculiar With a Headhunter's Sword
Believe It or Not!, this headhunter’s sword used to literally sever heads. Currently on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Grand Prairie, this chilling blade offers a rare look into the spiritual practices of the Dayak people of Borneo.
Belief over Brutality
To outsiders, the act of headhunting might seem like a brutal and bloody tradition. But for the Dayak warriors of 19th-century Borneo, it was a sacred ritual rooted in deep spiritual meaning. The act of taking an enemy’s head wasn’t done out of malice; it was believed to be the only way to fully destroy an enemy’s spirit and absorb their power.
In Dayak culture, the head was considered the vessel of the soul. By removing it, a warrior wasn’t just defeating his enemy; he was capturing their essence. The stolen soul was then believed to protect homes, guard crops, or offer spiritual strength to the household it was brought into.
Power, Honor, and Respect
Owning a head was a badge of honor, and only warrior families were allowed to display them. These skulls were cherished, honored with food offerings, and even passed down as family heirlooms. For the Dayak, these trophies weren’t just reminders of past battles; they were sacred symbols of protection, legacy, and strength.
Blade with a Purpose
Known as a Parang Ilang or Mandau, the sword itself was crafted specifically for battle. Its slightly curved blade wasn’t just a stylistic choice; some believe the curve helped warriors avoid the shoulders for a cleaner decapitation. The hilt was often carved from horn, animal bone, or even human bone, with intricate engravings that hint at its material and origin.
You can get up close with this haunting piece of history at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Grand Prairie! →
From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet
Extreme weather has pushed the boundaries of human endurance.
Weather can be an unpredictable and formidable opponent for athletes competing in the Olympic Games. Throughout history, weather conditions have played a significant role in shaping the experiences of athletes and spectators alike. From scorching heatwaves to bone-chilling cold, the Games have seen it all.
Here’s a look at the coldest and hottest Olympics ever, highlighting how extreme weather has pushed the boundaries of human endurance.
Freezing Tracks and Icy Winds: The Coldest Olympics Ever
The coldest Winter Olympic Games on record were the 1994 Winter Olympics held in Lillehammer, Norway. These games are remembered not just for the spectacular performances but also for the brutal cold that tested all participants. With temperatures often dropping below -25°C (-13°F) at night, athletes had to compete in extremely challenging conditions.
Cross-country skiers, for example, had to navigate through snow, ice, and extreme winds while managing their body temperatures to avoid hypothermia. Biathletes faced the added challenge of keeping their hands steady for shooting despite the biting cold. The spectators, bundled up in multiple layers, showcased their own endurance by braving the frigid temperatures to cheer on the athletes.
Runner-Up: 2018 Pyeongchang, South Korea Winter Olympics
The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, also experienced some of the coldest temperatures in recent history. With night-time lows often dipping below -20°C (-4°F), the conditions were harsh for both athletes and spectators. During the opening ceremony, temperatures plunged to -14°C (7°F) with biting freezing winds in the roofless stadium, leading to concerns about the safety of the participants and audience.
Many events, such as the men's downhill skiing, ski jumping, and biathlon sessions, had to be rescheduled due to high winds of 40 to 60 miles per hour. The organizers provided heated tents and distributed blankets to spectators, but these measures could only do so much against the extreme cold.
Sizzling Tracks and Blazing Sun: The Hottest Olympics Ever
The hottest Summer Olympic Games on record were the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Held in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, these games had extreme humid heat that led to 146 reported cases of heat-related illness among Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Temperatures frequently soared above 95°F.
Many countries had to take extreme steps to protect their athletes. Belive It or Not!, the Olympic marathons and race walks were shifted north to Sapporo, more than 500 miles north of Tokyo!
Runner-Up: 2004 Athens Summer Olympics
The hottest Summer Olympic Games on record were the 2004 Athens Olympics. Held in the birthplace of the Olympics, these games were a true test of endurance due to the relentless heat. Temperatures frequently soared above 35°C (95°F), with some days reaching as high as 41°C (106°F). The extreme heat posed significant challenges for athletes, particularly in endurance events like marathons, where two hours of running in very hot weather can easily increase body temperature to a dangerous 103 or 104°F degrees.
Many countries advised their athletes to hydrate extensively and adapt their training to the heat by training in heated rooms and wearing special clothes and helmets designed to cool them down. Cyclists, too, had to contend with the relentless sun and asphalt radiating heat, making each race a battle against both their competitors and the elements.
From the freezing cold of Lillehammer to the sweltering heat of Tokyo and the humid haze of Athens, these Games have highlighted the incredible endurance and spirit of Olympians.
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