Strange, surprising, and outright bizarre stories from Washington, DC history. You may need to read these twice.
In 1954, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie presented a pair of elephant tusks to District leaders in Washington, DC. Now, they have been stolen and the Metropolitan Police Department has asked for help in finding them. See photos and read descriptions of the tusks Selassie gave in other cities.
Read the strange story of the White House Secret Service guard who robbed a Citizens National Bank branch in Laurel in 1981. We came across the article and the sentencing in The Baltimore Sun. Come read this bizarre story from the 1980s!
James Hall, a drunk 26-year-old, fell from Key Bridge as he did stunts on the railings to amuse onlookers.
In September 1925, six 2,000-gallon gasoline tanks exploded in Rosslyn, sending sheets of blazing fire in every direction — and two firefighters had to leap from an adjoining tank seconds before it blew. The blaze drew 10,000 spectators and took nearly two hours to bring under control.
Take a look at this amazing piece of history: an 1852 dollar bill issued by the Bank of the United States. Read more to learn the story behind this incredible currency item.
Explore the crazy crime story of the 1922 gem thief who held hundreds at bay in Washington, D.C. near the Gayety Theatre. Read the full story and see a 1921 map of the area.
In 1900, a college prank in Georgetown University nearly went wrong. Students attempted to scare a stable attendant, but a horse was stolen and the police were called. Read more about this bizarre incident on Ghosts of DC.
Read about the robbery of Frederick Douglass’ former home at Cedar Hill in Anacostia, Washington D.C. in 1905. Learn more about this historic event from The Washington Post and other sources.
It was a painfully uncomfortable day 130 years ago in DC. We went through the papers to dig up some old stories about the misery of winter and found some good stuff. Read on to learn more about the freezing temperatures and ice jams in the Potomac River!
