Year in Review: 2013’s Most Unusual and Powerful Stories from History

In 2013, History By Zim broadened its storytelling scope, shedding light on unsung heroes, cultural relics, forgotten battles, and eerie historical oddities. The year’s posts combined detailed research with striking visuals, making history accessible, emotional, and occasionally surreal.

Recurring Themes in 2013

• Historical Figures Revisited – Posts highlighted the lives of people like Dr. Mary Walker, Adaline Kenyon, Sarah Winchester, and Princess Elizabeth.
• World Wars and Conflicts – Coverage included the Christmas Truce of 1914, Ramree Island crocodile attack, and unique perspectives on WWII aviation.
• Visual Curiosities – The blog shared haunting photos, including Civil War ghost images, Fala the Scottie dog, and odd presidential hairstyles.
• Inventions and Advertisements – 2013 explored curious artifacts such as odd inventions like gold-digger devices, vintage Listerine ads, and Chlorodent toothpaste commercials.

Top Posts of the Year

Unexpected Stories

Some of the most popular articles in 2013 came from the strangest places: a cabinet of curiosities or experimental aircraft. There was also the baby cage invention of 1922, the curious case of the Beaux-Arts ball, and the haunting story of Miss Atomic Bomb. These posts captivated readers by showing how bizarre, humorous, or tragic history can be when seen from a different angle.

Conclusion

History By Zim’s 2013 collection exemplifies the blog’s mission to explore the less-told tales — where everyday objects, lost photos, and overlooked people reveal the depth and strangeness of the human experience. Whether it was a galloping horse in a photographic experiment or the oldest surviving Valentine, 2013 was filled with reminders that history’s hidden corners are often the most fascinating. The year even took time to honor cultural quirks like the Scotch Tape ad campaigns, and highlighted unusual portraits such as Benito Mussolini’s stylized image and a tuxedoed penguin named Caesar.