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Ever heard of Sealand?

Sealand is a micronation that established itself on an abandoned naval fort constructed by the British Army during World War II.

It is sitated 6 miles from the coast of South East England, and was used as a defensive outpost until 1956, at which point it was abandoned. 10 years later, a gentleman by the name of Paddy Roy Bates and a friend landed on Sealand and occupied it. Like most nations, Sealand suffered many take over attempts. After Roy declared himself Sovereign of Sealand, his friend tried to sieze control of the construction. Roy defended the fort using guns and petrol bombs.

In 1978, while Bates was away, the Prime Minister of Sealand, Professor Alexander G. Achenbach, and several German and Dutch citizens, staged a forcible takeover of Sealand holding Bates' son Michael captive, before releasing him several days later in the Netherlands. Bates thereupon enlisted armed assistance and, in a helicopter assault, retook the fortress. He then held the invaders captive, claiming them as prisoners of war.

Sealand is not recognized as a sovereign state by any United Nations member, but continues to operate as an independant country under Roy Bates. They issue Sealand Passports to their citizens, and have their own currency and football team.

A more detailed history of this interesting nation can be found here


Paddy Roy and Princess Joan Bates on Sealand  

This painful ritual is used as a way to become a man in this South American Amazon tribe.

  

  

This man is Li Ching-Yuen. He is said to be one of the oldest persons who ever lived, reportedly dying at 256 years of age. Li Chung Yun was born in 1677 in Chyi Jiang Hsie, Szechuan province. He spent most of his life in the mountain ranges gathering herbs and knowledge of longevity methods. In 1748, when he was 71 years old, moved to Kai Hsien to join the Chinese army as teacher of the martial arts and as a tactical advisor In 1927 Li Ching-Yuen was invited by General Yang Sen to visit him in Wann Hsien, Szechuan. The general was fascinated by his youthfulness, strength and prowess in spite of his advanced age. His famous photo was obtained there.

This is not a hoax. Here is the Time magazine article from May 15 1933.
Read the Wikipedia article here.