In the early spring of 1830, something major happened in American religious history—a young man named Joseph Smith published a book that he claimed was divinely revealed. That book was The Book of Mormon, and it launched what would eventually become the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, better known as the Mormon Church. At just 24 years old, Smith said he translated the book from golden plates he found buried in a hill in upstate New York, guided by an angel named Moroni. Yeah—golden plates, ancient civilizations, and heavenly messengers—it was a bold story, and it caught people’s attention fast.

The Book of Mormon told the tale of two great civilizations that supposedly lived in the Americas long before Europeans ever showed up—civilizations that descended from ancient Israelites. It claimed Jesus had visited the Americas after his resurrection, teaching these ancient peoples. For believers, it was a sacred record that filled in the spiritual gaps between the Old World and the New. For skeptics, it was a hard-to-believe origin story from a charismatic young man who had already stirred up controversy in his hometown for treasure hunting and religious claims.

Joseph Smith wasn’t just publishing a book—he was starting a movement. Right after the book dropped, Smith officially founded the Church of Christ (what would become the LDS Church) with just six initial members. But word spread. Some saw it as divine truth, others as heresy, but either way, people couldn’t ignore it. Smith claimed this was the restoration of the original church of Jesus, complete with modern-day prophets, new scripture, and a fresh divine mission.

Over the next few years, the movement grew fast. Smith would face arrests, violence, and repeated relocations. But the seed planted with the Book of Mormon in 1830 grew into one of the most influential and unique religious movements born in America. Today, over 16 million people identify as Latter-day Saints, and it all traces back to this moment, when a farm boy turned prophet claimed he had something new—and very old—to share with the world.

On a quiet March day in 1997, police in Rancho Santa Fe—a wealthy suburb outside San Diego—walked into a mansion and discovered a scene straight out of a sci-fi horror movie: 39 people, lying neatly in bunk beds and on mattresses, all dressed identically in black clothing and Nike sneakers, dead from mass suicide. It was eerie. Peaceful, yes—but unsettling. No blood, no trauma—just rows of lifeless bodies. It didn’t take long to learn these weren’t just any group. They were part of Heaven’s Gate, a cult that believed they were shedding their earthly bodies to catch a ride on a spaceship following the Hale-Bopp comet.

At the heart of Heaven’s Gate was Marshall Applewhite, a former music teacher who took on the name “Do.” Back in the ’70s, he and a nurse named Bonnie Nettles (who called herself “Ti”) started preaching a wild mix of Christianity, UFO beliefs, and ascension through alien transport. According to them, our bodies were just “vehicles,” and Earth was a place to evolve spiritually so we could reach the “Next Level.” They had tried to gather followers before, even convincing people to abandon their lives to wait for a spaceship in the Colorado desert. But when Ti died in 1985, things got darker. Applewhite doubled down, and the teachings became more extreme.

In the early '90s, the group resurfaced online and started recruiting new members digitally. Then came Hale-Bopp, a comet that caught the world’s eye in 1997. But for Heaven’s Gate, it was more than just a pretty light in the sky—it was the sign. Applewhite told his followers that a spaceship was riding the tail of the comet, cloaked from human detection, ready to take them home. They believed it so fully that several members even underwent voluntary castration to remain pure and sexless, just like their leader.

As the comet made its closest pass to Earth in March, the group put their plan into action. Over the course of three days, in shifts, they drank a lethal cocktail of vodka and phenobarbital, lay down calmly, and died. Each had a $5 bill and some change in their pocket—a symbolic toll for the spaceship ride. They believed death wasn’t the end—it was the door. Heaven’s Gate became one of the most infamous examples of cult belief leading to mass suicide, and the world was left shocked, asking how something like this could happen. The story is chilling, tragic, and a stark reminder of the power of belief—especially when it’s isolated from the outside world.

Pee Colored Armor🛡️
The Huns, fierce nomadic warriors of the 4th and 5th centuries, were known for their speed, toughness—and some unusual battlefield prep. One of their lesser-known tactics? Using urine to tan leather. Tanning is the process that turns animal hides into usable leather, and urine—rich in ammonia—was an effective natural chemical for softening and preserving hides. The result was flexible, durable armor, perfect for life on horseback. Gross? Definitely. Practical? Absolutely. Turns out, pee-powered armor helped keep the Huns fast, fierce, and historically unforgettable.

Oldest Surviving Shoe🐮
The oldest surviving shoe ever found is over 5,500 years old—older than the pyramids—and it’s made from a single piece of cowhide leather. Discovered in a cave in Armenia in 2010, the shoe was stuffed with grass (maybe for insulation or to hold its shape) and incredibly well-preserved thanks to the cool, dry conditions and layers of sheep dung. It’s about a U.S. women’s size 7, and while it was likely made for practicality, it still looks surprisingly stylish for something from 3,500 BCE. Proof that even our ancient ancestors knew: never underestimate a good pair of shoes.

A Knights Undershirt💧
While shiny metal armor gets all the glory, medieval knights were actually carrying around something even heavier underneath: padded linen. Known as a gambeson, this thick, quilted jacket was worn under the armor to cushion blows, prevent chafing, and most importantly—soak up sweat. In battle or summer heat, it could absorb enough moisture to weigh more than the metal plate armor itself. So yes, knights looked epic—but they were also hot, soaked, and basically wearing a medieval weighted blanket.

Tulip Stock Market🌷
In the 1630s, the Netherlands went wild for tulips—yes, actual flowers. Some rare tulip bulbs became so valuable that people started buying and selling them like stocks, hoping to make a fortune overnight. At the peak of the craze, a single bulb could cost as much as a house. But in 1637, the market suddenly collapsed. Prices plummeted, buyers disappeared, and the Dutch economy took a hit—marking what many consider the first recorded economic bubble.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past.