

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery
ESP, time travel, and teleportation are frequent plot devices in fiction. Why not? (Try counting how many time-defying tropes-containing books, films, or television shows were published this year.) It’s an intriguing idea, especially given that physicists claim it’s entirely feasible. But most of the time, reality is stranger than fiction.
Consider the Moberly-Jourdain incident, in which two women, Eleanor Jourdain and Charlotte Anne Moberly, asserted that they had traveled through time while at the Palace of Versailles in 1901. According to legend, the two realized that everything appeared unusual and surreal as they made their way to the Petit Trianon through the gardens after getting lost. They even implied that they had traveled back in time or had been haunted when they claimed to have encountered Marie Antoinette.
Although the Moberly-Jourdain incident is still one of the most well-known supernatural urban legends, there was the enigmatic case of the Spanish soldier Gil Pérez who is said to have teleported from Manila to Mexico in the 16th century years before.

Gil Pérez served as a soldier for Spain in the early days of its administration of the Philippines. He served as a palace guard for the Gobernador-General as a member of the Guardia Civil. However, during a voyage to the Moluccas in October 1593, Chinese pirates assassinated the seventh governor-general, Gómez Pérez Dasmarias. Given that Dasmarias hadn’t chosen a successor and that there were several eminent Spaniards vying for the position, the time following his death was quite hectic.
During the early years of Spain’s rule in the Philippines, Gil Pérez served as a soldier. He was a guard for the Gobernador-palace General’s and a member of the Guardia Civil. However, on one occasion in October 1593, Chinese pirates killed the seventh governor-general Gómez Pérez Dasmarias while they were on an expedition in the Moluccas. When Dasmarias passed away, there was a lot of competition for the position among several well-known Spaniards because he hadn’t chosen a successor.
Pérez was reportedly guarding the palace when he reportedly started to feel faint and exhausted due to the tense circumstances. He then rested his head against the wall and fell asleep for a brief period of time. However, when he opened his eyes, he was shocked to discover that he had moved to a completely different location. He was told that he was in Mexico City’s Plaza Mayor (now known as the Zocalo) when he asked a passerby where he was. Guards in New Spain soon learned about Pérez because of his assertions and his peculiar Manila uniform. He was presented to the authorities, including Viceroy Luis de Velasco of New Spain, whose palace was where he was transported to.
Despite their understandable shock, Pérez was able to provide them with thorough answers to all of their questions, including the assassination of Dasmarias, which would not be proven for months because it had only occurred the night before. The Viceroy appreciated Pérez’s justifications, but it was only a matter of time before religious authorities got involved. He was given to the Holy Office of the Inquisition, also called the Spanish Inquisition, for additional interrogation. He was transported from Mexico to Santo Domingo in the Caribbean and imprisoned for leaving and being a “servant of the devil.”

Pérez, a devoted and decorated soldier, handled everything well and cooperated with the law. It was even claimed that he chose prison over battling the Philippines’ jungle men. He was ultimately discovered to be a devoted Christian, and because of this discovery and his good behavior, he was never charged with any crimes. However, because the situation was so unusual, the authorities were at a loss for what to do and kept him behind bars until they made a firm decision.
When a Spanish galleon finally made its way to Acapulco, it was revealed that Pérez’s allegations about the Gobernador-General were accurate. Some of the passengers even recognized him as a palace guard when he was returned to Mexico. He was subsequently released and sent back to Manila on the following ship.

The tale of Pérez has since gained notoriety. The American folklorist Thomas Allibone Janvier, Washington Irving, Luis González Obregón, Gaspar de San Agustn, Antonio de Morga, and even José Rizal have all written books and stories about it.
Although the story may seem unbelievable, people are still attempting to explain it centuries later. Perhaps a trip to Intramuros’ Palacio del Gobernador, where the Gobernador-former General’s residence during the Spanish colonial period once stood, will do for the time being.

Remembering the miracles of the 1985 Mexico earthquake (unbelievable stories)
In 1985, after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico City, nearly all newborn babies survived a collapsed hospital. They are known as “Miracle Babies” for surviving 7 days without nourishment, water, warmth or human contact.

Susanna Salter: The Trailblazing Story of America’s First Female Mayor
In 1887, Susanna Salter became the first female mayor in the United States, elected in Argonia, Kansas. Her nomination was initially a prank by men opposing women in politics. However, she won by a landslide and served effectively, inspiring the women’s suffrage movement and breaking barriers for women in leadership.

The true story of Annie Oakley, legendary sharpshooter
Anne Oakley was such a good shooter that she could split a playing card help edge-on, hit dimes thrown into the air, shoot cigarette from her husband's lips, and pierce a playing card thrown into the air before it hit the ground.

Mario Segale, Developer Who Inspired Nintendo to Name Super Mario
Super Mario is named after real-life businessman Mario Segale, who was renting out a warehouse to Nintendo. After Nintendo fell far behind on rent, Segale did not evict them but gave them a second chance to come up with the money. Nintendo succeeded and named their main character after him.

How Sleep Deprivation Was Once Used as Torture
Sleep deprivation, long before modern interrogation techniques, was considered a “clean” and effective form of torture—leaving no physical scars, yet breaking minds with haunting silence. Victims endured days and nights without rest, leading to vivid hallucinations, disorientation, and psychological torment. This article traces the dark history of sleep deprivation as a weapon, examines the science behind its effects on the brain, and shines a light on the painful balance between human endurance and cruelty in the annals of coercion.

story of the youngest mother in the world at age of five - Lina Medina
Lina Medina, a five-year-old Peruvian girl, became the youngest mother in history in 1939 when she gave birth to a boy.

Roller Coasters were First Invented to Distract People from sin
Roller coasters were invented to distract Americans from sin. In the 1880s, hosiery businessman LaMarcus Thompson didn’t like that Americans were going to places like saloons and brothels and created the first roller coaster on Coney Island to persuade them to go there instead.

How did Howard Florey discover penicillin
Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming, but he never attempted to turn it into an antibiotic. It wasn't until ten years later that Howard Florey discovered Fleming's obscure paper and understood the mold's potential. Up to 200 million lives may have been saved as a result of Florey's work.

Atomic Tourism: In the 1950s, nuclear tests in Las Vegas served as a draw for tourists
Between 1950 and 1960, Las Vegas offered “Atomic Tourism” in which guests could watch atomic bombs being tested in the desert as a form of entertainment.

How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality
The 18th century marked a turning point in the quest for women’s rights, as passionate voices challenged centuries of gender inequality and laid the groundwork for modern feminism. From pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft to revolutionary declarations and early advocacy, this era sparked debates on education, political participation, and social justice that continue to resonate today. Journey through the origins of women’s rights movements and discover how their bold ideas shaped the fight for equality.

Blanche Monnier: Imprisoned For 25 Years For Falling in Love
Blanche Monnier, she was a French woman noted for her beauty, she wished to marry an old lawyer that her mother disapproved of, so she locked her in a small dark room in her attic for 25 years.

15 interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled Britain for 70 years, has away at the age of 96. She was the country's longest-reigning monarch. Here are some little-known facts about her.

Shizo Kanakuri’s 1912 Olympic Marathon Finished 54 Years
At the 1912 Olympics, a marathon runner quit and went home to Japan without telling officials and was considered a missing person in Sweden for 50 years. In 1966, he was invited to complete the marathon. His time: 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.379 seconds.

Moondyne Joe: The story of Australia's most notorious prison escapee
A man named Joseph Bolitho Johns (A.K.A Moondyne Joe) broke out of Australian prisons so many times that the police were compelled to build a special cell just for him. He escaped from that as well.

how Ferris wheel invented
In 1891, Chicago challenged engineers to create a structure to surpass the Eiffel Tower for the World's Columbian Exposition. George Washington Gale Ferris jr. responded with the original Ferris Wheel, a giant rotating structure elevating visitors above the city. This invention became an iconic attraction at the fair.

The Day an Israeli F-15 Landed with One Wing: Zivi Nedivi’s Unbelievable Mid-Air Survival
Discover the astonishing true story of Israeli pilot Zivi Nedivi, who safely landed an F-15 after a mid-air collision tore off its entire right wing. Learn how skill, quick thinking, and the F-15’s unique design turned a disaster into a legendary feat in aviation history

William James Sidis: The smartest person yet forgotten by people
William James Sidis, who was only 11 years old when he enrolled in Hardvard, finished his primary and secondary schooling in less than a year. He knew eight foreign languages by the age of eight and even invented his own language, "vedergood."

Why the Word ‘Pen’ Comes from the Latin ‘Penna’ Meaning Feather
The humble word “pen” carries a rich history rooted in ancient times, derived from the Latin word penna, meaning “feather.” Long before modern pens revolutionized writing, feather quills—especially from geese—were the essential tools of scribes, scholars, and artists. This article journeys through the origins of the pen, its evolution, and fascinating trivia about the timeless connection between feathers and writing.

Knockers-up: waking up the Industrial Britain's Workers in 1900-1941
Before alarm clocks were invented, there was a profession called a knocker-up, which involved going from client to client and tapping on their windows (or banging on their doors) with long sticks until they were awake. It lasted into the 1920s.

The true story of Josephine Myrtle Corbin, the lady born with four legs and two private parts
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer born in 1868, had a rare condition known as dipygus, which caused her to have four legs, each smaller inner leg paired with one of her outer legs. Corbin joined the sideshow circuit, captivating audiences as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas."

Sylvan Goldman: The Visionary Who Revolutionized Shopping with the Cart
The inventor of shopping carts, Sylvan Goldman, had to hire several male and female models to push carts around in his store, demonstrate their utility, and explain their use to other customers, due to not catching on initially.

Jack the Baboon operated a railroad, earned a living, and never made a mistake
A baboon worked as a signalman for the railroad in the late 1800s. He never made a mistake and worked for the railroad until the day he died.

The worst blizzard in recorded history: the 1972 Iran blizzard
The deadliest snowstorm ever recorded occurred in Iran in 1972. It lasted for a week, burying areas in 26 feet of snow and killing over 4,000 people, including the entire populations of three villages.

Story of Kathrine Switzer: the first woman to run in Boston Marathon
Before women were allowed to run in the Boston Marathon, Kathrine Switzer participated. A race official attempted to forcefully remove her from the race in 1967, but her boyfriend pushed him down. She was the first female finisher who had a numbered entry in the race.

Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler incident: Enemy became friends
During WWII, a German pilot spotted an American pilot’s crippled plane in the sky. Tailing it, he noticed that gunner was dead, crew injured, and they posed no threat. Instead of destroying the plane, he led it to safety. 40 years later, the two pilots reunited.