In the early 20th century, one of the most popular visitor attractions in Paris was a human zoo, which millions of people visited every year to see ‘specimens’ from Madagascar, India, China, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco and the Congo.

Josy Barthel came first in the 1500m at the 1952 Olympic Games. This was a real triumph, as being from the tiny country of Luxembourg, no-one had expected him to have a chance - especially the band, who hadn’t brought the music for Luxembourg’s national anthem with them. They were forced to improvise, causing Barthel to put his head in his hands and weep.

According to the latest study, more than half of all NBA players go broke within five years of retirement.

The shortest national anthem in the world is the Japanese one, which only consists of four lines. The Greek anthem on the other hand features an incredible 158 verses.

Who is the world’s longest-serving monarch of all time? ‘Queen Victoria’ people will say, ‘But Elizabeth II is catching up’. Wrong! Sobhuza II’s reign of Swaziland began in 1899 when he was just three months old. During his reign, worldwide events that took place included the First World War, the Second World War, The Moon Landings, the birth and death of Glam Rock and Disco, and the invention of the compact disc (just!). On the day of his death, the 21st of August 1982, Sobhuza II had reigned for an incredible 82 years and nine months!

When the Mongols invaded India, one general built a pyramid in front of the walls of Delhi to terrify the remaining enemies into surrender. Pyramids aren’t scary though, surely? Well, this one was, being made from ninety thousand human heads.