Can the past change? The Mandela Effect has gone mainstream. Now that the internet is buzzing with wild theories and new examples every day, it's time to go over where the ideas originated, and consider in detail what exactly might be causing it.
- Ray Wu 0 Comments
Alive again?
MMDE: Died just before his 101st birthday
Current: Did not die just before his 101st birthday
The legend of Kirk Douglas is firmly cemented forever in movie history. Reports of his death saddened millions, especially when it was reported to be just days before his 101st birthday.
These reports were widespread, and the accidental release of an incomplete news video didn't help either.
However, some people were even more confused because they thought he'd died years before. Was this a false memory, confused further by the fake death reports? Or were people thinking the stoke he had in 1996 actually killed him, instead of mostly preventing him from speaking?
- Ray Wu 0 Comments
Are you amused now, your majesty?
MMDE: Queen Victoria did not take cocaine
Current: Queen Victoria took cocaine
We think of drugs, and the war on drugs, as a modern phenomenon, but these all have origin stories. When first created, there would have been no indication how things would ultimately play out in terms of side effects and the long term impact on society. In fact, it's not just drugs which were freely available before legisltaion - dangerous substances were too. It was possible to walk into a chemist in the 19th century and buy cocaine, opium and even arsenic.
Queen Victoria took cocaine in the form of chewing gum, with of all people a young Winston Churchill. Today this sounds ridiculous, but back then it's immediate physical effects would not have been seen as harmful.
- Helen C. Phillips 0 Comments
Hell in a Cell
MMDE: Died in a cage match in 1998
Current: Did not die in a cage match in 1998
People are remembering pro wrestler Mick Foley dying in a cage match when WWE was known as WWF. The cage match was called Hell in a Cell and took place in 1998.
They remember the roof of the cage ripping and him falling to his death. He was survived by his wife and children. In the current version of events, pro wrestler Mick Foley is thrown from the top of the cage twice, but managed to survive. The naysayers will say that they are being confused by the death in 1998 of pro wrestler Owen Hart, when he was being lowered from the ceiling down in front of a live audience. The line "snapped" and Owen fell to his death.
Presently, Mick Foley is alive and well, and it would be a brave soul indeed who questioned him about this to his face ;-)
- Joe Hutt 0 Comments
Marilyn Monroe's birth name?
MMDE: Norma Jean Mortenson
Current: Norma Jeane Mortenson
Ask most people today what Marilyn Monroe's birth name was, and they'll probably say "Norma Jean Baker". Some who know a little more might say it's "Norma Jean Mortenson". However, both are wrong.
According to todays records, she was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and baptised Norma Jeane Baker. In both cases, the Jeane ends with an "e" and is not spelt the way most remember.
In fact many people pronounce the name very differently. To them, it rhymes with "genie". Whilst the popular French derivative does sound like "Jean", it is odd that such a difference has only come to light recently.
- Ray Wu 0 Comments
What was Madonna's birth name?
MMDE: Maria Louise Ciccone
Current: Madonna Louise Ciccone
Many people remember Madonna's birth name not to be "Madonna Louise Ciccone" but "Maria Louise Ciccone", or sometimes "Maria Louise Veronica Ciccone".
They remember her adopting the "Madonna" name, and recall it caused a controversy with the church at the time.
Most records today show she was always called Madonna, but there are a few remaining clues this might not always have been the case. Here's such a website, which claims to cover her life story.
- Joe Hutt 0 Comments
Martial arts
MMDE: Elvis was not a black belt
Current: Elvis was a black belt
Records today show Elvis trained with Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee, and reached the 7th degree.
This surprises many, including life long Elvis fans, because every detail of his life is thought to be common and widespread knowledge by now. Those caught out are pointing to the Mandela Effect as the cause for this news "suddenly" appearing from nowhere.
He was awarded his 7th degree black belt in 1972, and went on to teach kenpo at the Pasaryu Karate Association. The similarity to the white fighting suits he wore and the later high collared ones in his Vegas years is striking too.
- Ian Scott 0 Comments
He abolished slavery, but was a slaveholder himself
MMDE: Thomas Jefferson did not father 6 children with his slave
Current: Thomas Jefferson fathered 6 children with his slave
He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, an American Founding Father and the third US President. But did Thomas Jefferson hide a secret so embarrassing it could have destroyed him? Various reports, such as Wikipedia, are claiming there is strong evidence he fathered some, or all , of the children Sally Hemings gave birth to. The problem? She was his slave.
DNA tests on various descendents have strongly indicated this is the case.
This is one of those news stories which seems to have come from nowhere. Many people point to every detail of each US President being widely available, especially one seen as being a scandal. The fact it's not better known is causing it to be regarded as a Mandela Effect of the "reverse false memory" kind.
