💉 From Insulin to Ozempic: A Diabetes Revolution

Welcome back History Nerds,

Hope you all had a nice to the new year! In 2025 we are determined to supply you with the spiciest history stories you’ve ever read. To kick this year off right, when researching what happened this week in history, we stumbled on a few gems. From Christopher Columbus finding out mermaids aren’t real to the start of the 19-year-old war legend Joan of Arc’s court trial. But before we get into that…

Did You Know? In 1859, the Great Pig War erupted in the San Juan Islands when a British officer shot an American farmer's pig that had wandered onto British land. This led to a military standoff between the U.S. and Britain, which was resolved peacefully, leaving behind a comical footnote in history.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• 1922: The Year Diabetes Met its Match

• Christopher Columbus Mistook a Manatee for a Mermaid

• The Trial of Joan of Arc: From Heretic to Heroine

• The Day America’s National Debt Hit Zero

From Insulin to Ozempic: The First Insulin Treatment

On January 11, 1922, Toronto, Canada, witnessed a game changing moment in medical history when 14-year-old Leonard Thompson received the first insulin treatment for diabetes. This pioneering work by Frederick Banting, Charles Best, J.J.R. Macleod, and James Collip started with a hiccup - the initial insulin was impure, leading to an allergic reaction without the intended blood sugar reduction. However, just 12 days later, a refined version was administered, successfully managing Thompson's diabetes, setting a precedent for medical breakthroughs.

Undeterred, the team refined their extraction process, and on January 23, 1922, just 12 days later, Thompson received a second dose of a more purified insulin. This time, the results were remarkable. His blood sugar levels began to normalize, marking a pivotal moment in medical history. This breakthrough not only extended Leonard's life but also opened the door for countless others with diabetes to manage their condition effectively.

Fast forward to today, and we've got Ozempic, which fancies itself the superhero of diabetes and weight loss treatments. But let's be real, Ozempic, for all its hype, is mainly used for weight loss. It’s like a Tony Hawk cheat code to losing weight, that is, if you’re lucky enough not to suffer from any of the nasty side effects. Insulin was straightforward; you needed it, you got it, and it worked. Ozempic, on the other hand, is like an Adderall prescription on exam day.

The discovery of insulin transformed diabetes from a fatal disease into one that could be controlled. Diabetes is now more manageable, and Ozempic, as much as I love to hate on it, has continued this legacy by offering not only blood sugar control but also benefits in weight management and cardiovascular health. However, it’s all thanks to Frederick Banting and J.J.R. Macleod, who both were awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923. And Leonard Thompson's bold decision to undergo insulin treatment for the first time in history must not be overlooked, as it lead to an entire new era where diabetes will no longer be a death sentence.

When Christopher Columbus Got Catfished By A Manatee

On January 9, 1493, Christopher Columbus sailed through the Caribbean waters. As he looked into the distance he noticed 3 large humanoid looking creatures in the water. It has to be mermaids right? As they examined the “mermaids” Columbus jotted down in his journal that these “mermaids” were “not half as beautiful as they are painted.”.

In reality it was a trio of manatees munching on some sea grass. This moment of maritime confusion also underscores how explorers like Columbus weren’t just navigating uncharted waters—they were also wrestling with their own imaginations. You have to wonder how mentally messed up these sailors were for mistaking 10 ft long 1000 pound manatees for a beautiful woman.

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Joan of Arc's Trial and the Twist of Fate

On January 9, 1431, in Rouen, France, the trial of Joan of Arc kicked off, and let's just say it wasn’t like an episode of Judge Judy. Joan, the teenage warrior who had once led French armies to victory, now found herself in the hot seat, accused of crimes like wearing men's clothes (the medieval equivalent of "fashion faux pas") and claiming divine guidance (which was less "cool spiritual experience" and more "heresy alert!").

The trial was a political mess wrapped in religious garb. Bishop Pierre Cauchon, who was basically the judge, jury, and executioner (spoiler alert: he was all for the English side), oversaw the proceedings. Joan was grilled over 70 charges as a 19-year-old, however this was the 1400s when kids weren’t wasting away on their iPhones. Joan was a full fledged warrior who had her stripes to back it up.

Despite Joan's sharp retorts and her consistent claims that she was following God's will, the trial was rigged from the start. They were looking for any excuse to discredit her and, by extension, the French king Charles VII. But Joan, with her clever comebacks turned what could have been a simple witch-hunt into an epic tale of courage and defiance. Sadly, the story doesn't end with her walking free; on May 30, 1431, Joan was sentenced to burn at the stake, turning her from a military hero to a martyr whose legacy would inspire for centuries.

The story doesn’t quite end there, 25 years later, in 1456, her case was reopened, and she was posthumously acquitted by the Pope. This wasn't because they suddenly realized they'd made a mistake; it was more about political maneuvering and recognizing Joan's role in French history. In 1920, Joan was canonized as a saint, officially turning her from a heretic to a heroine in the eyes of the Church.

The Day America’s National Debt Hit Zero

On January 8, 1835 the United States accomplished something so rare that it has never been repeated. For one day only the national debt for the United States was reduced to exactly $0. This accomplishment was due to President Andrew Jackson and his beliefs on debt. This achievement is a fiscal unicorn in a world where debt typically looms at large. Andrew Jackson’s solution was slashing government spending and selling off federal land. By the time he was done, the U.S. Treasury wasn’t just debt-free, it even had a surplus! But the dream of being debt free didn’t last long and by the next day the United states fell back into debt.

Today the United States has a national debt of over $36 trillion. That is over $105,000 of debt per US citizen. Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have recently unveiled its plan to cut $2 trillion in federal spending. The areas they are focusing on are IRS, Department of Education, FBI, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and reductions in foreign and defense spending. Only time will tell what spending cuts will actually come into fruition.

Trivia Time

In every issue of LOL History, we take a break from sharing historical events to bring you a quirky trivia section. Get ready to challenge your brain and impress your friends with some seriously weird knowledge