5. Brandishing Microphones in India
In 1997, the state legislative assembly in Uttar Pradesh, India, broke out into riots just as they were about to discuss a sensitive civil rights issue. Members of the minority party rushed the bench of the leader, ripping microphones out of their stands and tossing them like spears through the air. Politicians grabbed chairs and threw them at each other, becoming more and more enraged. The chaotic scene ended with bloodied politicians climbing into ambulances. You can see the drama unfold on YouTube.
6. Czech Slap Down
During a meeting in Prague, right-winger Miroslav Macek stepped to the podium and announced that he needed to address a personal issue. According to the BBC, he walked over to his rival, Czech Health Minister David Rath, and slapped him in the back of the head. “Minister Rath was warned in advance. He deserves it,” Macek told the audience. Meanwhile, Rath stood up and countered, “Why didn’t you attack me from the front like a real man? You are a coward.” He hit Macek back, and the two descended into an inglorious brawl. YouTube has hilarious—and shocking—footage of the boy slap.
7. Hickory Walking Stick and Metal Tongs
In 1798, inside the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Roger Griswold of Connecticut attacked Vermont Representative Matthew Lyon with a hickory walking stick, according to an essay published by the University of Virginia. Lyon tried to defend himself from the repeated blows, and finally ran to the fireplace, grabbed a pair of metal tongs and lashed back at Griswold.
8. Mexican Melee
On the heels of Mexico’s heated 2006 presidential election, leftist lawmakers descended into fistfights and chair throwing just one hour before Felipe Calderon took the oath of office as Mexico’s new president. The leftist lawmakers attempted to block the chamber’s doors, but Calderon—sigh—was able to make his way through the barricades.
9. Fightin’ Words
As Washington Monthly reported, California Assembly Speaker Doris Allen, sparring with her fellow Republicans more than a decade ago, called them “power-mongering men with short penises.” Ouch. That may be worse than a fist in the face.
10. Et Tu, Brute
On the Ides of March in 44 BC, Julius Caesar was murdered by a group of fellow senators, including his good friend, Marcus Junius Brutus. When he saw that even his good friend Brutus was involved with the stabbing, he resigned himself to his fate, and gave Shakespeare fodder for one of his most famous lines.
