20 Mind-Blowing Facts About Joseph Stalin

10. A Horse Ran Him Over, And Inadvertently Saved His Life

Stalin's childhood was a fairly rough one, what with the relentless bullying he suffered as a child. Topping it all off though was the extensive surgery he required on his arm - surgery that actually left him with a left arm significantly shorter and stiffer than his right.

The cause of these issues? Being ran over by a horse-drawn carriage at the age of 12. Now, whilst getting run over by a horse is never a good thing, when it renders you unable to serve your country on the front lines of a war (in a unit you'd almost certainly have been killed in), it might be a blessing in disguise.