The Precedent Desk

In 1915, "shell shock" became one of World War I's greatest mysteries. Thousands of soldiers returned from the trenches unable to speak or sleep. Years later, the world realized the real wound was psychological.

In 1966, American pilot Jeremiah Denton was forced to give a televised interview while held captive in North Vietnam. By blinking in Morse code, he spelled "TORTURE," revealing to the world that American POWs were being tortured.