In the late 1600s, London was plagued by an attacker who would spank his victims with a rod and shout "Spanko!" before running away.
During World War 2, a bear named Wotjek joined the Polish army. He carried ammunition and occasionally drank beer.
The 442nd Infantry Regiment, a largely Japanese American unit that served during WWII, did so while their families were held in internment camps. Their motto was "Go for Broke" and they were the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.
Roughly 600 Parisians work at the Eiffel Tower each day.