The real history of the Spanish Flu is kind of similar. During World War I the Allied Powers did not want it known that a disease was spreading through their troops so they forbid their newspapers from reporting on it. The Central Powers did not want it known that a disease was spreading through their troops so they forbid their newspapers from reporting on it. Few people had phones and not everyone owned a radio, so espionage was harder. No one really knew the other side had the same disease they had. Spain was neutral and was not leaning on their media so both the Allied and Central powers let their newspapers talk about the infections in Spain. Hence it became the Spanish flu. It became commonly assumed that the Spanish Flu came from Spain. Scientists are STILL not sure where the Spanish Flu originated because records were not very thorough and lots of people were covering it up. I saw some recent evidence suggesting it came from East Asia but I'm wondering if that is fabricated in the face of current events. To move away from disease and to horses. Why is the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. Why is one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, Italy the Spanish Steps. The Spanish sure got around. As for syphilis, most scientists believe it originated in the Americas. Europeans brought a lot of deadly diseases to Native Americans but the Americans managed to score one goal before the game was over. The Spaniards were the only ones visiting the Americas in great numbers and they were a frisky bunch rarely seeking to obtain consent. Backing this up, syphilis hit Spain before the rest of Europe and expanded from there. The Spanish got around.
Polish, Germans and Italians called if "French disease". 3 nations over 5. Tells a lot about how much French were appreciated, back in those days.
In January 1994, Tanya Harding (floral top) became embroiled in controversy when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, orchestrated an attack on her fellow U.S. skating rival Nancy Kerrigan (in the white).