It is reported that in the late 1860s, President Ulysses S. Grant gave a cigar to Horace Norton, philanthropist and founder of Norton College. Because of his respect for the President, Norton chose to keep the cigar rather than smoke it. Upon Norton's death, the cigar passed to his son, and later it was bequeathed to his grandson. It was Norton's grandson who in 1932 chose to light the cigar ceremoniously during an oration at Norton College's 70th anniversary celebration. Waxing eloquent, Norton lit the famous cigar and proceeded to extol the many virtues of Grant until...Boom! The renowned cigar exploded! That's right- over sixty years earlier Grant had passed a loaded cigar along to a good friend, and at long last it had made a fool of his friend's grandson!

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Note: While this story has been passed around for years, it's authenticity is very much in doubt, especially since Grant wasn't known for his sense of humor. The tale appears to originate in an American newspaper story of the 1930s, and has been re-told, with slight variations, ever since. In another version the cigar is lit up at a Norton family reunion.  It's possible that over time someone switched Grant's cigar for an exploding one.