https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_E._Dec Learned about this one today. Good to know it’s not just a recent phenomenon!
As you've brought up the USA, this popped up on my local news site this morning: https://www.sfgate.com/collegesport...nksgiving-day-disaster-125-years-20025146.php
I quite like this fellow, a 19th century American who declared himself Emperor. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Norton