There are many things in history that we’ve always thought were true, but it turns out they weren’t. Whether this is about famous people or events, there’s always been misleading information. Here are 17 “facts” about history that have been debunked.
Napoleon Was Exceptionally Short
There has always been the myth circulating that Napoleon was very short. History says that, according to Napoleon’s doctor, he was just under 5’6”—an above-average height at the time. The myth even contributed to the term “Napoleon complex,” which was given to shorter men who tried to become more aggressive to make up for their height.
The Great Chicago Fire Was Caused by a Cow
The origin of this myth comes from Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, who was thought to have kicked over a lantern. However, investigations suggested this was not what actually happened, even though it did start in a barn. It reflects the societal need to blame disasters on a single event with an understandable cause.
The Pyramids Were Built by Slaves
It’s often believed that the Egyptians had slaves build their pyramids when they actually paid laborers to create them. This was because the workers would need to be skilled enough to construct the pyramids. These misconceptions would most likely have come from narratives from the Bible.
The 1918 Influenza Originated in Spain
The 1918 pandemic was only nicknamed the Spanish Flu because Spain was neutral during WWI, which meant it was able to freely report on the illness. There’s evidence that the flu actually originated from a military camp in Kansas, USA. This myth is incredibly misleading when it comes to understanding the history and geography of influenza.
Witches Were Burned at the Stake in Salem
It’s a widespread belief that witches were burned at the stake in Salem. This was something that only happened in Europe, and the witches in Salem were hanged. This can have a huge cultural impact, as many people don’t know the truth surrounding this devastating time.
Benjamin Franklin Advocated for the Turkey as the National Bird
According to LiveScience, this myth originated from a letter written by Benjamin Franklin to his daughter, in which he tells her he doesn’t want the eagle to be the national bird. However, he doesn’t mention that he wanted a turkey to replace the eagle. Franklin also never publicly advocated for the turkey to be the national bird.
Albert Einstein Failed Math
This widespread myth is thought to have come from people wanting to make Einstein seem more relatable. In reality, he excelled in math from a young age. This educational misconception is the complete opposite of Einstein, who was always at the top of his class.
Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
While it’s common to see Vikings wearing horned helmets in TV and movies, there has been no archeological evidence to suggest this. They would’ve worn helmets to protect them in battles, but horned helmets wouldn’t have been beneficial when clubs and axes were used as weapons.
Marie Antoinette Said, “Let Them Eat Cake”
Even though this quote has always been attributed to Marie Antoinette, it’s something she likely never said. The phrase was associated with the obliviousness of royalty, but it’s thought the quote predates her. It shows how easy it is for historical quotes to be attributed to the wrong person.
Christopher Columbus Discovered America
While it’s commonly taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America, CNN says that it was most likely the Viking Leif Erikson who discovered it first. It seems that children are taught that it was Christopher Columbus to simplify their education.
The Iron Maiden Was a Medieval Torture Device
There’s no evidence that the Iron Maiden, a casket full of spikes, existed in medieval times. It’s a torture device that’s often shown in museums, but it’s thought that it was likely invented in the 1800s as a horror spectacle. This reflects the fascination that people during this time had with medieval torture methods.
Cleopatra Was Egyptian
Britannica writes, “Cleopatra was of Macedonian descent and had little, if any, Egyptian blood.” Even though she’s the most famous ancient Egyptian queen, Cleopatra was Macedonian Greek and was a descendant of Ptolemy I. It shows just how easy it is to misinterpret someone’s identity, especially from thousands of years ago.
Thomas Edison Invented the Light Bulb
When we think about who invented the light bulb, it’s Thomas Edison who is solely credited. There were actually several inventors before Edison developed forms of electrical light. Edison didn’t invent the light bulb, but he did improve on it and make it something that could be used commercially.
Lady Godiva Rode Naked Through the Streets to Lower Taxes
It’s commonly believed that Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets as a way to convince her husband to lower taxes. However, there is very little historical documentation to support this story, and it’s likely that it has evolved over the centuries. Even though it shows signs of sacrifice, there’s very little accuracy in the story.
The Moon Landing Was Staged
Many people believe that the Apollo moon landings were staged by the U.S. government. However, there is scientific evidence that these landings were real and there have even been testimonies from the astronauts who stepped on the moon. It reflects how damaging conspiracy theories can be.
Marco Polo Discovered Pasta in China and Brought It to Italy
It’s a popular myth that Marco Polo brought pasta to Italy in the 13th century after visiting China. History has taught us that pasta was already available in Italy before Marco Polo went to China and it actually dates back to the 4th century.
Dracula Was Based on a Real Vampire
Many people believe that Bram Stoker’s fictional character Dracula was based on historical accounts of real vampires. Stoker’s inspiration didn’t come from this; instead, he used sources from Romanian history about Vlad the Impaler, who was not a vampire. It can be easy for literary fiction and history to blend, especially when it comes to historical figures.
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