Sure, your history classes at school might’ve been boring—but not everything from the past is so dull. In fact, some stories are so out there that they make you see history in a whole new light! Here are twelve random historical tidbits to do just that. They’ll change how you see the past—for good!
Featured Image Credit: IgorVetushko /Depositphotos.com.
The Great Pyramid Was Originally Shiny and White
Once upon a time, the Great Pyramid of Giza was a giant, gleaming white monument that could probably blind you on a sunny day. That’s right! It was covered in polished limestone that made it sparkle in the sunlight. Over time, that shiny cover disappeared party because of the weather & partly because of thieves. Just imagine how it must’ve looked when it was built!
Cleopatra’s Time Was Closer to the Moon Landing Than to the Pyramid’s Construction
Cleopatra actually lived way closer in time to Neil Armstrong’s moonwalk than to when the Great Pyramid was built. That sounds confusing but it’s true! She ruled around 2,000 years ago while the pyramid was built over 4,500 years ago. It’s enough to make you rethink the whole “ancient” thing.
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Ancient Babylonians Had a Sense of Humor, Too
Although you might think “your mom” jokes are relatively recent, archaeologists actually found a similar joke etched on a 3,500-year-old Babylonian tablet. It’s probably the oldest recorded burn in history! This is proof that some things never change—including our childlike sense of humor.
Tulips Once Cost More Than Gold
Back in the 17th century, the Dutch really loved their tulips, perhaps more so than they do now. The craze over these colorful flowers was so intense that their price was actually higher than that of gold at one point. Could you imagine paying for a house with a handful of tulip bulbs?! That’s “Tulip Mania” for you.
Australia’s Great Emu War Was a Thing
In 1932, Australia had to deal with an unexpected foe—emus. These large, flightless birds were wreaking havoc on crops and this led to the so-called Great Emu War. Bizarrely enough, the humans lost the war even with their machine guns and the emus continued to roam free. Imagine being a veteran of that war.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa Was a Mistake
The world-famous tilt of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was actually a complete accident and it wasn’t part of some avant-garde architectural plan. It started leaning during construction because of the soft ground underneath. They tried to fix it—but let’s be honest, it’s the lean that made it famous.
The First Computer Programmer Was a Lady
Ada Lovelace was a mathematician from the 1800s who has been recognized as the first computer programmer. This was before the computer as we know it was even a thing. She worked on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine & wrote what is essentially the first computer program. We have a lot to thank her for!
Einstein Could Have Been President
Everybody knows that Albert Einstein was the genius behind the theory of relativity but not everyone knows that he was almost president once. Yep—he was offered the job of the president of Israel in 1952 but he turned it down. Why? Because he said he lacked the natural ability to deal with people & political matters.
One of the Longest Wars Was Barely a War
The Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly were technically at war for 335 years due to a treaty oversight, making it one of the longest wars in history. The funny part? They never fired any shots since nobody realized it had happened! In 1986, they eventually signed a peace treaty that was simply meant to end any speculation about the conflict.
Pirates Thought Earrings Were Good for Their Eyesight
Pirates did indeed wear earrings although it wasn’t a fashion statement. In fact, they believed it improved their eyesight & cured seasickness because they thought the metals had healing powers. Of course, wearing earrings didn’t actually help them but it’s still part of their swashbuckling image today.
The First Vending Machine Was for Holy Water
Back in ancient Egypt if you wanted some holy water, you’d go to a vending machine designed by Heron of Alexandria. You’d put in a coin and out came your water. It’s rather strange to think about vending machines being that old but they did exist, although they were quite different from ours today.
Napoleon Was Attacked by Rabbits
Yes you read that right! The fearsome French leader Napoleon Bonaparte was once attacked by a horde of bunnies. The story goes that he had arranged a rabbit hunt to celebrate a treaty signing. However, the rabbits were actually domesticated & they charged at Napoleon. They thought the hunting party was there to feed them!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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