50 History Fun Facts (Discover World History)
Educate yourself about our world history with these 50 fun facts. It’s interesting, diverse and super fun. Enjoy!
Do you also feel you don’t know too much about History? Or your friends & co-worker has more knowledge than you? Then you are in the right place! You are about to discover our world history through a special collection of 50 interesting facts. The things that we know make us feel bombs of emotions, and it is just crazy sometimes to feel so late in knowing them. Hop on. We will be discovering a closet full of history!
Oh, you can also play some great history trivia quizzes. We love fun stuff!
Below are 50 fun facts about history. Let’s see how many funny, fun facts you know from the list.
Weird Fun Facts About Things, Animals, and More You Didn’t Know Happened in the Past
Did you know that…
1. Once upon a time, turkeys were worshipped like Gods
Before all that we believe now, there was this animal that people worshipped like a God! Guess what? It is actually the mighty turkey, and this is actually very coincidental with America’s celebration of Thanksgiving. Around 300 BC, turkeys were believed by the Mayan people to embody the gods. As such, this earned them all the power and prestige, which can be seen in different Maya books.
2. Pieces of Arts Were Once Awarded in the Olympic Games
The fastest or the strongest Olympic Games winner before did not earn medals. Instead, they took home pieces of art. The winners brought home different forms of art, including literature, songs, painting, or even sculpture. One thing that made the art similar to another is that it must be Olympic-themed. The awarding of arts was made to commemorate what the Greeks loved before, which is doing festivities simultaneous with their games.
3. A Horde of Bunnies Once Attacked Napoleon Bonaparte
The famous emperor and conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte entreated a rabbit hunt for him as well as his men. The original plan was to release the rabbits from their cages and start the hunt. However, bunnies attacked the emperor and his men, making it his greatest defeat.
4. Using Forks Was Considered Sacrilegious
Can you eat spaghetti without using a fork? A long time ago, this widely-used utensil for eating was once deemed sacrilegious. Using them was seen as an offense to God because they look like artificial hands.
5. There Was Once a War On Cats
Do you think the war against cats is possible? Well, this is one of the weird but true facts that happened in the Past. Pope Gregory IV declared the war and took place in the 13th century. He believed that black cats were used by Satan to spread evil. While he ordered to exterminate the cats throughout Europe, the plan was still backfired because it resulted in an increased population of plaque-carrying rats.
6. Mary Really Had A Little Lamb
Who would little did you know that the nursery rhyme was based on a true story. Mary Sawyer is an 11-year old girl who lived in Boston. One day, her pet lamb trailed her to school.
7. Ketchup Was Sold as Medicine Back in the 1830s
Ketchup was not one of the popular condiments until the late 19th century. Back in the 1830s, it was a popular medicine. It was sold as a cure for indigestion by John Cook, an Ohio physician. Well, at least, you have trouble digesting the next time you eat ketchup.
8. The Very First Light Bulb Was Invented Before Thomas Edison
When you are asked who invented the very first light bulb, your answer will probably be Thomas Edison. However, it was actually Warren de la Rue who created it forty years before Edison. While Edison has 1,093 patents, most of them were not his own invention.
9. The First American Flag Wasn’t Designed and Sew by Betsy Ross
If you think it was Betsy Ross who designed and sew the first American flag, think again. The real creator was Francisco Hopkinson, who lived in New Jersey and the one who signed the Declaration of Independence. Besides, he is also the man behind the many US government seals. At least according to William Canby, Ross’s grandson, his grandfather has the idea.
10. Cars Were Never Invented in the US
Do you believe that cars were invented in the US? Well, you got it all wrong. The truth is, the first car was created by European engineers Emile Levassor and Karl Benz, who worked on automobile inventions in the 19th century. In 1886, Benz was the one who patented the first automobile and wasn’t Henry Ford in 1908.
11. A Trial Against Tomatoes Happened in 1820
Believe it or not, there was a trial against tomatoes by the entire town. They believe that this tangy red fruit was poisonous and evil. Robert Gibbon wanted to dispel the rumors about the fruit, so he ate a basket full of tomatoes in front of a crowd in New Jersey. In the end, everyone was astonished that nothing happened to him.
12. A Horse Was Once Planned to be a Senator
Roman emperor Caligula had a favorite horse named Incitatus and was planned to make it a senator. He loved it so much in a way that he gave Incitatus an ivory manger to sleep in. In the palace, his horse has his own servants. To be honest, his strange relationship with his horse was a normal thing, especially if you hear his other downright bizarre stuff.
13. Nipple Piercings Were Unexpected Fashion Trend of Victorian England
It was Queen Isabella of Bavaria who influenced the trend of nipple piercing. She used to wear dresses with necklines going down the waist so that the diamond-encrusted piercings are showed off properly. Aristocrat women attached the piercings using a gold chain and believe that this chain helped them grow their breasts evenly.
14. A Bear Lived with Lord Byron in His Dormitory
While studying at Cambridge, Lord Byron kept his pet bear in the dormitory. He loved animals and owned some unusual ones, such as two mastiffs, a fox, and two monkeys. Since his favorite dog isn’t allowed in the university, he brings a tame bear on his campus instead.
15. Stale Urine Was Used As Mouthwash
Oh well, it may sound nasty, but urine is known to contain ammonia, which among the world’s best natural cleaning agents. The stale urine or “liquid gold” became very popular among ancient Roman. In fact, anyone who traded in it needed to pay a tax.
Mind-Blowing History Fun Facts About US Presidents
Did you know that…
16. President Lyndon B. Johnson Used to Give Interviews While Using the Toilet
Most Americans and other individuals across the world have an idea of who Lyndon B. Johnson is. But, they probably not aware that the president gave interviews from the bathroom. According to Doris Kearn Goodwin, presidential biographer, the president did not want to stop the conversion, so he still gave interviews even while using the toilet.
17. President Abraham Lincoln Was A Wrestling Hall of Famer
Of course, everyone knows that Abraham Lincoln was the 16th US President. There’s one thing that you may not still know about him. Well, he was declared as a wrestling champion. Among the 300 contests he joined, he only had one loss. That was dope! He earned a reputation as an elite fighter.
18. President Abraham Lincoln Was A Licensed Bartender As Well
Another interesting fact about President Lincoln is that he was worked as a bartender, and he had a saloon keeper license. Together with this friend William Berry, they opened up a bar called “Berry and Lincoln” in 1833 in New Salem, Illinois. This shop was closed when Berry consumed most of the supply.
19. President John Adams Was the First One to Live in the White House
During Washington’s term, the White House was still under construction, and he never actually lived there. So, it was John Adams who became the first US President to live there. Among the US Presidents, Washington is the only one who didn’t reside in the White House.
20. President George Washington Was Not the First Face of the $1 Bill
While George Washington was the first US President, it still does not mean that he was the first face on the $1 bill. During the Civil War in 1862, the very first $1 bill was issued, and the first face appeared on it was Salmon P. Chase. He was the Secretary of Treasury as well as the designer of the first banknotes of the country.
21. President George Washington Owned A Whiskey Distiller After His Term
After his presidency, George Washington opened his own whiskey distiller. The distillery he owned was the largest in the county by 1799. It produces approximately 11,000 gallons of un-aged whiskey. However, after his death, the business also disappeared. At least, he proved that he is a leader of a country and a business.
22. President Ronald Reagan Has A Strong Belief in Astrology
In the same way as ordinary citizens, Ronald Reagan was interested in astrology. He and Nancy were a believer in astrology. He reassured that his policy decisions were not influenced by the cosmos. Well, that could be a breath of relief.
23. Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Died on the Same Day
President Thomas Jefferson and President John Adams both died on July 4th, 1826. It sounds crazy, but true. They used to be fellow patriots and then turned adversaries. Besides, they are also the last surviving American revolutionaries’ original members.
Cool Fun Facts About Historical Events in Medieval, Gregorian, and 20th Century Periods
Did you know that…
24. A One-Legged Man Demonstrated the Safety of Escalator to London’s First Users
In 1911, the London Underground system’s first escalator operation took place. During the first day of operation, people who see it for the first time went apprehensive. To calm the passengers, William Harris, a one-legged Underground employee, demonstrated its safety.
25. A Best-Seller Novel Was Actually Written by a 9-year Old
Daisy Ashford was nine years old when she wrote in 1890. At the age of 13, she gave up writing fiction. 28 years later, Daisy and sisters went to their mother’s house and discovered a manuscript in a drawer. The book “The Young Visiters” came out in 1919 after showing the manuscript to a friend who passed it to an acquaintance working on a publishing company.
26. Horoscopes Were Used to be Linked to a Serial Killer
On April 16th, 1968, an advertisement was published in a French newspaper that invited the readers to join a special experiment. All they need to do is to send their name, date and place of birth, and address, and they will receive a 10-page personality profile and personalized horoscope. The astrologer made the chart and interpretation for a real person born on January 17th, 1897, in Auxerre at 3 am. That person was Dr. Marcel Petiot, a serial killer who murdered over 60 people.
27. Women Were Banned from Smoking in Public in 1908
Katie Muchaley from New York was arrested because she strikes a match against a wall to light a cigarette. This act was a violation of The Sullivan Ordinance, a city law banning (only) women from smoking in public. Two weeks later, the ordinance was vetoed by the mayor of New York City.
28. The Duke of Montagu Won A Bet on the Gullibility of the Public
In 1749, according to the London newspaper, the most amazing magician would be performing at the Theatre Royal. A riot ensued after the crowds were told that the magician would not appear, and they could just get their money back. The Duke of Montague was seen with great pleasure after winning a bet with Lord Chesterfield that he could successfully fill the theater by promising the people the impossible.
Crazy Fun Facts About Famous Historical Figures
Did you know that…
29. Augustus Caesar Was Once the Wealthiest Man Ever
Do you want to know who the wealthiest man ever was before Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett? It is Augustus Caesar! He was the nephew and the only heir of Julius Caesar. If we accounted for all the price changes by now, his wealth would amount to 46 trillion. Some would argue that Mansa Musa was the wealthiest, but his riches are very difficult to count, which is very different from that of Augustus Caesar’s.
30. Peter Freuchen Encountered An Avalanche Hurdle During His Expedition
Did you know that in 1926, Peter Freuchen, an Arctic explorer, faced an avalanche hurdle during his expedition? He was trapped under it. Luckily, he was able to survive, although he lost a part of him. He amputated his foot and fashioned a shiv through the use of his frozen feces. Do you think it is gross? Well, he was able to escape death through that!
31. Paul Revere Never Shouted, “The British Are Coming!”
Have you ever heard the catchphrase, “The British are coming!”? Apparently, it is not Paul Revere that shouted those words. He did not shout this when he was approaching his enemies. Since the British found comfort in their hiding over the countryside, there was not any approach that happened.
32. Franklin D. Roosevelt Accidentally Found Winston Churchill Naked
Great Britain Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited the White House in December 1941. Roosevelt came into the room of Churchill after having an inspiring call to the world bodies. From there, he found Churchill fresh out of bath and naked.
33. Nikola Tesla Believed that Being Chased Helped His Scientific Abilities
Did you ever hear that Nikola Tesla was a life-long bachelor? During the earlier of Tesla, he believed that he never deserved a woman in his life because they were superior in every way. His opinion changed when he felt that women were trying to become dominant and outdo men.
34. Walt Disney Rewarded His Housekeeper with Shares of Disney Stocks
As a bonus every Birthday and Christmas, Walt Disney gave his housekeeper Thelma Howard company’s shares. Howard loved his daughters, so he treated her with generosity through a liberal salary. Disney even called her the real-life “Mary Poppins.” As respect to Disney, she never sold her stocks and died as a multi-millionaire.
35. Thomas Edison and His Second Wife Communicate with Each Other by Tapping on Each Other’s Arms
Two years after his first wife Mary died, Thomas Edison met Mina Miller. He was immediately smitten with the eligible young lady and soon married. He taught her second wife to communicate using the Morse code, where they use finger taps when her parents are around. In fact, he proposed to her using the code.
36. Nikola Tesla Fired His Secretary Because She Was Overweight
Because of her weight, Nikola Tesla fired his secretary. Even from the start, he is open about his disgust to overweight people. While the people who met Tesla praised him by calling him gentleman, sincere, and refined, he still has a behavior of being very asocial and even secluded himself from others.
37. Albert Einstein Politely Excused Himself from Fans by Saying That He Was Often Mistaken for Professor Einstein
Albert Einstein became very famous in the US before World War II. After all, these theories of relativity have been an inspiration and subject for many science fiction plays, movies, and books. So many times, he was stopped by his fans in public, and he politely excuses himself by saying, “Pardon me, sorry! I am always mistaken for Professor Einstein.”
38. Abraham Lincoln Gave A Captivating Speech That Reporters Forget to Take Notes
On May 29th, 1856, Abraham Lincoln gave a captivating speech about the condemnation of slavery that reporters did not take any note as if they were hypnotized. The speech was called “Lincoln’s Lost Speech,” and there’s no transcript of that speech. The said speech resulted in the founding of the state Republican Party.
39. Mark Twain Openly Expressed His Hatred for the books of Jane Austen
Mark Twain hated the books of Jane Austen with great ferocity. He even said, “Every time I read Pride and Prejudice, I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.” He also complained about how many attempts or how long it took him to read and finish any of Austen’s books.
40. Leo Tolstoy Had Sudden Conversion to Vegetarianism
After Leo Tolstoy had a conversation with William Frey, who talked about vegetarianism’s naturalness and inevitability, he became a fierce vegetarian. One day, his aunt requested chicken for dinner. As she arrived at the table, she found a live chicken being tied to her chair. What’s more, there was a butcher’s knife on her placemat.
41. Marie Antoinette Once Pretended to Live A Simple Life
The Queen’s Hamlet or The Hameau de la Reine is a fully functioning peasant village built for Marie Antoinette. She filled this village with animals and brought herdsmen and milkmaid to act like residents. She would then walk around with her friends and children and pretend to live a simple life.
42. Henry VIII of England Had People Whose Job Was to Wipe His Bottom
The people who were responsible for assisting Henry VIII of England in his bodily functions were called “The Grooms of Stool.” He had four of them and became his intimate confidants when it comes to his personal life. Over time, their roles became more important and powerful enough to set national financial policies.
43. Napoleon Bonaparte Wrote A Romantic Novel “Clisson et Eugenie”
The romantic novel called “Clisson et Eugenie” was written by Napoleon Bonaparte. The novel was about a soldier and his lover. The interesting thing is that his one-time fiancée influenced his relationship with Eugenie Desiree Clary.
44. French Philosopher Had A Habit of Living Near Borders
After Voltaire published the “The English Letters” or “Philosophic Letters”, he was forced to run away to Paris, and in 1734, he takes refuge in Cirey. He used to live in an asylum at one of his friends’ chateau. He can easily cross the border is his writings angered the authorities. He continued making a habit of living near the borders after he left Cirey.
45. Charlie Chaplin Won 20th Place In A Charlie Chaplin Lookalike Contest
Who would have thought that Charlie Chaplin got interested in joining a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest? The funny thing is that they came in 20th place. He didn’t have his famous boots and mustache while performing his trademark walk to be fair.
46. Aristotle Believed that a Brain is A Place for the Spirits to Reside
Many ancient practitioners associated the brain with conflicting ideas. In the 14th century B.C., Aristotle believed the brain was merely a place for the spirit and a cooling organ for the heart. However, Roman physician Galen concluded that the brain is where all mental activities occurred and not in the heart, as Aristotle believed.
47. Poet William Shakespeare Wrote His Own Epitaph
On April 23rd, 1616, William Shakespeare died, and his grave was covered by a stone slab with the epitaph he wrote himself. The epitaph served as a curse to anyone who would move his bones. The epitaph says, “Good friend for Jesus’ sake forebear, to dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, and cursed be he that moves my bones.”
48. Amelia Earhart Told George Putnam that They Would Not Bind Each Other to the Medieval Code of Faithfulness
Amelia Earhart is the first female to fly solo through the Atlantic Ocean, and she loved her freedom so much. During the 1920s, she met George Putnam and proposed to her six times before she agreed to get married. On their wedding day, she told her groom that she wanted an open marriage.
49. Elvis Presley Suffered from Chronic Constipation and Obesity
While doctors tried to treat chronic constipation and even suggested colostomy, Elvis Presley still refused. According to George Nichopoulos, his doctor, constipation upset the singer a lot. It was untreated constipation that causes his death.
50. Alan Tuning Ran 11 Minutes Longer than The Year’s Winning Olympic Time
Alan Tuning is not only known as the father of artificial intelligence and computer science; he is also an average runner. As part of his training, we would run a 50-kilometer route between Ely and Cambridge, and back. He joined a marathon in 1949 and ran 2 hours and 46.03 minutes, which was only 11 minutes longer than the winning Olympic time.
Do you know other cool fun facts? Let us know.
Originally published at https://www.crowdstrivia.com on January 15, 2021.
