History
Discover facts about history. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
History
During World War I, what massive, incredibly theatrical illusion did the French military construct to fool German bombers?
During World War I, what massive, incredibly theatrical illusion did the French military construct to fool German bombers?
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The oldest known written complaint in human history wasn't about politics. What was someone absolutely furious about?
The oldest known written complaint in human history wasn't about politics. What was someone absolutely furious about?
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What remarkably selfish capitalist motive finally pushed Henry Ford to invent the standard 40-hour work week?
What remarkably selfish capitalist motive finally pushed Henry Ford to invent the standard 40-hour work week?
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What was the shockingly manipulative reason the Michelin tire company created their prestigious fine dining guide?
What was the shockingly manipulative reason the Michelin tire company created their prestigious fine dining guide?
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Why do the vast majority of ancient Egyptian pharaoh statues have noticeably smashed or missing noses?
Why do the vast majority of ancient Egyptian pharaoh statues have noticeably smashed or missing noses?
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What was the unspoken, highly profitable motive behind accusing specific women of witchcraft in 17th-century Europe?
What was the unspoken, highly profitable motive behind accusing specific women of witchcraft in 17th-century Europe?
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How did the legendary biblical word Nimrod magically transform into a modern schoolyard insult meaning idiot?
How did the legendary biblical word Nimrod magically transform into a modern schoolyard insult meaning idiot?
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Why did Victorian-era women famously swoon and faint so frequently, aside from wearing extremely tight corsets?
Why did Victorian-era women famously swoon and faint so frequently, aside from wearing extremely tight corsets?
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In 1932, the Australian military deployed soldiers with machine guns to fight a war against what bizarre enemy?
In 1932, the Australian military deployed soldiers with machine guns to fight a war against what bizarre enemy?
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Internet slang isn't new. Which historical figure received a letter in 1917 containing the first recorded use of 'OMG'?
Internet slang isn't new. Which historical figure received a letter in 1917 containing the first recorded use of 'OMG'?
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How did a famous American soft drink company accidentally end up owning the sixth largest naval fleet in the world?
How did a famous American soft drink company accidentally end up owning the sixth largest naval fleet in the world?
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What deeply weird daily morning routine did American founding father Benjamin Franklin swear by for his optimal health?
What deeply weird daily morning routine did American founding father Benjamin Franklin swear by for his optimal health?
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What absurd, highly-respected medical treatment directly caused the sudden death of America's first president, George Washington?
What absurd, highly-respected medical treatment directly caused the sudden death of America's first president, George Washington?
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What is the massive historical lie behind the iconic British 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster from WWII?
What is the massive historical lie behind the iconic British 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster from WWII?
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Before it became the ultimate french fry companion, what was tomato ketchup aggressively marketed as in the 1830s?
Before it became the ultimate french fry companion, what was tomato ketchup aggressively marketed as in the 1830s?
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What happened to the 19th-century doctor who first proved that washing hands could stop the spread of fatal diseases?
What happened to the 19th-century doctor who first proved that washing hands could stop the spread of fatal diseases?
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While most European witch hunts violently targeted women, who made up the vast majority of executed witches in 17th-century Iceland?
While most European witch hunts violently targeted women, who made up the vast majority of executed witches in 17th-century Iceland?
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We casually joke about feeling nostalgic, but how did doctors actually treat "nostalgia" in the 17th century?
We casually joke about feeling nostalgic, but how did doctors actually treat "nostalgia" in the 17th century?
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If a husband and wife in medieval Germany had an unsolvable dispute, how did the law legally allow them to settle it?
If a husband and wife in medieval Germany had an unsolvable dispute, how did the law legally allow them to settle it?
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What terrifying mental delusion completely convinced King Charles VI of France that he couldn't let anyone touch him?
What terrifying mental delusion completely convinced King Charles VI of France that he couldn't let anyone touch him?
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The globally recognized Hollywood sign in Los Angeles wasn't built for the film industry. What was its original purpose?
The globally recognized Hollywood sign in Los Angeles wasn't built for the film industry. What was its original purpose?
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What was the original identity of the iconic Statue of Liberty before she became an American symbol of freedom?
What was the original identity of the iconic Statue of Liberty before she became an American symbol of freedom?
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Which modern-feeling technology is shockingly older than the invention of the telephone, the car, and the lightbulb?
Which modern-feeling technology is shockingly older than the invention of the telephone, the car, and the lightbulb?
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Why did young female factory workers in the 1920s literally glow in the dark before suffering horrifying illnesses?
Why did young female factory workers in the 1920s literally glow in the dark before suffering horrifying illnesses?
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