20 Hilarious Historical Facts They Didn’t Teach You in School
HISTORICAL FACTS
We use everyday objects without a second thought, but some of them have hidden histories, surprising purposes, or mind-blowing facts that will make you see them in a whole new light. From the secret behind toothbrush bristles to the unexpected origin of bubble wrap, these 20 unbelievable facts about everyday items will leave you amazed!
1. A Pope Declared War on Cats
Pope Gregory IX declared that black cats were instruments of Satan in the 13th century, leading to mass cat exterminations. The resulting rat population boom contributed to the spread of the Black Plague. Cats: 1, Humans: 0.
2. The Dutch Once Ate Their Prime Minister
In 1672, Dutch Prime Minister Johan de Witt was killed and cannibalized by an angry mob. They were upset with his leadership, but eating him? Talk about taking politics too seriously!
3. A Man Survived Two Atomic Bombs
Tsutomu Yamaguchi survived both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings in 1945. He was in Hiroshima on business, survived the blast, returned home to Nagasaki—and survived again. That’s some next-level bad (and good) luck!
4. The “Year of the Elephant” Was Real
In 570 AD, an army with elephants tried to invade Mecca but was stopped when birds dropped stones on them. The event was so legendary it became known as the “Year of the Elephant.” Take that, war elephants!
5. Ancient Persians Voted While Drunk
The Persians believed that important decisions should be made twice—once while sober and once while drunk. If the decision was the same both times, it was considered sound. Bottoms up for democracy!
6. The Great Stink of London
In 1858, the Thames River smelled so bad due to untreated sewage that Parliament had to be evacuated. They finally built a modern sewage system to avoid future “great stinks.” Talk about a stinking political situation!
7. An Emperor Tried to Make His Horse a Senator
Roman Emperor Caligula loved his horse Incitatus so much that he tried to make it a senator. He gave the horse a marble stall, servants, and even planned to make it a consul. Neigh means neigh!
8. King Tut Was Buried with a Dagger from Outer Space
King Tutankhamun was buried with a dagger made of iron from a meteorite. Ancient Egyptians considered meteorites “metal from the gods.” Talk about out-of-this-world bling!
9. The “Dancing Plague” Happened More Than Once
While the most famous case was in 1518, there were multiple instances of “dancing plagues” where people danced uncontrollably for days. The cause is still a mystery, but mass hysteria and food poisoning are the top theories.
10. Julius Caesar Was Kidnapped and Insulted His Captors
When pirates kidnapped Julius Caesar, he demanded they raise his ransom because he felt he was worth more. He also promised to come back and crucify them—and he did! Confidence level: Julius Caesar.
11. A Japanese Emperor Gave Up Power to Become a Hermit
Emperor Uda of Japan retired from power in 897 AD to live as a Buddhist monk. He gave up wealth, power, and luxury to live in the mountains. Sometimes, the royal life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!
12. The Boston Molasses Disaster Was a Real Thing
In 1919, a giant molasses storage tank burst in Boston, sending a 25-foot wave of molasses through the streets. It destroyed buildings and killed 21 people. Death by molasses—what a sticky situation!
13. Vikings Used Urine to Start Fires
Vikings collected a fungus called “touchwood” and soaked it in urine for months. The sodium nitrate in urine made it easy to ignite, helping them start fires quickly. Viking ingenuity (and bladder control)!
14. People Used to Blame Farts on Evil Spirits
In medieval Europe, it was believed that evil spirits were responsible for foul-smelling farts. People even carried “pomanders” (perfume-filled balls) to ward off the “evil” smells. Blame it on the spirits!
15. A Man Sneezed for 978 Days Straight
From 1981 to 1983, Donna Griffiths from the UK sneezed every few seconds for 978 days. Doctors never found the cause. Bless you... for nearly three years!
16. The Eiffel Tower Was Once Yellow
When it was completed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was painted a reddish-brown. In 1899, it was painted yellow before changing to its current bronze color. The Parisian skyline almost looked a lot sunnier!
17. King Charles VI Thought He Was Made of Glass
King Charles VI of France believed he was made of glass and wore reinforced clothing to protect himself from shattering. This “Glass Delusion” was a rare mental illness among royals in the Middle Ages.
18. A U.S. Town Elected a Goat as Mayor
In 2019, a small town in Vermont elected a goat named Lincoln as honorary mayor. Her “political agenda” included eating grass and bleating at her constituents. Who knew goats could be so charismatic?
19. People Once Used Spiders as Band-Aids
In ancient Greece and Rome, people used crushed spiders to treat wounds and infections. They believed spider webs had healing properties, and modern science agrees—they’re rich in Vitamin K!
20. A War Lasted 335 Years (Without Any Fighting)
The Isles of Scilly and the Netherlands were technically at war from 1651 to 1986 but never fired a single shot. They finally signed a peace treaty in 1986, ending the “longest war” in history.
Which Historical Fact Made You Laugh the Most?
Which of these funny historical facts surprised or entertained you the most? Do you know of any other hilarious moments from history? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to share this list with your friends—after all, laughter is the best history lesson!