History Facts

    History Facts

    History is rich with fascinating and sometimes unbelievable things, so learn more about it with this regularly-updated list of history facts.

    101
    Because metal was scarce; the Oscars given out during World War II were made of plaster.
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    102
    In Ancient Greece, if a woman watched even one Olympic event, she was executed.
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    103
    There was a bear called Wojtek who was adopted by Polish soldiers during WW2. It carried ammunition, wrestled with soldiers, and drank beer.
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    104
    Ancient Greeks believed that redheads turned into vampires after they died.
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    105
    A WW2 observation pilot, bored of not being in combat, decided to strap 6 bazookas to his plane. He destroyed several enemy tanks and vehicles. His name was Lt. Col. Charles Carpenter, aka Bazooka Charlie / The Mad Major.
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    106
    London's Pall Mall became the first street lit by gaslight in 1807!
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    107
    "Yo momma" jokes/insults were invented by Shakespeare.
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    108
    Ancient Romans at one time used human urine as an ingredient in their toothpaste.
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    109
    Henry Ford was Charles Lindbergh's first passenger in the Spirit of St. Louis.
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    110
    Roman Farting Edict
    Roman Farting Edict
    After hearing of a man who almost died from holding in farts whilst dining, Emperor Claudius is said to have proclaimed an edict that allowed Romans to fart at the dinner table.
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    111
    The Canadian province of New Brunswick (which was part of the UK at the time) had a bloodless war with the US state of Maine in 1839
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    112
    Queen Elizabeth II served as a mechanic and driver in World War 2.
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    113
    The Grateful Dead were once called 'The Warlocks'.
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    114
    The oldest patented company logo is the red triangle of Bass beers!
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    115
    During World War 1, Harry Houdini took 1 year off performing to help sell war bonds and teach american soldiers how to escape from German handcuffs.
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    116
    In 1799, a boy found a 17lb. rock in a creek in North Carolina and used it as a doorstop. It was actually gold.
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    117
    Rocket Mail
    Rocket Mail
    In 1959, the USPS attempted to deliver mail via cruise missile and successfully shipped 3,000 pieces of mail from Virginia to Florida in 22 minutes.
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    118
    The first coast-to-coast telephone line was established in 1914.
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    119
    Tickling was a form of torture used in ancient China on nobility because it left no mark and recovery was quick.
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    120
    Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: spades - King David, clubs - Alexander the Great, hearts - Charlemagne, and diamonds - Julius Caesar.
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