History Facts

107 facts tagged with History Facts

Nicholas Alkemade

Nicholas Alkemade, a pilot during World War 2, survived falling 18,000 feet after jumping from a burning Lancaster bomber.

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585 BC Solar Eclipse

In 585 BC, a solar eclipse occurred in the middle of a battle between the Lydians and the Medes. They promptly ceased fighting and signed a peace treaty.

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Alexander Selkirk

Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor, was left stranded on a deserted island in 1704, but survived for over 4 years, partly by using feral cats to protect him from ravenous rats that attacked during the night.

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Derinkuyu Underground City

In 1963, a man found a mysterious room behind a wall in his home that lead to a huge underground city that once housed up to 20,000 people, complete with schools, livestock pens, and food stores, dating back over a millennium.

87

Stud Poker

"Stud Poker" got its name when a drunk Civil War vet gambled a horse.

9

Vegetarian Gladiators

Ancient gladiators were mostly vegetarians whose diet consisted mainly of grains, beans, and dried fruit, washed down with a vinegar and plant ash tonic.

Candle Clocks

Before clocks, there were candle clocks that when burned, indicated the passage of periods of time. To set an alarm, you pushed a nail into the desired point and the nail would fall and clank on the metal holder.

68

Costa Rica Military

In 1948, Costa Rica abolished its military and spends the money on education and culture instead.

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