history facts

  • 1800s-historical-figures-strange-hobbies

    18 Historical Figures from the 1800s Who Had Strange Hobbies

    From Ada Lovelace's betting algorithms to John Muir's storm-riding treetop climbs, discover 19th-century historical figures with strange hobbies.

    Peel back the polished biographies and you’ll find that many 19th-century historical figures unwound in ways that were, delightfully odd, to say the very least. From storm-surfing in treetops to sleeping in a coffin for “inspiration,” their free time reads…

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    16 Historical Figures That Could Be The Greatest Humans To Ever Live

    These 15 legendary figures left an unforgettable mark on history—see who made the list of humanity’s greatest minds.

    When we look back throughout history it’s far too easy to get caught up on humanity’s shortcomings. This could be because it’s a valuable practice to learn from our mistakes. However, we’re going to shake things up and take a…

  • A split image shows a vintage sketch of a muzzle-like device on the left and a man with gray hair eating a tomato on the right. The sketch includes labels for different parts of the device.

    Genius or Madness? 10 of the Most Unusual Patents Ever Filed

    The world of innovation has always been propelled forward by bursts of creativity. However, not every idea ends up being…

    The world of innovation has always been propelled forward by bursts of creativity. However, not every idea ends up being destined for ultimate greatness. In fact, throughout the years, numerous patents have been filed for inventions that seem entirely devoid…

  • Two historical portraits: Left, a man with a long white beard in a black and white image. Right, a man in 18th-century naval attire gazing to the side in a color painting.
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    15 Portraits and Photos of Famous Early Explorers That Carved Paths Across the Globe

    Before there were the paved roads and industrious cities that we see nowadays, early explorers were forced to set out…

    Before there were the paved roads and industrious cities that we see nowadays, early explorers were forced to set out and brave the great unknown. With a relentless commitment toward finding new, undiscovered lands, the early explorers mapped out the…

  • Left side: A cowboy on horseback overlooks a herd of cattle on a grassy plain. Right side: Four men stand in front of a saloon labeled "Man at the Wheel," with one man on the roof holding a wheel. The scene captures a historical Western vibe.
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    20 Wild West Myths That the History Books Got Wrong

    The Wild West has numerous myths regarding its rich history. It’s no wonder. Hollywood especially loves to dramatize various historical…

    The Wild West has numerous myths regarding its rich history. It’s no wonder. Hollywood especially loves to dramatize various historical events that took place in the Wild West way back in the day. For instance, you might be surprised to…

  • Left image: A tank lies abandoned in a forested area, partially submerged in muddy water. Right image: Tanks rest on the ocean floor, covered in sediment, with marine life swimming nearby.
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    19 Abandoned Tanks That Were Left To Rust Away

    Scattered across eery fields, forests, and other unforgiving terrain, there’s something unmistakably unsettling about a tank that’s been evacuated in…

    Scattered across eery fields, forests, and other unforgiving terrain, there’s something unmistakably unsettling about a tank that’s been evacuated in a hurry. You just know that something went terribly awry to result in the tank being abandoned. We’re not sure…

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    17 Significant Mistakes That Were Committed Throughout History

    Not all mistakes deal the same level of impact. Some mistakes that might even seem minor enough at their onset…

    Not all mistakes deal the same level of impact. Some mistakes that might even seem minor enough at their onset will only end up going on to unleash all kinds…

  • Left: A group of lumberjacks in the 1910s pose with a large saw in a forest. Right: Lumberjacks from the 1800s cut down a massive tree using a large saw and axes. Both scenes highlight historical logging practices.
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    15 Striking Images of Lumberjacks Who Ruled the Forests in the Early 1800s and 1900s

    Mountainous trees, enormous saws, and unrivaled physical endurance are all elements that serve to make up what it is to…

    Mountainous trees, enormous saws, and unrivaled physical endurance are all elements that serve to make up what it is to be a lumberjack. This couldn’t have rung more true than…

  • Close-up of several shiny gold bars on a dark surface. The bars are engraved with fine details, including numbers, a stamp, and the word "GOLD." The focus is on the front bar, while others are slightly blurred in the background.
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    15 of History’s Greatest Gold Heists From 1940-1960

    Between the years 1940 and 1960, numerous impossibly daring gold heists occurred, and many are still entirely enshrouded in mystery.…

    Between the years 1940 and 1960, numerous impossibly daring gold heists occurred, and many are still entirely enshrouded in mystery. These heists would occur within war zones, financial centers, and…

  • Two paintings side by side with price tags. Left: A floral still life with a price of $55 million. Right: A portrait of a person in historical attire with a price of $100 million.
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    12 Artistic Masterpieces That Vanished From The Canvas of History

    These 12 artistic masterpieces mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind stories of intrigue, theft, and loss.

    Throughout history art has been used as a powerful form of expression, capturing moments of beauty and emotion, but also moments of sheer terror. Unfortunately, some of the world’s most…

  • Black and white image split into two parts. Left: A woman in a leather jacket named Amelia Earhart (1937). Right: A man in a suit and hat, named Percy Fawcett (1925). Both are shown in historical attire with labels.
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    15 Famous Explorers Who Vanished Without a Trace

    Throughout history, explorers have daringly adventured into the great unknown. The range of explorers striking gold and then sadly disappearing…

    Throughout history, explorers have daringly adventured into the great unknown. The range of explorers striking gold and then sadly disappearing into the abyss is startling, to say the least. We’ll…

  • Black and white photo of a man with a prison number tag "3999." On the right, a color image shows a hand turning a key to open a safety deposit box. A text overlay reads, "$5 million in bearer bonds.
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    12 of the Greatest Heists From 1920-1940 With Loot That Was Never Recovered

    These 12 daring heists from 1920 to 1940 left behind mysteries, missing loot, and legends that still intrigue today.

    Between the years of 1920 and 1940, the world witnessed the dawn of a golden age of risk-taking and truly ingenious heists that had never before been seen. Whether it…

  • Composite image of a black-and-white photo of a man in a vehicle labeled "Jimmy Hoffa (1913–1975)" on the left, and a color photo of a large statue labeled "Genghis Khan (1162–1227)" on the right.
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    15 Historical Figures Whose Final Resting Places Remain Unknown

    Over the course of history there have been numerous historical figures whose final resting places have somehow eluded the rest…

    Over the course of history there have been numerous historical figures whose final resting places have somehow eluded the rest of society. With all of the high tech tools available…

  • Split image of two women: Left, a historical black-and-white portrait of a woman with dark hair in an updo, wearing a high-collared striped dress; Right, a black-and-white close-up of a woman with wavy hair and a thoughtful expression.
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    10 Legendary Female Historical Figures That Deserve Far More Recognition

    It's high time that we pay our proper respects towards the female historical figures that are undeniable legends. Get ready for a rush of new history knowledge.

    I’ve been on a history facts kick as of late, and it’s high time that we pay our proper respects toward some of the world’s female historical figures that deserve…

  • Left: A seated woman holds a sleeping baby, with a young girl standing beside them, inside a dimly lit space. Right: An older man carrying a large sack climbs onto a train, wearing a hat and coat. Both are in black and white.
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    17 Surprising Facts About Life During the Great Depression

    The Great Depression is viewed by people as being one of the most devastating crises to impact America. We'll take a look at some surprising facts from the time.

    If you’ve been living in this wild world for a bit of time, then you’ve likely heard plenty of talk about the Great Depression. The Great Depression was easily one…

  • Left: A space rover with solar panels and a metallic body on a dark background. Right: A large hovercraft with propellers, docked on a sandy shore near water.
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    12 of the Most Atrocious Financial Decisions Made In History

    We all make terrible financial decisions at least once in our lives. For some, that means buying a new watch…

    We all make terrible financial decisions at least once in our lives. For some, that means buying a new watch just to lose it a week later, or buying a…

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    12 Military Leaders In History That Committed Catastrophic Fails

    Some military leaders in history are remembered for the utterly catastrophic fails that they committed. This is one of those lists that recognizes those fails.

    The old saying about how hindsight is 20/20 rings painfully true for the military leaders that made this list. It can be hard to maintain one’s wits when you’re in…

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    15 Tiny Overlooked Moments In History That Could’ve Changed The Course of the World

    Explore 15 tiny, overlooked moments in history that had the potential to alter the world as we know it.

    There are an insane amount of things that the history books simply don’t bother telling us about. Sometimes, in fact, it’s what can seem to be the smallest moments in…