The Lies We Embrace: 11 Historical Misconceptions You Still Believe
History, as they say, is written by the victors, but the myths and misconceptions also color it passed down through generations. These historical ‘facts’ often shape our understanding of the past, becoming woven into the tapestry of our cultural narratives.
As Mark Twain wisely noted,
But what if we told you that some of the most enduring stories you’ve come to believe are, in fact, far from the truth?
1. Did Columbus Suffer from Flat Earth Phobia or Have We All Been Duped?
Contrary to the popular image of medieval thinkers fearing to sail too far lest they fall off the edge, ancient Greeks like Pythagoras and Aristotle already suspected the Earth was spherical based on observations of lunar eclipses. Eratosthenes even calculated Earth’s circumference accurately around 240 BC.
2. Mother Teresa was not as humanitarian as you think.
The conditions in her facilities were substandard, they lacked proper medical care and hygiene. She accepted donations from dubious sources and was selective in providing medical treatment based on religious beliefs. She even tried to protect a guy who was raping small boys. She actually believed people should suffer the way Jesus suffered.
There are hundreds of works justifying this you can verify it.
3. Napoleon: The Tiny Tyrant or Tall Tale?
Napoleon was approximately 5 feet 6 inches, which was close to the average height for Frenchmen of his time. His reputation for being short likely stemmed from the confusion between French and British measurement units.
4. Viking Warriors: Fearless on Land, But Did They Need Horns on Their Heads?
Despite the iconic imagery, no archaeological evidence of Vikings wearing horned helmets in battle exists. Such headgear would have been impractical, providing opponents with something to grab onto.
4. Columbus: World Explorer or Lost Tourist Looking for India?
Columbus did indeed reach the Americas in 1492, but he mistakenly believed he had reached Asia. Indigenous peoples had already inhabited the continents for millennia. He even assaulted the natives, involved in rape cases, and essentially Columbus was a murderer, tyrant, and scoundrel.
5. George Washington: Founding Father or Woodwork Enthusiast?
Washington suffered from dental issues and had several sets of dentures, but none were made of wood. They were crafted from materials like human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory.
6. Marie Antoinette: Heartless Queen or Victim of Cakey Misinformation?
The queen during the French Revolution, reportedly quipped, “Let them eat cake,” when informed that her hungry peasant subjects lacked bread. How thoughtful.
“Let them eat cake”
Marie Antoinette
But, this famous quote attributed to Marie Antoinette was likely the result of political propaganda. There’s no credible historical evidence that she uttered these words.
7. Einstein’s Fuzzy Math: Did He Fail, or Did Math Fail Him?
Einstein was an exceptional student, particularly in mathematics and physics. Historical records do not support the myth of his poor performance in school.
Here is a funny but true historical fact.
11. This guy was insane, he attempted to cure impotence by transplanting goat testicles into humans.
John R. Brinkley, this guy wasn’t your average doctor – he believed in the transformative power of goat glands. Picture this: he thought implanting goat testicles into people could turn back the clock on aging. Move over, a fountain of youth; we’ve got the ‘baa-ck in time’ treatment. Brinkley claimed that implanting goat testicles into humans could rejuvenate and restore vitality.
Operating primarily in the 1920s and 1930s, Brinkley performed thousands of these surgeries and became a wealthy and influential figure. However, his methods were widely criticized by the medical community, and he faced legal challenges. In 1930, the Kansas Board of Medical Registration and Examination revoked his medical license.
The medical community wasn’t thrilled. They gave him the boot and a stern reminder that, in the world of real medicine, goats are better suited for the petting zoo than the operating room.