bestunknownfacts.comHistory is filled with jaw-dropping moments and hidden gems that often escape the limelight. Beyond the well-trodden tales of kings, wars, and revolutions, there exist peculiar and fascinating events that defy belief. Here’s a carefully curated list of 10 historical facts so unbelievable, you might think they’re myths—but they’re absolutely true.
1. Einstein’s Brain Was Stolen
After Albert Einstein died in 1955, his brain was removed during the autopsy without his family’s permission. The pathologist, Thomas Harvey, took the brain, claiming it was for scientific study. Harvey kept the brain for decades, slicing it into sections and sending pieces to researchers around the world. While some studies suggested unique features in Einstein’s brain that might explain his genius, the ethics of Harvey’s actions remain deeply controversial. Einstein’s family was initially outraged but later allowed some research under strict conditions. The story of Einstein’s brain highlights the thin line between scientific curiosity and moral boundaries.
2. Cleopatra Lived Closer to the Moon Landing than the Building of the Great Pyramid
It’s hard to grasp the immense span of history sometimes. Cleopatra, the last active ruler of Egypt, reigned around 30 BCE. The Great Pyramid of Giza, however, was completed around 2560 BCE. This means Cleopatra lived over 2,400 years after the pyramid was built but only 2,000 years before humans landed on the moon in 1969. This surprising timeline highlights how ancient the pyramids truly are. Additionally, by Cleopatra’s time, the pyramids were already ancient structures, regarded with awe even by the Egyptians themselves. The moon landing, on the other hand, marked a pinnacle of modern innovation, showcasing humanity’s progress over millennia.
3. Napoleon Was Once Attacked by a Horde of Bunnies
Napoleon Bonaparte may have been one of the greatest military minds in history, but he couldn’t fend off an army of rabbits. During a rabbit hunt organized for him, the gamekeeper released hundreds of rabbits as planned. However, instead of fleeing, the rabbits charged at Napoleon and his men. The scene descended into chaos as rabbits leapt onto the soldiers and their leader. It turned out the rabbits had been farm-raised and associated humans with food, leading to their aggressive behavior. The incident is a humorous reminder that even the most powerful figures can be caught off guard by the simplest of creatures.
4. The Eiffel Tower Was Almost Sold for Scrap Metal
In the 1920s, Victor Lustig, one of history’s most notorious con artists, managed to “sell” the Eiffel Tower not once but twice! Lustig convinced scrap metal dealers that the French government intended to dismantle the iconic monument due to its high maintenance costs. Armed with forged government documents and impeccable charm, Lustig held fake auctions to “sell” the structure. The scam was so elaborate that one dealer even handed over a significant down payment before realizing the truth. Lustig’s escapades earned him a legendary reputation in the annals of con artistry.
5. The Great Emu War of Australia
In 1932, Australia declared war—on emus. Farmers in Western Australia were struggling with massive flocks of emus destroying their crops. The government deployed soldiers armed with machine guns to deal with the birds. However, the emus proved too fast and elusive, using their speed and agility to evade capture or extermination. Despite several campaigns, the military failed to control the population. The “war” ended with the emus triumphing, leaving the Australian government embarrassed. To this day, the Great Emu War stands as a curious chapter in military history, highlighting the unpredictability of nature.
6. Pope Gregory IX Condemned Cats as Evil
In the 13th century, Pope Gregory IX issued a papal decree linking cats, particularly black ones, to witchcraft and heresy. This led to widespread cat exterminations across Europe. The unintended consequence of this decree was an increase in the population of rats and fleas, which were the primary carriers of the Black Death. With fewer cats to control the rodent population, the plague spread more rapidly, killing millions of people. This bizarre historical episode underscores how superstitions and fear can have far-reaching and unintended consequences.
7. George Washington’s Teeth Were Not Wooden
The myth of George Washington’s wooden teeth is widely known, but the truth is even stranger. His dentures were made from a combination of materials, including gold, ivory, lead, and—most disturbingly—human teeth. Some of these human teeth were reportedly purchased from enslaved individuals. This gruesome detail sheds light on the primitive dental practices of the 18th century and the exploitation that was often part of everyday life. Washington’s dental struggles were so severe that he often appeared stiff-jawed in portraits, a side effect of his ill-fitting dentures.
8. A 10-Day Calendar Gap in 1582
When Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, 10 days were removed to realign the calendar with the solar year and the equinoxes. As a result, October 4, 1582, was immediately followed by October 15, 1582. While the change was necessary to correct calendar drift, it caused confusion and resistance in many countries. Some, like Britain, didn’t adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1752, resulting in an 11-day adjustment by then. The reform also sparked conspiracy theories and riots, with people believing they had lost precious days of their lives.
9. A Volcano Eruption Helped Create Frankenstein
In 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted in one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history. The eruption spewed massive amounts of ash into the atmosphere, leading to the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816. The unusual weather caused widespread crop failures and gloomy, cold conditions worldwide. During this time, Mary Shelley was vacationing in Switzerland with Lord Byron and other literary figures. Confined indoors due to the dreary weather, they entertained themselves by writing ghost stories. Shelley’s contribution was “Frankenstein,” a tale that would become one of the most enduring works of Gothic literature.
10. The “Dancing Plague” of 1518
In the summer of 1518, residents of Strasbourg (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) were struck by a bizarre phenomenon: dozens of people began dancing uncontrollably in the streets. The so-called “Dancing Plague” lasted for weeks, with participants dancing until they collapsed from exhaustion or even died. Historical records describe the event in detail, though its cause remains a mystery. Some theories suggest mass hysteria or ergot poisoning (a hallucinogenic mold found in damp rye), while others point to stress-induced psychosis. Regardless of the cause, the Dancing Plague remains one of history’s strangest and most unsettling episodes.
Conclusion
These unbelievable historical facts remind us that truth is often stranger than fiction. They highlight the oddities, quirks, and surprises hidden within the annals of history, challenging our perceptions and leaving us in awe of the past. From mysterious plagues to peculiar personal anecdotes, history is far richer and more unexpected than we often realize.