14 Historical Events That Were Nothing Like the Textbooks Said
Explore 14 historical events that defy textbook narratives, revealing the complexities and truths often overlooked in traditional accounts.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
History books often tell simple versions of big events, but the truth is usually more complicated. This list shows 14 moments that are not what they seem — like misjudged people or forgotten disasters. These stories help us see the past more clearly and remind us to ask more questions.
1. The Great Wall of China Is Not Visible from Space
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas on Wikimedia Commons
Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen from space with the naked eye. Astronauts have confirmed that it’s challenging to spot due to its narrow width and the materials blending with the natural landscape.
2. Einstein Was Not a Poor Student
Ferdinand Schmutzer on Wikimedia Commons
The myth that Albert Einstein failed math is unfounded. In reality, he excelled in mathematics from a young age, mastering complex concepts well before his peers.
3. Nero Did Not Fiddle While Rome Burned
shakko on Wikimedia Commons
The tale of Emperor Nero playing the fiddle as Rome burned is a myth. The fiddle didn’t exist at the time, and historical accounts suggest Nero was not in Rome during the fire and assisted in relief efforts upon his return.
4. Salem Witches Were Not Burned at the Stake
Joseph E., ca. 1837-1914, artist. on Wikimedia Commons
Unlike European practices, those accused during the Salem witch trials were not burned but were mostly hanged. This distinction highlights differences in colonial American and European judicial practices.
5. Vikings Did Not Wear Horned Helmets
Telewizja Boleslawiec, 2018 on Wikimedia Commons
The iconic image of Vikings wearing horned helmets is a product of 19th-century romanticism and popular culture. Archaeological evidence suggests that Viking helmets were practical and typically lacked horns.
6. Columbus Did Not Discover America
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
While Christopher Columbus’s voyages were significant, he never set foot on the mainland of North America. Indigenous peoples had inhabited the continent for thousands of years, and Norse explorers like Leif Erikson reached parts of North America centuries earlier.
7. The Emancipation Proclamation Did Not Free All Slaves
Georg Olden on Wikimedia Commons
Issued in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for slaves in Confederate states but did not apply to border states loyal to the Union. Slavery was abolished nationwide with the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865.
8. Napoleon Was Not Extremely Short
Jacques-Louis David on Wikimedia Commons
Napoleon’s height was recorded as 5'2" in French feet, equivalent to about 5'6" in modern measurements, which was average for his time. The myth of his short stature was propagated by British propaganda.
9. The Tulsa Race Massacre Was Long Ignored
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
In 1921, a white mob destroyed the prosperous Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing hundreds and decimating businesses. This event was omitted from many history books for decades.
10. The Taiping Rebellion Was One of the Deadliest Conflicts
Augustus F. Lindley on Wikimedia Commons
The Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864) in China resulted in over 20 million deaths. Despite its scale, it is often overlooked in Western historical narratives.
11. The Great Molasses Flood Was a Real Disaster
BPL on Wikimedia Commons
In 1919, a massive molasses tank burst in Boston, releasing a wave that killed 21 people and caused widespread damage. This sticky catastrophe is a lesser-known historical event.
12. The Year Without a Summer Was Caused by a Volcano
Giorgiogp2 on Wikimedia Commons
In 1816, global temperatures dropped, leading to widespread crop failures and famines. The “Year Without a Summer” was the result of the massive eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, which spewed ash into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and disrupting global climate patterns.
13. Pocahontas’s Story Was Romanticized
Thanhouser Company (Life time: N/A) on Wikimedia Commons
The popular tale of Pocahontas saving John Smith is largely a myth. Historical records suggest that her interactions with English settlers were more complex and political, and the dramatic rescue story was likely fabricated or exaggerated by Smith himself.
14. Benjamin Franklin Didn’t Discover Electricity
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis on Wikimedia Commons
While Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment demonstrated that lightning is electrical, he didn’t discover electricity itself. Electrical phenomena were studied by scientists before him; Franklin’s contribution was in understanding the nature of electricity and its properties.