19 Historical Facts You Won’t Believe Are Actually True
Some stories from the past are so strange and unbelievable that they sound like fiction. Yet, history has recorded events that can leave you amazed or even confused. These surprising historical facts prove that the truth is often stranger than any made-up story.
- Tricia Quitales
- 6 min read
History is filled with moments that defy logic and expectation, making us question what we think we know. From powerful rulers with strange habits to wild coincidences and mind-blowing inventions, the past holds secrets that can truly shock us. Each of these facts is not only true but backed by historical evidence. Prepare to see history from a completely new perspective.
1. Napoleon Was Once Attacked by a Horde of Rabbits
Andrea Appiani on Wikimedia
Napoleon Bonaparte once organized a rabbit hunt for his men, but the event took a wild turn. Instead of running away, the rabbits charged at the soldiers in huge numbers. It turns out that the handlers had brought tame, farm-raised rabbits that thought they were being fed.
2. President Andrew Jackson Had a Parrot That Swore at His Funeral
Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl on Wikimedia
Andrew Jackson had a pet parrot named Poll that was known for its foul mouth. During Jackson’s funeral, the parrot reportedly began cursing so loudly it had to be removed. Witnesses were both shocked and amused by the bird’s behavior.
3. Cleopatra Lived Closer to the iPhone Than the Pyramids
Guido Cagnacci on Wikimedia
Cleopatra VII ruled Egypt around 30 BCE, while the Great Pyramid of Giza was completed around 2560 BCE. That means she lived over 2,000 years after the pyramid and about 2,000 years before the invention of the iPhone. The timeline makes modern technology and ancient history seem oddly connected.
4. The Eiffel Tower Can Grow Taller in Summer
Pixabay on Pexels
Due to heat, metal expands, and so does the Eiffel Tower. In hot summer months, it can grow more than six inches taller than its usual height. This physical change surprises many who think of buildings as unchanging structures.
5. A War Was Fought Over a Bucket
Jakson Martins on Pexels
The War of the Oaken Bucket was a real conflict between two Italian cities in 1325. The entire war began because soldiers from Modena stole a wooden bucket from Bologna. Though it sounds petty, the battle led to hundreds of deaths and a lasting rivalry.
6. A Chicken Lived for 18 Months Without a Head
Todd Trapani on Pexels
In 1945, a chicken named Mike survived after a farmer failed to fully behead it. The chicken continued to walk, balance, and even gain weight. Scientists later found that enough of Mike’s brainstem remained to keep its body functions going.
7. The Shortest War in History Lasted Only 38 Minutes
Unidentified, from the Royal Engineers collection on Wikimedia
In 1896, the Anglo-Zanzibar War broke out and quickly ended in just 38 minutes. It was between the British Empire and the Sultan of Zanzibar, who refused to step down. The swift defeat set a record for the world’s shortest war.
8. Pope Gregory IV Tried to Exterminate Cats
Unknown author on Wikimedia
In the 13th century, Pope Gregory IV believed cats, especially black ones, were connected to devil worship. He ordered a mass extermination of cats across Europe. Ironically, this may have helped spread the Black Death due to the rise in rat populations.
9. The Dancing Plague of 1518 Made People Dance to Death
Hans Holbein on Wikimedia
A strange event in Strasbourg in 1518 caused people to dance nonstop for days. Some danced until they collapsed from exhaustion or even died. Historians still debate whether it was caused by disease, poison, or mass hysteria.
10. A Man Survived Two Atomic Bombs
George R. Caron on Wikimedia
Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima during the atomic bombing in 1945. He survived and returned to his hometown of Nagasaki, only to be bombed again days later. Miraculously, he lived through both attacks and lived into his 90s.
11. A Pope Declared a Cadaver Guilty in a Trial
Jean-Paul Laurens on Wikimedia
In the 9th century, Pope Stephen VI held the “Cadaver Synod” where he put the dead body of Pope Formosus on trial. The corpse was dressed in papal robes and propped up in court. The trial ended with the body being found guilty and thrown into the river.
12. The Great Emu War Was Lost to Birds
Unknown author on Wikimedia
In 1932, Australia declared war on emus because the large birds were damaging crops. Despite using machine guns, the soldiers failed to reduce the emu population significantly. The birds outran and outsmarted the humans, making the campaign an embarrassing defeat.
13. The Library of Alexandria May Have Burned Multiple Times
O. Von Corven, Colorized by K. Vail Abdelhamid on Wikimedia
Most people believe the Library of Alexandria was destroyed once and for all. In truth, it suffered damage several times under different rulers and invasions. Its final loss may have been a slow decline rather than a single dramatic fire.
14. A Baby Was Once Elected Pope
Pixabay on Pexels
Legend says a boy named Pope John XII was elected at just 18 years old. While not a baby, he was extremely young and reportedly treated the Vatican more like a party house. His scandalous reign ended when he was killed by a jealous husband.
15. Ancient Romans Used Urine as Mouthwash
1st century CE Roman artist Lucius; photo by Buzz Ferebee on Wikimedia
Romans believed the ammonia in urine had cleaning powers. They used it to bleach clothing and, shockingly, to rinse their mouths. Today, this sounds disgusting, but back then, it was seen as practical and effective.
16. The CIA Tried to Spy Using Cats
Pavel Kuznetsov on Pexels
During the Cold War, the CIA launched “Operation Acoustic Kitty,” which involved turning cats into listening devices by surgically implanting recording equipment inside them. The mission failed almost immediately when the first spy cat was hit by a taxi.
17. Einstein Was Offered the Presidency of Israel
Ferdinand Schmutzer / Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia
After the death of Israel’s first president, Albert Einstein was offered the role in 1952. Though honored, he declined because he felt he lacked the experience for political leadership. The world’s most famous physicist stayed focused on science instead.
18. Hitler Was Once Named Time’s Man of the Year
Anefo on Wikimedia
In 1938, Time magazine chose Adolf Hitler as “Man of the Year,” not as praise, but due to his influence on global events. The title goes to the person who most affected the news, for better or worse. It remains a controversial choice to this day.
19. A Woman Gave Birth While Skydiving
Diana ✨ on Pexels
In 2004, a woman went into labor mid-skydive and gave birth soon after landing. Though she didn’t deliver in the sky, the event led to a surprisingly fast labor. Doctors later said the adrenaline might have triggered the early birth.