20 News Stories from the Past That Were Totally Fake
Explore the most outrageous fake news stories in history that fooled millions and rocked the world before being exposed as complete fabrications.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
Fake news isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s been around for centuries. From hoaxes that caused public panic to fabrications that made headlines worldwide, misinformation has shaped opinions and sparked controversies. Here’s a look at 20 of the most bizarre, misleading, and totally fake news stories from the past that captured public attention before the truth came out.
1. The Great Moon Hoax (1835)
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The New York Sun published a series claiming that life had been discovered on the moon, including bat-like humanoids and lush landscapes. Readers were enthralled, and the paper’s circulation soared.
2. Hitler’s Diary Discovered (1983)
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German magazine Stern claimed to have found Adolf Hitler’s personal diaries, sparking global interest. Experts were brought in, and initially, the documents seemed legitimate. However, further analysis showed they were crude forgeries created by a German con artist.
3. War of the Worlds Radio Panic (1938)
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Orson Welles’ dramatic radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel led listeners to believe Earth was under alien attack. The broadcast caused mass hysteria in several areas of the U.S. as people fled their homes. Although a disclaimer was given, many tuned in late and missed it.
4. The Dihydrogen Monoxide Scare (1997)
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A high school science fair project went viral, warning of the dangers of “dihydrogen monoxide” — also known as water. The scientific-sounding name tricked many into thinking it was a harmful chemical.
5. Balloon Boy Incident (2009)
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News channels breathlessly reported a six-year-old boy trapped in a runaway weather balloon over Colorado. The nation watched live coverage of the supposed emergency. Hours later, it turned out the boy had never been in the balloon — he was hiding at home as part of a publicity stunt.
6. Saddam’s “Human Shredder” (2003)
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British media claimed Saddam Hussein used industrial shredders to execute political prisoners. The shocking detail stirred international outrage and supported war rhetoric. However, no evidence was ever found to support the claim.
7. The Bat Boy Sightings (1992)
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Weekly World News published a sensational story about a half-bat, half-boy creature discovered in a cave. The image went viral in tabloids and sparked numerous spin-off tales.
8. Obama’s Birth Certificate Controversy (2008-2011)
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Conspiracy theorists insisted Barack Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. despite releasing his Hawaiian birth certificate. The false story persisted for years, driven by media speculation and political agendas.
9. Alien Autopsy Footage (1995)
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British producers released what they claimed was footage of a U.S. government autopsy on an alien from the Roswell crash. Networks around the world aired it, and debate erupted. Years later, the filmmakers admitted it was staged with props and actors.
10. The Pentagon’s “Gay Bomb” (2005)
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News broke that the Pentagon had considered a chemical weapon to make enemy troops “sexually irresistible” to each other. The story was based on a real military proposal — but sensationalized beyond context.
11. The Loch Ness Monster Photo (1934)
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The iconic photo of “Nessie” peeking from the water convinced millions of the monster’s existence. For decades, it was seen as proof of the creature. In 1994, the image was revealed to be a hoax involving a toy submarine and plastic.
12. Paul Is Dead Theory (1969)
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Rumors swirled that Paul McCartney died in a car crash and was secretly replaced. Clues were said to be hidden in the Beatles’ lyrics and album covers. Fans obsessively decoded supposed hints.
13. The Boston Marathon Bomber’s Wrong ID (2013)
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Following the bombing, Reddit users misidentified a missing student as a suspect. The name was picked up by media outlets, spreading false information. The student’s family was harassed and devastated.
14. Manti Te’o’s Fake Girlfriend (2012)
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Notre Dame football star Manti Te’o spoke publicly about the death of his girlfriend. Later, it was uncovered that she never existed — he had been catfished. The hoax captured media attention and raised questions about online relationships.
15. The Killer Clown Panic (2016)
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Reports of clowns luring kids into the woods and threatening people spread nationwide. Videos surfaced, schools issued warnings, and arrests were made. Most of the incidents were pranks or fabrications.
16. Pope Endorses Trump Headline (2016)
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A viral fake story claimed Pope Francis had endorsed Donald Trump for president. It racked up millions of shares on Facebook. The Vatican quickly denied the endorsement, calling it fiction.
17. The Y2K Global Meltdown (1999)
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As the year 2000 approached, news warned that computers would crash and systems would fail worldwide. People stockpiled goods and feared financial collapse. January 1 arrived with barely a glitch.
18. The Nigerian Astronaut Email Scam (2004)
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An email circulated claiming a Nigerian astronaut was stuck in space and needed help getting home — with a promise of millions in return. It was a spin on the classic email scam formula.
19. Facebook Charging for Access Rumor (2011)
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Posts claiming Facebook would soon charge users unless they posted a certain status spread like wildfire. People rushed to copy and paste warnings on their timelines. Facebook had to publicly debunk the rumor.
20. The Death of Jon Bon Jovi (2011)
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Reports flooded social media claiming the rock star had died. Fans mourned, tributes were posted, and media scrambled. Hours later, Bon Jovi posted a photo proving he was alive.