11 Interesting Historical Facts That Sound Made Up But Are Actually True
By
maks in
History
On 31st January 2024
History is full of interesting stories and facts. From captivating details about significant events to little-known facts about well-known people and everyday items, there's always something new to discover that can lead you on an exciting journey of learning.
Every so often, you might stumble upon a historical fact that seems almost unbelievable, yet it's completely true. For history enthusiasts like us, these surprising truths are often the most intriguing and memorable parts of our exploration into the past.
Napoleon Bonaparte Bankrolled The Invention Of Canned Food
In the 1790s, the formidable military leader Napoleon Bonaparte was faced with a significant logistical challenge: efficiently and practically feeding his troops.
This issue was particularly acute for soldiers and sailors who found themselves on extended campaigns and journeys, often unable to obtain adequate food supplies.
The existing methods of food preservation, such as drying and smoking, were not meeting the needs of Napoleon's forces during the turbulent times of the French Revolutionary Wars.
In response to this, in 1795, Napoleon sponsored a competition offering a prize of 12,000 Francs to anyone who could devise a better technique for preserving large quantities of food safely for longer periods and enhancing their taste.
The competition was ultimately won by Nicolas Appert, who essentially invented the process of canning food, although it would take years to perfect.
Appert, a candymaker by profession, experimented by placing food in jars, sealing them with corks and wax, and then boiling them, similar to the wine bottling process. He would go on to publish his pioneering technique in 1810.
Following Appert's innovation, French engineer Philippe de Girard began experimenting with tin cans as an alternative to glass jars.
Tin, being lighter and less fragile than glass, significantly improved the efficiency of transporting food.
De Girard's patent for this canning process was eventually bought by Bryan Donkin, who opened the first commercial food canning factory in 1813, marking a pivotal moment in the history of food preservation.
Tootsie Rolls Sent To US Marines Came In Handy For Patching Bullet Holes
The Tootsie Roll, a popular candy invented by Leo Hirschfield in 1896, was named after his daughter Clara's nickname.
These candies, which were initially sold for a penny and have evolved into various flavors and shapes, played an unexpected role during World War II.
They were included in the supply kits given to U.S. troops. More than just a source of sugar, Tootsie Rolls had a unique role during the Korean War in 1950.
According to Retired Major Dave Vickers, these chewy candies proved useful in a rather unusual and unforeseen way, stemming from a misunderstanding.
During the Korean War, a Marine used the code 'Tootsie Rolls' when requesting more mortar ammunition.
However, the person receiving the call was unaware of this code and sent actual Tootsie Rolls.
This error turned out to be serendipitous, as the Marines used the candies for much-needed energy.
In the extreme cold, they also discovered that the Tootsie Rolls could be warmed and used to patch bullet holes in their vehicles, demonstrating the candy's unexpected versatility in a combat situation.
Alexander Von Humboldt Learned A Dead Language From A Parrot
Alexander von Humboldt, a renowned geographer and naturalist, dedicated many years to exploring various regions of the world, making extensive notes on his interactions with diverse cultures, animals, and plant life.
Born in Germany, Humboldt was proficient in several languages, including Spanish and French, which he used extensively during his travels in South America from 1799 to 1804.
It was during his time in what is now modern Venezuela that he encountered an intriguing linguistic phenomenon involving parrots.
Humboldt was fascinated to discover that these parrots were the sole speakers of a language no longer used or understood by the local human populations.
Recognizing the importance of this discovery, he made it his mission to document as many words as he could from these parrots.
Humboldt took one of these parrots back to Europe, where they together played a crucial role in preserving the Maypure language, a dialect of the Atures people, who had become extinct about forty years earlier.
Jimmy Carter's Mother Helped Deliver His Wife, Rosalynn
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who tied the knot on July 7, 1946, have shared nearly a lifetime of memories together, having known each other since their earliest days.
Rosalynn Carter, born Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in 1927 in Plains, Georgia, was introduced to Jimmy Carter in a rather unique way.
When Rosalynn's mother, Allie, was in labor, Lillian Carter, Jimmy's mother and a nurse by profession, assisted with the delivery.
A few days after Rosalynn was born, Lillian brought her young son, Jimmy, then only three years old, to see the newborn baby.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's romantic relationship began much later, with their first date occurring in 1945.
Jimmy was immediately smitten and felt certain they would eventually marry.
However, Rosalynn initially turned down his marriage proposal.
Fortunately, she later had a change of heart, leading to a marriage that has lasted for decades.
One Of The First Dogs To Live At The White House Was Named 'Satan'
John Adams holds the distinction of being the first U.S. President to occupy the White House.
Assuming the role of the nation's second president, Adams moved into the White House in November 1800.
He was later joined by his wife, Abigail, and their two dogs, Juno and Satan.
Abigail Adams was particularly fond of dogs, especially Juno, and expressed this affection in a letter she wrote in 1811 to her cousin Caroline Smith De Windt:
As if you love me, proverbially, you must love my dog, you will be glad to learn that Juno yet lives, although like her mistress she is gray with age. She appears to enjoy life and to be grateful for the attention paid her. She wags her tail and announces a visiter [sic] whenever one appears.
John Adams was also responsible for the construction of the first stables at the White House and had a horse named Cleopatra on the premises.
His decision to have pets in the White House set a precedent that was largely followed by subsequent presidents.
Only a few, namely Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump, did not keep pets during their presidency.
However, Andrew Johnson did have an unusual habit of feeding mice he found in the White House.
Persians Debated Important Topics Twice - Once Drunk, Once Sober
In ancient Persia, there was a unique practice among its people when it came to making significant decisions.
They would deliberate on important matters while inebriated and then revisit their decisions the next day when sober.
This intriguing method of decision-making was recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus:
It is also their general practice to deliberate upon affairs of weight when they are drunk; and then on the morrow, when they are sober, the decision to which they came the night before is put before them by the master of the house in which it was made; and if it is then approved of, they act on it; if not, they set it aside.
This process was not limited to just one approach.
Sometimes, the Persians would start their deliberations sober and then reconsider the matter under the influence of alcohol.
Sometimes, however, they are sober at their first deliberation, but in this case they always reconsider the matter under the influence of wine.
The extent to which this 'double debate' approach, involving both sober and inebriated deliberations, was practiced in ancient Persia is uncertain.
It's unclear whether it was a common practice among all men and women or if it was primarily reserved for officials and diplomats.
Regarding Herodotus, the fifth-century BCE historian who documented these practices, there is limited information about his life.
However, it is believed he was born in Halicarnassus, which is now part of modern Turkey, thus making him a subject of the vast Persian Empire during his time.
James Scott Was Convicted Of Causing The Great Flood Of 1993 Because He Wanted To Go Out And Party
In 1993, the Mississippi River reached unprecedented heights, leading to a critical need for reinforcing flood barriers along its banks.
The situation was particularly dire in West Quincy, Missouri, where a levee constructed from sandbags managed to hold back the rising waters until the night of July 16, when it ultimately gave way.
This breach marked the beginning of what would be known as the Great Flood of 1993.
Michele McCormack, a local reporter, was near the site when the levee broke and interviewed James Scott, who she found in the vicinity.
Scott, appearing on live television, claimed that he had repositioned some sandbags to fortify a weak section of the levee, left to grab a drink, and upon his return, discovered that the levee had failed.
Authorities were initially skeptical of Scott's account due to his past criminal record. He was arrested in October 1993 on charges unrelated to the flood but ended up confessing to tampering with the levee while in custody.
Despite his confession, Scott maintained that his actions were not intended to cause a flood:
My town was in trouble The folks in Quincy and in West Quincy were about to lose everything. That's why I went down to that levee. I had no plans to hurt anything. They needed help, so I helped.
Further investigation revealed that Scott had boasted to friends about his desire to breach the levee.
His alleged motive was to leave his wife stranded on the Missouri side of the river so he could enjoy nights out, partying and meeting other women.
Scott faced trial in November 1994 for intentionally causing the Great Flood of 1993.
He was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, but this sentence was later vacated due to prosecutorial misconduct.
A second trial in 1998, which included new scientific evidence in Scott's defense, sought to address what soil scientist David Hammer described as a conviction based on hearsay. Despite these efforts, Scott was once again convicted and received a life sentence.
By 2013, Scott continued to assert his innocence regarding the levee's failure, stating, 'If my actions caused it [the levee] to fail, that wasn't my intention. But, you know, to this day, I don't believe my actions caused the levee to fail.'
The Great Flood of 1993 is considered one of the most destructive and costly floods in U.S. history, with the U.S. government estimating that it affected over 20 million acres of land and caused approximately 15 to 20 billion dollars in damages.
Lusia Harris Was The First Woman Officially Drafted By The NBA
Lusia Harris was a standout basketball player at Delta State University in Mississippi during the 1970s.
Not only was she a key player on her team, but she also held the distinction of being the only Black member.
Under her leadership, the team secured three Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women national championships before the NCAA included women's basketball in 1982.
Harris was celebrated for her impressive scoring abilities and received multiple MVP awards for her contributions on the court.
Harris furthered her basketball career by playing for the U.S. National Team at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
In 1977, she made history by being selected by the New Orleans Jazz in the seventh round of the NBA draft.
This selection was significant as she was not the first woman to be drafted into the NBA, but hers was the first draft choice to be officially recognized.
Previously in 1969, Denise Long, a 19-year-old from Iowa, was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors straight out of high school, a practice not permitted in the league at the time, leading the NBA to invalidate the selection.
The drafting of Long was considered by many to be a publicity stunt by Franklin Mieuli, the owner of the Warriors, who was also starting a women's league around the same period.
Harris, however, did not join the Jazz, as she was pregnant at the time of the draft.
Nevertheless, her selection stood, making her the first woman to be officially drafted by the NBA.
Gladiator Sweat Was A Hot Commodity In The Roman World
Gladiatorial events in ancient Rome were not just combat spectacles but also significant public attractions.
The gladiators, who could be men or women, enslaved or free, often rose to the status of celebrities in their time.
Male gladiators, in particular, were seen as the embodiment of virility and courage and frequently attracted a large following of admirers.
Sally Pointer from the National Museum in Cardiff, Wales, highlighted the popularity of these fighters:
There was a huge following of gladiators, much as they do footballers today.
This widespread fascination with gladiators led to the development of a unique market centered around them.
Their sweat, considered an aphrodisiac, was collected after battles using strigils and then bottled and sold.
According to Sally Pointer, this sweat was also used as a beauty treatment.
In addition to their sweat, the blood of gladiators was believed to have medicinal properties and was thought to be a remedy for various ailments, including epilepsy.
Cigarette Companies Hired Suffragettes To Sell 'Torches Of Freedom'
After World War I, a significant social shift occurred as many women began smoking cigarettes while also assuming roles traditionally associated with men.
This change was further reinforced by the actions of flappers and suffragettes, who also embraced smoking as a form of rebellion against conventional norms.
The act of smoking, once associated with prostitutes and other marginalized women, became a symbol of freedom and independence for a broader segment of the female population.
Tobacco companies seized this opportunity, targeting women as both consumers and spokespeople for their products. George Washington Hill of American Tobacco Company saw the potential in this market, famously stating to advertising pioneer Edward Bernays, "like opening a new gold mine in our front yard."
Tobacco companies employed various strategies to appeal to women.
They marketed cigarettes as appetite suppressants and as symbols of liberation, dubbed 'torches of freedom.'
In a notable publicity stunt orchestrated by Edward Bernays in 1929, women participating in the Easter Parade in New York City, referred to as the 'torches of liberty' brigade, smoked Lucky Strike cigarettes.
They had been hired by Bernays to do so, making the act of women smoking in public more visible and socially acceptable.
Bernays later reflected on the impact of the event, noting, 'For weeks after the event, editorials praised or condemned the young women who had paraded against the smoking taboo'
The stunt was successful, leading to an increase in the frequency of women smoking.
'Hocus Pocus' Likely Evolved From Bastardized Latin
The phrase "hocus pocus" is commonly used by magicians to signify a mysterious or sudden change.
Although the words themselves lack a definitive meaning, they are collectively thought to be a derivative of Latin.
The phrase "hoc est corpus meum" is part of the Latin Mass in Catholicism, translating to "this is my body," and is spoken during the Eucharist, symbolizing transubstantiation.
It is theorized that "hocus pocus" may be a colloquial corruption of this religious phrase.
The origin of the phrase "Hocus Pocus" dates back to the early 1600s during the reign of King James I.
It was during this time that William Vincent, a royal entertainer, adopted 'Hocus Pocus' as his stage name.
Vincent, known as a juggler and trickster, would utter the nonsensical phrase "Hocus pocus, tontus talontus, vade celeriter jubeo," which was designed to sound like Latin but was actually meaningless.
This phrase was part of his act to "blinde the eyes of the beholders," intended to distract and deceive the audience, preventing them from seeing the trickery he was employing.
Over time, the phrase "hocus pocus" became synonymous with acts of street magic and deception, often used in contexts involving trickery or fooling someone.
By the late 17th century, some people began to associate the term "hocus pocus" with a critique of religious practices, particularly transubstantiation, suggesting that the phrase was a mocking imitation of religious rituals.
This sentiment was captured by John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury, in his writings.
And in all probability those common jugling words of hocus pocus are nothing else but a corruption of hoc est corpus, by way of ridiculous imitation of the Priests of the Church of Rome in their trick of Transubstantiation. Into such contempt by this foolish Doctrine and pretended Miracle of theirs have they brought the most sacred and venerable Mystery of our Religion.
