Some Lesser Known Historical Facts

Orange Lightning

Historical facts reveal surprising events, forgotten moments, and influential figures that shaped know  the world, offering insights into humanity's past, here are some things to know.

1

The Great Emu War

Australia once declared war on  emus, large flightless birds, after they caused widespread damage to crops.

2

Cleopatra's Greek Heritage

Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh  of Ancient Egypt, was actually  of Macedonian Greek origin, a descendant of Ptolemy I.

3

Ancient Roman Concrete

The concrete used by ancient Romans was so durable that some of their structures, like the Pantheon, still stand today.

4

The First Marathon

The first marathon was inspired by the Greek soldier Pheidippides, who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens.

5

The Oldest University

The University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD in Fez, Morocco,  is considered the world’s oldest operating degree-granting university.

6

Napoleon’s Shortness Myth

Napoleon Bonaparte was often thought to be very short, but in reality, he was around 5'6" to 5'7".

7

The Eiffel Tower’s Secret Apartment

Gustave Eiffel, the engineer behind the Eiffel Tower, built a small apartment at the top of the tower.

8

The Dancing Plague

In Strasbourg, France, dozens of people inexplicably began dancing in the streets, sometimes for days without stopping.