“Those Who Do Not Learn From History are Doomed to Repeat It”. This meaningful quote is attributed to writer and philosopher George Santayana and it helps to explain why it is so important to learn facts about history. History uses documents, memories, collections and all other types of data to document the past.
This article covers 301+ facts about history you might not know. They range from Christopher Columbus to Rosa Parks to the Civil War to World War Two and much inbetween.
Here are 301+ facts about history you might not know
Alas, the world did not learn the lessons of World War 1. Many existing tensions between countries were not resolved and new conflicts formed among the countries that emerged after World War 2. Rather than strengthen the League of Nations, countries strengthened their arsenals.
New technologies were incorporated, making World War 2 more deadly than any previous war. Around 73 million people died during World War 2. It truly was a world war, with significant battles fought on every continent except South America and Antarctica.
Japan was actually involved in peace talks with the United States when it launched the attack on Pearl Harbor. There had been growing tensions between the two countries since the 1920s.
The Japanese wanted to secure their dominance in the Asian Pacific Region with a devastating series of attacks against the United States and British Navy in Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Here are 10 interesting facts about Peart Harbor you might not know.
You’ve probably heard the word D-Day being used with reference to a past war or major battle. We even use it colloquially today when we know it’s the final day to take action. For example, if you have a major deadline at work, you may say to your team, “today is D-Day,” but do you know exactly what this means and the significance around it? Let’s find out.
D-Day facts are fascinating, even more than 50 years after the D-Day invasion took place, there are still so many interesting things about the tragic day being uncovered that are very interesting.
We’ve gathered interesting facts about the day June 6th, 1944, when the large-scale invasion of Normandy, France took place and changed the course of World War II. D-Day is seen as the turning point in World War II, one that dictated the rest of the war.
Otherwise known as the Revolutionary War, the revolution was a period of time where the residents of American colonies rose up against their colonial rulers, the British crown. It was a moment that defined a group of people and birthed a new nation that was no longer bound by government rules and taxes they had no say in.
These few years lead to some pivotal moments in history but what actually happened? Most people have a general idea but read on to learn 17 facts about the American Revolution that you probably didn’t know.
The Battle of Gettysburg lasted from July 1, 1863, to July 3, 1863. It was the bloodiest confrontation of the Civil War.
It was fought between two sides. Confederate General Robert E. Lee guided the Army of Northern Virginia into battle, while Union General George G. Meade led the Union Army of the Potomac. Over the span of three days, both armies suffered heavy losses.
The Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most analyzed US wars ever fought. It marked a profound turning point in the Civil War and it was the beginning of the end for the Confederate Army. Travel back in time as you discover these interesting and lesser-known facts from the battlefield.
Here are 13 Facts about the Battle of Gettysburg you might not know
Even 150 years after his death, interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln continue to fascinate us. We’re intrigued by Abraham Lincoln Facts, who is judged by many to be the greatest president in the history of the United States.
Lincoln grew up in modest surroundings as a farm boy on the Illinois frontier. He had a tough childhood but was incredibly hard-working and determined to overcome any challenges he faced.
Abraham Lincoln kept the country together during the Civil War and he ended slavery in the United States. Perhaps it’s these Abraham Lincoln facts that keep us interested so many years on and keep historians busy researching his life and legacy.
Martin Luther King Jr. is an icon of American history. Learning facts about Martin Luther King Jr gives us an insight into the history of the United States and the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
As a Baptist minister, Martin Luther King Jr. took many principles from his Christian beliefs. Interesting facts about Martin Luther King Jr tell us about the man that was at the forefront of the Black struggle for civil rights in the 1960s.
The consequences of the Civil War can still be felt today, although it was fought 150 years ago.
One of the most interesting facts about the Civil War is that this was the first war to be extensively documented with photographs. Perhaps it’s the photographs of the soldiers that draw us in and make us want to learn more about the Civil War.
There was a terrible loss of life on both sides of the Civil War. The emergence of railroads allowed troops and resources to be quickly mobilized, resulting in many bloody battles.
Despite the bloody nature of the war, Civil War facts continue to enthrall us. Here are 20 Interesting Facts about the Civil War You Might Not Know.
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of America and is also known as JFK. Here are 17 interesting facts about JFK you might not know.
On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima in Japan. It killed more than 80,000 people and wiped almost 90% of Hiroshima off the map.
Three days later another Atomic bomb was dropped over the city of Nagasaki. It killed more than 35,000 people. As a result of the bombings, Japan surrendered and World War II came to an end.
Here are 37 Interesting facts about the atomic bombs that hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as atomic weaponry in general, which you might not know.
Many of the Christopher Columbus facts we have are taken from secondary sources that have been confirmed by other sources and historians. Because Columbus lived so long ago, primary evidence has in many cases been lost.
Here are 10 interesting facts about Christopher Columbus
Did you know that only 80% of Viking children survived past 5 years old? If a child was sick or weak, the parents would either abandon the child or throw them in the sea. Find out more fascinating - and sometimes ruthless - facts about Vikings in my article
The state of Georgia is located in the southeastern part of the United States. Its terrain spans across beautiful coastal beaches, farmland, and rugged mountains.
It is best known for being the “Peach State” (which you may have guessed from Justin Bieber’s song Peaches) and being the home state of iconic Civil Rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Georgia is full of history and interesting facts. Keep reading to dive into 17 of the most interesting facts about Georgia Colony.
Did you know that he location of King Harold’s body remains unknown to this day? Find out more fascinating facts about The Battle of Hastings in my article
King Henry VIII was one of the most important figures in England’s history. He was known for many things but there are still some interesting facts about King Henry VIII that you might not know about.
He was an eccentric man who was fashionable and loved the arts but what else is there to the King who broke England away from the Roman Catholic Church?
George Washington never actively sought to be Commander-in-Chief or President. However, when the circumstances required, and the time was right, he stepped up and took command.
He never shied away from a fight. However, he did not immediately want to fight the British. It was only after what he considered British violations of human rights that he took action and became an active part in the War for Independence in America and later the leader of the armed forces.
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who became a symbol for Blacks struggling for equal rights in the Southern United States in the 1950s and 1960s.
The most well-known of the Rosa Parks facts is that she was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a White person in Montgomery, Alabama. Her case drew national attention and she became a symbol of The Civil Rights Movement.
Between 1965 and 1975, the US was formally involved in a war in Southeast Asia. On the face of it, it was about assisting the people of South Vietnam against the regime of North Vietnam. In reality, it was a much broader global conflict of ideologies. These 45 fascinating facts about the Vietnam War are sure to shed some light on the truth.
The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, lasted longer than the American Revolution, and World War Two. Most would argue it was about the US attempting to stop the spread of Communist influence in SouthEast Asia.
Whatever the reasons, it resulted in millions killed, many more wounded, and nations forever changed. Let’s find out more interesting, strange, and surprising facts about the Vietnam War.