History is often thought of as a fixed record of facts, but in reality, it is shaped by how stories are told, retold, and simplified over time, and people tend to get details wrong with the pass of time.
Many things people “know” about the past are actually myths, misunderstandings, or exaggerations so embedded in popular culture that no one questions anymore.
These misconceptions often arise from propaganda, national pride, or the human tendency to prefer simple narratives over complex truths. They can also come from outdated teaching methods, mistranslations, or romanticized retellings that gained traction in art and literature.
By looking more closely at these mistaken beliefs, we can gain a clearer understanding of history itself and also insight into how societies construct and preserve collective memory.
1
Paul Revere rode alone to warn “The british are coming”
He was part of a network of riders, was briefly arrested, and didn’t shout the famous phrase.
2
Einstein failed math in school
He was advanced in mathematics, mastering calculus before age 15. The myth comes from a grading misunderstanding.
3
Abraham Lincoln freed all slaves with the emancipation proclamation
It only applied to Confederate states in rebellion, not Union states or areas already under federal control.
4
Romans used vomitoriums to purge food
A “vomitorium” referred to passageways in amphitheaters for crowds to exit quickly, not a room for vomiting.
5
The Library of Alexandria’s burning destroyed all ancient knowledge
While tragic, knowledge was widely copied and preserved in other libraries and cultures.
6
Croissants are french
They originated in Austria (the kipferl) and were later popularized in France
7
The U.S. singlehandedly won world war II
The Allies worked together; the Soviet Union bore the brunt of Naz* fighting, with Britain and others critical too.
8
Cowboys were mostly white americans
Many were Black, Mexican, and Native American. Hollywood erased this diversity in Western films.
9
Marie Antoinette said “let them eat cake”
The phrase existed long before her and there’s no record of her saying it. It was likely propaganda.
10
Historical life expectancy was only 30 years
This figure is skewed by infant mortality. Many adults lived into their 60s or older if they survived childhood.
11
Cancer and heart disease are modern illnesses
They existed historically, but people often didn’t live long enough for chronic diseases to develop or be diagnosed.
12
Columbus proved the earth was round
Most scholars already knew this; the real dispute was about the Earth’s size and the distance to Asia.
13
Salem “witches” were burned at the stake
In Salem, accused witches were hanged; burning was more associated with European witch trials.
14
People in the middle ages thought the earth was flat
Educated Europeans knew the Earth was spherical since antiquity; medieval scholars studied Greek and Roman astronomy.
15
Vikings wore horned helmets
No archaeological evidence supports this; the image comes from 19th-century operas and romanticized art.
16
The Great Wall of China is visible from space
It’s long but narrow; it blends with the landscape and isn’t visible to the naked eye from space.
17
Spices were used to hide rotten meat in medieval times
Exotic spices were expensive. If someone could afford them, they could afford fresh meat.
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