Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The Most Wholesome Historical Facts They Know

Make us preferred on Google

Studying history can often seem depressing because there's no shortage of horrible events that have befallen humanity. From wars to famine to human rights abuses on a large scale, why should the average person think there's anything in the historical record worth smiling over?

Believe it or not, history isn't all doom and gloom, and that's what makes it so fascinating. Even the darkest times have borne witness to surprising displays of humanity, as we were so kindly reminded once Redditor SOUNDWAV3_2075 asked the online community, "What are some wholesome historical facts not taught in school?"


"In 2006..."

In 2006, while the Ivory Coast was in the midst of a civil war, the opposing sides agreed to a ceasefire so that they could all watch the World Cup. The break in fighting paved the way for a peace agreement a year later.

Lethal_bizzle94

"During the Revolutionary War..."

During the Revolutionary War a British general left his dog behind during a chaotic retreat. When the Continental Army found the lost dog, George Washington had a messenger go under a truce flag to return the dog to its owner.

thefuzzybunny1

"Abraham Lincoln..."

Giphy

Abraham Lincoln grew his famous beard because a little girl said he would look better with one.

Wrasserman

"During World War II..."

During World War II, a German fighter pilot spotted a damaged American bomber, and rather than shooting it down, he decided to escort it to safety. Decades later, the two pilots found each other and became friends.

Matthicus

"The India-Pakistan border..."

The India-Pakistan border is one of the most disputed ones in the world, giving rise to the world renowned hostilities between India and Pakistan. There was a time once, a prominent Indian singer (namely Lata Mangeshkar) had gone to perform a concert for the soldiers there. As soon as the show began, Pakistani troops started firing rounds in the air, yelled obscenities and said," We want to hear her voice too!!" So Indian forces turned up the speakers and pointed them towards the border. Pakistani forces returned the favour when prominent Pakistani singers came to perform for them.

submitsan

"Pennsylvania was founded..."

Pennsylvania was founded by Quakers who believed that the "light of God" shined in everyone regardless of ethnicity or religion. They were known for treating the indigenous people relatively well and welcomed the first synagogue in North America in Philadelphia.

Max_J_Powers

"In the late 1930s..."

After Commodore Perry forced the opening of Japan to foreign trade, Japan signed many unequal treaties with Western nations. 1888, Mexico signed another treaty with Japan, but Mexico viewed Japan as an equal. The 1888 Mexican-Japanese treaty was the first time a Western nation treated Japan as an equal.

In the late 1930s, fascism was advancing through the world and no one dared to oppose it. Except for Mexico. Mexico was the only country that openly protested against the Japanese invasive of Manchuria, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, Italian and German involvement in the Spanish Civil War (along with the USSR), and finally, the German annexation of Austria.

ThePeasantKingtM

"In the Second World War..."

In the Second World War, British Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross because a German Admiral who witnessed his gallantry in action wrote to the British and recommended the award.

TheGallant

"He wrote it..."

Horton Hears a Who was written for a Japanese friend of Dr. Seuss immediately following WWII. He wrote it as an allegory about the importance of forgiveness and humanity in a time where much of the world was still bitter at Japan for their role on the war. Horton represents the United States who speaks up for Whoville, the Japanese, to remind them that "a person is a person no matter how small."

JupiterTarts

"Tutankhamun's..."

Tutankhamun's most prized possession was his meteoritic iron dagger. Museum visitors are impressed by the gold.

wdsoi

Do you have something to confess to George? Text "Secrets" or ":zipper_mouth_face:" to +1 (310) 299-9390 to talk to him about it.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Stella Parton
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images

Dolly Parton's Sister Accuses Republicans Of Rigging Voting Machines In Tennessee After Alarming Incident

Stella Parton, a performer in her own right from a family of talented singers that included her older sister Dolly, has consistently been far more vocal online than her legendary sibling when it comes to social causes and politics. Stella Parton has never held back on voicing her support for social justice and basic human rights and her opposition to fascism, oppression, and bigotry.

And she doesn't mince words when she calls things, or people, out.

Keep ReadingShow less
Natalie Nunn; North West
Paras Griffin/Getty Images; Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

Reality TV Star Pulls 'Uno Reverse' After North West Dresses As Her For Halloween With Exaggerated Chin

Halloween is supposed to be all fun and games! But when you choose your costume, choose wisely—unless you want someone to return the favor.

North West, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's 13-year-old daughter, usually presents several Halloween costumes per year, as is the norm among celebrities, who usually do one costume per week or one per day in the final days leading up to Halloween.

Keep ReadingShow less
Russell Brand
Jonathan Brady/PA Images/Getty Images

Russell Brand's Resurfaced Confession About Repeatedly Kicking His Dog Down The Stairs Has The Internet Livid

Former UK comedian and actor Russell Brand is on trial for alleged assault against six women, including three charges of rape, three charges of sexual assault, and one charge of indecent assault. Brand pleaded not guilty and denies the charges.

The charges stem from his conduct from 1999 to 2009. Concerns about his behavior arose in 2023 when a 90-minute episode of the UK show Dispatches investigated his treatment of women.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Barack Obama
@atrupar/X

Obama's Hilariously Accurate Joke About Trump's White House Renovations Has The MAGA Faithful Up In Arms

President Donald Trump's supporters were unhappy with former President Barack Obama for comparing President Donald Trump's White House renovations to the Cheesecake Factory at a rally on Saturday.

Trump has given significant attention to White House renovations and other pet projects around Washington, D.C. during his second term in office. Trump's White House renovations have already cost nearly $1 billion, according to one analysis.

Keep ReadingShow less