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50 Fascinating History Facts And Pics You May Not Have Been Shown At School
HistoryNOV 12, 2023

50 Fascinating History Facts And Pics You May Not Have Been Shown At School

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The past can teach us a lot about the present, and might even give us an idea about what to expect from the future.
So in order to better understand our roots, we invite you to take a look at the Facebook page 'History Uncovered.'
It's on a mission to show everyone "the captivating narratives that define our world" and is sharing rarely seen old pictures to do so.
The images come from many different areas, including architecture and construction as well as family life and pop culture. Happy learning!
More info: Facebook

#1 Kane Tanaka Lived To The Age Of 119 (1903 - 2022). Some Context For Just How Long Tanaka Lived: She Was 11 When Ww1 Started, 36 When Ww2 Started, 74 When Star Wars Was Released And 116 When Covid-19 Started

Kane Tanaka Lived To The Age Of 119 (1903 - 2022). Some Context For Just How Long Tanaka Lived: She Was 11 When Ww1 Started, 36 When Ww2 Started, 74 When Star Wars Was Released And 116 When Covid-19 Started
405points

#2 Back In 1971, Close To Winganon, Oklahoma, There Was A Cement Truck Accident

Back In 1971, Close To Winganon, Oklahoma, There Was A Cement Truck Accident
The weight of the mixer was so immense that relocating it wasn't feasible, prompting the decision to abandon it in place.
Over time, the community members took it upon themselves to give the truck a makeover, transforming its appearance into that of a NASA space capsule.
364points

#3 In 1935, A Man From Japan Is Seen Cycling Through Tokyo With A Shoulder-Load Of Soba Noodles

In 1935, A Man From Japan Is Seen Cycling Through Tokyo With A Shoulder-Load Of Soba Noodles
358points

#4 British Soldiers After Their Release From Japanese Captivity In Singapore, 1945

British Soldiers After Their Release From Japanese Captivity In Singapore, 1945
332points

#5 How English Has Changed Over The Years

How English Has Changed Over The Years
315points

#6 In 1957, A 21-Year-Old Yves Saint Laurent Attended Christian Dior's Funeral, Which Marked A Significant Moment In His Life

In 1957, A 21-Year-Old Yves Saint Laurent Attended Christian Dior's Funeral, Which Marked A Significant Moment In His Life
YSL had a deep admiration for Dior, expressing, "Dior fascinated me. I couldn't speak in front of him. He taught me the basis of my art. Whatever was to happen next, I never forgot the years I spent at his side."
What's even more remarkable is the lesser-known story of Christian Dior's younger sister, Catherine. She played a courageous role in the French resistance during World War 2. In 1944, Catherine was captured by the Gestapo, enduring torture before being sent to the Ravensbrück and Buchenwald concentration camps. Remarkably, she survived both camps and was finally liberated near Dresden in 1945.
Upon her return to Paris, Catherine's ordeal had taken a toll on her health, to the point where she was too sick to eat the welcome feast her brother Christian had prepared for her. She went on to testify against the Nazis and received several awards for her acts of resistance, including the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit.
Christian Dior honored his sister by naming his first perfume "Miss Dior" after her. Despite her incredible bravery and resilience, Catherine remained averse to the spotlight, choosing to stay out of the public eye. Her inspiring story continued as she lived to the age of 90 and passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy of strength and courage.
313points

#7 Wooden Leg, A Northern Cheyenne Warrior, Photographed In 1927

Wooden Leg, A Northern Cheyenne Warrior, Photographed In 1927
He was notable for fighting against US Army officer and cavalry commander George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
288points

#8 During The Ming Dynasty, A Method Was Used Where Smallpox Scabs Were Ground Into A Powder And Blown Into The Noses Of Healthy Individuals

During The Ming Dynasty, A Method Was Used Where Smallpox Scabs Were Ground Into A Powder And Blown Into The Noses Of Healthy Individuals
This would result in these individuals contracting a milder form of smallpox, and upon recovery, they would gain immunity to the disease. Although this technique had a 1-3% mortality rate, it was significantly lower than the 20-30% mortality rate associated with smallpox itself. This practice of deliberately exposing healthy individuals to smallpox-infected material in the hopes of providing immunity was known as variolation.
The earliest documented case of variolation involves a Buddhist nun living on a mountain named O-Mei Shan in the southern province of Szechuan, China, during the period between 1022 and 1063 AD. She began practicing variolation after noticing that those who survived smallpox did not contract the disease again. It wasn't until 1796 that English Physician Edward Jenner discovered a vaccination for smallpox. He achieved this by injecting pus from a cowpox sore found on a milkmaid into an eight-year-old boy. Six weeks later, he attempted to infect the boy with smallpox, but the boy did not develop the disease, indicating that the prior exposure to cowpox had protected him from infection.
253points

#9 Cast Of Star Wars Out Of Costume In 1977

Cast Of Star Wars Out Of Costume In 1977
250points

#10 The Final Photograph Of Hachikō Captures The Poignant Story Of A Japanese Akita Dog Celebrated For His Extraordinary Devotion To His Owner, Hidesaburō Ueno

The Final Photograph Of Hachikō Captures The Poignant Story Of A Japanese Akita Dog Celebrated For His Extraordinary Devotion To His Owner, Hidesaburō Ueno
Following Ueno's passing, Hachikō steadfastly waited for over nine years, preserving a heartwarming legacy of loyalty.
In 1924, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University, introduced Hachikō into his life as a beloved pet, residing together in Shibuya, Tokyo. Each day, Hachikō would faithfully await Ueno's return at Shibuya Station after his daily commute. This routine persisted until May 21, 1925, when Ueno tragically succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage while at work. Remarkably, from that point onward until his own passing on March 8, 1935, Hachikō continued to visit Shibuya Station daily, unwaveringly anticipating Ueno's return.
241points

#11 A Crusader Sword, Believed To Be Around 900 Years Old, Was Discovered Off The Northern Coast Of Israel In October 2021

A Crusader Sword, Believed To Be Around 900 Years Old, Was Discovered Off The Northern Coast Of Israel In October 2021
The iron sword, measuring slightly less than 4 feet in length, is thought to have been owned by a Crusader who journeyed to the Holy Land around 1100 AD.
238points

#12 A Replicated Sculpture Of The Giant Short-Faced Bear, Which Inhabited A Significant Portion Of North America Until Approximately 11,000 Years Ago

A Replicated Sculpture Of The Giant Short-Faced Bear, Which Inhabited A Significant Portion Of North America Until Approximately 11,000 Years Ago
These bears could reach a towering height of 12 feet when standing upright.
231points

#13 Over The Years, We Have Allocated A Significant Amount Of Public Space To Accommodate Cars

Over The Years, We Have Allocated A Significant Amount Of Public Space To Accommodate Cars
This illustration was created by Swedish artist Karl Jilg, commissioned by the Swedish Road Administration, to visually represent the extent of public space that has been dedicated to car-related infrastructure and transportation.
225points

#14 Captured In 1914, This Image Portrays A Chest X-Ray Being Taken Within Dr. Maxime Menard's Radiology Division At Cochin Hospital In Paris

Captured In 1914, This Image Portrays A Chest X-Ray Being Taken Within Dr. Maxime Menard's Radiology Division At Cochin Hospital In Paris
Regrettably, Menard would eventually experience the loss of one of his fingers due to the adverse effects stemming from his operation of the X-ray equipment.
216points

#15 Diogenes, An Ancient Greek Philosopher, Gained Fame For His Penchant For Satirizing People

Diogenes, An Ancient Greek Philosopher, Gained Fame For His Penchant For Satirizing People
One memorable incident involved him positioning himself beside an archer who repeatedly missed the target, suggesting it was the safest spot to sit.
On another occasion, Diogenes encountered a young boy, the child of a sex worker, throwing rocks at a crowd. He quietly cautioned the boy, "Be cautious, young one, don't harm your own father."
In a different encounter, when Diogenes requested spare change from a passing man who challenged him to persuade him, Diogenes retorted, "If I possessed the power to persuade you, I'd have convinced you to take a different course."
Diogenes held a strong aversion to Socrates and Plato, even going to the extent of disrupting their lectures by audibly eating food. When Alexander the Great inquired why he was rummaging through garbage, Diogenes replied, "I'm searching for your father's remains, but they are indistinguishable from his slaves' bones."
Diogenes loathed the shallowness and hypocrisy of humans and favored the companionship of dogs. Though often referred to unkindly as "Diogenes the dog," he accepted it as a compliment, remarking, "I am Diogenes the dog. I seek out the kind-hearted, challenge the avaricious, and confront the dishonest."
204points

#16 Korean Couple In Seoul, South Korea, 1904

Korean Couple In Seoul, South Korea, 1904
Today is National Liberation Day, which commemorates the day Korea was liberated from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule.
Just 6 years after this photo was taken (in 1910), Japan would colonize Korea and conduct an all-out war against Korean culture. Schools and universities were forbidden to speak Korean and teach Korean history. Japanese soldiers destroyed more than 200,000 Korean historical documents.⁣

Moreover, Koreans were forced to chop down millions of trees and plant non-native species, effectively changing the landscape and paving the way to rapid urban growth. The Japanese encouraged the development of industries for the primary purpose of supporting Japan's expansion into China and the Pacific.⁣

During wartime mobilization against China in the late 1930s, many Korean men were forced to fight in the front lines while tens of thousands of Korean women were forced to become "comfort women".⁣

By 1939, the Japanese government forced Korean families to change to Japanese surnames. Nearly 80% of Koreans took on Japanese names. Those that refused were not recognized by the state and would not be able send or receive mail or even receive ration cards.⁣

When the Japanese surrendered on August, 15, 1945, Korea was in turmoil. The country was now occupied by both American and Soviet soldiers who failed to reach an agreement on a unified Korea.
On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces, backed by the Soviet Union and China, crossed the 38th parallel and ignited the Korean War. Throughout the war, Seoul, changed hands four times and by the time the war came to an end, 3 million people had died, the majority of whom were civilians. Even to this day, the two Koreas are still technically at war.⁣

Source: Willard Dickerman Straight and Early U.S.-Korea Diplomatic Relations, Cornell University Library⁣ ⁣
195points

#17 Vasily Arkhipov, A Soviet Navy Officer Born In 1926 And Passed Away In 1998, Played A Pivotal Role During The Cuban Missile Crisis In 1962

Vasily Arkhipov, A Soviet Navy Officer Born In 1926 And Passed Away In 1998, Played A Pivotal Role During The Cuban Missile Crisis In 1962
He made the crucial decision to withhold consent for launching a nuclear torpedo from the B-59 submarine, despite the captain's insistence, in response to the U.S. dropping depth charges. This incident occurred while the submarine was in international waters.
The Soviet crew had lost communication with Moscow for several days, creating uncertainty about whether World War 3 had broken out. The captain believed war was underway on the surface and was eager to fire a nuclear torpedo. Compounding the situation, the submarine's batteries were depleting, causing the air conditioning to fail and raising the temperature to over 113°F (45°C). This led to crew members fainting due to carbon dioxide poisoning and low oxygen levels, impairing their judgment.
According to protocol, a nuclear launch required approval from only the captain and the political officer onboard. Arkhipov, a flotilla commander, had intentionally chosen to be aboard the B-59 submarine, although flotilla commanders were not typically found on nuclear submarines. This choice allowed him to transform the two-person approval into a three-person vote. Arkhipov engaged in a heated debate with the two senior officers and, eventually, convinced them to surface and establish contact with Moscow. His determination and decision-making skills ultimately prevented a nuclear war and saved the world from catastrophe.
190points

#18 A Late 19th-Century Victorian Radiator With A Built-In Warming Oven Is A Charming Relic From A Bygone Era

A Late 19th-Century Victorian Radiator With A Built-In Warming Oven Is A Charming Relic From A Bygone Era
These elegant and functional pieces of furniture were indeed designed to serve multiple purposes. While they were traditionally used to keep plates warm before serving food, your creative idea of using it as an underwear and sock drawer during the cold winter months is quite ingenious!
The thought of slipping into warm, toasty undergarments and socks on a chilly winter morning certainly adds a touch of luxury and comfort to the everyday routine. This repurposing of a Victorian warming oven as a storage solution demonstrates how historical artifacts can find new life and meaning in our modern lives. It's a wonderful blend of nostalgia and practicality, creating a unique and cozy experience during the winter season.
185points

#19 In 1924, Ruth Malcomson Was Crowned Miss America At The Age Of 18, Following Her Victory As Miss Philadelphia In 1923

In 1924, Ruth Malcomson Was Crowned Miss America At The Age Of 18, Following Her Victory As Miss Philadelphia In 1923
At that time, the beauty pageant was known as "The Atlantic City Pageant," and the winner bore the title of "The Golden Mermaid."
After her triumph, Malcomson shared her ten rules of beauty, which provided some insight into her approach to maintaining her appearance:
Wake up early.
Enjoy a substantial breakfast.
Engage in regular exercise.
Abstain from alcohol.
Recognize the detrimental effects of smoking.
Spend time outdoors.
Opt for a light lunch.
Partake in a satisfying dinner.
Retire early to bed.
Prioritize getting enough sleep.
Although her list contains no groundbreaking revelations, it is noteworthy that she was aware of the harmful effects of smoking, especially at a time when many doctors themselves were enthusiastic smokers. This era is exemplified by a 1930 poster featuring a doctor in a white coat endorsing Lucky Strike cigarettes, claiming that "20,679 physicians say Luckies are less irritating."
Regarding her hairstyle, the intentionally unkempt look was in vogue during the 1920s. It's possible that the pageants being held in Atlantic City near the beach contributed to the distinctive appearance of her curly hair, as factors such as humidity, wind, and saltwater may have played a role in emphasizing its natural texture.
184points

#20 In November 1946, While Capturing A Portrait In Warsaw, A Photographer Employs A Personal Backdrop To Conceal The Remnants Of Poland's World War II Destruction

In November 1946, While Capturing A Portrait In Warsaw, A Photographer Employs A Personal Backdrop To Conceal The Remnants Of Poland's World War II Destruction
180points
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