Historians, much like X (formerly Twitter) users, love to argue. They constantly unearth new evidence, challenge established narratives, and reevaluate the past with fresh perspectives.
So, Reddit user SleepDeprivedCultist asked everyone on the platform to share what they believe are the largely forgotten moments that actually contributed a lot to shaping the world we live in — the so-called "losers" of the discourse, if you will.
Immediately, people started showing off their knowledge, and the thread, paradoxically, turned into yet another fight for the spotlight.
#41
Facebook started the events feature in 2005 and groups feature in October 2010. In December 2010, Tunisia overthrew its government and revolution spread through the Arab world. Egypt, Libya, Syria…all organized through two features on Facebook.
17points
#42
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. It was a pivotal event resulting in the end of Roman expansion into northern Europe, ending at the Rhine. Thus leading to the culture clash that continues between Southern and Northern Europe that continues to this day, and has led to so many other conflicts such as the Reformation and the Thirty Years War.
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17points
#43
One of Herman Cortés’s rival conquistadors was a guy called Pánfilo de Narvaez. He turned up in Veracruz in 1520 with an African slave on board his ship, named Francisco Eguía. Eguía had smallpox and seems to be the first recorded case of the disease in the Americas.
The entire history of the Colombian exchange, colonialism, and the New World would have been drastically different if that infection had never taken hold.
I guess it was inevitable that *someone* would have brought smallpox to the Americas, but the people who did are mostly forgotten to history.
The entire history of the Colombian exchange, colonialism, and the New World would have been drastically different if that infection had never taken hold.
I guess it was inevitable that *someone* would have brought smallpox to the Americas, but the people who did are mostly forgotten to history.
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17points
#44
The invention of the humble shipping container. Maybe not a 'moment' per se but definitely an event. Nothing flashy but its impact is immense. Just try to imagine global trade today without standardized shipping containers. They completely revolutionized trade, making it faster, safer, and cheaper. Every item you see around you - chances are it arrived in your country in a shipping container. It's easy to take for granted now, but this system increased the efficiency of transport and reduced costs dramatically, effectively enabling globalization as we know it today.
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16points
#45
The invention of the mechanical clock and the invention of the pendulumclock 350~ years later.
Seeing how much a lot od our systens now rely on accurate timekeeping and all the discoveries and inventions that were made because we kept creating more and more accurate timekeepers, this was massive breakthrough.
Seeing how much a lot od our systens now rely on accurate timekeeping and all the discoveries and inventions that were made because we kept creating more and more accurate timekeepers, this was massive breakthrough.
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15points
#46
The Battle of the Metaurus (207 BC)
Hasdrubal Barca, brother of Hannibal, was on his way to reinforce him in Italy. He was defeated in this battle, which led to the decline of Carthage and secured the ascendancy of Rome.
Hasdrubal Barca, brother of Hannibal, was on his way to reinforce him in Italy. He was defeated in this battle, which led to the decline of Carthage and secured the ascendancy of Rome.
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13points
#47
Prince Arthur dying, thus leading to his brother becoming king of England.
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12points
#49
Aquinas making Aristotle's The Rhetoric important again.
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11points
#50
The Tampa Crisis in Australia.
John Howard’s “We will decide who comes to this country and the way in which they come!” has impacted Australian politics for the last 20+ years, and has influenced immigration policy all over the world (and not in a good way).
F**k John Howard and his cruel policies.
John Howard’s “We will decide who comes to this country and the way in which they come!” has impacted Australian politics for the last 20+ years, and has influenced immigration policy all over the world (and not in a good way).
F**k John Howard and his cruel policies.
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10points