21 Myths That Will Change Everything You Know About The History

Regardless of whether history class had you snoozing or on the edge of your seat, there’s a universal truth: many of us harbor misconceptions about the past. The journey of historical facts through time is fraught with alterations and embellishments, transforming into a breeding ground for misinformation. As these altered truths are handed down through generations, distinguishing fact from fiction becomes a Herculean task. This phenomenon isn’t just about trusting secondhand tales—it’s about the critical examination of what we accept as truth.

In the spirit of enlightenment, we’ve delved deep to unearth some of the most pervasive historical myths that have been mistakenly accepted as facts. From the wild tales of the Wild West to the nuances of notable events like Columbus’s voyage, prepare to have your understanding of history challenged and corrected. Our exploration isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a call to question and learn with a discerning eye.

The Forbidden Fruit Was an Apple

The specific type of fruit that Eve ate in the Genesis story remains unidentified in the biblical text. Various interpretations exist, including “figs,” as suggested by the narrative of Adam and Eve covering themselves with fig leaves. Alternatives like “wheat or grapes” and even “pomegranate” have been proposed by scholars and religious traditions.

This diversity of speculation reflects the symbolic nature of the story over the literal details, with each interpretation offering a different cultural or theological insight into the origins of human knowledge and sin.

Einstein Flunked Math

Contrary to popular belief, Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant minds in history, did not flunk math. The myth suggests that even Einstein faced academic hurdles, which is comforting yet misleading. Einstein’s hiccup occurred during a college entrance exam, failing not in mathematics but in botany, zoology, and languages.

In reality, Einstein had mastered differential and integral calculus before the age of 15. This narrative has been debunked by Einstein himself, who found amusement in the misrepresentation of his mathematical prowess. Thus, the image of Einstein struggling with math is far from accurate; he was a mathematical genius through and through.

Marie Antoinette Said, “Let Them Eat Cake”

The phrase “Let them eat cake” is often attributed to Marie Antoinette, symbolizing detachment from the common people’s plight. However, this quote was first mentioned in Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s autobiography, incorrectly associated with Marie-Therese, not Antoinette.

Moreover, Antoinette was only nine years old when the autobiography was published and was far from the French throne. Additionally, the original phrase, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche,” translates to a luxury bread, not cake, further distorting the tale. This misconception serves as a reminder of how historical figures can be misquoted and misunderstood.

Cars Were Invented in America

The common misconception that the automobile was an American invention, epitomized by Henry Ford’s Model T, overlooks the true pioneers of automotive technology. Ransom E. Olds holds the distinction of selling the first vehicle in the United States in 1901, while Nicolas Joseph Cugnot is credited with creating the first steam-powered vehicle in 1769, the Cugnot Fardier.

This invention, a three-wheeled truck designed for the French military, predates Ford’s innovations by over a century, highlighting a broader history of automotive development that spans beyond American contributions.