Introduction:
The history of the world is a vast and interesting topic, full of surprising facts and figures. From fascinating scientific breakthroughs to unexpected developments in the political landscape, there’s a lot to learn about what happened before we were even born. We’ve gathered 15 of the most incredible and interesting facts about world history, so you can impress everyone you know with your knowledge. Read on to learn about some of the most incredible and unexpected moments in world history!
Fact 1: Ancient Paper Money In China
Paper money was first developed in China as early as the sixth century CE. It was initially used in the form of merchant notes and allowed traders to quickly and easily exchange goods and services. By the tenth century, rulers had adopted paper money as a form of taxation, with different areas of the country issuing their own currency.
Fact 2: Julius Caesar’s Assassination
The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE has gone down in history as one of the most infamous political assassinations of all time. A group of senators, led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, ambushed Julius Caesar while he was attending a session of the Senate. Caesar was stabbed 23 times and later died of his injuries.
Fact 3: The First Calculator
The first mechanical calculator was created by the German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in the seventeenth century. The machine was capable of calculating products and division of numbers and could also perform various types of square root calculations. The device was made of over four thousand parts and was considered a marvel of engineering for its time.
Fact 4: The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built to protect the country from Northern invasions. It’s made up of sections of walls built by different Chinese dynasties between the sixth century BCE and the seventeenth century CE. At over 6,400 km in length, it’s considered one of the greatest feats of engineering of all time.
Fact 5: The Founding of Rome
The traditional foundation of Rome is said to have taken place in 753 BCE, when the city was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus. The brothers were cast out into the river and were saved by a she-wolf, who nursed them until they were found and adopted by a shepherd. According to legend, the city was then named after the brother, Romulus, who had killed his twin in a disagreement.
Fact 6: The Black Death
The Black Death was a devastating pandemic that swept through Europe in the fourteenth century. It is estimated that up to 60% of the European population was wiped out by the disease. The Black Death is believed to have been caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis.
Fact 7: The First University
The first university in the world was established in 1088 in Bologna, Italy. The university was built to teach law and was soon followed by similar institutions in Europe, such as the University of Oxford in 1096 and the University of Paris in 1150.
Fact 8: The American Revolution
The American Revolution was a war fought between the British Empire and its North American colonies. The war began in 1775 and lasted until 1783, ending in the colonies gaining their independence. The war was instrumental in the formation of the United States as an independent nation.
Fact 9: The French Revolution
The French Revolution was a period of political upheaval that began in 1789 and lasted until 1799. The Revolution saw the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a new republican government. The Revolution brought about significant changes in the way France was governed, with the implementation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen as the country’s new constitution.
Fact 10: The Invention of the Steam Engine
The steam engine was invented in the late eighteenth century by the Scottish inventor James Watt. The engine helped revolutionize transportation, with its use in locomotives and ships. It also transformed industry, allowing for massive industrial growth across Europe during the nineteenth century.
Fact 11: The Transatlantic Slave Trade
The transatlantic slave trade began in the fifteenth century and lasted until the nineteenth century. It is estimated that over 12 million enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas during this time. The vile trade had a huge impact on the African continent, as well as the political, economic, and social development of the region.
Fact 12: The Construction of the Suez Canal
The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It was constructed in 1869 by the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps and opened in 1869. It’s considered a great engineering feat, as it saved ships travelling between Europe and Asia from having to make a 10,000 km long journey.
Fact 13: The Invention of the Telephone
The telephone was first invented in 1876 by the Scottish inventor Alexander Graham Bell. The invention revolutionized communication, allowing people to communicate over long distances, and is a major contributor to globalisation and the development of international trade.
Fact 14: The First World War
The First World War was fought between July 1914 and November 1918, with Germany, Austro-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire fighting against the Allied Powers of Great Britain, France, and Russia. Over 10 million people were killed in the war, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.
Fact 15: The Invention of the Computer
The first programmable computer was created in the early twentieth century by a team of scientists led by the mathematician Alan Turing. The machine, known as the Turing Machine, was capable of performing simple mathematical operations and was essential in the development of modern computers.
Conclusion
The history of the world is full of fascinating facts and figures. From the invention of paper money in China to the end of the First World War, there’s a lot to learn about the past. We hope this list of 15 interesting facts about world history has provided you with some new insight into the incredible happenings of the past.
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