15 Hilarious History Facts

Introduction:

Have you ever wondered about the bizarre and hilarious events that have taken place throughout history? From peculiar rulers to strange inventions, history is full of unexpected surprises. In this article, we will explore 15 hilarious history facts that will leave you scratching your head and laughing out loud.

Fact 1: The Great Emu War

In 1932, Australia declared war on emus. Yes, you read that right. The emus had been causing havoc for farmers by destroying crops, so the Australian military was called in to help. However, the emus proved to be formidable opponents, and the military eventually had to admit defeat in what became known as The Great Emu War.

Fact 2: The Dancing Plague of 1518

In the summer of 1518, a strange phenomenon swept through the town of Strasbourg, France. Hundreds of people began dancing uncontrollably in the streets, unable to stop themselves. The dancing plague continued for weeks, with some dancers reportedly dying from exhaustion. To this day, the cause of the dancing plague remains a mystery.

Fact 3: The Great Molasses Flood

In 1919, a massive tank of molasses in Boston exploded, sending a wave of sticky syrup through the streets at 35 miles per hour. The Great Molasses Flood killed 21 people and injured over 150 others. The streets were left coated in molasses for months, earning the disaster the nickname “The Boston Molassacre.”

Fact 4: The Great Toilet Paper Panic of 1973

During the oil crisis of 1973, a rumor spread that there was a shortage of toilet paper. This led to widespread panic buying, with people hoarding toilet paper in anticipation of a shortage. Supermarkets across the country were left empty of toilet paper, creating a truly bizarre moment in history.

Fact 5: The War of the Stray Dog

In 1925, the Greek island of Mykonos was on the brink of war with Italy over a stray dog. When an Italian soldier shot the dog, tensions between the two countries escalated, with both sides ready to go to war over the incident. The crisis was eventually resolved through diplomacy, but it remains a humorous example of a conflict gone awry.

Fact 6: The Great Beer Flood

In 1814, a vat of beer at the Meux and Company Brewery in London ruptured, sending over 320,000 gallons of beer flooding through the streets. Several houses were destroyed in the flood, and eight people lost their lives. The event became known as The Great Beer Flood and is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of history.

Fact 7: The First Photo Bomb

In 1920, a group of friends took a photo at the top of the Empire State Building in New York City. Little did they know, a man in the background was pulling a face and sticking out his tongue, creating the first-ever photo bomb. The image went on to become iconic and is now a symbol of unexpected humor in photography.

Fact 8: The London Beer Flood

In 1814, a massive vat containing over 610,000 liters of beer burst at the Meux and Company Brewery in London. The resulting flood of beer swept through the streets, destroying homes, killing eight people, and leaving a wake of drunken chaos. The London Beer Flood remains one of the most bizarre and tragic events in British history.

Fact 9: The Great Stork Derby

In 1926, a Toronto lawyer left a bizarre will stating that he would leave his entire fortune to the woman who could give birth to the most children in the ten-year period following his death. The will led to a competition known as The Great Stork Derby, with multiple women vying for the prize. The strange contest captured the public’s attention and highlighted the absurdity of the legal system.

Fact 10: The Pig War

In 1859, a territorial dispute between the United States and Great Britain over the San Juan Islands nearly escalated into war. The conflict was sparked by the shooting of a pig belonging to an American settler by a British employee. Both sides sent troops to the islands, but ultimately, cooler heads prevailed, and the situation was resolved peacefully. The Pig War is a reminder of the strange events that can lead to international conflict.

Fact 11: The Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894

In the late 19th century, cities around the world faced a growing problem: too much horse manure. With the streets filled with horse-drawn carriages, the sheer volume of manure became overwhelming. Experts predicted that by the 1930s, London would be buried under nine feet of manure. Fortunately, the invention of the automobile helped solve the crisis, but the Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894 remains a bizarre footnote in history.

Fact 12: The Battle of the Codfish

In 246 BC, the ancient Greek city of Heraclea fought a naval battle against the city of Byzantium over control of the Black Sea. The bizarre twist? The Heracleans loaded their ships with live codfish, which they threw at the enemy ships during the battle. The slippery fish caused chaos among the Byzantine fleet and helped secure victory for Heraclea. The Battle of the Codfish remains one of the oddest naval battles in history.

Fact 13: The Great Pig War of 1859

In 1859, a border dispute between the United States and the United Kingdom led to the San Juan Islands being occupied by both countries. The catalyst for the conflict? The shooting of a British pig by an American farmer. Fortunately, the conflict was peacefully resolved, but the Great Pig War remains a humorous example of a small incident escalating into an international dispute.

Fact 14: The Great Bananas in Pyjamas Controversy

In 1992, the Australian children’s TV show “Bananas in Pyjamas” sparked controversy in the United States when parents mistook the characters for a promotion of communism. The sight of talking bananas in pajamas was too much for some to handle, leading to a heated debate about the hidden messages in children’s programming. The Great Bananas in Pyjamas Controversy highlighted the power of misunderstandings in shaping public perception.

Fact 15: The Great Cheese Roll

Every year in Gloucestershire, England, a bizarre event takes place known as the Cheese Rolling Festival. Participants race down a steep hill, chasing a wheel of cheese that can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. The winner gets to keep the cheese, while others are left bruised and battered from the chaotic descent. The Great Cheese Roll is a testament to the strange and unique traditions that exist around the world.

Conclusion

History is full of unexpected surprises and bizarre events that continue to captivate our imagination. From wars over stray dogs to floods of beer and dancing plagues, the past is filled with moments that defy logic and reason. These 15 hilarious history facts serve as a reminder that even in the most serious of times, humor can always be found lurking just around the corner. So the next time you find yourself feeling bogged down by the present, take a trip through history and discover the endless possibilities for laughter that await.