Jolly Old Time: 15 Silliest History Facts

Introduction:

History is filled with fascinating stories, incredible feats, and unbelievable events that have shaped the world we live in today. However, not all historical facts are as serious or significant as others. In fact, some historical facts are downright silly and can leave you questioning the absurdity of the past. In this article, we will explore 15 of the silliest history facts that will surely make you chuckle and wonder how such events actually happened.

Fact 1: The Great Emu War

Did you know that Australia once declared war on emus? In 1932, the Australian government launched a military operation to eliminate the large population of emus that were destroying crops in Western Australia. Despite their efforts, the emus proved to be formidable opponents, and the so-called “war” ended in defeat for the Australians.

Fact 2: The Dancing Plague of 1518

In the small town of Strasbourg, France, in 1518, a strange phenomenon occurred known as the Dancing Plague. Hundreds of people began dancing uncontrollably in the streets for days on end, some even dancing themselves to death. The cause of this bizarre event remains a mystery to this day.

Fact 3: The Great Molasses Flood

In 1919, a massive tank of molasses burst in Boston, Massachusetts, causing a flood of sticky sweetness to engulf the streets. The Great Molasses Flood killed 21 people and injured 150 others, leaving a sugary mess in its wake.

Fact 4: The London Beer Flood

In 1814, a ruptured vat at the Meux and Company Brewery in London caused a tidal wave of beer to flood the streets, killing eight people in the process. The event, known as the London Beer Flood, remains one of the most absurd disasters in British history.

Fact 5: The Telephone Sanitizers in Ancient Greece

In ancient Greece, public telephones were sanitized by slaves whose sole job was to lick them clean. This peculiar practice was believed to prevent the spread of disease, though it undoubtedly left the poor telephone sanitizers with quite the bitter taste in their mouths.

Fact 6: The Great Stork Derby

In 1930s Toronto, a wealthy lawyer named Charles Millar played a prank on his fellow citizens by leaving his entire estate to the Toronto woman who could give birth to the most children in the ten years following his death. This led to a bizarre competition known as the Great Stork Derby, with women across the city clamoring to win the unusual inheritance.

Fact 7: The Great Emu War of 1932

In Western Australia, the emu population grew out of control, causing significant damage to crops. In a bizarre turn of events, the Australian military was called upon to combat the emus, resulting in what became known as the Great Emu War. Despite their best efforts, the military ended up losing the war against the flightless birds.

Fact 8: The Forgotten U.S. Presidential Cheese

In 1801, the residents of Cheshire, Massachusetts, gifted President Thomas Jefferson with a massive block of cheese known as the “Cheshire Mammoth Cheese.” Weighing over 1,200 pounds, the cheese was deemed too large for the White House, leading Jefferson to host a public reception where guests were encouraged to partake in its consumption.

Fact 9: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919

In a bizarre turn of events, a massive tank of molasses burst in Boston, Massachusetts, causing a wave of sticky sweetness to flood the city streets. The Great Boston Molasses Flood resulted in 21 deaths and 150 injuries, leaving the city in a sticky mess for weeks to come.

Fact 10: The British Army’s Use of Rocket Cats

During the 16th century, the British Army attempted to use cats as weapons by strapping explosive devices to them and sending them towards enemy ships. Needless to say, the idea of rocket cats did not pan out as planned, and the feline soldiers were not able to carry out their intended mission.

Fact 11: The Great Boston Tea Party

Despite being a pivotal moment in American history, the Boston Tea Party was, in fact, a rather silly event. In protest of British taxation policies, colonists dressed as Native Americans boarded British ships and dumped their cargo of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance had far-reaching consequences and played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War.

Fact 12: The Great Emu War of Australia

In 1932, the Australian government launched a military campaign against a large flock of emus that were destroying wheat crops in Western Australia. The so-called “Great Emu War” saw soldiers armed with machine guns facing off against the flightless birds, resulting in a comical and ultimately unsuccessful battle.

Fact 13: The Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 1973

In 1973, comedian Johnny Carson made a joke about a potential shortage of toilet paper, leading to a nationwide panic-buying spree that emptied store shelves across the United States. The Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 1973 serves as a humorous reminder of the power of media influence and public perception.

Fact 14: The Great Pig War

In 1859, a border dispute between the United States and Britain over the San Juan Islands nearly escalated into a full-blown war. The conflict, known as the Pig War, was sparked by the shooting of a British pig that had been damaging an American farmer’s garden. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the two countries settled their differences peacefully.

Fact 15: The Great Stock Market Cheese Heist

In 2013, a gang of thieves in Wisconsin managed to steal a semi-truck filled with $70,000 worth of cheese. The audacious heist, dubbed the Great Stock Market Cheese Heist, left authorities scratching their heads and residents wondering what the thieves planned to do with such a large quantity of cheese.

Conclusion

History is full of strange and silly events that may seem unbelievable at first glance. From wars waged against emus to massive floods of molasses and beer, the past is riddled with absurdities that can leave us shaking our heads in disbelief. These 15 silliest history facts serve as a reminder that truth is often stranger than fiction, and that the human experience is as perplexing and bursty as ever. So the next time you come across a peculiar historical tidbit, take a moment to appreciate the silliness of the past and the quirky nature of our shared history.