Teachers And Historians, Tell Us The Biggest Misconception People Have About History
Not everyone has had a solid education in history, and these days, misconceptions are incredibly easy to find online. Some are so commonly believed that people wouldn't even know they need to be debunked. So, if you're a teacher or historian, we want to hear all about your favorite (and maybe least favorite) historical misconceptions.
For example, many people believe that King Tutankhamun's tomb contained a curse, but that's not true. In fact, the curse was a made-up story, furthered by deaths that occurred after the tomb was unsealed.
Or it could be something like the Medieval Era being called the "Dark Ages," suggesting a time of regression in science and culture. But that was inaccurate; it was actually a statement by the Italian poet Petrarch that was taken out of context.
Maybe you overheard someone talking about having a " Napoleon Complex" and felt compelled to step in and let them know that Napoleon Bonaparte wasn't actually short; he was probably at average height for the time (around 5'6" or 5'7").
Or perhaps you've helped clarify that Christopher Columbus didn't discover that the Earth was round; that was suggested way, way earlier by the ancient Greeks.
Tell us all about the most outlandish, ridiculous, or even believable misconceptions you've heard. You can also fill out the form below if you prefer to remain anonymous. Your response may be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed post!
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