Shocking Myths You Were Taught as Facts

Introduction: The Power of Myths

Since we were kids, we have hear tales told by parents, teachers, and the media. These tales create our worldview, our history, and even our sense of self. But what if most of those tales were not true? What if some of the things you believed you knew were actually historical myths and misinformation?

This article reveals some of history's most popularly held falsehoods and why they were spread. These myths are not only harmless stories—they have an impact on how we conceptualize cultures, events, and even ourselves.

1. Vikings Wore Horned Helmets

One of the most iconic images in pop culture is the Viking warrior wearing a horned helmet. But here's the truth: Vikings never wore horned helmets into battle. This idea came from 19th-century opera costumes, not archaeological evidence. Real Viking helmets were simple and functional, made for protection, not fashion.

Why this myth took hold: The photo was dramatic and memorable. Actors and artists found the horned helmet a dramatic visual image, and it stuck.

Reality check: Viking history is much more complicated and interesting than this simplistic myth.

2. Napoleon Was Extremely Short

We usually attribute the term "Napoleon complex" to a short person with an inflated attitude. However, Napoleon Bonaparte was not as short as we have come to believe. He stood at around 5'6" to 5'7" (approximately average height during his era).

How this myth arose: The misunderstanding of French and British measurement systems led people to believe he was shorter than he actually was. British propaganda also contributed to this image.

Reality check: This is an old favorite piece of misinformation used to satirize a political foe.

3. Columbus Discovered America

You've likely heard it in school: Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. Although he did make landfall in the Caribbean, he never actually set foot on the continental U.S. And he was far from the first to find the continent.

Why this myth persisted: Columbus' journey was one of the earliest well-documented European voyages to the New World. It was a tidy, patriotic tale.

Reality check: Native American civilizations were already established in the Americas for thousands of years. Plus, Norse explorer Leif Erikson arrived in North America hundreds of years before Columbus.

4. The Great Wall of China Can Be Seen from Space

It's one of the most oft-repeated "facts" about the Great Wall: you can see it from space. Unfortunately, it's not true—at least not to the naked eye.

Why this myth gained currency: It sounded good and made folks proud of the wall's magnitude and engineering prowess.

Reality check: Though the wall is gigantic, its color and thinness render it virtually invisible from space without assistance from telescopic lenses.

5. Medieval People Thought the Earth Was Flat

There is a common myth that individuals during the Middle Ages believed the Earth was flat. Actually, most educated individuals at the time already had knowledge that the Earth was round.

Why the myth persisted: Renaissance thinkers wished to make their previous ancestors appear foolish in order to emphasize their own successes.

Reality check: The flat-Earth concept is more of a contemporary misconception than an actual medieval belief.

6. Einstein Failed Math in School

You might have heard that Albert Einstein was a bad student who failed math. But he really was good at mathematics from a young age.

Why this myth emerged: Everyone loves tales of underdogs and misunderstood geniuses. It makes Einstein's subsequent success all the more astonishing.

Reality check: Einstein was an excellent student who demonstrated early ability in physics and mathematics.

7. Marie Antoinette Supposedly Said, "Let Them Eat Cake."

Marie Antoinette is said to have uttered "Let them eat cake" when informed that the French people were starving. She never did.

Why the myth arose: It contributed to fueling the resentment of the French Revolution and portrayed her as insensitive.

Reality check: The saying had already appeared in writings prior to her era and was most likely employed as political propaganda.

8. Salem Witches Were Burned at the Stake

Few think the Salem witch trials culminated in accused witches being burned alive. The truth is, they were not. Most were executed by hanging, and one man was pressed to death.

Why it became a myth: European witch trials did involve burning, so they thought that's what Americans would have done too.

Reality check: The fact remains awful but worth getting right.

9. The Bloodletting Remedy Was Always a Success

Bloodletting was considered an antidote to many illnesses in the days of ancient medicine. Draining blood would, in people's minds, balance out the body. But in the majority of instances, it made patients weaker.

Why this myth persisted: Medicine did not yet understand about germs and infection. "Humor" theories were used as fact.

Reality check: Medical myths and disinformation through history came at a cost in human lives before science intervened.

10. Humans Only Utilize 10% of Their Brains

This myth has been used in films and motivational addresses: "You only utilize 10% of your brain." False. Brain scans reveal we utilize nearly every area of our brain, even when we're sleeping.

Why this myth was perpetuated: It implies hidden potential, which is intriguing to the general public.

Reality check: You’re already using much more than 10% of your brain, especially while reading articles like this!

Why These Myths Matter

You might wonder, what's the harm in believing a few harmless tales? The danger lies in how historical myths and misinformation shape our worldview. When myths go unchallenged, they become part of our cultural foundation, leading to biased opinions and decisions.

Understanding the truth helps us become better critical thinkers. It empowers us to question, research, and verify information before accepting it as fact.

Tips for Spotting Historical Misinformation

Check multiple sources before accepting any claim.

Look for primary evidence or expert opinions.

Be skeptical of "too good to be true" stories—they usually are.

Understand the context of the time when an event occurred.

Question your assumptions and stay open to new information.

Conclusion: Truth Matters

The fibs you've been fed over the years may be small, but their effect can be enormous. From influencing national identity to fueling unfair stereotypes, these myths are worth dispelling.

The more we know, the more we realize about our world and ourselves. So next time you're told a "fact" that seems a tad too neat, dig a bit deeper. The truth is often more interesting than the myth.