Historical myths we need to stop believing

The history of humanity is a subject which will forever be controversial. Historians disagree in their interpretations and assessments of almost every single event, process, or person we know of. Yet, in some cases, certain things are generally accepted as ’facts’ which are actually completely untrue.

Myth: Walt Disney first drew Mickey Mouse himself

Reality: Mickey Mouse was drawn by the company's chief animator, Ub Iwerks.

Myth: Vincent Van Gogh cut off his own ear

Reality: He only cut off the tip of his earlobe.

Myth: Napoleon was very short.

Reality: The French Emperor was around 1.7m tall.

Myth: Salieri was jealous of Mozar.

Reality: Salieri was the conductor at court, and he was more successful than Mozart.

Myth: Ferdinand Magenllan was the first person to circumnavigate the Earth.

Reality: He died having traveled only half the distance.

Myth: Cleopatra was from Egypt.

Reality: Cleopatra had Greek ancestry.

Myth: Einstein was an underachiever at school.

Reality: Einstein excelled in science class.

Myth: Thomas Edison invented the electric lightbulb.

Reality: Edison only invented a method to keep bulbs constaintly turned on.

Myth: Isaac Newton discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head.

Reality: The apple fell to the ground next to him. Its fall helped him understand gravity.

Source: BrightSide Me