Historical Events That Almost Never Happened
History is full of moments that almost didn’t happen, where the universe paused and said, “Wait, are you sure about this?” From wars narrowly avoided to inventions nearly lost, the past is basically one giant game of luck.
Imagine if Napoleon had overslept the day he was supposed to invade, or if the Great Fire of London had been stopped by a bored cat instead of buckets. These near-misses show history could have been wildly different, sometimes hilarious, sometimes terrifying.
Get ready to explore events so close to disappearing that humanity owes them a facepalm, a thank-you, and maybe a stiff drink.
Tunguska: When the Sky Nearly Killed Us
A Siberian asteroid explosion spared major cities by mere hours, reminding humanity how fragile civilization can be.
Toba: Humanity’s Close Call
The Toba supervolcano eruption reduced humans to a few thousand, proving our species teetered on extinction.
The Press Conference That Opened a Wall
East German Günter Schabowski’s misread announcement accidentally tore down the Berlin Wall, ending the Cold War sooner.
Storms That Spanked the Armada
The Spanish Armada’s defeat was less English strategy and more Atlantic weather, sparing England from conquest.
How Cracking a Code Saved Midway
US Navy decoding of Japan’s JN-25 code turned the tide of the Pacific War, showing how fragile empires rely on messages.
Julius Caesar vs. the Wind
Caesar’s burning of the Egyptian fleet accidentally spread fire to the port and destroyed invaluable knowledge in the Library of Alexandria.
Newton, a Dog, and a Fire
Sir Isaac Newton’s precious manuscripts were almost consumed by fire thanks to Diamond, his chaotic little dog.
Mona Lisa’s Day of Danger
Acid and a flying stone nearly destroyed the smile that has haunted art lovers for centuries, proving luck protects legends.
Alexander’s Boat Ride of Fate
Young Alexander nearly drowned escaping a plague, and the world might never have had his conquests if the storm had succeeded.
When a Gate Dozed Off in Constantinople
The tiny Kerkoporta gate in Constantinople was left unlocked, letting Ottoman forces enter and ending the Byzantine empire.
The Pig That Almost Triggered War
A pig stealing potatoes escalated tensions between the U.S. and British Canada, nearly igniting the absurd Pig War.
Columbus Got Lucky
Misreading Ptolemy’s map made Columbus reckless, but also lucky, and ultimately brought the “New World” into European consciousness.
Chocolate + Magnetron = Microwave
Percy Spencer’s melted chocolate curiosity led to the microwave, turning a snack disaster into a kitchen innovation.
Mold That Accidentally Saved Millions
Alexander Fleming’s messy lab allowed Penicillium to contaminate cultures, accidentally inventing penicillin and revolutionizing medicine.
Annie Oakley Outsmarted the Kaiser
Annie Oakley’s expert aim avoided shooting a cigarette in the Kaiser’s mouth, proving that precision can avert international crises.
The Soldier Who Spared Hitler
British soldier Henry Tandey’s mercy spared a wounded German, possibly giving history a completely different 20th-century course.
A Sandwich Sparked History
Gavrilo Princip, buying a simple sandwich, ended up assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand after a series of bizarre coincidences.
One Fragile Switch Stopped Obliteration
A B-52 bomber carrying two hydrogen bombs fell in North Carolina, and only one fragile switch prevented annihilation.
How a Black Bear Almost Triggered WWIII
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a US guard mistook a black bear for an attacker, almost triggering full-scale nuclear war.
The Man Who Said “No” to Nuclear Doom
Stanislav Petrov’s instinct ignored a Soviet early-warning system, preventing a nuclear apocalypse with nothing but his calm judgment.