Famous Moments from History We Still Often Forget
Our history is full of moments that we want to forget, but we just can't. Those are usually very embarrassing, and that's what makes it hard. However, there are many other moments that we easily forget that would help us understand our present a lot better.
Throughout the decades and the centuries, humanity has started and finished wars for the weirdest of reasons. Some conflicts escalated too quickly, while others froze in time until someone else, decades later, remembered it and brought it back. Iconic figures from history, terrible moments no one likes to admit, and really bad decisions taken in the shadows are some examples of these things we probably shouldn't forget about, but we do anyway.
Luckily, we can still access a lot of information about all of these, so here are some famous moments from history we still often forget. May this be a reminder of that. Or not.
Greenland Purchase
Remember when Donald Trump wanted to buy Greenland? Well, he wasn't the first to do it. The US has been trying to get its hands on the territory since before World War I. In total, the government seriously discussed the matter six times: in 1867, 1910, 1946, 1955, 2019, and 2025.
Civil War Loop
The first battle of the American Civil War took place on Wilmer McLean's farm. The war ended at McLean's house as well, believe it or not. General Lee sent a messenger to the community of Appomatix Court House, right where Willmer Mclean had resettled. The messenger knocked on McLean's door to use his residence for the surrender.
Operation Northwoods
This operation was supposed to involve CIA agents staging and committing acts of terrorism in the US to blame Cuba and justify the war against them. President Kennedy rejected the proposal on the spot.
Operation Mincemeat
During World War II, German soldiers found a body handcuffed to a briefcase that contained secret plans. The plans detailed an invasion, pointing at different Italian islands. The Germans reinforced their defenses on those islands, expecting an attack, but later realized the actual plan was to invade Sicily. By the time they realized they were being played by Allied forces, it was too late.
Operation Underworld
During WWII, the US government struck a secret deal with the imprisoned Lucky Luciano to make use of the mafia's control over New York's waterfront. The mafia would provide intel for the government in exchange for a commutation of his sentence. Luciano would also promise that there would be no worker strikes during the war.
Lavender Scare
This was a moral panic about gay people in the US government, which led to their mass dismissal from government service during the Cold War. While that's already outrageous, the government used all kinds of shady methods to find homosexuals.
Guillotine Use
The last guillotine execution in France took place on September 10, 1977. That's the year the first Star Wars came out. The European country abolished the death penalty in 1981.
Elvis, US Agent
Elvis was worried about the country's obvious problem with drugs and wanted to help. He sent a letter to then-President Nixon, and asked to be named a Narcotics Agent to help in the fight. It's said that Elvis was able to catch a thief at an airport while driving his Cadillac, but it sounds too cool to be true.
Bear Flag
The Republic of California flag was supposed to have a pear, not a bear. According to rumors, Captain Bartlett strongly suggested the inclusion of a pear, but designer William Todd either ignored the request or misread the note when he included a bear.
Battle of Blair Mountain
The conflict was part of the Coal Wars and is considered the largest labor uprising in United States history. Around 10 thousand coal miners faced 3 thousand lawmen while trying to unionize. At the time, the only way to defend themselves from coal mine operators was with guns, apparently. But this part of history is often forgotten.
Battle of Athens
World War II veterans went back to Athens and Etowah, Tennessee, only to find a political machine corrupting the local government. They demanded a change and formed a party to run in the elections, but the many incidents and arrests during the polls ended up in a full-blown battle.
Black Bart's Victory
The legendary pirate Bartholomew Roberts was one of the greatest pirates to ever live, even if you haven't heard of him. A particular story about his reputation says that, when he approached a harbor with numerous ships, all merchants saw his flag and surrendered immediately to avoid casualties and damage. In other words, Black Bart captured more than 20 merchant ships and over 100 fishing boats without firing a single shot.
Jackson's Parrot
President Andrew Jackson had a parrot named Poll. It was an African Grey known for cursing a lot, and it's said it was removed from Jackson's funeral due to its language.
Imjin War
The Japanese invasions of Korea also involved China, but had soldiers from all over the world. African mercenaries hired by Portuguese traders and missionaries fought for the Japanese in Korea. Korea sided with the Chinese, who were using Indian prisoners in the conflict.
Black Tom Explosion
During World War I, the German forces attempted to destroy the shipment of ammunition that was going to travel from the US to Europe. Seven people died, and hundreds were injured. It is considered one of the largest artificial non-nuclear explosions in history, and it even damaged the Statue of Liberty.
