Fact and Fiction

It is always amazing how many of the things about history we learn in school are latter proven to be inaccurate, or the things that are left out of the histroy books. I just read this article about forgotton massacars in American histroy, things that simply are not talked about. And so I have this speicil addtion of Roots, a few random myths of history and the truth behind them.

Myth:

Philadelphia seamstress Besty Ross designed the first American flag.

Fact:

Ross ran an upholstery shop and swed ships' flags for the state of Pennsylvanis, but there is no crediable evidence that supports the flag story, which is based widely on a discredited account.

Myth:

Germany ushered in the age of chemical warfare by using chlorine and mustard gasses in World War 1

Fact:

The world's chemical arsenals have ancient origins. Peloponnesian warriors used sulfur-laden smoke to attack the city of Plataea, naplam-like "Greek fire" fended off Byzantium's eneimies, and toxic gasses kept invaders at bay in China.

Myth:

Slaves built Egypt's Greay Pyramids

Fact:

Pharohos hired villagers to help thier personal staffs haul massive limestone blocks into position.

9:26 AM - 7/24/2008 - post comment

Untitled Comment

I knew about the pyramid fact! Without the labor opportunities offered by the pharaohs' construction projects most people in Egypt would simply be unemployed. They simply didn't need slave labor. Still, Cecil B. DeMille says it's true in a very popular movie, and that's the image that will stick.

dutchboy - 4:12 AM - 7/25/2008

For though All are not able to write books, all conceive themselves able to judge them. ~The Monk

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