We all love to have little tidbits to share at social gatherings, mostly things from throughout history that someone might find interesting. And while we love that, we hate when people correct said facts, not because they’re wrong to do so, but because we had the facts wrong in the first place.For this very reason, we’ve gathered the most common ‘facts’ from history that are actually completely wrong. Now you’ll be able to avoid these factoids in the future, and even be the one that corrects others so they learn from their unfortunate mistakes.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});UnsplashVikings Wore Horned Helmets into BattleThere is no archaeological evidence showing Vikings wore horns on their heads. They actually preferred simple skullcaps for fighting. The famous horned look from Viksø dates to around 900 B.C.E., long before the Viking Age even started.Wikimedia CommonsNapoleon Bonaparte was an Extremely Short ManThe famous French military leader was actually between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, which was completely average for men of his time. The short myth was just highly effective British propaganda.Wikimedia CommonsAlbert Einstein Failed Math in High SchoolThe oft repeated legend that the famous physicist was a terrible student is totally false. By the time he was 7 years old, his report card was absolutely brilliant and he ranked as number one in his class.Wikimedia CommonsMarie Antoinette Said ‘Let them Eat Cake’There is zero evidence the infamous queen ever uttered this phrase. Jean-Jacques Rousseau actually recorded the quote in 1765, attributing it to an unnamed princess when Antoinette was only 9 years old and not yet in France.Wikimedia CommonsChristopher Columbus Proved the Earth was RoundHe definitely did not set out to prove the Earth was round, because most educated people in the late 15th century already knew it was spherical. Washington Irving popularized this specific myth in his 1828 chronicle.UnsplashRoman Gladiators Always Fought to the DeathWe tend to picture ancient arenas as constant bloodbaths, but the idea that every single fight was intended to result in a fatality is a huge misconception. These trained fighters were simply too valuable to lose constantly.Wikimedia CommonsIron Maidens were Real Medieval Torture DevicesThe dreaded iron maiden was never actually used during the Middle Ages. It is an apocryphal device that researchers believe was invented in the 19th century, with the very first written reference only appearing in the late 1700s.Wikimedia CommonsPaul Revere Shouted the British are ComingHe never actually yelled this famous phrase while riding through the streets. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a highly dramatized poem in 1861 that permanently shaped our popular memory of the event, despite its many factual inaccuracies.Wikimedia CommonsVincent van Gogh Cut Off his Entire EarThe Dutch Post-Impressionist painter lived from 1853 to 1890 and produced thousands of artworks. While he famously mutilated himself during a mental health crisis, he only sliced off a portion of his left earlobe, not the entire ear.UnsplashThe Great Wall is Visible from Outer SpaceIt turns out you really cannot see this massive ancient barricade from space with the naked eye. Whether an artificial structure is visible depends significantly on the observer’s height above sea level, making highways and cities more apparent.Wikimedia CommonsRoman Vomitoriums were Designated Rooms for Throwing UpDespite the incredibly misleading name that sounds disgusting, these ancient architectural features had nothing to do with getting sick. They were simply wide corridors and passages designed to help massive crowds enter and exit stadiums quickly.UnsplashPirates Made their Prisoners Walk the PlankHollywood movies love to show captured sailors being forced off a wooden board into the ocean, but real pirates rarely wasted their time with such theatrical punishments. They usually just threw their unfortunate prisoners straight overboard instead.Wikimedia CommonsThomas Edison Invented the Very First Light BulbHe did not invent the first electric light, but rather improved upon existing designs. The Edison Electric Light Company popularized the wound filament bulbs at the turn of the 20th century, making them practical for everyday use.Wikimedia CommonsFerdinand Magellan Successfully Circumnavigated the Entire GlobeWhile he gets all the credit for the historic voyage, he never actually finished the trip. The famous expedition was completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano, who had to take over after Magellan tragically died in the Philippines.Wikimedia CommonsWalt Disney is Currently Kept Cryogenically FrozenOne of the most bizarre urban legends claims the famous entertainment pioneer is resting in a frozen state hidden beneath a theme park ride. In reality, his family had him cremated shortly after he passed away.The post 15 Historical Facts People Just Keep On Believing Even Though They’re Not True appeared first on Den of Geek.