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Our avid readers will know how much we love memes here at Bored Panda, from science memes, viral 2020 memes, and very literal memes to more specific memes like jokes and memes for women to relate to and car memes to laugh at while you’re stuck in traffic. Because memes are the unofficial language of the internet and if you haven’t been off to the moon lately, you’ll surely know how to speak a word or two.

So this time, we have a special treat for your inner nerd or anyone who missed that once-in-a-lifetime chance to make their history teacher proud. Yep, we’re talking dates, events, and contexts that happened either far back or quite recently in the past.

Welcome to the history memes fueled by the r/HistoryMemes subreddit, where a whopping 2.7M members and self-confessed history experts crack jokes about the old days. Scroll down and upvote your favorites!

#1

I See What U Did There

I See What U Did There

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Full of Giggles
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Daaaaayumm! He ain’t wrong though. I live 2.5 miles from 800 year old rock paintings. Lord knows what my property use to be.

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Internet memes have been a widely used visual form of online rhetoric since the early 2000s. Today they have become a prominent method of communication across the internet, but as a research subject, they're still not very well-examined.

With 20 years of communicating in memes, we still don’t know their exact implications, says Rebecca Ortiz, an assistant professor of advertising at the Newhouse School. “Research on internet meme effects is still in its infancy. But we can look to past media effects research to hypothesize how people may be influenced by them.”

#4

But At Least They Have The Cool Building With All The Flags In It

But At Least They Have The Cool Building With All The Flags In It

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#5

Professionals Have Standards

Professionals Have Standards

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We should never underestimate the power that social media and the content that’s surfing there has on our beliefs, identities, and culture. “The most shareable content on social media will reach the most people and potentially have the greatest effect,” she said.

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Think of memes as bits of humor that capture shared cultural meanings and speak to some of the largest audience on our planet. “[They] are some of the most shareable pieces of content on social media and therefore they deserve scrutiny and better understanding as to how they may influence us,” Ortiz explained.

In that sense, understanding a meme is a way to bond with people and feel a strong sense of community. We as humans are wired to do so, so memes are the perfect gateway to that.

#7

History Repeats Itself

History Repeats Itself

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#8

So Much Spice!

So Much Spice!

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I receive spice. You receive... Asturias. Burgundy. Tuscana. And seven tons of gold. Add some cinnamon and I add the real crown of thorns."

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#10

They Here Cause You Dragged Them Her

They Here Cause You Dragged Them Her

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Yara Balabanova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We also see this in the Netherlands now with Turkish and Morrocan people who were actually brought here in the 60s because the Dutch workforce was too small

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#11

If You Don't Believe Me Look At China Right Now

If You Don't Believe Me Look At China Right Now

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K Witmer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are ignoring it outright. They know no one will do anything about it

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#12

Black Panther Flashbacks

Black Panther Flashbacks

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Mohammad Ammar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest they can keep ours. We can't keep them safe and no one even comes to visit us.

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#14

I Dont Think You Want

I Dont Think You Want

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#15

Enslaving People Because Of Color Skin? Absolutely Barbaric!

Enslaving People Because Of Color Skin? Absolutely Barbaric!

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#16

Ah, Good Times

Ah, Good Times

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Serial pacifist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from the region actually. Very true, unfortunately. Nevertheless, apart from mildly to largely racist jerks in power on all sides, we are beautiful countries with great people. Worth visiting.

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#17

What A Nice Little White Girl

What A Nice Little White Girl

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Liet
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know a tiny bit more of this story. She wasn't able to ride first class on the trains because they were segregated. So the states solution was to try to get her declared white rather than desegregate.

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BetweenTheCracks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Deny obvious reality rather than make proper systemic changes. Sounds like us, all right

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tuzdayschild
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least they didn't kill her for being prosperous. That's more than some got.

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Watching
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oklahoma, one of the most racist states in our country. Pure red. And I mean that in more ways than one.

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JonaLou2U
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a lifelong Oklahoman- sadly....this is true. (I'm a little blue dot in a sea of red) But I am HeRE!

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Virgil Blue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oklahoma: Can't have rich black people now can we. Quick! To the swap machine.

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K. Anderson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weird as it is it allowed her to keep her money. Someone said they did so to keep the money in the state. Honestly I’m surprised they didn’t steal it from her

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Dave P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It allowed her the ability to cross the color line and use White Only facilities and more. Back then, for a black person, that was literally a trump card

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Dodo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But that's so stupid. Not saying segregation was sensible but the "reasons" for it don't go away just because you declare someone white. It just proves that you're being an a-hole for the sake of it.

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Maria Schneider
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Racism at its very best... If Elon Musk loses all his money, will his skin be dark then? 😉

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BetweenTheCracks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, he'd just be a poor white person and therefore invisible to both sides of the aisle.

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Brendan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The honour of adopting the race that enslaved her ancestors.

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Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real surprise is that the didn't find a way to screw her out of the money.

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Mina Minx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They did. She was appointed a white executor/guardian. She was found living in squalor while they were living it up. NAACP stepped in and fought for her to have better treatment. It was only then she began living a better lufe. She eventually gained control of her own finances.

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Ladyandthetramp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol omg!!!!! The meme!!! People only accept you if you have money or are famous. That’s so stupid you are now white

allenlavine avatar
Allen Lavine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dame I went and look her up it's true why we don't lean this in school

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Black Karen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

EXACTLY i just learned about the Tulsa riots THIS YEAR which is absolutely pathetic, American education system!

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Wednesday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW. I mean the audacity! Granted, at the time, that was like (lol) Carte Blanche (a White Card). It's kind of mind boggling. I mean.. why, why, I mean WHY can't we just treat people like people? Black, white, male, female, trans, Asian, Indian, abled, disabled, broken, confident - just - we're all just people. Humans. Blows my f*****g mind that it's so hard for some to live this truth.

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Sarah Grape
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they didn't quite get it, times were different back then. being a white person meant that you would have the same legal privileges white people had. I don't think they were trying to be funny or sarcastic with this, I think oklahoma was just trying to make life easy on her

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Randy Klefbeck
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually people should look up what happened to Native American Indians when oil was discovered on their reservation in Oklahoma in the early 1920's. Part of the creation of the FBI was due to the 'mysterious' murders that took place in one town and the subsequent inheritance of the oil property by white people.

torikoo avatar
A_BadlyDrawnBearPic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently, before, the only rich people were white. Therefore, they would be like this: Impossible. She is not white. We must make her white, so she fits in with our small POV.

bertvanaalsburg avatar
Bert van Aalsburg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. She got such better treatment than the Osage did. Oil rich native Americans had to have a white guardian because the U.S. government didn't believe they were smart enough to manage their own money.

enochbuahin avatar
dies irae
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

damn,perfect example of good luck,just sleeping in your home then the gov comes honor for doing practically nothing

nawlinsladies avatar
Jenifer Halpern
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uchhh! No thank you! Why would she want to be white! Shame on you you white Oklahoma Legislature1

annaannabb avatar
AnnaB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's her Wiki profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Rector

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JonaLou2U
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This Oklahoman is deeply ashamed of our history on many levels. Tragic truth

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Connie Martin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP could you invest in a rudimentary spell check program? sheesh

k_anderson avatar
K. Anderson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m surprised they didn’t steal it from her. Considering you could murder a black person with little consequence I am shocked they didn’t figure out a way to take it

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Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They paid her family to be allowed to get the oil? They were black!

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Hollysmom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disgusting. They just couldn't tolerate the idea of a rich black person, especially a female

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My Life at
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You became so rich, government call you white instead color of your skin 😂

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JessG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course it's not funny. America in 1913 was, in fact, "racist as hell". The whole country was segregated, therefore, when she was rich, she still was not able to use any white facilities, so in order for her to sit in the front, they had to declare her white. Did that help her situation at all? Very unlikely.

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Donkey boi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Genuine question, would her kids be considered white and given a white education?

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ADHORTATOR
Community Member
2 years ago

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it is not about colours, it is about classes

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Something
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's about both. It's a common racist trope to designate one particular person as "different from the others" or "white on the inside."

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#18

Just Make Up Your Mind!

Just Make Up Your Mind!

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Mohammad Ammar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet the USA isn't defined as a terrorist nation.That title is reserved for the rest of us.

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#19

*laughs In Nazi Gold*

*laughs In Nazi Gold*

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Sofia Di Tutti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Swiss is like "Si vis pacem prepara bellum" (if you want peace be ready for the war)

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#20

Life's A Witch

Life's A Witch

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#21

Also Forgot To Mention Hera Was His Sister...still A Classic Though

Also Forgot To Mention Hera Was His Sister...still A Classic Though

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well rape and incest are not really on "on brand" for Disney, though dead parents certainly are. Which makes one wonder why they chose Greek mythology as source material at all.

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#22

Oh Well Its Not Like We Can Do Anything About That

Oh Well Its Not Like We Can Do Anything About That

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Neil Bidle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

History happened, you can't change that, learn from it and move forward. "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it"

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#23

"George, I've Just Noticed Something..."

"George, I've Just Noticed Something..."

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#24

A Rare Glimpse Of A History Meme In The Wild

A Rare Glimpse Of A History Meme In The Wild

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is so bad she has been re-elected every time since... well... Almost forever.

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#26

This Country Is Gonna Be Lit!

This Country Is Gonna Be Lit!

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Thorfin Wolfsbane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny thing: when they wrote that they pictured muskets. Never would they have imagined an AK47

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#27

Literally Grave Robbers

Literally Grave Robbers

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Neil Bidle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least when the British museum got hold of things, they were preserved, not destroyed or sold on the black market?

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#28

The Madlad

The Madlad

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Sofia Di Tutti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am italian - if one of our president would have done such a thing we claimed it as a miracle... (Our president of republics are always old people)

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#29

Ratatouille’s Revenge

Ratatouille’s Revenge

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Jerry Mathers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where's one of those group shots of trump, Cruz and McConnell standing in front of a flag?

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#31

God Is An Englishman

God Is An Englishman

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Laura Mende (Human)
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The weather is terrible is all you need to know! So all hands on board and let's conquer a few sunny countries. 😂😂😂

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#33

The Grand Tour Has A Lot Of Meme Potential

The Grand Tour Has A Lot Of Meme Potential

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#34

Guten Tag, Polen

Guten Tag, Polen

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#35

It’s Not Even Close Really

It’s Not Even Close Really

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#36

One Of Our Fellow Scholars

One Of Our Fellow Scholars

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so sad on so many levels. Women's rights are non existent in Turkey. Except for Melek Ipek who was acquitted for murdering her abusive husband, probably only because of the power of social media.

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#37

Belgian History 101

Belgian History 101

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#39

Oh No

Oh No

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Laura Mende (Human)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Do I look stupid with a mask on?" "Is the Spanish Flu real or a hoax made up by Henry Ford?"

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#40

Coincidence? I Think Not

Coincidence? I Think Not

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Lauren Caswell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you really certain the doves were so innocent? They certainly have a lot to do with a coo 😁

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#41

So True

So True

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Seabeast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not exactly a valid comparison. The need for home maintenance has not disappeared.

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#42

Sparta, This Is

Sparta, This Is

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#44

Quick Fake China Is Asleep! Up-Vote Flag Of Real China

Quick Fake China Is Asleep! Up-Vote Flag Of Real China

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#45

Faked Their Deaths

Faked Their Deaths

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before they were hired by the USA to work in the space and tech industries.

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#47

Yeah, Someone Definitely Used A Ruler To Draw Some Of These Borders

Yeah, Someone Definitely Used A Ruler To Draw Some Of These Borders

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#48

Not Cool Andrew Jackson

Not Cool Andrew Jackson

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Fus
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Spanish conquered South America from the Aztek, Inca and Mayan's. You never hear anyone saying Mexicans need to give that land back. Mostly because the Spanish invaders killed every last one.

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#49

We See Through Your Disguise, Himmler

We See Through Your Disguise, Himmler

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TmKhr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kid: Mom, can we get a Hitler? Mom: We already have Hitler at home. "Hitler" at home:

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#50

Are We The Baddies?

Are We The Baddies?

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Lila Launehase
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not in third grade. But in fifth. And from that on in every year.

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