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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

SuperMegaPepega Report

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!

Mr_Elijiah Report

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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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#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

Ben_Swolo501 Report

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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

turk_tangle_ig Report

#35

It’s Not Even Close Really

It’s Not Even Close Really

reddit.com Report

#36

One Of Our Fellow Scholars

One Of Our Fellow Scholars

GolHahDov Report

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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

IUseRedditAmICoolNow Report

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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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Note: this post originally had 129 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.