American author and filmmaker Michael Crichton once said: "If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree." So let's take a look back at what events and people have 'planted' and 'grown' this tree we're all a part of called the present, shall we?
But since it's Friday, I think we can agree that something more refreshing than a textbook is needed. Luckily, we have just the thing. Two, actually.
Bored Panda decided to put together a follow-up collection to our earlier article and compile the best posts from the history memes Reddit page and HistoryInMemes Instagram account have recently released.
From making fun of the British Museum's never-ending thirst for artifacts to corrupt Presidents, continue scrolling, check the world history memes out, and upvote your favorites!
This post may include affiliate links.
A True Hero
Willem Arondeus was a moderately successful painter and writer living in the Netherlands. However, at the time his career began to improve, the Nazis had occupied his nation, and he decided to sacrifice personal success and wealth for the greater good, joining the Dutch resistance. Arondeus's skill as an artist allowed him to make fake ID cards, allowing Jewish refugees to hide more easily. However, the Nazi's Municipal Office for Population Registration made this far more difficult, as they kept exact records. With his resistance team, Arondeus devised a plan to bomb the office, which went off successfully. By doing so, they were able to steal a number of blank ID cards, and destroy enough records that any Jewish refugees could believably pretend to have had their files destroyed.
However, Arondeus was betrayed and captured. He refused to give information on his co-conspirators under torture, but after his home was raided, they found evidence that linked him to his allies. Arondeus then took full credit for the entire plan, allowing two of his friends to escape execution. His last words were "Let it be known that homosexuals are not cowards".
Sad But True
Contrary to what some might think, history memes aren't just for the internet. Historian, college administrator, amateur homesteader, and writer Joshua Wilkey, for example, quite often uses them in teaching. "I even sometimes assign my students to use memes as a way to present what they are learning in the classroom," he told Bored Panda.
These historical memes have been around in some form or another for thousands of years, too.
In 2016, archeologists uncovered a mosaic from the 3rd century B.C. in what was the ancient city of Antiocheia. The piece has three frames and seems to depict a bathing scene. The first frame is of a servant preparing a bath; the second frame, a young man running away from taking the bath, being pursued by an older servant who is unable to catch him; the last scene, a “reckless” but seemingly happy skeleton of the young man is sitting casually with a jug of wine.
The inscription below him reads: "Be cheerful and live your life." So you could say this historical meme is the original YOLO.
History Ain’t Pretty
Grandma
Sacrifice Sacrifice
But why bother with it and create one history meme after another in the first place? Well, Joshua Wilkey said that "as an academic pursuit, history teaches important skills like critical reading and analysis. For the average person, though, history is an important way of understanding the context of what is happening in the present."
"I do not buy the argument that history repeats itself - and I think few professional historians would say that it does. It does, though, as Mark Twain once said, rhyme a lot. When one looks at the world as it is today, one cannot fully understand it absent knowledge of history," Wilkey explained. "One cannot, for example, understand the Black Lives Matter movement without understanding the long history of civil rights activism in the United States. One cannot understand what is happening in Afghanistan without understanding the long history of that particular part of the world, specifically through the lens of imperialism. Current events do not happen in a vacuum. Trying to understand or react to them absent an understanding of the history is detrimental at best."
It Really Do Be Like That
Hah Get It
Game Changer
Elvis' Chance Of Getting Polio Has Left The Building; Thank You And Good Night!
Of course, that doesn't mean that you have to be familiar with every period of every civilization. "One of my favorite TV shows growing up was The Andy Griffith Show, and in one episode, Aunt Bee remarked that history must be harder to learn in the present because there's more and more of it being made every day," Wilkey recalled. "However, there are some good strategies to employ to learn the depth of history in a way that is useful for the present."
"Rather than broad surveys of history, whereby one attempts to learn the entire breadth of history for a given place, I think deeper dives are more useful. I prefer to study history topically rather than by place. For example, one can study the history of conflict, the history of racial inequality, the history of capitalism, or the history of imperialism, and follow the threads of those themes through both time and place, for a more comprehensive look at why things are the way they are."
The historian said that understanding how themes like economic inequality or political power have played out at multiple times and places is more useful for the average human than to learn facts about the history of a given place. "Ultimately, the goal should not be to learn history for the sake of being good at Jeopardy!, but for the sake of developing a more meaningful understanding of why things happened," Wilkey explained, adding that it's much more valuable than simply knowing what happened.
And it makes sense. You start making connections and developing ideas rather than just working on your memory. You start thinking.
Typical
Thank You Very Much
If it wasn't for British museums preserving artifacts in museums a lot of them would be gone. Long ago melted for gold and otherwise destroyed. So let's stop this British hate already.
Possibly, possibly not. I agree we should stop hate. It helps nothing and no-one. We should judge people today on our actions today. I support returning items to their country of origin where it is possible. I only say that because some countries might have war or instability currently or no longer exist, ownership is disputed etc. Items that were purchased can be bought back but let's not get greedy.
Load More Replies...Hmmm...is it just me, or does this make you think of "Despicable me"?
I'm curious how many historical artefacts have been saved due to actions of British museum
British colonialism did, in fact, lead to a great deal of pilfering across the globe. It is mind-blowing how much excess the UK and the Vatican have, in terms of antiquities. That said, regardless of how they were acquired, both are fiercely diligent at protecting these artifacts until reclaimed by their parent governments. No downvotes, let's all just chill and read a book.
Yeah, because no other country has museums with foreign antiquities in them, right?
First, it's a joke, chill. Second, have you BEEN to the British Museums? VAST collections of stuff from all over the world! Rooms and rooms and rooms of it and there is so much it isn't even all labeled. I tell people if you want to travel the world but can't afford it, just go to London, it's all there!
Load More Replies...What crimes has she committed? Driving without a seatbelt?
Load More Replies...Stop funding an overprivileged family that doesn't do very much?
Load More Replies...Dirty Dog
Lol yeah, like Hera was Heracles loving mother. And Zeus had self restraint. That movie didn't do Greek myths any favours!
Mad Respec
Once you decide on a topic you want to dig into, you need to start collecting sources. This, in turn, will help you understand the world history memes, too. "At the risk of having my professional historian card revoked, Wikipedia is a great place to go to learn the basics of a given event," Joshua Wilkey said. "At this point, it's rather more accurate than most easily accessible sources, including most online encyclopedias."
"Apart from that, I am a big fan of podcasts. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History is great for those who can devote substantial time to listening. Slow Burn is also fantastic, as is the podcast that accompanies the 1619 Project. This Land is wonderful for those who are interested in indigenous history. I could go on for days with podcast recommendations, but there are so many good ones out there, the possibilities are limitless. For print readers, ProPublica also has a wonderful deep dive into many important topics. I especially enjoyed their piece a few years ago titled 'Firestone and the Warlord' about the history of the rubber industry in Africa."
I Am Confusion
There Goes Buck Franklin, The Impeccably Well Dressed Lawyer Who Practices Law Out Of A Tent
Not enough people know about Oklahoma Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_race_massacre
This Happened To My Grandfather When He Was Teaching Second Grade. The Kids Were So Traumatized By What They Saw A Lot Of Parents Had To Come Pick Them Up From School
Uhh Sir?
As for sourcing accurate materials, Wilkey said it's important to employ information literacy skills to vet any potential source. That includes these history memes, too.
"While there's much to be said about the elitist and often-problematic nature of academic gatekeeping, the solution is not for anyone to publish anything they want, but rather, for us to engage with the public as much or more than we engage with each other as academics."
The historian likes to tell his students that if they are not engaging members of the general public with their work, then the public will be engaged by idiots, liars, and fear-mongers. "The average reader should make it a point to ask why they should believe any given source (including academic literature!). The fact that they found it via social media is often an argument against believing it," he said.
However, if it's more history memes that you're after, check out our piece on History Memes Explained, a cool social media project that not only collects but also dissects the best memes about our past.
200 Iq
Yoink
Trying To Get Rid Of The Evidence? Not On Mr Eisenhower's Watch!
You Can Always Rely On The Wise Words Of Captain Holt
Brooklyn Nine Nine was a fantastic show and one of those rare gems that only got better in later seasons. I'm so sad this show ended.
Money Money Money Moneyyy
It Do Be Like That
Damn Son
Any Great Historical Figure Would Be Honoured To Be Played By Cillian Murphy, I'm Sure
Uhh Excuse Me
Feels Bad Man
This must be a reference to the famous Greek hero Homercles, like Pythagorous, "Homercles cares not for beans"
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
I seriously think one of the arguments some Americans have against adding Puerto Rico and Washington DC as states is that they don't want to add more stars to the flag. (It's not a good argument.)
Pain
Gotta Do Whatcha Gotta Do
that's all very well but that shows seven women leaders. As a percentage of male leaders (something like 2000 or so worldwide in the same time period ... the first picture being cleopatra I believe) ... means that the chances of a woman starting a war is quite a lot lower. What we'd really need to know is the base rate of women leaders vs women leaders who started wars. I am pretty sure these seven are not the only women leaders in the last 2000 years...
Must’ve Been Sloppy
I Think We Can All Agree On This One
'man, I Love This Skirt! Also, You Heard Khomeini's Latest Speech? That Guy Sure Is Whacky, Huh?'
"If There Was An Allied Hero Who Deserved To Be Remembered And Celebrated, This Was A Person With Few Peers"
Feels Bad Man
Abc News Called It "The Poster Child Of Excessive Lawsuits" But Most People Don't Believe That Anymore
No Fair
Don’t Give Into Peer Pressure
Does Mythology Count?
Dammit, Marilyn! Not In Front Of The Democratic Party!
A woman exploited since childhood self-destructs in front of millions while they laugh. Wonderful that we’re so far beyond that today
I Diagnose You With Housewife
This Hurts
Instant Hands
I'd probably die if I run 13 miles, so I'd be flexing on him for dying quicker
That Backfired On The Rnc
Us Citizen
McCarthyism was so dumb, and yet we still fall for scare tactics like that. Fortunately, it hasn't returned to that scale, but just look at the fear mongering today.
Since The American Colonials Were Themselves British Subjects It’s More Likely Paul Reverse And The Other Riders Said “The Regulars/Redcoats Are Coming” Instead
History
Smh My Head
Big Brain
That’s Rude
So, we all know about the Trojan horse, right? Big wooden horse packed with enemy soldiers intended to fool Troy into believing everything now safe so they drag horse into city, go to sleep, horse breaks open, solders pour out, city falls. IS THIS SERIOUSLY WHAT YOU WANT TO NAME CONDOMS AFTER?
This Hit Different
In fact, that was the last official message... It was followed by : "Thanks for your services, Marconi" added by the morse operator as an hommage.
So Long, Suckers! I Hope You Enjoy Figuring Out Where Tf I Went For The Next 50 Years!
Too Easy
Rasputin Would Also Impress The Court With His Infamous Trick Of Finding A Penny Behind Someone's Ear
Yeah, well, faith healing was as good as it got, in the 1910s. Rasputin helped the kid as much as anyone could, but it was still a huge mistake for the Empress to make him part of her inner circle and part of the court. As it was the whole world knew about him, and everyone assumed that she was his lover and that this weirdo was guiding Imperial policy.
How Wholesome The Turntables
India’s Chad Air Force
1914 Was A Wild Year
Rude
Eww Yuck Spit That Out
It Was Those Damn Sea Peoples, Wasn't It? Answer Me!
Draughts, poor crop, climate change, material shortages, trade bottlenecks, wars, and raids by the "sea people."
A Catholic Priest Heard The Survivors' Confessions And Had To Reassure Them That They Were Not Damned For Cannibalism
Like A Boss
Moscow, Idaho
You’re Missing Out If You’re Not Following
Either He’s Rotting In A Forest Or A Grave And If It’s The Second One, Good On Him
Jumping out of an aircraft on a cold, wet night wearing a business suit...I think the most likely outcome is a speedy death from hypothermia
In 1835, Richard Lawrence Tried To Kill President Jackson At A Funeral. He Walked Up Behind Him And Fired Both Of His Pistols, But Neither Of Them Fired A Bullet Due To The Humid Weather And The Model’s Vulnerability To Moisture. He Was Attacked By Jackson, And Was Sent To An Asylum Afterwards
Jackson was a horrible human but there's a story of his pet parrot being removed from his funeral, over excessive cursing. Makes me laugh every time I hear it. Also, Jackson was asked by a reporter if he had any regrets after his 8 years in office. His reply was: “That I didn’t shoot Henry Clay and I didn’t hang John C. Calhoun.” Calhoun was his Vice President. With friends like Jackson ....
And Our Empire, Across The Sea, Armed And Guarded By The British Fleet Would Carry On The Struggle
Kinda Sus
I don't get haggis. Although never tried it but...why would you WANT to?! Then again all the processed crap I eat haggis is probably healthier...
Is The Best Account You’re Not Following!
Man, Greek Fire Sure Is Effective! Fingers Crossed That Someone Makes A Note Of How To Make It...
Only My Big Brain Followers Will Get This Meme
Couldn’t Pay Me Enough To Be A Drummer Boy
YO, someone has to help those poor tired troops stay in step! Military drummers have played a crucial role in warfare throughout history. Soldiers marched to battle to the sound of the drums and used the beat to regulate the loading and re-loading of their weapons during the battle. Drummers were also used to raise morale during the fight.
Love To See It
'no Napoleon, I Am Not Roleplaying As The Tsar'
It’s Complicated
Free Real Estate
Sorry Jfk, But You Should Have Stuck To Journalism
I once pointed this out to my grandma. She was livid. Roughly fifty years after JFK's death and apparently it was still "too soon" for criticism.
So Strong And Independent
This Hurts My Stomach
Modern Day Dogecoin Holders
Sick Balcony Bro
No more slaves, had to pay workers, less money to spend on marble columns... And here is that soviet post-war crap. PS : the painter's name is Thomas Cole.
United Fruit Company Bananas Are Packed Full Of Both Potassium And Freedom!
The Fact That They Threw Me Through A Window Rather Than Out Of One Makes Me Think The Kidnappers Weren't Really Listening
They must've learned something because it sure looks like infenestration
Alright, Who Put Turkey's Seat Next To Greece's?
To Be Fair, Darwin Needed All Those Samples So He Could Have Something To Eat On The Way Home
Savage Mode
Wall's Was Founded In 1922 And Now Is Present Pretty Much Everywhere
'diego, I Feel So Energised Now! I Feel Like I Can Topple A Mesoamerican Empire Or Two'
You Can Hardly Find A Neutral Country
Ahh Sh*t Here We Go Again
And what role exactly did the Vikings played in the sack of Constantinople 200 years later? SMH
You Heard The Man
Knock Knock It’s The Mongols
Bowling Was Huge In Narmoutheos 5000 Years Ago
“Lets Build A City On Top Of This Lake That Will Be Home To 200,000 People, Snake Told Me To Do So”
I'm Sure This Style Of Duelling Will Really Take Off
The More Ya Know
It Would Make Living In Japanese Pow Camp Look Like A Vacation
It's All Watergate Under The Bridge
It's Just A Little Nudge Towards Open Trading. How Bad Can It Be?
Gotta Feel Bad For Beethoven There
So he was upset this asshole turned out to be another kind of assholes?
Hey, What's Wrong With Having A Good Splurge If You've Got The Money?
Highway To The.....oops, Wrong Branch
There Were Very Few Clear Cut “Good Guys” And “Bad Guys” In The First World War
Well, if that’s how you feel about it, I might as well join the Freikorps.
The Battle Of Antietam Was A Slaughterhouse. 3,700 Soldiers From Both Sides Were Killed Making It The Bloodiest Day In American History
Take Notes Boys
Can’t Trick Me
I hope you like that swan coz u aren't gna get a choice about this...
'a Body Of Water?! Those Crafty British Bastards...'
It was mostly the british air superiority over the channel that prevented larger landing operations. Despite having the better planes (BF109) the Luftwaffe had a very limited time frame before the pilots needed to get back to base. The RAF had shorter distances and could get resupplied before the germans planes came back again.
Money Makes Countries Do Crazy Things
The Pork Taboo Actually Predates The Old Testament And The Qur’an; Pig Livestock In The Middle East Sharply Declined Around 1000 Bc. Historians Are Still Debating The Reasons Behind The Taboo
The Korean War Was The First And The Last Time The UN Had Any Balls
Alright, Which One Are You Again? Honestly, It's Hard To Keep Track
Liberty Ships Were Garbage, But Were Very Useful Garbage
'hey There, Jojo. Tell Me, Have You Ever Driven A Panzer Before?'
The Dad Was A Culhua Magnate Named Achitometl. Imagine Going To Your Daughter's Wedding, Only To See Her Being Turned To Apparel. The Aztecs Were Dicks Of The Highest Order
Contrary To Popular Belief, The Conquest Of Africa Was A Difficult Affair And Tens Of Thousands Of European Soldiers Died. The African Nations Valorously Resisted Until The End
World? No Thanks, "Known World" Will Do Just Fine...
The Spice Must Flow
At one point in the later Roman Empire peppercorns were worth more than gold by weight.
Many Famous Italian Writers Used His Dialect Centuries After His Death Because It Was That Good
Ha. Historical memes without context would be a better name for this list.