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To some people, memes are associated with jokes about cats, coffee, and the latest TikTok trends. And it's fine. But online humor can also be sharp, insightful, and educational when it's done right.

That’s exactly what the Instagram account 'HistorylandHQ' offers. From everyday life in ancient civilizations to modern politics, it uses clever cultural references instead of dry textbook explanations to talk about the events that shape our present.

However, having sat through a class or two makes the punchline land even harder!

More info: Instagram

#1

Vintage 1938 newspaper clipping with a funny headline about a man denying a body is his, challenging history knowledge.

That ain’t me

historylandhq Report

Michael Largey
Community Member
3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." - Mark Twain

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    #2

    Black and white mugshot of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland from 1961, related to funny memes challenging history knowledge.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No change since then. Today if you stand up against racism, you're accused of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

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    Julia Göke, who is the doctoral researcher at the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History, argues that memes are integral to the creation of contemporary historical consciousness.

    By juxtaposing historical imagery with modern contexts, memes, she says, allow for a democratization of history, enabling people to engage with and contribute to historical discourse outside traditional academic frameworks.

    #3

    19th century union cartoon showing low wages and high rent impacting workers in a funny history knowledge meme.

    Does the union make us strong?

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    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Boycott USA. Don’t buy any US products or travel here

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    #4

    Funny history meme featuring a quote by Diogenes of Sinope about philosophy and rich men’s houses.

    He was in to something!

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    Socrates
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love Diogenes. He had no care in the world for what anyone thought. He would walk around barking like a dog, and shining a lantern into people’s eyes saying, “I’m looking for an honest man!”

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    #5

    Close-up of an ancient Egyptian bust with a skeptical expression, paired with a humorous history meme about pharaohs.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Tut, tut, my dear, I'm trying to help your family. Your mummy got caught up in some pyramid scheme, and something sphinx about it. She just won't listen - she's totally in denial."

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    In other words, Göke believes memes aren't just jokes or distractions; in her eyes, they act as cultural touchpoints that reflect and shape public memory, revealing how we as a society interpret and reinterpret the past.

    Göke sees memes as both mirrors and constructors of historical meaning, giving everyday internet users the tools to interact and discuss the subject in ways that were once the domain of academics.

    #6

    Anglo-Saxon metal face mask above a humorous tweet challenging history knowledge with a flipping through history book joke.

    historylandhq Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As the great sage once said "Violence is not the answer. Violence is the question. The answer is 'yes'. " 😬 (anyway, that helmet belonged to a immigrant culture. Bl**dy Angles and Saxons, coming over here with their fancy continental ways, mangling their language until it turned into English, etc., etc.😉 )

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    #8

    Funny history meme explaining why many UK rivers are named Avon, featuring cartoonish Viking characters by a river.

    Yes River River

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's still the word for river if you're speaking Cymraeg - spelt "afon" but that Welsh letter "f'" is pronounced as an English "v". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_orthography/ Meanwhile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittonic_languages

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    Göke categorizes this process into four stages:

    Productional: Focusing on the creation of memes, this dimension considers the intent and context behind their production, highlighting the role of creators in shaping historical narratives.

    Communicative: This step describes accessibility and reach. Memes vary from circulating in small private groups to appearing on widely used platforms, and since they're also highly intertextual, their understanding depends on the audience’s familiarity with the references and codes they use.

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    Receptive: Here, the emphasis is on how audiences interpret and engage with memes. Likes, dislikes, comments, all of these things determine a particular meme's longevity and relevance.

    Historical: Finally, this dimension looks at the role of memes in shaping historical discourse, influencing collective memory and public perception of historical events.

    #10

    Screenshot of a humorous history meme showing a news headline about T. Rex intelligence from The Seattle Times.

    Been working on my Gruul Dino and Dragon deck lately

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    Mreoww
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Smart enough to be working modern jobs.

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    #11

    Funny memes humorously highlighting historical life expectations from height to income, challenging your history knowledge with humor.

    I would’ve been such a stud in the 1700s!

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    #12

    Comparison meme with a majestic unicorn representing the Eastern Bloc in propaganda and a worn horse showing reality, history memes.

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    Nosirrow
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was born less than a year before the fall of communism in Poland, but experienced the despair of it. Huge poverty, everything bleak, everything low quality, just the worst. And then I saw an English travel youtuber admire Soviet architecture and what not. Last year I went into bus station that didn't change at all, like a time capsule from the '80s. I whispered to myself, 'Where's Bald and Bankrupt?'

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    #13

    Funny meme comparing future military uniforms in 2025 as camo emoji and 1225 as colorful knight in armor on horse.

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    David
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One you wanted to strike fear in your enemy and show how powerful you are. Today, its let hide before unleashing the firestorms of hell upon them from all over

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    "[Memes] wield significant discursive power, shaping contemporary discourse and providing a platform for diverse political opinions," Göke writes. "They have been shown to play a crucial role in community building, particularly for marginalized groups."

    However, at this point, bad actors have also realized their potential. The researcher adds that political memes aren't simply ways for people to share their opinions; they can also be leveraged to manipulate or influence audiences through strategies like inoculating, spreading, or countering ideas, often with the help of trolls. In this way, memes can serve as powerful tools for propaganda and disruption.

    #14

    Person wearing improvised protective gear while checking out at a store in a funny history meme.

    Is this historical yet?

    historylandhq Report

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    #16

    Humorous history meme comparing nations' use of spears and conquest of Afghanistan with a funny conclusion.

    Fair conclusion tbh

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mmm. I had to check. This is mistaken. The British Army in the 19th century did use lances and lances are a type of spear... (scroll down to plate E for one example) https://ia801409.us.archive.org/13/items/british-cavalry-equipments-1800-1941/vdoc.pub_british-cavalry-equipments-1800-1941-revised-edition_text.pdf and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance

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    #17

    Portrait of Isaac Newton with text about revolutionizing math and physics, a funny meme challenging history knowledge.

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    Dave Brown
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And apparently he did it all with very weird hands

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    For example, during the Brexit referendum, Russian operatives shared memes promoting anti-European Union sentiments, framing the EU as an oppressive force infringing on British sovereignty. This tactic not only fuelled pro-Brexit sentiment but also exploited existing divisions within British society. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

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    #19

    Twitter post by Historyland about Public Universal Friend, an American preacher, featuring a historical portrait meme challenging history knowledge.

    Gotta be one of the coolest names out there

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    #20

    Animated meme contrasting German Empire helping Lenin and Red Army in Berlin, humorously challenging history knowledge with funny memes.

    Unexpected consequences

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    Agent Smith
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hitler should have read the room better.

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    #21

    Man squatting and looking at a gorilla sitting with hands clasped, funny memes challenging history knowledge.

    HOW DEEP DOES IT GO?!?

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Remember when we thought he was the worst president possible?

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    “Russia has weaponized memes as part of a broader strategy of offensive information warfare—using troll farms, state-controlled media, and AI-generated content to spread false and misleading information as part of their strategy to sow confusion,” explains Dr. Tine Munk, lead researcher and senior lecturer in criminology at Nottingham Trent University's School of Social Sciences.

    So we have to approach historical memes with a critical eye and remember that humor and simplification can sometimes mask bias or manipulation.

    #23

    Two contrasting black and white portraits illustrating a funny meme about history knowledge and the Vietnam War.

    historylandhq Report

    panther
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Travel the world, meet new people and then k i l l them. Brought to you by the new Department of War.

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    #24

    Funny memes comparing gorilla pop culture references across generations, challenging history knowledge with humorous images.

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    Jaya
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The censored word is fétish.

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    #25

    Tweet from Historyland humorously calling an Albania vs Serbia soccer match the start of World War III in funny history memes.

    Belgrade Brawl 2.0

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    MontanaMariner
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought this was one of those matches FIFA banned.

    #26

    Vintage black and white photo of Yugoslav officials, with humorous text challenging history knowledge through memes.

    historylandhq Report

    guenstig
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't get this...I'm whooshing over this one.

    Grumpy old man
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trump went to Epstein Island, mlestss and raapz little girls. Said on air he would date his own daughter. His grandfather ran brothels

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    NEMESIS
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you actually have the list to make this statement, then release it a prove it.

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    #27

    Map showing fertile land in Mesopotamia humorously suggesting starting a civilization, a funny meme challenging history knowledge.

    Very fertile

    historylandhq Report

    #28

    Humorous meme featuring a historic Prussian helmet with a pickle on top, challenging history knowledge humorously.

    historylandhq Report

    Michelle C
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am of German origin in part and admit I laughed!

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    #29

    World map with humorous caption about Ottomans and cheaper pepper, a funny history meme challenging knowledge.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Greenland looks the same size as Africa here. Africa is actually 14 times larger.

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    #30

    Humorous history meme comparing France opposing increased taxes to opposing Germany in 1939 with funny images.

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    David
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    france fought, they just had bad battle plans the germans outflanked, they had tanks way better armoured and powerful than German ones, but were 1/4th the speed so they Germans outsped them, etc. They fought, they just poorly planned it all. THough in 1939 they could have ended it and taken Berlin if their leaders followed through on their promise to poland and didnt just barely invade Germany but had gone in full force.

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    #31

    History-Memes-Ig-Historylandhq

    Map showing 19th century Spain with territories highlighted, illustrating a funny history meme challenging historical knowledge.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was a lot more red at the start of the 19th Century.

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    #32

    Medieval-style illustration of a woman with red hair and a braid, captioned with a humorous history meme about battle timing.

    Okay but I would go into battle for her

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    #33

    Meme showing reactions to WW1, WW2, and chaotic internet culture representing WW3 in funny history challenge memes.

    Mooooovd to Florida buy the car you want

    historylandhq Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I don't know what weapons World War 3 will be fought with, but World War 4 will be fought with sticks and stones."

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    #34

    Satirical newspaper headline humorously reacting to the moon landing in a funny history meme format.

    Man walks on Moon

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    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are we ignoring that 1969 was fifty-six years ago, not 66?

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    #35

    Funny history meme showing a frustrated character demanding sources and an ancient historian referencing a dream.

    historylandhq Report

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Herodotus claimed sources, which I think were d***s

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    #36

    Three simple cartoon figures labeled Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, humorously depicted with a flag, challenging history knowledge.

    historylandhq Report

    David
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That flag was during WW1 when the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was formed to fight the Ottomans, before the Ottomans decided to destroy it with German help. Then in 1918 when the Ottomans collapsed they fell into a 3 way war before Georgia backed out if it, and the Armenians and Azerbaijan went into a 2 year brutal war (massacres on both sides) until the Soviets came in and forced all 3 to rejoin as the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, and it didnt work well, so the Soviets decided to split them up into 3, and we still have issues today.

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    #38

    Map showing the shift of the Catholic population center from 33 AD to a forecast in 2050 across globe in history knowledge memes.

    There is a new pope in town

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    BrunoVI
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The center of population wisely sailed around North Africa; it knew how bad the Sahara was.

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    #39

    Couples kissing by a vintage car in 1983 New Jersey with Twin Towers in background, a funny meme challenging history knowledge.

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    Danny Sauer
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know what sounds romantic, babe? A bunch of other teens hanging out with us at the dump.

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    #41

    Map of Chicago 2008-2009 with images of historical figures including Obama, Friedman, Al Capone, Pope Leo XIV, and Kanye West.

    Chicago be popping

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    #42

    Meme humor challenging history knowledge with a fantasy soldier referencing Alexander's troops and HOI4 game AI.

    Also can be said for most things

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    Eric Brown
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But, why does this guy look like Cell from DBZ?

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    #43

    Historical map of ancient Roman and Greek territories with a humorous military draft text overlay meme.

    See ya in Tehran

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    Miracle Max
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, what does this mean? I have no clue what the poster is trying to convey.

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    #44

    Crying British meme arguing with calm Irish meme about language history, overlaid on decline of Irish speakers map.

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ahem. Brit here. Number of times Brits have made a remark like that to anyone is the proverbial "two fifths of fúck all" because, er, we know about the monster that is the English language, British colonialism, British oppression of Ireland, etc., etc.. Americans make that sort of claim, but that's because they've been brainwashed into thinking that the USA saved the world back in 1945, etc., etc.

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