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It's a universal truth that a school subject is as interesting as its teacher or the materials they provide. Take history, for example. Memorizing dead people's names, distant places, and so many dates; at the wrong hands, it can become quite boring.

But at the right ones, it becomes a valuable tool, showing how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures, and technologies were built, how they operated, and how they have changed. Not only does this knowledge make people more rounded, but it also inspires and accelerates one's critical thinking, a skill that transfers to every intellectual pursuit.

Plus, it can also be fun! We at Bored Panda expanded on our earlier list and put together a new collection of the best history memes on the internet.

#1

Imagine

Imagine

historyinmemes Report

#2

Nestlé Biting Their Tongue

Nestlé Biting Their Tongue

historyinmemes Report

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beastmachine.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hard to believe it's the same company that thinks water isn't a human right

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Howard Zinn, an American historian, playwright, philosopher, and socialist thinker, said he started studying the subject with one view in mind: to look for answers to the issues and problems he saw in the world about him. "By the time I went to college I had worked in a shipyard, had been in the Air Force, had been in a war. I came to history asking questions about war and peace, about wealth and poverty, about racial division," he explained.

Zinn saw the thrilling, entertaining side of history even without the memes. "There's a certain interest in inspecting the past and it can be fun, sort of like a detective story," he said. "I can make an argument for knowledge for its own sake as something that can add to your life. But while that's good, it is small in relation to the very large objective of trying to understand and do something about the issues that face us in the world today."

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"Students should be encouraged to go into history in order to come out of it, and should be discouraged from going into history and getting lost in it, as some historians do."

#3

Anyone Know Her Of?

Anyone Know Her Of?

Alice Roosevelt with her dog Leo. She smoked cigarettes in public, chewed gum, placed bets with bookies, rode in cars with men, stayed out late partying, and kept a pet snake named Emily Spinach, which she often wore wrapped around one arm and took to parties. Her father President Theodore Roosevelt once said of her “I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice, but I cannot possibly do both.” 1902.

historyinmemes Report

#4

Simps

Simps

historyinmemes Report

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well focusing on a woman's sexuality as a way to undermine her legitimacy or achievements is common. Catherine the Great gets the same treatment. Elizabeth I has a whole chunk of the New World named after her not getting laid. And this is only the women who can't be effectively erased from the "Great Man" version of history. Thank god for gender, Queer, disability and minority studies for pushing to include historical actors who aren't white men in history and for revealing some of the most fascinating narratives out there.

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To learn more about history meme culture, we contacted people behind one of its biggest communities, the appropriately-titled subreddit r/HistoryMemes. Its owner and head moderator, u/TheDelta was kind enough to respond.

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"[Some of the most popular topics are] the World Wars (mainly 2) and the late interwar period (rise of the Nazis in Germany and the Sino-Japanese war)," they told Bored Panda. "Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, the assassination of Julius Caesar, and Vlad the Impaler [are also pretty big.]"

#5

It Really Do Be Like That

It Really Do Be Like That

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Pixie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ein hausgemachter Kartoffelsalat mit vegetarischer Thüringer Rostbratwurst bitte.

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#6

Dog History Memes Are Undefeated

Dog History Memes Are Undefeated

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Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meanwhile, cats: "These humans still think they own us. How cute." :P

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r/HistoryMemes has a whopping 2.8 million members with thousands browsing it at any given moment. If you like this sort of content, we can't recommend joining the subreddit enough. The moderator of this online community likes to think of it as a high school club — there's a general interest in the subject, but everyone has their own specific thing they like to study/know the most about.

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u/TheDelta thinks history works great in memes because "everyone has to learn history in school and history itself is often taught/studied as a narrative and that is something we humans are drawn towards."

"Combining that with something we all have been exposed to and have (mostly limited) knowledge of, you have people who want to make memes and jokes to tell those events and stories," they explained.

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#9

Relatable

Relatable

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

I'm sure "overwhelming desire to beat someone with a chair" exists as a word in some language. At the every least the Germans can make it a word

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#10

Humans Rock

Humans Rock

historyinmemes Report

However, as the moderator pointed out, one has to remain careful when "consuming" history. "The sheer amount of stuff we hear about from media (movies, books, video games, etc.) is just wrong or very much misinterpreted," u/TheDelta added.

"Things like German tanks being the best of WW2 and how they had such a mechanized army, how the 'vomitorium' used by the Romans was a place for them to vomit so they can eat more peacock brain and hummingbird wing, etc. I guess I'd say we really want to encourage fact-checking and people looking critically at this history you're told by people with little to no actual credentials."

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George Santayana once said: "History is always written wrong, and so always needs to be rewritten." Something tells me he'd appreciate these memes!

#11

Shoutout Yuri

Shoutout Yuri

historyinmemes Report

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NsG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"If you can name five Kardashians [...] you should probably re-evaluate your internet and reading habits" really explains a lot about the state of the education system.

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#15

Innovation Is Scary

Innovation Is Scary

historyinmemes Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an old cartoon where a woman asks a conductor from an electrical tram if it's safe. His reply: As long as your one foot isn't on the ground while your other foot is touching the wires, you're safe.

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#16

Gotta Love Geography

Gotta Love Geography

historyinmemes Report

#17

Canadians Are So Nice

Canadians Are So Nice

historyinmemes Report

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

I think since Canada is literally digging up mass graves of Native school children we can agree that this tweet is far from their most aggressive act.

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#23

Read The Primary Sources, People!

Read The Primary Sources, People!

EliotHudson Report

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True. The Angels in the bible were described as being, well, all over the shop. A mish-mash of animals here, some gold wheels there (Yes, interlocking gold wheels, plus eyes?).

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#24

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité!

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité!

Glenny08 Report

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François Carré
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if they lived to the age of 92 they could still see a quick and awful defeat of the French against the Prussians, the fall of the Second Empire, the rise of the Third Republic, and a ephemeral attempt at forming an utopian socialist government in Paris, which would result in a bloody civil war... all of this in less than one year.

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#25

It Do Be Like That

It Do Be Like That

historyinmemes Report

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

In my country, you are not allowed to sell or buy your blood nor your plasma... It can only be donated for free. I still do it anyway, but I am upset.

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#26

Home Of KFC’s Secret Recipe

Home Of KFC’s Secret Recipe

historyinmemes Report

#28

Fashion Is A Matter Of Historical Perspective

Fashion Is A Matter Of Historical Perspective

EasieEEE Report

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Raise your hand if you think Cary Grant could carry off frou-frou men's clothing from the 17th and 18th centuries!

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#29

Keep Your Voices Down; The English Could Walk In At Any Minute

Keep Your Voices Down; The English Could Walk In At Any Minute

johnlen1n Report

#30

"Will You Update Your Portrait, Caesar?" "No, I Don't Think I Will"

"Will You Update Your Portrait, Caesar?" "No, I Don't Think I Will"

Evening-Raccoon7088 Report

#31

The Strike Was Truly An Up And Down Kind Of Affair

The Strike Was Truly An Up And Down Kind Of Affair

johnlen1n Report

#32

Sick Balcony

Sick Balcony

historyinmemes Report

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King Joffrey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure but show us how the common man lived in ancient Rome and then we'll compare...

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#34

'look Who's Laughing Now, Pierre!'

'look Who's Laughing Now, Pierre!'

johnlen1n Report

#35

My Stomach Hurts

My Stomach Hurts

historyinmemes Report

#36

Weird How Many People Found Their True Calling During The Prohibition

Weird How Many People Found Their True Calling During The Prohibition

SnooCapers2719 Report

#37

'are You Sure You Don't Want To Come In And Browse My Bedding Wares, Hans? You Look Tired From All That Intimidation You're Trying To Do'

'are You Sure You Don't Want To Come In And Browse My Bedding Wares, Hans? You Look Tired From All That Intimidation You're Trying To Do'

johnlen1n Report

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Yudi Holtsberg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The man wearing a iron cross is a ww1 Jewish German veteran named is Richard stern. As an act of defiance is standing in front of his store.

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#38

Like Father Like Son

Like Father Like Son

MadRonnie97 Report

#39

Me Who Knows That They Were Built By Aliens:*signature Look Of Superiority*

Me Who Knows That They Were Built By Aliens:*signature Look Of Superiority*

Other-Apricot-5677 Report

#40

Funny How Pop Culture Can Change How We Remember History

Funny How Pop Culture Can Change How We Remember History

kingcaspr Report

#41

We Are Perfect

We Are Perfect

historyinmemes Report

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Killed the natives, stole their lands, owned slaves, had racist laws, stole tea, betrayed Britain...

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#42

I Wish Jesus Gave Me A Cool Nickname

I Wish Jesus Gave Me A Cool Nickname

DariusStrada Report

#43

The War Never Really Left Him

The War Never Really Left Him

MadRonnie97 Report

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King Joffrey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, this is me as a kid. Also had a grandpa who fought in the war and heard all the stories way before I was ready to really comprehend them.

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#44

Domestication Always Comes With A Heavy Price

Domestication Always Comes With A Heavy Price

johnlen1n Report

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Life is ?
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some dogs cannot take sounds of carhorns but bark like a fire alarm.

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#45

Rip Captain Cook

Rip Captain Cook

EliotHudson Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure if the indigenous people of America knew what would happen, they would have killed every stranger who set foot on their soil.

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#46

You Know, I'm Something Of A Philosopher Myself

You Know, I'm Something Of A Philosopher Myself

worldclassmemes Report

#48

"Lenin, Stop Taking Selfies! We Have A Civil War To Win!"

"Lenin, Stop Taking Selfies! We Have A Civil War To Win!"

johnlen1n Report

#49

'mamma Mia, Have You Never Heard Of The Frogmen At Alexandria?!'

'mamma Mia, Have You Never Heard Of The Frogmen At Alexandria?!'

johnlen1n Report

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J. F.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey, they helped the USSR by invading Greece and delaying operation Barbarossa by 5 weeks into the winter months when they called the Wehrmacht for support - that was indeed quite effective

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#50

"What About Engineering, Anakin? That Could Be Fun, Right?"

"What About Engineering, Anakin? That Could Be Fun, Right?"

johnlen1n Report

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

I get very tired of the idea that degrees in humanities are not "useful". They are useful. Universities are about learning and growing as a person and citizen and are not meant to be on the job training. Cutting humanities funding screws over society as a whole.

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#52

Or Pretty Much Every Government That Ever Existed Once Things Go South

Or Pretty Much Every Government That Ever Existed Once Things Go South

Nooblord29 Report

#53

Trust Me, Lobotomies Will Go Down In History As 'Big Brain Moves'

Trust Me, Lobotomies Will Go Down In History As 'Big Brain Moves'

johnlen1n Report

#54

The Whole Thing Really Blew Up In Poor Alfred Nobel's Face

The Whole Thing Really Blew Up In Poor Alfred Nobel's Face

johnlen1n Report

#55

Dante Alighieri Was A Chad And Red Robed

Dante Alighieri Was A Chad And Red Robed

LuukB101 Report

#56

They Did Succeed In Converting A Few Hundred Thousands Of Them

They Did Succeed In Converting A Few Hundred Thousands Of Them

Evening-Raccoon7088 Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Converting is a euphemism for murder, rape, robbery and destruction of culture.

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#59

Debris? Shrapnel? American School Desks Laugh In The Face Of Such Dangers!

Debris? Shrapnel? American School Desks Laugh In The Face Of Such Dangers!

johnlen1n Report

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad as it is to know, but the idea was to protect enough of the body for identification purposes

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#60

Lobster Can Be Quite Pricey; It's A Real Pinch On Wallets

Lobster Can Be Quite Pricey; It's A Real Pinch On Wallets

johnlen1n Report

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

The same with caviar. The more you go away from the coast, the more expensive gets the fishy eggs...

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#61

'useless? It's 500 Miles From The French Coastline. It's Perfect!'

'useless? It's 500 Miles From The French Coastline. It's Perfect!'

johnlen1n Report

#62

Winning The Extinction Lottery

Winning The Extinction Lottery

Evening-Raccoon7088 Report

#63

And The Land Of Maple Was Born

And The Land Of Maple Was Born

velvetbettle Report

#64

The British Did Not Think This Through

The British Did Not Think This Through

NuevoPeru Report

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Mark Melton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During the Vietnam conflict, McNamara drafted kids with Intelligence Quotient under 80. These kids were slaughtered after being subjected to horrors beyond comprehension. There's gonna be a special place in Hell for everyone connected to this.

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#65

'hey There, Buddy. So, About All This Strife Between Us...'

'hey There, Buddy. So, About All This Strife Between Us...'

johnlen1n Report

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#66

'but Guys, Look On The Bright Side. We Get To Make A Seventh Coalition! That's Fun, Right?'

'but Guys, Look On The Bright Side. We Get To Make A Seventh Coalition! That's Fun, Right?'

johnlen1n Report

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J. F.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And thanks to the 400 Hanoverian soldiers that delayed his offensive near Waterloo he wasn't a problem any further

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#67

All Invaded By Multiple Countries In History

All Invaded By Multiple Countries In History

karvina_42 Report

#68

Damn First And Second Estate, Depriving Me Of My Carbs

Damn First And Second Estate, Depriving Me Of My Carbs

johnlen1n Report

#69

Making A Meme Of Every Country's History Day 157: Croatia (Posting 2 Today)

Making A Meme Of Every Country's History Day 157: Croatia (Posting 2 Today)

Zander-dupont Report

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#70

They Didn't Have The Resources

They Didn't Have The Resources

crmeacham93 Report

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Bear Hall
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Soviet Union payed the highest price. Correction: the Communist had all their people pay the highest price.

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#71

But The Newspaper Said Everything Was Fine... Why Would They Lie To Me?!

But The Newspaper Said Everything Was Fine... Why Would They Lie To Me?!

johnlen1n Report

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

Who would have guessed that protecting the terrorist who murdered the emperor's son an daughter-in-law would create a conflict ? /s

#72

A Minute Of Silence

A Minute Of Silence

historyinmemes Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beats US TV: 14:45 Shrek 14:50 Commercials 15:10 Shrek (continuation) 15:15 Commercials 15:40 Shrek (continuation) 15:45: Commercials 16:00 News 16:30 The Kardashians.

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#73

Greeks And Romans Believe In Skirt Supremacy

Greeks And Romans Believe In Skirt Supremacy

Shalashaska1873 Report

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#74

You Know, There Is That Old Saying About German Science Being The World's Finest

You Know, There Is That Old Saying About German Science Being The World's Finest

johnlen1n Report

#75

Chiellini Summoned The Strength Of Times Gone By, As Football Headed Back Towards Rome

Chiellini Summoned The Strength Of Times Gone By, As Football Headed Back Towards Rome

johnlen1n Report

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#76

“I’m Sure Your Leaders Finally Realized That When Atlanta And Columbia Were Burning”

“I’m Sure Your Leaders Finally Realized That When Atlanta And Columbia Were Burning”

MadRonnie97 Report

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

And the losers are still trying to overthrow our country. They are addicted to losing.

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#77

I’m In

I’m In

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always wondered who, back then, in the hell would attack from above, at the back, that would warrant the raised spears...

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#78

'hey Peter, Do You Know What's Better Than Playing With Toy Soldiers? Deposing Your Inept Husband!'

'hey Peter, Do You Know What's Better Than Playing With Toy Soldiers? Deposing Your Inept Husband!'

johnlen1n Report

#79

When In Doubt, Blame The Gods

When In Doubt, Blame The Gods

Evening-Raccoon7088 Report

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

Today: Is this drought caused by years of industrial pollution? No, it's because Bill had a barbecue last week.

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#80

Philosophers Commonly Describe Plato's Actions As A 'Big Brain Move'

Philosophers Commonly Describe Plato's Actions As A 'Big Brain Move'

johnlen1n Report

#81

'napoleon Ate Our Pasta?! Right, Time For A Seventh Coalition!'

'napoleon Ate Our Pasta?! Right, Time For A Seventh Coalition!'

johnlen1n Report

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#82

We Are So Westernized That Even Some Asians Can't Consider Us As Asian For Being Too Westernized

We Are So Westernized That Even Some Asians Can't Consider Us As Asian For Being Too Westernized

karvina_42 Report

#83

'yes, You Have Fun Climbing To The Moon. We'll Be Laughing Down At You From Mars!'

'yes, You Have Fun Climbing To The Moon. We'll Be Laughing Down At You From Mars!'

johnlen1n Report

#84

Don't Worry, Napoleon Will Only Be Around For 100 Days Or So; Nothing To Worry About

Don't Worry, Napoleon Will Only Be Around For 100 Days Or So; Nothing To Worry About

johnlen1n Report

#85

'don't Worry, You Guys Can Still Practice Sodomy. We Aren't That Crazy'

'don't Worry, You Guys Can Still Practice Sodomy. We Aren't That Crazy'

johnlen1n Report

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Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago