ADVERTISEMENT

She was banned from attending class because of the color of her skin. She never gave up and at 51, became her university's first black graduate. They were denied bank loans simply because they were female, so they each scraped together $1,000 and opened America's first women-only bank. He slept alone on the streets of London as a young boy, and went on to turn his deepest humiliation into laughter that healed the world.

These are the people you probably didn't read about in a history textbook. The stories that might even have been forgotten if they weren't immortalized in an inspiring corner of the internet dedicated to unearthing untold tales, hidden mysteries, and magical moments from past. The Facebook page Forgotten Stories is a treasure trove of uplifting and inspiring content. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, against the odds. And we are all here for it!

Bored Panda has put together the best posts from the page in the name of keeping legacies alive and shining bright. Sit back, enjoy and don't forget to upvote your favorites.

#1

Black and white portrait of a man with text about forgotten stories revealing Steve Buscemi's 9/11 firehouse efforts.

Forgotten Stories Report

Lee Gilliland
Community Member
Premium
13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He really is an amazing, caring man who works quietly in the shadows.

View more comments

We all have a story to tell. Sometimes, we just don't realize it or we underestimate the power of our own words.

Sharing your life experiences can not only heal you, but might help another person too. "Storytelling isn’t about broadcasting your life to the world. It’s about owning who you are and helping carve out spaces where others feel seen and understood," writes Sun Ah Brock, a public speaker, and the CEO of LUX Decor. "Ideally, it inspires others to do the same."

Brock says that often, the stories we’re most afraid to tell hold the greatest power to connect, inspire, and transform others - and ourselves.

RELATED:
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    Black woman from 1928 banned from classrooms, later became first Black graduate; image linked to forgotten stories on Facebook.

    Forgotten Stories Report

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

    It was the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.

    #5

    Black and white photo of Julius Rosenwald with text about his work funding schools for Black children, from Forgotten Stories Facebook page.

    That book was "Up From Slavery" by Booker T. Washington.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Tea Drinker
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Available for free download at gutenberg dot org

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Black and white image of an elderly man smiling, representing forgotten stories that need more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not all heroes wear capes. Also, it should not have been needed. Universal healthcare.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Black and white photo of Army nurse Ellen Ainsworth in uniform, representing forgotten stories that need more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Spencer's slave no longer
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lt. Ellen Ainsworth lost her life during the Battle of Anzio and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. She is buried in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy.

    View more comments
    #8

    Ruth Bader Ginsburg featured on a forgotten stories Facebook page highlighting overlooked historical narratives.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    9 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me that the current president of the USA recently dismissed a woman journalist's question by saying 'Shut up, Piggy'. Here in the UK, our very own Tr*mp wannabe Nigel Farage has been trying out the same tactic against women journalists. There are far, far worse things in the world, but why aren't more people calling out that sort of bvllshit more loudly? 🤷

    View more comments
    #9

    Black and white photo of eight women who started America's first women-only bank in 1978, highlighting forgotten stories.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    DB
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Women's Bank of Denver opened in 1975. It was sold in 1995 and renamed the Colorado Business Bank. The first women's bank was the First Women's Bank of Tennessee founded in 1917.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Black and white photo of Beatrix Potter with dog, highlighting forgotten stories needing more attention from history.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beatrix Potter was an avid mushroom fan. She recorded many species of fungi and wrote a lot on the topic.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Australian stretcher bearer carrying wounded soldier in New Guinea, highlighting forgotten stories of bravery and heroism.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Inspiration for Forrest Gump?

    View more comments
    #13

    Black family portrait highlighting forgotten stories from a Facebook page dedicated to uncovering untold history.

    Isabel Sanford won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981 for her iconic role as Louise "Weezy" Jefferson on The Jeffersons.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    T'Mar of Vulcan
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact: "The Jeffersons" was on in South Africa in the '80s, dubbed into Zulu. My Zulu is limited to greetings and common words, but let me tell you, I used to watch it just for the occasional white person who would appear, speaking in perfect Zulu! It was so surreal, but check YouTube. It's also a reality now!

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Historical photo of Choctaw people symbolizing forgotten stories that need more attention from history and culture.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Cat Palmer
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are friendly relations between the two people to this day (link below). The English, contrary to popular belief didn't do nothing: they in fact actively made the situation worse by blocking aid because it might make the Irish people 'dependent' on the people who had stolen their country. My people have many things to be ashamed of, and this is right up there with the worst of them.

    View more comments
    #16

    Black astronaut in NASA suit stands by space shuttle model, representing forgotten stories needing more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparently most of these people were never issued names.

    View more comments
    #17

    Black woman leading a national cancer campaign, featured on a Facebook page uncovering forgotten stories needing attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Roberta Surprenant
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Her name is Minnie Riperton, may hace heard of her daughter - Maya Rudolph (SNL)

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Historical image of Henrietta Vansittart and text highlighting forgotten stories of pioneering women inventors and engineering achievements.

    Forgotten Stories Report

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

    Not that simple. 'In 1868, Vansittart was awarded a patent (British Patent no 2877), for an improvement on her father's work – what she called the Lowe-Vansittart propeller' - 'Henrietta improved the design with curved rather than straight blades for greater efficiency' - 'For her work on ship propulsion, Vansittart won many awards, was mentioned by name in various newspapers, such as The Times and her invention took her to several exhibitions all over the world' - '[her] obituary also claims that Vansittart was the first woman to write and read a scientific paper, illustrated with diagrams and drawings of her own, before a scientific institution'. Link follows.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Black and white photo of a man in a tuxedo with bow tie, highlighting forgotten stories about honeybee sanctuaries.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It has been said before, but bees are very intelligent little creatures. They can 'recognise' a human face, apparently perceiving us as very large and ugly flowers.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Black and white image of Charlie Chaplin and child highlighting forgotten stories of childhood hardship and resilience.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    13 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    He was very successful, very talented and very funny. Just do not enquire about Chaplin's private life. It soon becomes a case of whether you can separate the art from the artist.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #27

    Black leading man Lee Thompson Young’s forgotten story uncovered, highlighting his impact and hidden struggles in Hollywood.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    7 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    This is shameful. Robin and Rugile, you had one job. One. I had to do the research for you. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Thompson_Young

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #32

    Black and white photo of Tony Iommi with text about his factory accident and invention of heavy metal, Forgotten Stories logo.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, sort of. His unique style gave Black Sabbath their signature sound, but the term 'heavy metal' was not used until quite a few years later.

    View more comments
    #33

    Black and white photo of Alice Guy-Blaché, pioneer filmmaker featured on a Facebook page uncovering forgotten stories.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Tea Drinker
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There were many women moviemakers in the early days. Then men decided it was unfeminine and only they should be behind the camera.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    Black-and-white photo of a family with text about forgotten stories and philanthropy by MacKenzie Scott.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    LiuLiu
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She is still leaps and bounds a better person and philanthropist then her ex loppy eyed husband who cheated on

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #39

    Three Viking women in traditional warrior attire with swords, representing forgotten stories from history.

    Forgotten Stories Report

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

    This is down to new findings in archaelogy. When 19th century archaeologists opened the Birka grave, they assumed the skeleton was that of a lightly built young man. They were wrong. Link follows.

    View more comments
    #40

    Black and white photo of Syd Barrett with text about forgotten stories from a Facebook page highlighting overlooked history.

    Forgotten Stories Report

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

    He didn't vanish - he just lived privately. The band wrote 'Shine on your crazy diamond' as a tribute to him.

    View more comments
    #41

    Black and white portrait of a young woman from forgotten stories featured on a Facebook page highlighting untold history.

    Doris Eaton Travis (1904–2010), a renowned American dancer and actress who was the last surviving "Ziegfeld Girl" from the famous Ziegfeld Follies Broadway revues.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #42

    Black and white photo of Native American marines in WWII, highlighting forgotten stories needing more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Slightly twisted, it wasn't a code as such, they communicated in a language that was simply unknown to the enemy.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #44

    Older man wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors, representing forgotten stories uncovered by a Facebook page.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Tea Drinker
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If only our VA still had free rides. They lost the contract and funding so now only certain vets can get a ride.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #47

    Black and white portrait of an older man with text about forgotten stories uncovering impactful acts.

    Chuck Feeney, the co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers who became a renowned philanthropist.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ff.s, if it wasn't for comments and additions by the monitor nobody would know it now either. These all read like questions on a quiz show

    #48

    Black and white photo highlighting forgotten stories of a 24-year-old Mexican woman who wrote a famous love song.

    Consuelo Velázquez wrote the famous bolero song "Bésame Mucho" in 1940.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Black and white photo of a priest from a Facebook page uncovering forgotten stories of Armenian Genocide survivors.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    YakFactory
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The priest who collected over 3,000 Armenian folk songs and was active until 1915 was Komitas Vardapet (also known as Gomidas Vartabed). ANU Humanities Research Centre ANU Humanities Research Centre +2 Born Soghomon Soghomonian in 1869, he was a renowned Armenian composer, ethnomusicologist, and priest (ordained in 1895) who is considered the founder of modern Armenian national music. Wikipedia

    #52

    Black and white photo of a female chemist highlighting forgotten stories of groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

    Ida Noddack, a German chemist and physicist.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    kikinlivi
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the people who did it got rewarded, not the person who predicted it?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #54

    Black and white photo of Marine Jack Lucas, youngest Medal of Honor recipient, featured on a forgotten stories Facebook page.

    Forgotten Stories Report

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

    Sometimes, 'hero' is the only word that will do.

    #55

    Man in suit with glasses near American flag, representing forgotten stories about war and Arctic seed vault preservation.

    Cary Fowler is known as the "father" of Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

    Forgotten Stories Report

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

    Oh dear. No, he didn't build it. He lobbied for the Nordic Gene Bank, established in Svalbard in 1984, to go global in reach - basically, expanding an already existing project. This American did in fact have an awful lot to do with establishing the global version of the seed bank, but you know what? A lot of others were equally involved, Norway funded it, and Fowler didn't personally build any of it.

    View more comments
    #56

    Black and white photo of a musician playing guitar highlighting forgotten stories that need more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Medical Debt is an unknown concept in most of the world.

    View more comments
    #57

    Two female athletes embracing during a 1984 Olympic trials race, highlighting forgotten stories in sports history.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    9 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's certainly true that the allegations of performance enhancing drvg use levelled against her were never proven. It's really quite remarkable that she managed to enhance her performance to such an extent in such a short time (her 1987 performance was good but not great), setting records in 1988 that remain unbroken after all these decades. Link follows.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #59

    Historic black and white photo illustrating forgotten stories highlighting a 1960 FDA doctor’s life-saving decision.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thalidomide, the d**g in question, was not seeking approval as a sleeping pill, but an anti-emetic, Heavily prescribed in parts of Europe for pregnant women to alleviate morning sickness symptoms, it lead to thousands of deaths and birth deformities over the course of the next two years. It was subsequently used to treat leprosy and is still in use today in some cancer treatments. The case formed the bedrock on which modern clinical trials are based to avoid anything similar happening again. (The FDA official was Frances Oldham Kelsey, look her up).

    View more comments
    #60

    Black and white photo of a Native American female soldier smiling, representing forgotten stories in military history.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    YakFactory
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This brave lady was Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa.

    View more comments
    #61

    Inventor behind FM radio explaining circuit design in black and white photo for forgotten stories needing more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Matthew Currie
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In keeping with the odd tendency of this thread to leave names out, I note that the person in question was Edwin Armstrong.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #63

    Black and white photo of a nun symbolizing forgotten stories from a Facebook page highlighting untold historical events.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    YakFactory
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 1883 Mother Marianne Cope (later St. Marianne of Molokaʻi) and six other Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, New York, arrived in Hawaii to care for people suffering from leprosy (Hansen's disease).

    #64

    Black and white image of a man with text about a forgotten musician uncovered by a Facebook page sharing forgotten stories.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    cecilia kilian
    Community Member
    9 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The documentary is "Searching for Sugar Man".

    #65

    Black and white photo of Lucia Joyce, James Joyce’s daughter, representing forgotten stories needing more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Spencer's slave no longer
    Community Member
    6 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She was not known for any revolutionary dance, she was purely a dancer. Lucia was institutionalised with schizophrenia in the mid 1930s and passed in 1982.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #67

    Elderly woman sharing forgotten stories from a Facebook page dedicated to uncovering history needing more attention.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    YakFactory
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 1942, in the Ukraine countryside, Pavel Gerasimchik and his family dug a secret, cramped, and unventilated space deep under the hay in their barn. The bunker served as a hiding place for over 18 months for Isaak, his wife Polina, and their daughter Lara.

    #68

    Black and white photo of a young guitarist playing electric guitar, representing forgotten stories from a Facebook page.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He also founded Fleetwood Mac, perhaps worth mentioning, and was the main writer and guitarist on their early hits like Albatros.

    View more comments
    #69

    Indigenous runner in 1907 breaking Boston Marathon record, featured in forgotten stories uncovering historic achievements.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    YakFactory
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tom Longboat (Cogwagee), an Onondaga runner from the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, won the 1907 Boston Marathon with a record-breaking time of 2:24:24.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #70

    Black and white photo of musicians with guitars, representing forgotten stories uncovered by a Facebook page.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    Premium
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Almost Cut My Hair"

    #73

    Black and white photo of a German submarine with crew and text about forgotten stories from WWII featured on a Facebook page.

    Forgotten Stories Report

    Spencer's slave no longer
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So much BS in this one. He was one of 9 men sent from USS Pilsbury to board U505, after it was seen circling on the surface off Cape Blanco, French West Africa. Aware that German submariners were probably laying charges to scuttle and sink her, the US sailors blew the hatch and gained access. USS Guadalcanal arrived during the operation and assisted with the evacuation. While the Germans were being taken aboard the Pillsbury, Davis stayed aboard the 505, directing the salvage operation, which resulted in U505 being taken under tow to Bermuda. U505 is on display at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, where she has been since 1954.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT