12 Biggest Lies Told in Human History

Deception has a long history in human storytelling. People have always told tall tales and fabricated stories, sometimes to impress, sometimes to protect, and sometimes just for the thrill of it. From mythical creatures to legendary curses, these untruths have left a lasting mark on humanity's collective imagination.

Des Moines, Iowa, USA - August 12, 2023: Author and Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Photo byJuli Hansen/Shutterstock.

1. The Earth Is Flat

For centuries, one of the most enduring lies was the belief that the Earth was flat. This misconception persisted for millennia, with ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans contributing to its perpetuation. It wasn't until the scientific advancements of the Renaissance period that this myth was finally debunked, thanks to explorers like Ferdinand Magellan and Copernicus, who proved the Earth is a spherical planet.

2. The Trojan Horse

The Trojan Horse, a legendary deception from ancient Greek mythology, has been a popular tale for centuries. The story goes that the Greeks built a massive wooden horse as a gift to the Trojans during the Trojan War, only to hide soldiers inside who attacked Troy from within. In reality, the Trojan War is believed to have taken place, but the Trojan Horse itself is likely a fictional addition to the narrative.

3. The Roswell UFO Incident

In 1947, an alleged UFO crash near Roswell, New Mexico, led to sensational claims of extraterrestrial contact. The U.S. military initially reported the crash as a "flying disc" but later revised the story, attributing it to a weather balloon. Conspiracy theories and speculation abound, with some still believing that the government covered up evidence of alien life. However, no conclusive proof of extraterrestrial involvement has ever emerged.

4. The Piltdown Man Hoax

In the early 20th century, a purported archaeological discovery shocked the scientific community: the Piltdown Man, an alleged missing link between apes and humans. It was hailed as a major breakthrough in understanding human evolution. However, in 1953, it was revealed that the Piltdown Man was a forgery constructed from a human skull and an orangutan's jawbone. The deception set back the study of human evolution and serves as a cautionary tale for scientific scrutiny.

5. Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq

In the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003, the U.S. government, led by President George W. Bush, asserted that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a grave threat to global security. This claim was used to justify military intervention. After the invasion, no significant evidence of WMDs was found, leading to accusations of misinformation and deception. The Iraq War remains a controversial and divisive chapter in modern history.

6. The Apollo Moon Landing Hoax

Some conspiracy theorists have propagated the idea that the U.S. government staged the Apollo moon landings during the 1960s and 1970s. They argue that the missions were filmed on Earth to bolster American prestige during the Cold War. However, this claim has been repeatedly debunked, with extensive scientific evidence and eyewitness accounts confirming the authenticity of the moon landings.

7. The Salem Witch Trials

In 1692, the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, was gripped by hysteria as accusations of witchcraft spread like wildfire. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 individuals, most of them women. The underlying lie was the belief in supernatural forces and the idea that innocent people could be witches. The trials were later recognized as a grave miscarriage of justice and remain a dark chapter in American history.

8. The Y2K Bug

As the year 2000 approached, fears of a global technological meltdown due to the Y2K bug swept across the world. The lie was that computer systems, unable to handle the date change from 1999 to 2000, would fail catastrophically. Governments and businesses spent billions preparing for the worst. In the end, the Y2K bug proved to be largely exaggerated, with only minor disruptions occurring.

9. The Loch Ness Monster

The legend of the Loch Ness Monster, a mysterious creature purportedly inhabiting Scotland's Loch Ness, has captured imaginations for generations. Despite numerous reported sightings and sonar readings, no concrete evidence of such a creature has ever been found. It is likely that the myth was perpetuated by hoaxes, misidentifications, and the power of folklore.

10. The Curse of the Pharaohs

The Curse of the Pharaohs is a belief that anyone who disturbs an ancient Egyptian tomb will suffer misfortune or death. This myth was popularized after the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. While several deaths of individuals associated with the expedition did occur, they were largely due to natural causes. The curse, therefore, remains a superstition rather than a proven historical fact.

11. The Trojan War Never Happened

The Trojan War, famously chronicled in Homer's epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," was long considered a myth by historians. However, archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Troy, led by Heinrich Schliemann in the late 19th century, revealed substantial evidence supporting the existence of the war and the city itself. The Trojan War, it turns out, was a real conflict between the Greeks and Trojans.

12. Napoleon's Short Stature

Napoleon Bonaparte is often depicted as being unusually short, earning him the nickname "Napoleon Complex." Contrary to popular belief, Napoleon was of average height for his time, standing at around 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters). The notion of him being vertically challenged likely arose from confusion between the French and British measurement systems.

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This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.