Odd historical facts you probably didn't learn in school

Fascinating historical facts your textbooks missed.

Photo byPixelshot/Canva

History textbooks often paint broad strokes of the past, focusing on significant historical figures and landmark events. But, if you dig a little deeper, you'll often find lesser-known, intriguing stories that schools typically cover in history class.

In this article, we'll look at several exciting and bizarre historical facts you probably never heard before.

The Evolution of Ketchup

This condiment is a staple in many American households today, but many don't know that it has a surprising history. The tomato-based staple originated as a pickled fish sauce in Asia before British explorers brought the concept to Europe.

The earliest version included ingredients like mushrooms and walnuts. American cooks later added tomatoes to the mix in the early 19th century.

Mount Rushmore's Hidden Heritage

Before the famous landmark became a symbol of American presidents, the mountainous area had been protected as part of the Great Sioux Reservation and considered sacred to the Lakota Sioux tribe.

Sadly, this protection was disregarded by the Treaty of Fort Laramie. Later, the US government designated the former "Six Grandfathers" landmark for creating what we know today as Mount Rushmore -- a grand sculpture that includes the likeness of four American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Benjamin Franklin's Obsession with Turkeys

When you think of Benjamin Franklin, a few iconic images come to mind, such as the inventor who flew a kite in a thunderstorm or his role as one of America's founding fathers. But one lesser-known aspect of his quirky personality was his obsession with turkeys.

Franklin deeply admired the turkey, so much so that he preferred it over the bald eagle as a national symbol for the United States. Franklin expressed his thoughts in a letter to his daughter, describing the bald eagle as a bird of "bad moral character" because it often steals food from other birds.

In contrast, Franklin saw the turkey as a "much more respectable bird" because it was a native species that had traits he admired, such as resourcefulness and courage.

These lesser-known historical facts remind us that history is not just a series of well-known events but a complex tapestry of stories, some of which remain hidden in the shadows.