Fascinating History

The Most Fascinating History You’ll Read. Daily. 📜

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

The Middle Ages had quite a sense of humor.

Abbey of Sainte Foy, Conques, France, from around 1050.

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

Craftsmanship is when you make things beautiful that don't have to be.

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

In 2017, the doors of Vancouver's BC Children's Hospital swung open - and out stepped Captain Jack Sparrow.

No PR team. No media event. Just Johnny Depp in full pirate costume walking in and staying in character for over 5 hours straight.

He didn't just wave from the doorway. He went room to room, bedside to bedside, delivering the iconic swagger, slurred banter and chaotic charm to kids fighting the hardest battles of their lives.

Proof that the greatest treasure isn't buried on an island - it's trading a hospital gown for an adventure, even just for an afternoon. 🏴‍☠️✨

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@Ducnghia16 Wonderful song; I remember when this was first released!

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@GenevieveWGaunt How cool is this?! 😃

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@kevinolearytv I had no idea you were fascinated by the 18th century!

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@rebirthofthewo1 Wonderful! 😃💙

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@BarbaraGouldin8 😃💙

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

Found the most cinematic medieval street in Italy. Can’t believe people actually get to live here.

Dolceacqua, Italy. 🇮🇹

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@reno35333 Thank you for this interesting personal story! And yes, they're still unearthing more facts about the Terracotta Army's history!

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

In March 1974, a farmer named Yang Zhifa stepped out into a brutal drought in Shaanxi, China.

Desperate for water, he and his brothers began to dig a well. On the fifth day, his shovel hit something solid.

It wasn't rock: it was a -🧵/1

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

Digs were halted for decades until tech caught up to save the color. The discovery changed Yang's life forever.

While his village was cleared for a museum, Yang was hired by the state to sign autographs for global leaders.

And still does. /5

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

When excavators first opened the army pits, they witnessed a fleeting miracle. The soldiers wore vibrant coats of purple, teal, and red.

But the dry air was a thief.

Within 15 seconds, the ancient lacquer curled. In four minutes, the paint flaked to dust right before their eyes. /4

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@scovell222 Nope. You can read more about this story here: https://t.co/GXITeul2O3

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

Meet Judith Love Cohen.

In 1969, she went into labor. Instead of heading straight to the hospital, she went to her office to grab a NASA engineering printout.

Between contractions in her hospital room, she solved it, called her boss to confirm the fix - and then gave birth.

The system she saved? The Abort Guidance System that brought the Apollo 13 astronauts home.

The baby she had that day?
Jack Black.

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

More people need to know that those "bodies" you see from Pompeii aren't really statues, replicas or mummies.

And the story of discovering what they really are is even wilder.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, scorching volcanic ash buried people instantly, hardening around - 🧵/1

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@CarmenDilia6 De rien! 😃

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

More people need to know that those "bodies" you see from Pompeii aren't really statues, replicas or mummies.

And the story of discovering what they really are is even wilder.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, scorching volcanic ash buried people instantly, hardening around - 🧵/1

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

@IainWatson16 You're very welcome; I'm glad to hear you enjoyed my thread!

[Fascinating History @Fascinate_Hist]

In 1929, the tobacco industry faced a massive financial problem: half the population refused to buy their product.

Public smoking was heavily taboo for women, and even illegal in some cities. So what did they do?

They hired a master of propaganda to change the world's mind - Edward Bernays, the actual nephew of - 🧵/1