History Facts for Kids
Incredible facts from the past
The Romans built over 80,000 kilometres of road across their empire, many of which still form the basis of modern roads in Europe today. The phrase 'all roads lead to Rome' dates from this era.
Norse explorer Leif Erikson and his crew landed in North America around 1000 AD — nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Archaeological evidence of their settlement has been found in Newfoundland, Canada.
Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901 — 63 years and 7 months — the longest reign of any British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed it in 2015.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed about 13,200 houses, 87 churches, and St Paul's Cathedral. Remarkably, only a handful of people are recorded as having died in the blaze.
Cats were considered sacred in ancient Egypt and were associated with the goddess Bastet. Killing a cat — even accidentally — was punishable by death.
The first substantial book printed using movable type in Europe was the Gutenberg Bible, produced around 1455. About 180 copies were printed — 49 of them survive today.
World War Two involved over 30 countries and resulted in an estimated 70–85 million deaths — making it the deadliest conflict in human history, with most victims being civilians.
The kite was invented in China about 2,800 years ago. Early kites were used to measure distances, test the wind, and send military signals before becoming popular toys.
Ancient Sparta had one of history's earliest compulsory public education systems — called the agoge — where boys left home at age seven to undergo rigorous military and physical training.
Jericho, in the modern West Bank, is thought to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of settlement dating back over 10,000 years.