History Facts for Kids

The first passengers in a hot air balloon were a sheep, a duck, and a rooster in 1783.

World War I was originally called "The Great War" because nobody imagined there would be a second one.

The Statue of Liberty was originally a shiny copper colour — it turned green over time because of oxidation.

The ancient Maya could accurately predict solar eclipses hundreds of years in advance using math.

The Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903 lasted only 12 seconds and covered just 120 feet.

The ancient Greeks invented the crane around 515 BC to help build their massive temples.

An early form of ice cream was invented in China around 200 BC using milk, rice, and snow.

The Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, was the key that helped scholars finally read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The teddy bear was named after President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt after he refused to shoot a tied-up bear on a hunting trip.

Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, which is where the word "salary" comes from.