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Some people have a knack for finding humor in places we least expect it—like history. Where some see dry numbers and confusing maps, the aptly titled Instagram account 'History Jokes' points out the absurd, ironic, and unexpectedly hilarious moments that make the past come alive.

Whether it's a dictator and their view of the world or the start of a big war, nothing and nobody is safe from becoming a meme. Boasting just under 65K followers, the account definitely isn't the biggest, but it offers a fresh perspective on both well-known and obscure historical topics.

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    Whether we're looking at textbooks or memes, "consuming" history has become a much more visual activity than ever before.

    To gain a better understanding of this trend, we got in touch with Howard Dorre, writer and co-host of the presidential history blog and podcast Plodding Through The Presidents, which he creates with his wife.

    "Photography made the distant world more real," Howard told Bored Panda. "The horrors of war. The beauty of a medieval cathedral. Even the kind eyes of a presidential candidate. In fact, Abraham Lincoln credited photographer Matthew Brady as the reason he won the presidency."

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    While they can bring history to life, photographs can also mislead or and straight up manipulate us. The immediacy and emotional resonance of an image can make fake narratives seem convincing, so it’s crucial to remember that every photograph is created with some sort of intention.

    "Historians view photographs, like they view all historical records, in context, considering the agenda of the subject and the photographer and whoever is sharing the image," Howard said. "It is true that a photograph is a primary source, but so is a diary. And both can be intentionally deceptive."

    #7

    Vikings in historical meme humorously portrayed as rescuers during a Lindisfarne raid, matching accurate history themes.

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    Chich
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As I have pointed out before - The good old days when if you needed something all you had to do was axe for it.

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    #8

    Text-based meme humorously debunking the idea that men don't start drama, referencing history.

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    TotallyNOTAFox
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Europe between the years 1480 to 1913 there was a 27% higher chance of war if a queen was in charge instead of a king according to New York University scholars Oeindrila Dube and S.P. Harish

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    The best way to evaluate a picture is to ask systematic questions to it. If it's a photograph, these questions can focus on the person who took it, the people whose photograph was taken, the people and objects out of the limits of the photograph, which culture marks the photograph's atmosphere carries, if there is a set up in the photo or not, the time it was taken, the details of the photograph, and its contribution to the whole, the mood, status, and occupation of the people in the photograph.

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    "It's also important to note that the concept of photoshopping is as old as photographs themselves," Howard of Plodding Through The Presidents adds.

    "Photo manipulation was used for various purposes—to improve subjects' appearance, convince customers that the ghosts of their loved ones had been captured on film, or for comedic effect—like the altered image of Theodore Roosevelt riding a moose in a river."

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    #17

    Funny and accurate meme about Julius Caesar being kidnapped and demanding a higher ransom from pirates.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He also promised them that on release he would come back and kill them. Ransom was paid, they released him, he went home and raised an army, then came back and... killed them.

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    #22

    Historical meme comparing bad ideas to invading Russia in winter.

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    Powerful Katrinka
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Napoleon didn’t invade Russia during winter. He invaded in June, and didn’t provide his army with winter clothing because he thought Russia would surrender before winter came. Hitler made the exact same mistake.

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    #27

    Historical meme depicting a famous painting with the caption "The Greatest Brexit of all time," humorously reimagining history.

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    Tim Fawcett
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do you mean? You are just all jealous of the golden age of prosperity and international influence that Brexit has brought us.

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    #30

    History meme about studying history for amusement from historical failures.

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    Abel
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is said that the ones who doesnt know history mistakes are going to repeat it...And then humans are the only animals that trip over twice with the same stone.

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    #33

    Man humorously suggests the British Museum's artifact success is due to crime, highlighting historical memes.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one does annoy me a bit. The British Museum was not alone, indeed was far from the worst offender, in "looting" artefacts from early archaeological digs. At the time the museums were competing, not just against each other, but against private collectors, so at least the objects that they obtained were properly conserved and curated, rather than just squirrelled away in some millionaire's vault and lost to history.

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    #36

    Meme about history featuring Martin Luther's 95 theses humor.

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    Janissary35680
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    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "95 theses nailed to the door. 95 nailed to the door. Take one down and pass it around, 94 theses nailed to the door. 94 theses..."

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    #42

    Humorous history meme with ottomans stacked to resemble the Ottoman Empire.

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    BrunoVI
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I shall make of you enemies your footstool." -- God, to the Israelites as they were fighting against the land that would become the Ottoman Empire.

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    #49

    Text message meme about history with Catherine of Aragon humorously texting Henry about their baby girl's birth.

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    Kalikima
    Community Member
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    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He was actually thrilled by the birth of Mary, since he saw it as the first of many babies, and proof he could make babies. It wasn't until baby boy after baby boy died that he got disillusioned with the whole thing.

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    #59

    Funny history meme comparing Germany, Britain, and Switzerland with a "Join as Spectator" option.

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    Chich
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But,ah, if there is any y'know... money or artworks or jewels and the like, we'll hide them away here. No bother at all.

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    #61

    Funny history meme of a cartoon doctor pig diagnosing someone as dead.

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    Jrog
    Community Member
    2 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, not really. Medieval Europe had some amazing medical knowledge, mostly thanks to the influence from Arabic scientists. We have plenty examples of advanced surgical procedures in XIII century Padua from Longobucco's Chirurgia Magna, including cutting methods (smilar to the ones we use nowadays), reduction of scars, surgery to stop bleeding, close deep wounds, removal of arrows, and healing of ligaments, brain surgery etc. Consider that some of those were retelling of other authors over three centuries older than the author. Around the same time, in Lucca was active Theodoricus Borgognoni, who in his "Cyrurgia" was among the first to advocate for use of alcohol as antiseptic and introduced the concept of anesthetics.

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    #65

    History meme with a monk nailing a document to a door, humorously captioned "nailed it."

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    Graf666Orlok
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Easy now Martin... I dont want to get into details, but I am sort of...REEEEEEAAALLY relying on indulgences.

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