Odd But True
In 1932, soldiers in this country declared war on emus. (The birds won.)
What is Australia?
This handheld firearm, often a flintlock in early models, was a standard infantry weapon from the 17th to 19th centuries.
What is a musket?
This ancient river valley civilization developed cuniform writing.
What is Mesopotamia?
This document, adopted in 1776, declared the colonies free from British rule.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This Confederate general earned his nickname after standing firm “like a stone wall” at the First Battle of Bull Run.
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
Ancient Rome’s most equestrian political appointee came courtesy of this emperor, who reportedly made his horse a consul.
Who is Caligula?
This deadly gas, first widely used in World War I, caused blindness, lung damage, and death.
What is mustard gas?
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built for this pharoah.
Who is Khufu?
This midnight rider warned the "the British are coming!"
Who is Paul Revere?
This Russian ruler’s nickname “the Terrible” actually meant “the formidable” or “the awe-inspiring,” though modern PR hasn’t been kind to him.
Ivan IV "the Terrible"
This decorated World War I dog sniffed out gas attacks, caught a German spy, and outranked his owner.
Who is Sergeant Stubby?
This medieval siege weapon, similar to a giant slingshot, was used to launch heavy projectiles at castle walls.
What is a trebuchet?
This famous city-state was known for its warriors and strict training.
What is Sparta?
The first shots of the Revolution were fired at this battle.
What is Lexington and Concord?
Known as “The Iron Lady,” this 20th-century prime minister had a political style as unbending as her nickname suggests.
Margaret Thatcher
When a French baker's shop was trashed in Mexico, it sparked an 1838 conflict — the only war ever fought over dessert.
What is The Pastry War?
Developed by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, this incendiary substance sticks to surfaces and burns at extremely high temperatures.
What is napalm?
This ruler created one of the first law codes in Babylon.
Who is Hammurabi?
This French general helped train American troops at Valley Forge.
Known as “the Sun King,” this French monarch’s court revolved around him — literally and financially.
Louis XIV
In 771 BCE, this Chinese king lit the empire’s warning beacons just to amuse his wife, leading to the end of his dynasty.
Who is King You of Zhou?
This ancient weapon was essentially a flamethrower used to set enemy ships and fortifications ablaze.
What is Greek fire?
This Macedonian kind conquered most of the known world before dying at the age of 32.
Who is Alexander the Great?
This treaty officially ended the American Revolution in 1783.
What is the Treaty of Paris?
This Byzantine emperor’s opponents called him "Copronymus," meaning “dung-named,” after a rather unfortunate childhood bathroom incident.
Constantine V