Napoleon Bonaparte is often depicted as being unusually short, fueling the idea of the “Napoleon complex” — a supposed psychological inferiority due to his height.

Reality: Napoleon’s height was about 5 feet 6 or 5 feet 7 inches (around 1.68 meters), which was average or slightly above average for a Frenchman of his time. The myth stems from differences in French and British measurement units and British propaganda aiming to belittle him. His perceived shortness was exaggerated by his enemies and has stuck in popular imagination.

 Columbus Discovered America in 1492

Christopher Columbus is often credited with “discovering” America in 1492, celebrated annually in many countries.

Reality: The Americas were already inhabited by millions of indigenous peoples for thousands of years before Columbus arrived. Additionally, Norse explorers like Leif Erikson reached parts of North America around the 10th or 11th century. Columbus’s voyages opened the way for European colonization, but he did not “discover” a new continent unknown to humans. The narrative oversimplifies history and neglects the rich cultures that existed long before European contact.

 The Salem Witch Trials Burned Witches at the Stake

Many people believe that accused witches in the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692 were burned alive.

Reality: In colonial America, the accused witches were mostly hanged, not burned. The idea of burning witches is more associated with European witch trials, particularly in places like Germany and Scotland. In Salem, 19 people were executed by hanging, and one man was pressed to death with heavy stones. No one was burned at the stake during the Salem trials. shutdown123