In 1918, after the treaty of Versailles (end of WWI), the French Commander-in-chief said "This is not a peace. It is an Armistice for 20 years." 20 years and 65 days later, WWII happened.
31
"Yo momma" jokes/insults were invented by Shakespeare.
39
Modern humans first appeared about 200,000 years ago, but record keeping didn't begin until about 6,000 years ago. That means about 97% of human history is lost.
21
Clocks made before 1660 had only one hand - an hour hand.
41
In 1518, a "dancing plague" struck Strasbourg, Alsace, whereby hundreds of people danced fervently in the streets over the period of a month. Some suffered heart attacks or strokes, and many others died from sheer exhaustion. It remains unexplained.
19
London's Pall Mall became the first street lit by gaslight in 1807!
39
The first telephone book was one page long and had only 50 names in it.
91
The range of a medieval long-bow is 220 yards.
78