Which of these 12 historical hoaxes would have fooled you? Be honest!

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Hoaxes have woven their way through human history, fooling even the sharpest minds and taking on countless forms. Some began as harmless pranks, others as deliberate schemes for fame or fortune, and a few were born from sheer misunderstandings. Regardless of their origins, some of these deceptions were so impactful that they etched their place in history. Join us as we unravel the truth behind 12 of the most legendary hoaxes ever pulled off.

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In 1912, an Englishman named Charles Dawson claimed to have discovered the remains of a "missing link" between apes and humans in Piltdown, England. At the time, the discovery was hailed as the most significant find in the history of human evolution. It wasn’t until the 1950s that it was revealed as a hoax, with Dawson using modern human and orangutan bones to create the fake skeleton.

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In 1917, two young cousins, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, captured photographs they claimed showed real fairies in the woods near Cottingley, England. The photos gained worldwide attention, and their authenticity was even endorsed by notable figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Decades later, in the early 1980s, the cousins admitted the images were faked, using cardboard cutouts to create the illusion of fairies. Don’t laugh—this was long before the era of Photoshop and AI.

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In 1869, a 10-foot stone figure was unearthed in Cardiff, New York, and hailed as the petrified remains of a giant. The "discovery" caused an immediate sensation, drawing massive crowds and widespread media coverage. However, the so-called "giant" was a deliberate hoax crafted by George Hull. Hull, a staunch skeptic, created the figure to settle a score after a heated argument with a Methodist reverend about the biblical existence of giants. Frustrated by people’s gullibility, Hull aimed to expose just how easily he could deceive the masses with his fabricated giant.

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Although it's part of a largely fictional account of the Trojan War, the Trojan Horse is undeniably the mother of all hoaxes in history and legend. According to the story, near the war’s end, the Greeks staged a retreat, leaving behind a massive wooden horse as a supposed peace offering at Troy’s gates. Unbeknownst to the Trojans, the horse concealed Greek warriors who waited until nightfall to emerge, open the gates, and allow their army to overrun the city. Today, this story endures as a timeless parable of the use of cunning and deception in warfare.

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In 1835, The Sun, a New York newspaper, published a series of sensational articles claiming that astronomers had discovered life on the Moon. The stories—later attributed to reporter Richard Adams Locke, though others were suspected to be involved—described fantastical creatures and a lush lunar landscape supposedly observed through a gigantic telescope. Conveniently, the telescope was said to have burned down shortly after the breakthrough. The incredible claims caused a frenzy but were soon exposed as a hoax, designed to boost the paper’s sales.

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Since the 1930s, reports of a mysterious creature lurking in Scotland’s Loch Ness have fascinated the public. Photographs, including the famous "surgeon's photo" from 1934, were once touted as proof of the creature’s existence but have since been debunked as hoaxes, with many revealed to be manipulated or staged. Despite its dubious origins, the legend of "Nessie" has long transcended fraud to become a true cultural mythology. Like many great legends, it thrives on a blend of mystery, hope, and the enduring allure of the unknown.

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On April Fools' Day in 1957, the BBC aired a segment showing Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti from trees. Presented as a serious report, the broadcast fooled many viewers—likely due to a post-war lack of familiarity with spaghetti in Britain. Curious callers flooded the BBC to verify the story, and the network cheekily advised them to "place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best." Arguably the silliest hoax on this list by far, it goes to show just how gullible people can be!

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In 1938, Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds caused widespread panic among listeners who believed a Martian invasion was actually taking place. This was due to the storytelling style, which presented the story as a series of news reports, blurring the line between fiction and reality. While the reactions were unintended, it became one of the most famous hoaxes in history. The infamous broadcast even became a case study of the power of mass media to manipulate the public.

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In 1996, physicist Alan Sokal submitted a deliberately nonsensical paper to the prestigious academic journal Social Text. The paper, filled with convoluted jargon and academic buzzwords, made no logical sense and presented no meaningful ideas. Sokal's goal was to expose the lack of intellectual rigor in certain academic circles. To his surprise, the article was published. Afterward, Sokal revealed the hoax, sparking a widespread debate about intellectual rigor and some journals’ willingness to publish questionable content.

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Not exactly a hoax, but a lesson on how quickly the media can jump to sensational conclusions, even when the science is still in progress. In 1984, scientists discovered a meteorite in Antarctica that appeared to have originated from Mars. Some of its unique features, including structures resembling microscopic fossils, led certain scientists to speculate that it could be evidence of ancient Martian life. The discovery made headlines, with former U.S. President Bill Clinton even hailing it as humanity’s first proof of extraterrestrial life. However, after further study, it was concluded that the unusual features were not markers of life after all.

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In the 1950s, adventurers in the Himalayas reported finding large footprints they believed belonged to the mythical Yeti. While some of these claims may have been the result of misidentified Himalayan wildlife, further investigation revealed that many of the footprints and other supposed evidence were likely hoaxes, with human prints altered or created using tools. Sadly, this means there are no abominable snowmen lurking in the mountains after all.

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In the early 20th century, the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter was followed by rumors of a terrible curse. Several members of the expedition died under allegedly mysterious circumstances, leading to sensationalized stories of a curse placed on those who disturbed the tomb. While the deaths were natural, the stories surrounding the "curse" captivated the world, spreading rapidly through media and fiction.

Ancient words

Do you know who the "Lupus in fabula" is? Learn 10 useful Latin phrases!

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Many of us are familiar with popular Latin phrases such as et cetera, mea culpa, and per se. However, Latin is a rich language that has given us many more expressions—some less famous but still incredibly useful in everyday life. Join us as we explore 10 Latin phrases that everyone should be using!

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In vino veritas is a Latin phrase that might become your favorite. It translates to "In wine, there is truth," and, as you can imagine, it means that people often speak honestly after having some alcohol. Now you know exactly what to say the next time someone reveals a secret!

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We humans can be quite stubborn, often insisting on doing things that, deep down, we know are impossible. In such situations, you can use the phrase Mulgere hircum, which translates to "to milk a male goat" in English. It doesn’t make sense, does it? That’s the point! The saying describes useless attempts, trying to accomplish something that is impossible.

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It’s time to talk about love! We’ve all been in love at some point, right? And while feeling butterflies in your stomach is a universal experience, love isn’t always easy. There’s a beautiful Latin phrase for that: Si vis amari, ama, which translates to "If you want to be loved, love." And it’s not just about romantic relationships! In all areas of life, we must give what we hope to receive.

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Let’s cut to the chase: Lupus in fabula means "The wolf in the story." But what does this intriguing expression refer to? These Latin words are used when you’re talking about someone, and they suddenly appear at that very moment. There’s a similar expression in English that you’re probably familiar with: "Speak of the devil."

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After a swift and decisive victory in 47 BC, Julius Caesar is said to have proclaimed, Veni, vidi, vici, which translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered." What a powerful expression! You can make it your own every time you achieve a goal you've been chasing or when you finally win that intense board game at the family reunion!

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Attributed to Julius Caesar, this phrase was spoken by the Roman general as he advanced with his army. But what does it mean? Alea iacta est translates to "The die is cast" in English. A bit dramatic, we know! Fortunately, in modern life, there’s no need to be so drastic. You can use it in moments when something feels inevitable or a decision is final—you know, when there’s no turning back.

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Sometimes, people make promises they don’t keep or say things that aren’t entirely true. That’s when the Latin expression Acta non verba comes in handy. Meaning "Deeds, not words" or "Actions, not words," it emphasizes the importance of facts over mere talk. After all, what you do matters more than what you say!

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Somewhat related to the previous phrase, Audentes fortuna iuvat translates to "Fortune favors the bold." Attributed to the poet Virgil in The Aeneid, this Latin proverb encourages us to take action—bold, fearless action! According to this idea, those who dare to be courageous are the ones who succeed. So go ahead—take that chance!

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As the story goes, when a group of senators attacked Julius Caesar, he famously uttered the words Et tu, Brute? ("You too, Brutus?") upon seeing his trusted friend Brutus among his attackers.

Thus, this phrase is often used in the face of betrayal. Now you know exactly what to say the next time a friend makes a move that leaves you in a tough spot during a game of Risk!

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Another useful phrase for everyday life is Barba non facit philosophum. These words, which may seem difficult to decipher, translate to "A beard does not make a philosopher." Ironically, the phrase was popularized by Roger Bacon—a philosopher! This expression suggests that appearances can be misleading and that having impressive features alone isn’t enough to define a person.