In the age of information, rumors and misunderstandings are everywhere. Some rumors are still talked about even after hundreds of years, perhaps because of a misunderstanding or a deliberate fabrication. Here are eight of the world's most famous rumors that were or still make people believe to be true, but are all false.
1.The origin of marathon running.
Rumor content: The ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides ran from a marathon to Athens, and immediately fell to his death after announcing his victory, thus founding the marathon race.
The Truth Revealed:* Although this is an inspiring story, ancient historians have no record of Pheidippides' death as a result of running to deliver the news. In fact, the marathon was a celebration of ancient Greek cultural and physical excellence, not a specific historical event.
2.Rousseau's body was buried at the University of Paris.
Rumor content: The remains of the French philosopher Rousseau were buried at the University of Paris.
The truth is revealed: Rousseau's body was originally buried on a small island in Ervone. In 1794, his remains were moved to the Panthéon in Paris. The University of Paris is not the burial place of Rousseau's remains.
3.Casanova was a great lover.
Rumor: Italian explorer and writer Giacomo Casanova is the greatest love saint in history.
The truth revealed: Although Casanova detailed his emotional experiences in his autobiography, making him a poster child for the "love saints", his real life did not revolve around love alone. He was also a writer, explorer, and thinker who had a profound impact on the society and culture of his time.
4.Galileo's experiments on the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Rumor content: * Galileo Galilei conducted a freefall experiment on the Leaning Tower of Pisa, proving that a heavy object and a light object fell to the ground at the same time.
The Truth Revealed:* Despite the well-known story, there is no conclusive historical evidence that Galileo actually conducted such experiments on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Galileo's theory of free fall was mainly derived through theoretical derivation and other forms of experimentation.
5.Loch Ness Monster "Nissi".
Rumor: Loch Ness is home to an unknown large aquatic creature known as "Nissi".
The Truth Revealed: Despite a long history of reports and sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, there is no conclusive scientific evidence for its existence. Multiple scientific expeditions have failed to find any evidence of "Nissi", and the Loch Ness Monster is more considered a form of folklore.
6.Halloween is the festival of the devil.
Rumor content: Halloween is a holiday that celebrates the devil.
Truth Revealed: Halloween actually derives from the ancient Celtic festival of Sahain, a holiday that honors the dead and celebrates the harvest. Over time, it has incorporated the ** religious tradition and evolved into its present form. Halloween has nothing to do with the devil and is more about entertainment and celebration.
7.Columbus discovered America.
Rumor Content: Columbus was the first European to discover the American continent.
The truth revealed: Before Columbus, the Vikings had arrived and briefly settled in present-day Newfoundland, Canada. Columbus's voyages undoubtedly had a major impact on later European exploration and colonization, but he was not the first European to reach the Americas.
8.There is a human face on the moon.
Rumor content: There is a huge human face on the moon.
The truth revealed: The "human face" on the moon is actually a natural landform formed by mountains and craters on the surface of the moon, and different lighting conditions will produce the illusion of a human face. Scientific exploration has confirmed that there is no actual "human face" on the moon.
Epilogue. In this age of information, discernment is more important than ever. The revelation of the above eight rumors not only shows the curiosity and imagination of human beings about the unknown, but also reminds us of the need to maintain critical thinking when receiving any information. Let's explore this colorful world with an open mind and a rigorous attitude.