Wist je dat…
Crocodiles lived 200 million years ago already
Did you know that crocodiles existed 200 million years ago? Crocodiles are among the oldest animal groups still in existence. Their ancestors appeared around 200 million years ago, during the Mesozoic era, a period that also saw...
The Bible is both the most read and the most stolen book
Did you know that the Bible is the most read and the most stolen book? The Bible is both the most read and the most stolen book in the world. This is due to a combination of factors that reinforce its unique position in world...
The largest dinosaur ever found is the Argentinosaurus
Did you know that the largest dinosaur ever found is the Argentinosaurus? The largest dinosaurs that ever lived belong to the group of sauropods, which are known for their enormous size and long necks. The largest known...
According to some estimates, Rembrandt took three years to paint The Night Watch.
Did you know that Rembrandt likely took years to paint The Night Watch? Rembrandt began the painting in 1639, and it was completed in 1642, after being commissioned by the militia company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq. Estimates...
Snakes once had legs
Did you know that snakes once had legs? The ancestors of snakes had limbs or legs, but through evolution and adaptation to their environment, these limbs were gradually reduced and eventually disappeared. Fossils have been found...
The statement that Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime is not correct
Did you know that it’s not true that the painter Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime? The idea that Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime is a frequently repeated but partially...
The Maya did not predict the end of the world in 2012
Did you know that the Maya did not predict the end of the world in 2012? The Maya spoke of a kind of upheaval or great change in society around the year 2012, but not about the end of the world through natural disasters, wars,...
In prehistoric times, there were gigantic ferns
Did you know that in prehistoric times there were gigantic ferns, reaching heights of up to 18 meters? During the Carboniferous period (over 300 million years ago), the warm climate provided ideal conditions for ferns to grow...
The Easter Bunny is partly fictional; Easter eggs are an old Christian tradition
Did you know that the Easter Bunny is probably partly a fictional figure, and that Easter eggs are an old Christian tradition? Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was crucified on Good Friday (the Friday...
Roman soldiers were not paid with salt
Did you know that the Romans didn't pay their soldiers with salt at all? The claim that Roman soldiers were paid with salt is an urban legend. Although salt was indeed a valuable commodity in ancient times, used for preserving...
The hedgehog lived already during the time of the dinosaurs
Did you know that the hedgehog lived already during the time of the dinosaurs? The hedgehog was one of the species that survived the (presumed) meteorite impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and is still alive...
Friday the 13th is not an unlucky day in every country
Did you know that Friday the 13th is not considered an unlucky day in every country? Friday the 13th is mainly seen as an unlucky day in several Western countries, such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States,...
The Bible does not say that Adam and Eve ate an apple
Did you know that the Bible does not mention Adam and Eve eating an apple in Paradise? In stained glass, paintings, and other images depicting the scene of the forbidden fruit from the Bible, an apple is almost always shown....
During the oil crisis in 1973 and 1974, there was no oil shortage
Did you know that during the oil crisis of 1973 and 1974, there was no actual oil shortage? In 1973, the Netherlands, along with countries like the United States, was an ally of Israel during the Yom Kippur War between Israel...
Daylight Saving Time was first introduced during World War I
Did you know that Daylight Saving Time was first introduced by the German government during World War I? Germany introduced Daylight Saving Time in 1916, during World War I, primarily to reduce the use of coal, which was...
Carrots used to be purple instead of orange
Did you know that carrots were originally purple? The carrot originates from Asia, and the original color of carrots was purple. In the 17th century, the purple carrot was crossed with yellow carrots, resulting in the orange...
According to the Bible, the Earth is 6,000 years old
Did you know that if the Bible is taken very literally, the creation occurred about 6,000 years ago? Irish Archbishop James Ussher made a calculation based on the genealogies in the Bible. His conclusion was that the Earth was...
The origin of the QWERTY keyboard layout
Did you know that the QWERTY keyboard layout was chosen to ensure that typists did not type too quickly? When typewriters were still widely used, the letter arms would get tangled up if typed too quickly. The QWERTY layout was...
Toasting by clinking glasses began with knights in the Middle Ages
Did you know that clinking glasses during toasts likely originated in the Middle Ages with knights? Knights fought many wars but also made peace. When making peace, they often drank beer. However, the knights didn’t trust each...
Crocodiles lived 200 million years ago already
Did you know that crocodiles existed 200 million years ago? Crocodiles are among the oldest animal groups still in existence. Their ancestors appeared around 200 million years ago, during the Mesozoic era, a period that also saw...
The Bible is both the most read and the most stolen book
Did you know that the Bible is the most read and the most stolen book? The Bible is both the most read and the most stolen book in the world. This is due to a combination of factors that reinforce its unique position in world...
The largest dinosaur ever found is the Argentinosaurus
Did you know that the largest dinosaur ever found is the Argentinosaurus? The largest dinosaurs that ever lived belong to the group of sauropods, which are known for their enormous size and long necks. The largest known...
According to some estimates, Rembrandt took three years to paint The Night Watch.
Did you know that Rembrandt likely took years to paint The Night Watch? Rembrandt began the painting in 1639, and it was completed in 1642, after being commissioned by the militia company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq. Estimates...
Snakes once had legs
Did you know that snakes once had legs? The ancestors of snakes had limbs or legs, but through evolution and adaptation to their environment, these limbs were gradually reduced and eventually disappeared. Fossils have been found...
The statement that Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime is not correct
Did you know that it’s not true that the painter Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime? The idea that Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime is a frequently repeated but partially...
The Maya did not predict the end of the world in 2012
Did you know that the Maya did not predict the end of the world in 2012? The Maya spoke of a kind of upheaval or great change in society around the year 2012, but not about the end of the world through natural disasters, wars,...
In prehistoric times, there were gigantic ferns
Did you know that in prehistoric times there were gigantic ferns, reaching heights of up to 18 meters? During the Carboniferous period (over 300 million years ago), the warm climate provided ideal conditions for ferns to grow...
The Easter Bunny is partly fictional; Easter eggs are an old Christian tradition
Did you know that the Easter Bunny is probably partly a fictional figure, and that Easter eggs are an old Christian tradition? Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was crucified on Good Friday (the Friday...
Roman soldiers were not paid with salt
Did you know that the Romans didn't pay their soldiers with salt at all? The claim that Roman soldiers were paid with salt is an urban legend. Although salt was indeed a valuable commodity in ancient times, used for preserving...
The hedgehog lived already during the time of the dinosaurs
Did you know that the hedgehog lived already during the time of the dinosaurs? The hedgehog was one of the species that survived the (presumed) meteorite impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs and is still alive...
Friday the 13th is not an unlucky day in every country
Did you know that Friday the 13th is not considered an unlucky day in every country? Friday the 13th is mainly seen as an unlucky day in several Western countries, such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States,...
The Bible does not say that Adam and Eve ate an apple
Did you know that the Bible does not mention Adam and Eve eating an apple in Paradise? In stained glass, paintings, and other images depicting the scene of the forbidden fruit from the Bible, an apple is almost always shown....
During the oil crisis in 1973 and 1974, there was no oil shortage
Did you know that during the oil crisis of 1973 and 1974, there was no actual oil shortage? In 1973, the Netherlands, along with countries like the United States, was an ally of Israel during the Yom Kippur War between Israel...
Daylight Saving Time was first introduced during World War I
Did you know that Daylight Saving Time was first introduced by the German government during World War I? Germany introduced Daylight Saving Time in 1916, during World War I, primarily to reduce the use of coal, which was...
Carrots used to be purple instead of orange
Did you know that carrots were originally purple? The carrot originates from Asia, and the original color of carrots was purple. In the 17th century, the purple carrot was crossed with yellow carrots, resulting in the orange...
According to the Bible, the Earth is 6,000 years old
Did you know that if the Bible is taken very literally, the creation occurred about 6,000 years ago? Irish Archbishop James Ussher made a calculation based on the genealogies in the Bible. His conclusion was that the Earth was...
The origin of the QWERTY keyboard layout
Did you know that the QWERTY keyboard layout was chosen to ensure that typists did not type too quickly? When typewriters were still widely used, the letter arms would get tangled up if typed too quickly. The QWERTY layout was...
Toasting by clinking glasses began with knights in the Middle Ages
Did you know that clinking glasses during toasts likely originated in the Middle Ages with knights? Knights fought many wars but also made peace. When making peace, they often drank beer. However, the knights didn’t trust each...