Are there events in history that you thought you knew about but then you learn details much later that totally surprised you?

I was surprised by how much was omitted from standard texts and teaching. When I was in grade/middle school, in the early-mid 60s, no mention at all was made of Japanese-American internment camps. A classmate’s family was in a neighborhood in California where a number of families had been removed, so I first heard about it in 10th grade, and we were able to discuss it in school. It was heavily spun to justify it.

It happens so often that it’s impossible to count.

Yes. Not a movie but a TV program. I realized that I had been taught in school a less than accurate account of the Revolutionary War and who played what roles in it….specifically the part that black people played in defending America. I hope the textbooks are accurate today. When I went to school and even when my kids were in K-12 I don’t think the history was accurate.

I ordered a few books to read on the subject. My daughter and I have spoken about this at length. She wants the books when I finish. I better get started reading I suppose.

Regarding Chappaquiddick: I heard a story years ago that seemed to explain everything.
Apparently, Mary Jo Kappeckni (sp?) had a habit of getting drunk at parties, then going into the back seat of any random car and falling asleep.
So Ted left the party with a married woman, and they didn’t notice anyone in the back seat. When the car went over the bridge and into the water, Teddy (a very good swimmer) and the other woman got out of the car. They walked away laughing, not realizing Mary Jo was in the back of the car, drowning.
Hours later, when Teddy heard about the missing woman, he reported the accident, and her body was found.
He couldn’t defend himself by saying he was with a married woman,, and he knew he was done.

A news story I still have trouble reconciling, is that Ronald Reagan offered to denuclearize the US to the Russians.

The timeline order of events from JFK assassination to Nixon’s impeachment doesn’t make sense to me.

Seriously @filmfann, that would make more sense. Because otherwise, how did he get out of the car and Mary Jo didn’t. He said he kept diving down to get her out and couldn’t get the door open. Funny he seemed to get it open when he needed out.

It appears that Leo & Kate were in fact nowhere near the ill fated Titanic, indeed, weren’t even born yet.

I did not know that. Thank you for sharing.

Oh, I relearn history all the time. One of my favorite shows is Drunk History. I learn so much from those episodes. In the beginning I was googling constantly double checking…and they are always accurate.

How can we check that @filmfann?

@Dutchess_III which?

That he didn’t know Mary Jo was in the back seat? I’ve gone looking and everything I’ve found says she went with him willingly.

This. Is a story I heard years ago. It certainly isn’t documented