Spoilers below. Facts checked 2026-11-12. Play this puzzle
REAL: Teaching at the University of Oxford was already happening before the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan was founded.
There is evidence of teaching at Oxford as early as 1096. Tenochtitlan's founding is traditionally dated to 1325.
There is evidence of teaching at Oxford as early as 1096. Tenochtitlan's founding is traditionally dated to 1325.
FAKE: Napoleon Bonaparte was unusually short for a man of his era.
He was recorded as 5 ft 2 in in old French units, about 1.67 m (just under 5 ft 6 in), close to average for his time. British cartoonists popularized the 'tiny Napoleon' image.
He was recorded as 5 ft 2 in in old French units, about 1.67 m (just under 5 ft 6 in), close to average for his time. British cartoonists popularized the 'tiny Napoleon' image.
Source: Wikipedia: Napoleon complex
REAL: Cleopatra lived closer in time to the Apollo 11 Moon landing than to the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Cleopatra died in 30 BC. The Great Pyramid was built around 2600 BC (about 2,570 years earlier); Apollo 11 landed in 1969 (about 2,000 years later).
Cleopatra died in 30 BC. The Great Pyramid was built around 2600 BC (about 2,570 years earlier); Apollo 11 landed in 1969 (about 2,000 years later).
FAKE: Viking warriors wore horned helmets into battle.
The horned-Viking image is a modern association that began in the 1800s; it isn't supported by Viking-age finds.
The horned-Viking image is a modern association that began in the 1800s; it isn't supported by Viking-age finds.
Source: Wikipedia: Horned helmet
REAL: In 1932 the Australian Army was sent to Western Australia to deal with emus.
The 'Emu War' was a wildlife-control operation by the Australian Army in late 1932.
The 'Emu War' was a wildlife-control operation by the Australian Army in late 1932.
Source: Wikipedia: Emu War