Despite the overwhelming evidence, a small minority still believe that certain accepted events didn’t happen. The Moon landing is a fine example, but there are many other universal truths that some can’t acknowledge for whatever reason. Usually, a conspiracy theory is involved, and the arguments against the facts make for fascinating reading.
1. One Small Step for Man — 1969
It’s a great shame that a small minority disbelieves one of humanity’s finest achievements. How and why would NASA fake the 1969 Moon landing? A compelling argument against those conspiracy theories is that you can still see the Apollo landing site through elementary telescopes. Over 400,000 people were involved in the U.S. space program, and it’s impossible to believe that every single one of them bought into a giant hoax.
2. The Earth is Round
A fascinating documentary called Behind the Curve (2018) examines the lives and beliefs of flat earthers. It’s compelling viewing, but the show lacks any substantial arguments against the fact that Earth is round. Their debate falls short beyond failed experiments and the theory that the Earth is flat because you can see over long distances. Maybe it’s time for flat earthers to face those facts.
3. Queen Elizabeth I was a Woman
Another bizarre theory that’s new to many is that Queen Elizabeth I was a man. She ruled the British throne from 1558 until she died in 1603. That’s the true version, but some don’t believe it. The theory is that she died as a child and was replaced by a random boy to keep the Tudor line going. It might be an interesting concept for a movie, but it simply isn’t true.
4. Elvis is Dead
Apologies for being blunt, but the king of rock and roll is dead. Elvis Presley died in 1977 at his home, and he’s not returning. More than 40 years on from his passing, conspiracy theories were still being discussed while sightings continued. Since 1977, people have speculated that Elvis went into hiding to escape the pressures of fame. Sorry to dash those hopes, but the man is dead.
5. Paul McCartney Did Not Die in 1966
This bizarre rumor has persisted for almost 60 years despite the many public appearances that Paul McCartney continues to make. The story is that the Beatles’ bassist died in a car accident in 1966 and was replaced by an impostor. It’s a ridiculous conspiracy theory, particularly as the “fake Macca” not only looks like the real thing but also sings and talks like him.
6. Zombies Aren’t Real
Zombie movies are successful, but zombies cannot rise from the dead. The belief that they could emerge from the grave dates to Ancient Greece, when heavy stones were placed on bodies to make sure they stayed dead. In the present day, 14% of Americans are preparing for a Zombie Apocalypse that isn’t going to happen.
7. Walt Disney’s Head Was Not Cryogenically Frozen
I believed this myth well into adulthood, and I’m not alone. It seemed an accepted truth that Walt Disney’s head had been frozen as he waited patiently for a death cure. However, it’s just a rumor; no one knows how it started. Some still believe the story because they’ve never been told otherwise.
8. You Can’t See the Great Wall of China from Space
Here’s another “fact” that’s universally accepted, and the notion that you can see the Great Wall of China from space remains listed in many textbooks. However, NASA has debunked this myth. No artificial structure, including the largest, can be seen from the final frontier.
9. George Washington Did Not Have Wooden Teeth
While George Washington undoubtedly used dentures, they were not wooden. During his lifetime, the first President of the United States had at least four sets of dentures made from ivory and other human teeth. However, the “wood” theory has persisted, and the myth appears in some textbooks. Ivory teeth stain quickly, however, and their resemblance to wood may have fueled the misunderstanding.
10. Apollo 17 was the Final Moon Mission
The movie Apollo 18 (2011) was released as entertainment, not as a documentary. However, some believe the film was based on a true story. Sorry to burst those bubbles, but there was no Apollo 18, and its crew did not die in a violent battle with aliens.
11. Andy Warhol’s Famous Quote is False
Here’s another fact that may surprise you. The quote, “In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes,” is widely attributed to Andy Warhol. It is, however, simply not true, and the man himself confirms the truth. In 1980, Warhol denied ever having said it.
12. The Titanic Sank in 1912
The 1997 film of the same name wasn’t a documentary but based on a true story. The ship RMS Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, and it was not, as some believe, switched with a sister vessel. Claims that the Olympic took its place emerged via an Instagram video in 2023, but historians and maritime experts agree that the suggestions are nonsense.
13. Einstein Wasn’t Rubbish at Math
This is another widely believed myth; no one knows how it started. The theory is that Albert Einstein failed at math as a student, but the suggestion has no substance. He excelled in the subject, reached the top of his class, and sought extra tuition to perfect his understanding.
14. Paul Revere Didn’t Raise the Warning
“The British are Coming!” That quote allegedly belongs to Paul Revere, who held up lanterns to raise a warning. It’s a good story repeated in film and television, but it’s another false fact. The Old North Church in Boston, where the incident happened, confirms that Robert Newman and John Pulling Jr. are likely to have raised the signal.
15. The Moon is Real
See that bright orb in the night sky? That’s the Earth’s Moon. At least 99% of the population accepts this truth, but a small minority believe it’s a fake. So, if it’s not the Moon, what is it? This bizarre theory is part of flat-earth conspiracy beliefs, and those flat-earthers claim that the Moon is merely a projection into space.
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