Oxford University is older than the Aztec Empire
Teaching at Oxford was under way by 1096. The Aztec capital Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325 — more than two centuries later.
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See all →The Eiffel Tower grows in summer
Its iron expands in the heat, so the tower can be up to 15 cm taller on a hot day than on a cold one.
Read the fact →Chess was invented in India
The game began as chaturanga in India around the 6th century, spread to Persia as shatranj, and reached Europe through the Arab world.
Read the fact →The shortest war in history lasted about 38 minutes
The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 27 August 1896 began at 9:02 am and was over by around 9:40 am, after British ships bombarded the sultan’s palace.
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