11 significant history facts interpreted differently by other countries

- In French schools they teach that Battle of Waterloo was won by the French.
- In British schools - it's the other way around.

One of the most prominent battles of the Hundred Years' War is the one of Agincourt, between Britain and France. Being seriously superior in number, the French were still defeated.
- In France they pay practically no attention to this event in school classes.
- At the same time in Great Britain this battle is presented as practically the only battle of the Middle Ages.

At the suggestion of Adolf Hitler, history in German Junior schools in the 30s of the 20th century was taught backwards - from modern to ancient times. First hero of the nation was Hitler, followed by other famous historical and mythical personalities.

- In Germany they study WWII very thoroughly and not only during history lessons. Modern Germans want to learn from mistakes and not run from them. Unlike their parents' generation: up to 1960s study of WWII was unofficially prohibited.
- US schoolchildren pay much less attention to the study of the Second World War. In fact, all they know about Germany - is a short history of WWII and Berlin Wall demolition. After that Germany disappears from their history books.
- In Great Britain they study history already in Elementary school. Children learn about the Norman conquest, about industrial revolution, the Tudor period (17th century) and WWII. In High school they return to it, choosing a certain specialization.
- In Russian schools, history of WWII is often limited by the period of Soviet Union's immediate participation. Many schoolchildren and even grown-ups often believe that WWII ended on May 9, 1945 (the day of Germany's capitulation). While officially the war ended on September 2 of the same year, when Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed. The commonly believed key battle of the war is the Battle of Stalingrad.

In Japanese schools the period from "Homo erectus" till present time is covered within almost one year of study. No wonder, 20th century is left for "home reading" only. And this doesn't help either.
For example, there is only one line in the textbooks mentioning Nanking Massacre, when, according to various estimations, Japanese troops killed from 40 to more than 300 thousands Chinese disarmed soldiers and civilians.

- In the USA, American War of Independence is presented as one of the most significant events for the history of the whole world. However, other countries stick to another opinion on that point.
- In Great Britain there is no such topic in the official educational programme, though the event can be mentioned during discussions. And the point is that the revolutionaries succeeded thanks to the sponsorship of the French.
- In Hungary, this event is mentioned in classes as one of preconditions of the French revolution. There is a detailed description of "Boston Tea Party" protest action in the textbooks, as well as there is a poster of that time "Join, or die", but nothing more than that.
- In India this event is not mentioned at all at history classes.

There was a period in the history of Texas, when this territory declared its independence and became a republic. But there is no general agreement on that point.
- In Mexico, history teachers say Texas has never been a separate country. Its land was "empty" after the war, until USA bought it.
Meanwhile, in Texas they teach that they won the war and became an independent republic with Sam Houston as president.
- In most other countries during history classes this event is not mentioned at all.

Dunkirk episode is one of the most significant events of the Second World War. British corps together with a part of French troops were retreating under attacks of German army. When the allies were surrounded, the British command organized immediate evacuation. As a result, 338 thousand soldiers were evacuated, including 123 thousand French soldiers.
This event is given a detailed account to both in France and Great Britain.
- In France they say about British army fleeing and leaving French troops to be killed by the enemy.
- In Great Britain this operation is regarded as a triumph.

In religious Islamic countries the study of history is an integral part of the religious studies, so historical events are viewed through the prism of the Prophet's deeds. In this case, history is not a sequence of events in their chronological order but the victories of Islam and the Muslims' struggle for independence. The Middle Ages are presented in textbooks as macabre times, with Eastern countries prospering.

In Spain, religion has a strong influence. Most schoolchildren know history by a huge number of religious holidays (there are about 3000 of them in the country). There are also subjects, not reflected at all in most of the textbooks. For example, they just mention that Mexico and Peru were conquered.
But there is not a word about how they were lost.
- No word about the huge Spanish Empire from Cuba to Manilla and Guinea.
- Not a word about the kill of the Indians.
- Nothing about slave trading.

In France, history is not taught in junior classes, but there is a programme of arousing activity running there and it has history only as an optional subject. Besides, the publishers felt the crisis of education and started to work on books where "outdated" historical narration is substituted with topical approach. The books were filled with lots of pictures and that turned the study of history completely into reading comics.