Primary
The Nabataeans carved the city of Petra in Jordan out of rose-coloured rock more than 2,000 years ago.
Did You Know? History Facts for Students
Short history facts about great civilisations and key events, sorted by school stage.
12 facts3 stages
Tip for school assemblies: pick 5 to 7 facts from different subjects and start each one with "Did you know that...".
Facts for Primary students
Primary
The first person to walk on the Moon was Neil Armstrong, in 1969.
Primary
Cuneiform writing from Mesopotamia is one of the oldest writing systems in the world, more than 5,000 years old.
Facts for Middle school students
Middle school
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built about 4,500 years ago and is the only surviving wonder of the ancient world.
Middle school
The Great Wall of China was built in stages over more than 2,000 years.
Middle school
Fatima al-Fihri founded al-Qarawiyyin in Fez in 859 CE; it is considered the oldest educational institution still operating.
Middle school
The House of Wisdom in Baghdad was a world centre of translation and science in the Abbasid era.
Middle school
Jordan gained its independence on 25 May 1946.
Middle school
The Phoenician alphabet is one of the oldest, and many alphabets, including Greek and Latin, are believed to descend from it.
Facts for Secondary students
Secondary
Johannes Gutenberg developed the movable-type printing press in Europe around 1440.
Secondary
The Suez Canal opened in 1869, linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
Secondary
Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China cannot be seen with the naked eye from the Moon.