Top 10 history facts

Dispute between Sydney and Melbourne. Debates over Federation in the late 19th century were dominated by a long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital. A compromise was reached: the new capital would be built in New South Wales, at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney.

Liberia was created in 1847 by freed slaves from the United States. They established a government modelled on that of the United States and named its capital city, Monrovia after James Monroe, a prominent supporter of the colonization.

Syphilis was present in the Americas before European contact. It was carried from the Americas to Europe by the returning crewmen from Christopher Columbus's voyage. The first outbreak of syphilis in Europe occurred in 1494 in Naples, Italy, during a French invasion.

Bank robbery. Before the Russian Revolution, Communist paramilitaries were often raising money through robberies and ransom kidnappings. Particularly notable was the 1907 Tiflis bank robbery, in which Stalin participated (playing minor role). The robbery resulted in 40 deaths and the theft of 341,000 rubles (equivalent to around US $3.4 million today).

The founder of Ku-Klux-Klan. As of 2007, Tennessee had 32 dedicated historical markers linked to Nathan Bedford Forrest. High schools are named for Forrest in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, and Jacksonville, Florida. Tennessee celebrates July 13 as "Nathan Bedford Forrest Day."

Moors. The flag represents four Moorish invaders blindfolded for execution (Moors cut heads are also popular in Spanish emblems). A regional law approved in 1999 changed the flag, with the bandages now encircling the forehead.

Proof of tax payment. In 1705, Emperor Peter I of Russia instituted a beard tax to modernize the society of Russia following European models. Those who paid the tax were required to carry a "beard token" with them all the time.

140. Santísima Trinidad was one of few four-deckers ever built. The weight of the additional guns, so high above her waterline, made her sail poorly, leading to her nickname, El Ponderoso. She sank after the Battle of Trafalgar, where her great size made her a first target for the British fleet, and she came under concentrated attack by several ships.

19. There was no year number zero. There were only 1999 years between 1000BC and 1000AD.

Alexander the Great. Aristotle was invited by Philip II of Macedon to become the tutor to his son Alexander in 343 BC. Aristotle was appointed as the head of the royal academy of Macedon and encouraged Alexander toward eastern conquest.