war memes

Since yesterday was Thomas Jefferson's birthday and tomorrow will be the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, we thought it might be appropriate to offer up some dank history memes for all the nerds out there who enjoy a bit of educational zest in their memes. Don't worry, these historical tidbits aren't limited to US history—we've covered everything from the Prussian siege of Paris to the failed first assassination attempt of Prince Ferdinand. Scroll on, soldier.

There's a reason we share so many history memes on this site. Sure, they're almost always funny. But the real reason is that there is just so much material to choose from. Memes are being made using crap that has happened over the span of thousands of years. And that means there's something for enthusiasts of nearly every period of history. Into memes about Ancient Greece and Rome? Well, they're everywhere. Prefer memes about the Middle Ages? Those are pretty prolific as well. Don't even get us started on World War II memes. There are plenty, but we have to be a little more careful with 'em due to the utter bleakness of the subject matter. So if you're looking for some historical entertainment, chances are we'll have a good meme for you in here. Don't thank us - thank the past. 

Both my mom and my therapist are constantly reminding me not to dwell on the past. They say it's unhealthy and that it prevents a person from living in the present. Most of the time, I'd say they have a point. It's hard to make progress when you're ruminating over an awkward interaction from ten years ago. But what if the "dwelling" is in the name of entertainment? While it's true that neither party was referring to history memes, I'd like to think that scrolling through nuggets of historical humor is probably the only healthy way to "live in the past," even if it's just for a modest five minutes. 

If you still have PTSD from high school and university college courses, we're here to inform you that it's not all bad. History can be fascinating, brutal, and as these memes prove - well, downright funny. These image macros take the dull and dense annals of the past and turn them into amusing and often spicy comedy gold. We're pretty sure they'll convert anyone with their school-age nightmares. And if you're already into the study of yore? You'll enjoy 'em too. 

Listen, we know that we are privileged when compared to the people of the past. Scientific advancement has allowed us to live longer and accomplish more than many could have ever imagined. But 2020 absolutely stinks. And we'd rather poke fun at history via memes than read about the horrible things that are happening in the present.

If you fancy yourself a lover of spicy memes, or a lover of history, chances are you'll enjoy this gallery of memes. Most of them have to do with the World Wars, and many of them touch on some of the grislier battles and situations that our past has to offer. If you're sensitive to the horrors of the past, you might want to look for some fluffier content. But if you appreciate dark humor, you'll feel right at home. 

Some of these memes may make you feel like nothing is sacred, but they're all in good fun. While we realize that some of the periods that are tackled in these pics were exceptionally bleak, learning about horrific events and acknowledging them is an important part of healing. Keeping history alive and having fun while doing it ain't a crime. After all, history memes are way more fun than when we were learning this crap in school

It is often said that history is bound to repeat itself. We like to think that's an exaggeration, but it's definitely true where history memes are concerned. And not in a bad way. Memers have proved that it's possible to retell historical events using an inane variety of meme formats - some of which have nothing to do with history at all. We've rounded up a nice selection for you, but if you find yourself wanting more check out one of our other galleries or the r/HistoryMemes subreddit. You won't be disappointed. 

Tired of predictable and relatable memes? Sick of quarantine humor? These history memes might be the palate cleanser you need, for two reasons: A) We definitely can't relate to anyone who lived in Ancient Rome, and B) they're about all the absolute shits hows that happened before Covid-19. So even if the subject matter is bleak, at least the memes cover something that isn't being hammered into our poor, tired brains. Happy scrolling!

The characters of Pixar's Monsters, Inc. are far from strangers to the meme world. The most meme'd character of the films is probably the one-eyed Mike Wazowski, but this new format gives Sully the attention he deserves. This particular format hails from 2013's Monsters University, and features the big blue monster closing his eyes and making a hand gestures that denotes pure pleasure. It's being used to indicate the same kind of approval, and also for some, ahem, edgier jokes about war. Classic r/dankmemes. Here are a few of our favorites. 

World War II was a horrible, bloody, and dramatic period of time for pretty much the entire world. The atrocities that occurred are many. As is the case with most controversial and offensive times in history, the war has spawned some almost shamefully spicy and dank history memes. Here are some of our favorites.

The political climate has had people talking about a World War III for a couple years now. Let's take a trip back in time to see what that might entail!