Author George R. R. Martin used the 15h century War of the Roses in England as the backdrop to his War of the Five Kings
Italy finally became one nation-state on March 17, 1861, when all the different countries on the Italian Peninsula unified under King Victor Emmanuel II.
Dutch explorer Willem Janzoon arrived in northern Australia in 1606, 164 years before James Cook.
The War of the Pacific between Chile and Bolivia was won by Chile. It resulted in Bolivia losing its coastline and becoming landlocked. Bolivia still claims its Pacific coast.
The 'terrible' in Ivan the Terrible doesn't necessarily mean evil. The Russian translation means 'powerful' or 'formidable'.
Although a famous queen of France, Marie-Antoinette was actually Austrian. The saying 'let them eat cake” is attributed to her but there is no evidence she ever said it.
With US help, Panama broke away from Colombia. The Americans thought an independent Panama would be easier to deal with concerning the canal.
As a young man, Abraham Lincoln was a champion wrestler.
Joseph Stalin, who ruled Russia from 1922–1952 was actually from Georgia and first arrived in Russia as a prisoner at the age of 25.
Caligula made his horse, Incitatus, a senator. It's believed this was to ridicule the senate by implying a horse could do their job.