Younger audiences are increasingly turning to TikTok as a source for learning history, engaging with content that explores historical figures, events, and popular myths in an accessible and often informal way. Notably, the hashtag #Museum has seen a 67 percent increase in engagement over the past year, while use of #HistoryTok has more than doubled, indicating a growing appetite among Gen Z for history presented through short-form video.

Katie Kennedy, 26, a history master’s student at Oxford University and content creator, emphasizes her aim to make history feel relatable rather than confined to traditional textbooks. Her approach reflects a broader trend in which young people seek to humanize and question historical narratives, often exploring unconventional topics and debunking myths.

Several popular misconceptions have been addressed in this format. For example, the enduring stereotype that Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, was unattractive is challenged by experts who argue that the portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, which influenced Henry’s decision to marry her, was reasonably accurate. Henry’s disparaging opinion reportedly arose from his desire to annul the marriage, rather than her appearance.

Similarly, discussions around the cleanliness of Regency-era London, depicted in the Netflix series Bridgerton, reveal that while the city was plagued by unpleasant odors from horse manure and open cesspits, residents generally practiced personal hygiene. They routinely washed, wore antimicrobial linens, and used perfumed oils and powders to maintain cleanliness.

Other historical clarifications include the origins of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, which was written during a rainy summer in Geneva in 1816. While she did not use modern recreational drugs, she and her companions consumed wine and laudanum, a form of opium, potentially influencing the novel’s eerie inception. Likewise, the common belief that Napoleon Bonaparte was notably short is incorrect; measured in French units, he stood around 5 feet 7 inches tall, above the average height for men at that time. His perceived shortness may have been exacerbated by British propaganda and the height of his personal guards.

The platform has also explored lesser-known historical trivia, such as Queen Victoria’s intimate portrayal of herself in a revealing painting given to Prince Albert, positioning her as a more passionate figure than often assumed. The tradition of using an “X” to signify a kiss is traced back to medieval illiteracy, where signatories would mark an X on documents and kiss it to demonstrate sincerity. Additionally, the story that Cleopatra scented the sails of her ship so her fragrance would precede her voyage is likely a dramatization; while incense was probably burned on her royal barge, the tale was popularized by Shakespeare’s writings.

This digital engagement with history reflects a shift in how younger generations approach the subject—blending entertainment with education, while fostering a critical perspective on the established stories from the past.