A Handful of History Memes for Buffs With a Sense of Humor

It is time for a history lesson! Do you know anything about the origin of the memes you consume to make life more tolerable?  The truth is that memes aren't just funny pictures you find on Reddit or Memebase. Evolutionary biologist  Richard Dawkins originally introduced the term "meme" back in 1976, and it obviously had nothing to do with the internet  A meme, by Dawkins' definition (via the Oxford Dictionary) is "An element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another by imitation or other non-genetic means." It's all about the way people communicate ideas.   The classic "Kilroy Is Here" graffiti or even something as prevalent and universal as the wheel are two excellent historical examples. While we appreciate having a more well-rounded idea of memes and their origins, we are more interested in the ones we know so well. This here batch of memes uses history to serve up humor. So it still feels like we're doing something good with our brains. 

Author image for Ada Elder Ada Elder
Advertisement

Stay entertained and up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Tags

history memes war history funny memes dank memes World History Memes european history lol
Scroll Down For The Next Article

Also From Memebase

Funniest Homebody Memes for People Who’ve Happily Committed to the ‘Do Not Disturb’ Lifestyle

Funniest Homebody Memes for People Who’ve Happily Committed to the ‘Do Not Disturb’ Lifestyle

Trending Now

Woman refuses her mom’s demands for comfort and a place to stay after her golden-child younger brother, Luke, finally moves out and ghosts their mother, forcing her to face her own favoritism: ‘she’s all alone now and suddenly wants to “reconnect”’

Woman refuses her mom’s demands for comfort and a place to stay after her golden-child younger brother, Luke, finally moves out and ghosts their mother, forcing her to face her own favoritism: ‘she’s all alone now and suddenly wants to “reconnect”’

01
'Her brother doesn't like me and the feeling is mutual': New dad's brother-in-law asks him to babysit his kid on Father's Day, doesn't understand why he declines

'Her brother doesn't like me and the feeling is mutual': New dad's brother-in-law asks him to babysit his kid on Father's Day, doesn't understand why he declines

02
55-year-old mom schedules family cruise right before her 30-year-old daughter's grad school graduation, forcing the family to chose which event to attend: 'Many have already said they can't afford both'

55-year-old mom schedules family cruise right before her 30-year-old daughter's grad school graduation, forcing the family to chose which event to attend: 'Many have already said they can't afford both'

03
35+ of the Freshest and Funniest Tweets of the Week (June 14, 2025)

35+ of the Freshest and Funniest Tweets of the Week (June 14, 2025)

04
Aunt contributes $11k to 17-year-old niece's college fund, refuses to give more money when sister spends most of it on her prom: 'Can you spot me $2k just for now?'

Aunt contributes $11k to 17-year-old niece's college fund, refuses to give more money when sister spends most of it on her prom: 'Can you spot me $2k just for now?'

05
33-year-old dad demands partner pay travel costs to pick up 10-year-old son 7 hours away , she refuses: 'I feel like I'm being taken advantage of'

33-year-old dad demands partner pay travel costs to pick up 10-year-old son 7 hours away , she refuses: 'I feel like I'm being taken advantage of'

06
Advertisement