There are countries in the world that are shown to us from various sides so much that it seems as though we have already been there. This also applies to the attractions of these countries which in fact are not as simple as it may seem at first glance.

There isn’t star-striped flag on the moon

Many have seen the famous snapshot of the lunar surface, where a bright star-striped flag flutters next to Nile Armstrong as a symbol of the achievements of the American space industry.
Buzz Aldrin, who took part in the famous flight with Armstrong, said that the Apollo mission had delivered six flags to the moon and one of them was placed too close to the launch site so that it was blown away by the Apollo 11 engine.
The rest of the flags now look quite different from the picture: over the years, the fabric has completely faded under the rays of the scorching sun - there is no atmosphere on the moon, so the stars and stripes have given way to pure white color.

Druids did not build Stonehenge

Mysterious stones of Stonehenge have been stirring the minds of researchers and visionaries for centuries. The construction looks like giant children's blocks that unknown gods decided to play with. Argued that these ancient boulders here brought the Druids to perform here their mysterious rituals, but this is not true.
Scientists subjected the stones to radiocarbon analysis, which showed that Stonehenge was erected for several hundred years: the first stones were delivered here between 2400 and 2200 years BC. e., and completed construction was about 1600 BC. Oe., so that the Druids in this could not participate - they still simply did not exist.
The spread of this legend was promoted by the English archeologist and theologian William Stuckeley, who lived in the 18th century. Stackley studied the history of the Celts and even conducted ceremonies along with his wife in the image and likeness of the Druids, and, apparently, his enthusiasm convinced everyone that the Celts had a hand in Stonehenge.

The bridge, which everyone calls London, is not London at all

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, the so-called London Bridge actually bears a different name. Even the Google search engine is mistaken in this matter by displaying an image of another structure to the corresponding request, which people well-versed know as Tower Bridge - this is the same as seeing the picture of the Catherine Palace instead of the Hermitage.
The real London bridge connects two urban districts - City and Southwork, separated by the main English river Thames. The modern bridge was opened in 1973, its predecessor stood here since 1831, bridges were erected in this place before (according to some data, even in the times of Ancient Rome), and they always had the same name - London Bridge .
It remains unclear when there was a confusion with the names, but it so happened that the Tower Bridge became the “face” of the capital of Great Britain.

What made the French give the USA the Statue of Liberty?

The Statue of Liberty has always been a symbol of hope and freedom for Americans; it is also believed that it patronizes travelers traveling to the country, wanderers and destitute, as evidenced by Emma Lazarus’s poem, engraved on a pedestal plate. These are the famous lines:
"Leave, the lands of the ancient, praise the centuries to yourself!"
Silently. "Give me your weary people,
All eager to breathe freely, abandoned in need,
From the narrow shores of the persecuted, the poor and the orphans.
So send them homeless and harassed, to me,
I raise my torch at the golden gate. "
However, initially the statue had nothing to do with tired wanderers and asylum-seeking outcasts.
"Lady Liberty" was created by the French, dissatisfied with the authoritarian regime of Emperor Napoleon III. The huge sculpture, presented to the United States in honor of the centenary of independence, seemed to hint that in France itself, everything is not so bright.
The construction of the statue was not funded by the government of Napoleon III, but by the French people: voluntary donations came from all over France.
Interestingly, some Catholics opposed the installation of a huge statue, considering the Statue of Liberty to be a pagan idol, and they were not far from the truth, because it is nothing more than the image of the Roman goddess of freedom, Liberta.

The Eiffel Tower was built as an exhibit

The French authorities decided to arrange a world exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution (1789). The Paris city administration asked the renowned engineer Gustave Eiffel to make a proposal. At first, Eiffel was a little puzzled, but then, rummaging in his papers, introduced for consideration the drawings of a 300-meter-high iron tower, to which he had paid little attention before.
The initial contract with Eiffel was about dismantling the tower 20 years after construction. The Parisian intelligentsia, indignant, called this tower ugliness, that it would spoil the general style of the city that had developed over the centuries, which angry pisma wrote to the city mayor’s office. Guy de Maupassant was an ardent opponent of the building of the tower but regularly dined in a restaurant on the first level of the tower (now the restaurant "Jules Verne"). When asked why he does it, if he does not like the tower, the writer replied: "This is the only place in all of huge Paris where it is not visible from."
From dismantling the tower was saved by a radio station mounted inconsiderately on the tower itself. Thanks to her, Eifel was able to extend the lease of the tower for another 70 years. Soon Radio Communication In 1914, radio interception allowed General Galeni to organize a counterattack on Marne during the First World War. In 1921, the first direct broadcast from the Eiffel Tower took place. Broadcasting has been broadcast, made possible by the installation of special antennas on the tower.
Thus, the "Parisian freak", with an exhibit turned into a radio tower, and then already in the world sights, a distinctive feature and pride of France.