"History is neither in the business of self-congratulation nor self-flagellation.
History is in the truth business."
--Simon Schama, British historian

Some Historical Events that are really cool:

Eclipse of Thales (Around 535 B.C.E.)
As told to us by Herodotus there was a battle between the Lydians and Medes that was stopped by an Eclipse. With suddenly day turning into night, leading to both parties halting the fighting and negotiating a peace agreement.