You’ve probably heard the story of Rip Van Winkle at some point in your life, and if you can’t remember the details, you’re not alone.

Most people are familiar with the concept of the character who slept for a long time (20 years, in fact) and woke up quite confused.

What you may forget is that this story, by Washington Irving, is placed in time so as to make Rip miss one very particular event: the American Revolution.

What’s it like to suddenly realized you’ve missed something huge? These Twitter stories step out of fiction and give us the real low-down on the phenomenon.

10. The Meandering Maskless

Off the grid? Yeah, I’d say so.

9. The Vigilant Soldier

I’ve heard variations on this story many times, still not totally sure if it’s true.

8. The Trump Card

Hope you enjoyed your place of peace, because everything is awful now.

7. Wake Me Up When September Ends

Welcome back, it’ll never be the same.

6. State of Affairs

This one is more cute.

5. Farewell, Comrad

What a year.

4. Handsome Hanson

I heard this album playing ad nauseum from my sister’s room.

3. On the Outside

Man. How cut off are you in there?

2. A Watershed Moment

Wait, was he up there for like two years?

1. Sad Security

Aaaaand I’m back to sad again.

Well, this has been an eye-opening bummer. Which is my new band name.

What’s something that weirdly passed you by?

Tell us in the comments.