Stuff You Missed in History Class

5 Unlikely Inventors

31 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

From Marlon Brando to Harry Houdini, it's common knowledge that performers are uniquely gifted -- but several have also gained reputations as gifted i...

Madame de Pompadour and Louis XV

26 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Madame de Pompadour was born in Paris in 1721, and eventually became the mistress of King Louis XV. In this episode, Deblina and Sarah describe Madame...

Hone Heke's Rebellion

24 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Also known as the Northern War, Hone Heke's Rebellion took place between in New Zealand over the course of 1845 and 1846. In this podcast, Sarah and D...

The Affair of the Poisons

19 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

From hemlock to cyanide, poison has unfortunately played an integral part in many of history's great sagas, But in 17th-century France, the scandal ov...

El Dorado and the River of Despair

17 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Driven by visions of unimaginable riches, Spanish explorers subjugated the cultures of South America and exploit the resources for their masters in Eu...

Hedy Lamarr: How did a Hollywood starlet invent cellular technology?

12 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Hedy Lamarr was an extraordinarily beautiful film star, but she wasn't just another pretty face. In this podcast, Sarah and Deblina recount Hedy's bio...

The Last Years of the Red Eminence

10 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Cardinal Richelieu wielded tremendous political power, but he also made more than a few enemies. Would they seek revenge in his later years? In this e...

Why did a riot start over Shakespeare?

05 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

As one of the most influential writers in the English language, Shakespeare is typically associated with cultural sophistication rather than violent b...

The Rise and Fall of the Green Gallant

03 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A man of many appellations -- Henry the Great, the Green Gallant -- King Henry IV was a very popular French royal . In this episode, Sarah and Deblina...

Unearthed in 2010: 5 Historical Finds

29 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past 12 months, experts have been hard at work hunting down hard evidence of times, places and people lost in the course of history. In this ...

Mansa Musa and the City of Gold

28 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Talk about making an impression: When emperor Mansa Musa went on a pilgramage from Timbuktu to Mecca, he gave away so much gold that he crashed the go...

Did Oliver Cromwell cancel Christmas?

22 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Oliver Cromwell was a Puritan, military leader and powerful politician in the 17th-century Parliament, but nowadays he's also known as an inveterate g...

Did Empress Wu's reign change China?

20 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

During the Tong Dynasty, Chinese women were often treated as second-class citizens. This made the rise of Empress Wu even more extraordinary. But did ...

What have we learned from gladiator graveyards?

15 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Although most people are familiar with gladiators, movies have skewed popular understanding of these fighters. So how can we separate the fact from th...

5 Amazing Astronomical Discoveries

13 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The study of the heavens is one of humanity's oldest pursuits, and it's still a work in progress. In this episode, Deblina and Sarah explore the detai...

Why is there a "graveyard of ships" near Naples?

08 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 2008, the Aurora Trust began a survey around an island named Ventotone, off the coast of Naples. They found an astonishing group of Roman shipwreck...

Tycho Brahe: An Astronomer's Untimely Demise

06 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Tycho Brahe is hailed as an influential astronomer, but why? Tune in and learn how this groundbreaking astronomer lost his nose, built the world's fir...

The Mysterious Death of Christopher Marlowe

01 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Marlowe was one of the most talented writers of the Elizabethan era, but his career was cut short when he was stabbed to death at the age ...

Why did Augustus exile his own daughter?

29 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Exile is never a pleasant experience, and meting it out on a family member is positively brutal. So what could drive Augustus to exile his own daughte...

Who was the real Sherlock Holmes?

24 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Arthur Conan Doyle wasn't the first person to write a mystery novel, but his focus on scientific methods and brilliant protagonist made the stories of...

Tagore, Erstwhile Knight

22 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In addition to being the first Asian Nobel laureate, the multitalented Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore was known for his political influence. In this...

George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate

17 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

With four acres of floor space and over thirty bedrooms, the opulent Biltmore Estate occupies a unique place in the history of the United States. In t...

Historical Name-dropping in Lost

15 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The hit show "Lost" is replete with historical name-dropping, but who are all these people mentioned in the show? In this episode, our resident histor...

5 Show-stopping Historical Weddings

10 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

History is full of astonishing events, and the history of marriage is no exception. Listen in as Sarah and our special guest, Candace, explore five of...

A Jewish Pirate's Life for Me!

08 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

During the golden age of Caribbean piracy, people from all walks of life set sail in search of gold. Yet you may be surprised to hear that some of the...

The Cinderella of the Harem

03 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Roxelana has one of the strangest rags-to-riches stories in history. As a slave who entered Suleyman's harem and rose through the ranks to become the ...

La Reconquista and the Alhambra

01 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In the early 8th century, Moors occupied most of the Iberian peninsula. During the Reconquista, Christians rallied to conquer the land. Listen in and ...

He Was Killed by Mesmerism

27 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Franz Mesmer is hailed as the father of hypnosis. His original pursuit was called mesmerism, but what exactly was it? How did it (supposedly) w...

10 Historical Animals You Should Know: 6 - 10

25 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Did Tycho Brahe really own a moose with a drinking problem? Did a U.S. President keep a pet alligator? Tune in as Katie and Sarah take a look at some ...

The Battle of Marathon

20 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Nowadays marathons are a popular pastime for health buffs across the world, but how did they get started? The origins of the marathon date back to the...

Spring-heeled Jack, Mystery Assailant!

18 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Most people are familiar with Jack the Ripper, but Victorian England was also plagued by an odd character named Spring-Heeled Jack. Were reports of th...

10 Historical Animals You Should Know: 1 - 5

13 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

History is full of astonishing stories, and not all of them revolve around humans. In the first part of this two-part series, Katie and Sarah cover fi...

Is there a real Macbeth curse?

11 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Some actors believe it's bad luck to say 'Macbeth' in the theater unless the play is being performed -- but why? In this episode, Katie and Sarah expl...

The History of Chocolate

06 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Nowadays chocolate is popular across the world, but it got its start thousands of years ago in Mesoamerica, where it was much more than a mere sweet o...

Lizzie Borden and Her Axe

04 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 1892, Abby Borden was brutally murdered in her home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter her husband Andrew Borden was also murdered, a...

5 Sinners in Dante's Inferno

29 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Dante wrote The Divine Comedy, he consigned several of his real-life enemies to hell. In this podcast, Katie and Sarah examine Dante's habit of p...

The Whaleship Essex: Real-life Moby Dick Sinks a Ship

27 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Although Herman Melville's opus is a work of fiction, it was inspired by real-life events. In this episode, Katie and Sarah explore the story of the r...

The Race to the South Pole

22 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Scott and Amundsen launched rival expeditions to the South Pole, they knew that only one group could be the first to reach the pole. Each believe...

The Curse of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond

20 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The Koh-i-noor diamond has a long, storied history -- and a reputation for bringing trouble to its (male) owners. In this episode, Katie and Sarah tra...

Who was King Tut... really?

15 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Egyptologists studied King Tutankhamen's DNA, they learned some surprising things: In addition to being disabled, the king was inbred. And this i...

The Death of Mozart

13 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in December of 1791, bringing his profound career to an untimely end. But how exactly did he die? Join Katie and Sarah as...

Sir Roger Mortimer: Who was the "Greatest Traitor?"

08 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Roger Mortimer is known as the "greatest traitor," but why? Sarah and Katie explore the life and times of Sir Mortimer in this episode, from his e...

Was there a female pope?

06 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

During the Middle Ages, thousands of faithful Catholics believed in the story of a female pope named Joan. But is there any evidence for this story --...

Napoleon in Egypt: The Savants

01 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Napoleon planned a secret mission to Egypt, he authorized three men to create a Commission of Sciences and Arts. However, the commission's 151 me...

The Trung Sisters vs China

30 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The Trung sisters were daughters of a Vietnamese lord in the first century, when Vietnam was occupied by the Han Dynasty. Listen in and learn how thes...

Why is Richard I called the Lionheart?

25 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Richard I -- better known as Richard the Lionheart -- is an iconic, legendary figure in European history. But how did he become "the Lionheart"...

The Lovers of Catherine the Great

23 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

It gets lonely at the top, and even larger-than-life monarchs like Catherine the Great needed a bit of romance now and then. Tune in and learn more ab...

The Battles of the Pyramids and Nile

18 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 1798 Napoleon decided to launch an expedition to Egypt instead of leading a direct attack on England -- but why? In this episode, Katie and Sarah e...

Five Stars of the Wild West

16 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

It didn't take long for America to romanticize cowboys. Even after most cowboys gave up their spurs, Wild West shows captivated audiences across the c...

Catherine the Great in Power

11 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Katie and Sarah highlight some of the details of Catherine the Great's reign, from wars and rebellions to her Enlightenment ideals and desire to furth...

Catherine the Great's Rise to Power

09 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine the Great remains one of the most influential female figures in European history, but how did she get her start? In the first segment of thi...

Medici Murders and a Basket Baby

04 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Centuries after the fall of their line, the Medici remain one of history's most powerful -- and notorious -- families. In this episode, Sarah and Kati...

A Crusade Gone Wrong

02 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Of all the Crusades, the Fourth Crusade was the least successful: It created a permanent divide between Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. But what...

Did any Germans resist Hitler?

28 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

During World War II, the Nazi totalitarian party did not tolerate dissent. Despite the risks involved, some Germans did attempt to resist Hitler's gov...

Ivan VI: Who was the infant ruler of Russia?

26 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Ivan VI was still an infant when he was proclaimed the Emperor of Russia. In this episode, Katie and Sarah explain how this strange ascension occurred...

Why did Henry Ford build a city in the Amazon?

21 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Anxious to control his own rubber company, Henry Ford built a utopian community in the midst of the Amazon. In this episode, Katie and Sarah explore t...

Burke and Hare, Who Didn't Steal Corpses

19 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

From 1827 to 1828, Burke and Hare were accused of killing fifteen people and selling their bodies to medical students. But were they really resurrecti...

Mad King Ludwig Dines Alone

14 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

From his opulent, solitary dinners to the amazing Neuschwanstein Castle, it's no surprise that King Ludwig II was known as an eccentric. In fact, peop...

Lili'uokalani: Who was the Last Queen of Hawaii?

12 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in 1838, Lili'uokalani became the queen of Hawaii in 1891. Unfortunately, she was destined to be Hawaii's last monarch. Listen in and learn how H...

Kamehameha The Great

07 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born shortly after the appearance of Halley's comet over Hawai'i in 1758, Kamehameha was hailed as the king who would unite the Hawai'ian islands. But...

What really happened on Bloody Sunday?

05 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 1972 the tension between the United Kingdom and the Irish Republican Army rose to a fever pitch as the British Army and Irish protestors clashed. L...

Mata Hari, Sinister Salome?

30 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Mata Hari was an exotic dancer and a courtesan, but today she's known more for her work as a spy. In this podcast, Katie and Sarah take a look at the ...

A Conspiracy Starring Aaron Burr

28 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

After Aaron Burr slew Alexander Hamilton in the duel of 1804, his legislative career was over. In March of 1805, Burr left the political sphere and mo...

How Oscar Wilde Worked

23 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The larger-than-life poet and novelist Oscar Wilde remains one of Ireland's most well-known authors, but his life wasn't all accolades and praise. Joi...

A Holocaust Story: Hannah Szenes

21 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Amid the anti-Semitic and hostile environment of Hungary, the poet Hannah Szenes joined with resistance forces, risking her life to save Jewish commun...

Mutiny on the Bounty

16 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The mutiny aboard the HMS Bounty has been popularized in film, but how accurate is this depiction? In this podcast, Sarah and Katie take a closer look...

How Tecumseh Worked

14 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in 1768, Tecumseh was a leader of the Shawnee tribe who united several Native American tribes in opposition against the expansionist U.S. forces....

The Bombardment of Baltimore

09 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Years after the American Revolution, Britain and the United States were still locked in conflict. Listen in as Katie and Sarah explore the British bom...

Lillie Langtry, The Jersey Lily

07 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In her time, Lillie Langtry was known as the most beautiful woman in the world. But how did she get her start? Listen in and learn how The Jersey Lily...

How the Pony Express Worked

02 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The Pony Express used a system of riders and horses to safely deliver mail between Missouri and Sacramento -- a distance of over 1900 miles. But how d...

The Emperor Norton Episode: Who was the Emperor of the United States?

31 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Joshua Norton returned to San Francisco following a disastrous business deal, he was a little bit loopy. Norton went to the newspapers and declar...

Caligula Disentangled

26 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

According to most popular accounts, Caligula was an insane, cruel and bizarre emperor. But how reliable are those stories? Join Katie and Sarah as the...

Nefertiti and the Heretic Pharaoh

24 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Today historians know very little about Nefertiti, but during her time as Egypt's queen she was revered as a goddess. In this episode, Sarah and Katie...

The Shipwreck that Saved Jamestown

19 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When a relief mission left Plymouth in 1609 to assist the troubled colony of Jamestown, an intense storm separated one vessel from the rest of the fle...

Simon Bolivar, the Liberator

17 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in 1783, Simon Bolivar grew to become known as the George Washington of South America. But how did this happen? Listen in and learn how Simon Bol...

A Grim Tale: The Brothers Grimm

12 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Fairy tales weren't always safe fodder for the latest Disney film. In fact, some were downright macabre. Learn more about the original versions of fai...

The 47 Ronin and the Samurai's Code

10 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Historically, the samurai were Japanese warriors famous for their loyalty to their feudal lords and adherence to a strict code of honor. Tune in to le...

What is the highest-value art heist in history?

05 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

From cat burglars to immoral, obsessed collectors, we've all heard stories of notorious art thieves. But in terms of loot, which of history's outrageo...

How Charlie Chaplin Worked

03 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Chaplin is perhaps best known for his portrayal of 'The Tramp,' a character with raggedy clothes and a heart of gold. But who was the real Cha...

Catherine de' Medici and the Scarlet Nuptials

28 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the continuing Medici super series, Katie and Sarah follow up on the further adventures of Catherine de'Medici. Listen in and learn...

Is there a money pit on Oak Island?

26 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 1795, a farm boy named Daniel McGinnis found a strange depression in the ground on an island in Nova Scotia's Mahone Bay. As he and his friends beg...

Catherine de' Medici, Italian Orphan

21 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine de' Medici remains the most famous female member of the Medici clan. Orphaned at a young age, Catherine survived struggles with childhood il...

The Second Act: Notable Vaudevillians

19 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In a follow-up to the earlier episode on the history of vaudeville, Katie and Sarah take a closer look at some of the most memorable vaudevillians. Li...

Who was Emanuel Swedenborg?

14 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When the philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg sought mechanical explanations for nature, he found himself struggling with his faith as he searched for evide...

How Michelangelo Worked

12 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As a painter and a sculptor, Michelangelo became famous within his own lifetime. But who exactly was this artist, and what compelled him to create his...

A Brief History of Vaudeville

07 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Vaudeville flourished from the late 19th century into the Depression era. It was one of America's most famous forms of entertainment at the time. Tune...

Savonarola, the Unarmed Prophet

05 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Girolamo Savonarola wasn't the typical Dominican friar. He began protesting moral corruption in the clergy at a young age. Eventually he came to Flore...

Death at the Duomo: The Pazzi Conspiracy

31 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When the Pazzi family became entangled in a plot to assassinate Lorenzo and Giuliano de'Medici, the conspiracy grew until it reached the steps of the ...

Bar Kokhba vs. The Romans

29 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born Simon ben Kosiba, Simon bar Kokhba led the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman empire. The revolt succeeded momentarily, and the Romans were expe...

Nellie Bly & Stunt Journalism

24 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in 1864, Nellie Bly wasn't your average journalist -- in fact, she feigned insanity to gain entry into a mental institution. Join Sarah and Katie...

How the Book of Kells Works

22 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Created around 800 AD, the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript held at Trinity College in Ireland. Listen in to learn more about the Book of Ke...

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland

17 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As High King of Ireland, Brian Boru fought against -- and ultimately ended -- the rule of Niall Noigiallach's descendents. Tune in as Katie and Sarah ...

Who stole the Amber Room?

15 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Often hailed as "the eighth wonder of the world," the Amber Room is an opulent room adorned with gold and precious amber. History buffs would love to ...

What happened to the Romanovs?

10 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The House of Romanov ruled Russia from 1613 until 1917, when Nicholas II abdicated the throne. But what actually happened to the royal family? Tune in...

Josephine Baker, The Toast of Paris

08 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

With a career spanning five decades, Josephine Baker was a star of stage and screen. However, she was also a spy for the French resistance during Worl...

Who were Garibaldi's 1000?

03 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Giuseppe Garibaldi led the ultimate underdogs in an expedition to overthrow the Bourbon family ruling Sicily in 1860. Tune in and learn how this ragge...

Stokely Carmichael and Black Power

01 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in 1941 in Trinidad, Stokely Carmichael moved to the US at the age of 11. Once he arrived he set upon a path that permanently changed American so...

Mary Seacole and the Crimean War

24 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When Mary Seacole was born, racism was rife and no formal nursing institutions existed. Tune in to learn how Mary Seacole overcame these obstacles and...

Zenobia, Warrior Queen

22 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Some authors have described Zenobia, a queen of Palmyra, as a second Cleopatra. Listen in as Sarah and Katie explore the history of Palmyra and Zenobi...

Was Satchel Paige the greatest pitcher in history?

17 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Born in Alabama in 1906, Satchel Paige rose through the ranks to become one of the most popular baseball players in the Negro Leagues. Tune in as Sara...