Stuff You Missed in History Class

What was the Champagne Safari?

16 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

On July 6th, 1934, Charles Bedaux set off on an expedition from Edmonton to British Columbia. This was no ordinary trek -- the travelers moved in styl...

Is the Taj Mahal a symbol of love?

10 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The Taj Mahal was built by the Mogul ruler Shah Jahan as a memorial to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. In this episode, Sarah and Katie delve into th...

Gilles de Rais: Who was the real Bluebeard?

08 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

"Bluebeard" is one of Charles Perrault's most disturbing and grisly stories -- but could it be true? Join Sarah and Katie as they explore the depraved...

Who was "Black Moses"?

03 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to this episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class to learn more about the life and philosophy of Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist leader ...

History's Greatest Battle Horses

01 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Although prehistoric societies hunted horses for food, they quickly realized the animals were more useful as a means of transportation. Tune in as Kat...

Toussaint L'Ouverture and the Haitian Revolution

27 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When the Haitian revolution broke out, Toussaint L'Ouverture did not originally take part in the violence -- at least, that is, until the British beca...

Into the Ghastly Blank with Burke and Wills

25 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When John O'Hara Burke and William John Wills attempted to traverse Australia, the inland area of the continent was terra incognita known as the "ghas...

King Porus vs Alexander the Great

20 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

As Alexander the Great pushed across the globe on his quest for world domination, he met with an unexpected obstacle: King Porus of the Punjab region....

Who would have been the Nazi king?

19 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Although Edward VIII is often remembered as a British King who abdicated the throne for love, FBI files suggest that there may have been a more sinist...

Wallis Simpson and the Abdication Crisis

13 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII renounced his throne in order to marry an American socialite named Wallis Simpson. Join Katie and Sarah as the exp...

The Kidnapping of Patty Hearst

11 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In 1974, publishing heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Originally a hostage, Hearst eventually became a member of t...

How the Hearst Castle Works

06 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

When newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst grew weary of camping, he asked Julia Morgan to build a 'small bungalow' in San Simeon, California. More...

The Death of Lord Darnley

04 Jan 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In February of 1567, Lord Darnley lay sleeping in a house called Kirk o'Field when it exploded. He was certainly dead, but when his body was discovere...

The Real Citizen Kane

30 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Critics around the world agree that Citizen Kane is one of history's best films -- but who was the basis of this story? Listen in as Sarah and Katie t...

The Virgin Queen's Great Love

28 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth I never married. Instead, she encouraged (and avoided) many suitors without making a commitment. Additionally, many people believed Elizabet...

What was Saturnalia?

23 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Winter solstice celebrations predate Christmas, and trace back into antiquity. Saturnalia was one of these ancient traditions, and it was very differe...

Bungled Attempts at One-Person Flights

21 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Nowadays almost every urban center has an airport, and the idea of flying across an ocean seems normal. Yet this wasn't always the case. Join Katie an...

Rival Queens: Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I

16 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Although they were cousins, Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart had little in the way of familial affection. Join Katie and Sarah as they take a closer look a...

How the Taiping Rebellion Worked

14 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In 1850, a disillusioned would-be bureaucrat named Hung Hsiu-ch'uan became the head of a rebellion against the Qing dynasty. Learn the story of this r...

Elizabeth The First, Before She Was Queen

09 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

As the only child of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I was born into a world of privilege and danger. Learn more about the tumultuous life of El...

Harry Houdini, Master Mystifier

07 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Once known as the world's greatest magician, Harry Houdini's reputation still resonates with modern fans of illusion and magic. Join Katie and Sarah a...

How did Meriwether Lewis die?

02 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In 1809, Meriwether Lewis died of gunshot wounds -- but how did this happen? Historians still debate the circumstances involved. Join Katie and Sarah ...

Why did Angkor fall?

30 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

At its height, the city of Angkor was larger than Rhode Island. Replete with ornate architecture, the metropolis also served as a religious center. Ye...

How the First Thanksgiving Worked

25 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Nowadays, Thanksgiving has become an official holiday, complete with its own trappings of tradition and mythology. But how much of the conventional Th...

How the Opium Wars Worked

23 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the 19th century, Britain tried to remedy a trade deficit with China by hooking the country on opium. Tensions rose as more and more Chinese citize...

Pocahontas: An American Princess

18 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Born around 1596, Pocahontas was the daughter of the chief Powhatan. Today she is remembered as an ardent supporter of the Jamestown colonists -- but ...

Was there really an Atlantis?

16 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

According to Plato, Atlantis was an ancient civilization destroyed by an earthquake over 10,000 years ago. Join Katie and Sarah as they take a look at...

The Ada Lovelace Episode: Who was the Enchantress of Numbers?

11 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The first computer programmer was a woman named Ada Lovelace. Learn how the daughter of Lord Byron -- one of the most famous poets in the Western worl...

How Lord Byron Worked

09 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Whether the topic is Lucrezia Borgia or Frankenstein, Lord Byron keeps popping up in podcasts. Who was this poet, and why is he associated with so man...

A History Mystery: the Mad Trapper of Rat River

04 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sarah and Katie take a crack at one of Canada's strangest mysteries: The Mad Trapper of Rat River. Travel back to 1931, when a man ca...

How Lucrezia Borgia Worked

02 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

As the daughter of a pope, Lucrezia was born into dizzying power and political intrigue. She was also controversial -- rumors of incest and other crim...

How Marie Laveau Worked

28 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Over the course of her life, Marie Laveau wielded enormous influence as the notorious Voodoo Queen of New Orleans -- but how much of her story is true...

The Birth of Frankenstein and the Vampyre

26 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

With Halloween looming, Sarah and Katie travel back in time to explore the historic challenge that led to the creation of Frankenstein and the vampiri...

St. Paul's Watch and the London Blitz

21 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Saint Paul's Cathedral stands on the site of four previous churches, the earliest of which dates back to 604. When German forces bombed London in Worl...

Pompeii: Lost and Found

19 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in August of 79 AD, Pompeii was buried in volcanic ash and rock. As time passed, Pompeii was forgotten. Learn more about t...

The Caning of Charles Sumner on the Senate Floor

14 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The outspoken statesman and abolitionist Charles Sumner served as a senator from 1851-1874. Learn how Senator Sumner's 1865 protest against the Kansas...

What happened to Cleopatra's children?

12 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone's heard of the breathtaking Egyptian queen Cleopatra -- but have you ever heard of her children? Listen in as Katie and Sarah investigate the...

King Herod's Tomb

07 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

King Herod wasn't the world's worst ruler. Yet seventy years after his death his tomb was desecrated and forgotten. Learn more about the life and deat...

How the Boston Molasses Flood Worked

05 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Today, people associate molasses with cookies and other sweets. Yet in 1919 molasses was used in munitions as well as food -- and Boston had one of th...

Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Cuba

30 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of a five-part series, former President Jimmy Carter examines human rights and the United States, using Cuba as an example. Learn...

How Blackbeard Worked

28 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Better known as Blackbeard, Edward Teach (or, alternately, Thach) started out as a lowly privateer. Listen in as Katie and Sarah explore the facts beh...

Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Human Rights

23 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the fourth episode of a five-part series, former President Jimmy Carter examines human rights and the foreign policy goals of the United States. Le...

Madame de Maintenon and Louis XIV

21 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

As the Sun King, Louis XIV ruled France for over 70 years. Yet even a king can't get everything he wants. Learn about Louis' secret marriage to Madame...

Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Camp David Accords

16 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the third episode of a five-part series, former President Jimmy Carter looks back on his work forging the Camp David Accords. Learn more about inte...

How the Shootout at the OK Corral Worked

14 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The infamous shootout at the OK Corral has been immortalized in American culture -- but what's the real story behind the legend? Join Katie and Sarah ...

Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Free Elections

09 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of a five-part series, former President Jimmy Carter details the Carter Center's work supporting free elections and fighting dis...

John Snow's Ghost Map

07 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, Katie and Sarah discuss Dr. John Snow's famous "ghost map" and work tracing a cholera outbreak i...

Interview with President Jimmy Carter: Guinea Worm Disease

02 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

This episode, the first in a five-part interview series with former President Jimmy Carter, details the Carter Center's work on the eradication of Gui...

How the Newsboy Strike of 1899 Worked

31 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

At the turn of the century, New York paperboys formed the backbone of the city's paper distribution network. When publishers increased the cost of who...

What happened to Norte Chico?

26 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the arid Norte Chico region of Peru, archaeologists found several ancient mounds and a large amount of fish bones. Why did the city's founders move...

Franklin's Lost Expedition

24 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

After he joined the Navy at 14, Sir John Franklin traveled the world and eventually became the governor of Tanzania. In 1846, he set off to explore th...

How Eleanor of Aquitaine Worked

19 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Born in the 12th century in a world where women had few rights and little power, Eleanor of Aquitaine was a woman ahead of her time. Learn more about ...

How Mark Twain Worked

17 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Almost a century after his death, Mark Twain remains a literary legend. Join Katie and Sarah as they take a closer look at the quintessential American...

The Story of Bonnie and Clyde

12 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When Clyde Barrow met Bonnie Parker in 1930 , they felt an instant, deep attraction. Learn how this couple went from love at first sight to a string o...

The Ghost Dance and Wounded Knee

10 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

During an eclipse in 1889, Jack Wilson dreamed that he died, spoke with God and returned to spread a message through the resurrection of a ritual call...

How the Sacco and Vanzetti Trial Worked

05 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When Sacco and Vanzetti were charged with murder, the Italian-born anarchists didn't receive a fair trial because of their political views and foreign...

Historical Pooches

03 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

From the average Joe to the president of the United States, people across the world have pet dogs. Get the details on the canine companions of history...

Alexander Hamilton vs. Aaron Burr

29 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

As political rivals, Hamilton and Burr began a bitter exchange of insults, leading to a duel in 1804 that resulted in Hamilton's death. Learn about th...

How the 1916 Shark Attacks Worked

27 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In 1916, a series of shark attacks took place along the shores of New Jersey. The media downplayed the first attack as a fluke -- but the attacks cont...

The Red Light District of New Orleans

22 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Established in 1897, Storyville was a legal twenty block red-light district in New Orleans. Tune in as Katie and Candace take a look at the colorful h...

Malaria and the Panama Canal

20 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The idea for the Panama Canal goes back to 1534, when the Spanish surveyed the area. However, the canal wasn't built for centuries, and it was an ardu...

America's Favorite Outlaw: Billy the Kid

15 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Born Henry McCarty in New York City, Billy the Kid committed his first act of murder before he turned 20. Join Candace and Katie as they explore the f...

How the Dancing Plague of 1518 Worked

13 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In the summer of 1518, a woman in Strasbourg, France started dancing -- and didn't stop. By the end of the week, the compulsion to dance had spread to...

How the Stonewall Riots Worked

08 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, one of the few bars that welcomed gay patrons. Learn how this raid triggered the first major gay ri...

Duchess of Decadence: Georgiana

06 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, was also known as the Empress of Fashion. Married at the age of 16, the Duchess soon became enormously popular and l...

Ghosts of History: The Borley Rectory

01 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Legends surround the history of the Borley Rectory, which is known as the most haunted house in England. Tune in to learn more about the ghosts repute...

The Amelia Earhart Mystery

29 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In 1937, famous aviator Amelia Earhart attempted to circumnavigate the globe via airplane. However, she disappeared over the Pacific and was never see...

Ghosts of History: Versailles

24 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In 1901, two women visiting Versailles lost their way and met a series of strange, anachronistic characters. Looking back on the event, the women beca...

The Golem of Prague

22 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In Jewish folklore, golems are powerful creatures created from clay. According to legend, a golem was created to defend the Jewish population of Pragu...

Ghosts of History: Winchester Mystery House

17 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When a psychic told Sarah Winchester that the spirits of every person who died from a Winchester rifle would haunt her unless they were appeased, she ...

Fan Pick: Best Innovators in History

15 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

With help from listeners, our resident history buffs take a look at the world's great innovators and try to pick the best of the bunch. Listen in to l...

Were the Robber Barons America's greatest philanthropists?

10 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Although America's robber barons are often viewed in negative terms, they left a philanthropic legacy that continues today. Learn more about philanthr...

What did Greek philosophers think about happiness?

08 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

What is happiness? To answer this question, our resident history buffs turn back the clock and take a closer look at ancient Greek philosophy, from He...

Was Teddy Roosevelt the First Green President?

03 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Teddy Roosevelt was renowned for his hunting and enthusiasm for the outdoors, but he was also very concerned with conservation. Discover why he tops t...

The Marco Polo Pasta Myth

01 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

As one of history's most well-known globetrotters, Marco Polo is credited with many important contributions to Western civilization. Many believe past...

Presidential Perks

27 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When a person becomes the president, he or she is entitled to a 400k salary, as well as a hefty expense account -- and the benefits don't stop there! ...

What really happened at Kent State?

25 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

After the Kent State shootings, colleges across the country closed. However, decades later, researchers still aren't sure what actually happened at Ke...

How the Tuskegee Airmen Worked

20 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The Tuskegee Airmen made up the first African American air squadron. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to learn more about desegregation ...

Did Betsy Ross really make the first American Flag?

18 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Did Betsy Ross really make the first American flag, or is this just another revolutionary legend? Learn the myths and facts about Betsy Ross and the f...

Mesopotamia: The First Civilization

13 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Mesopotamia is often called the 'cradle of civilization,' but some scholars believe other ancient areas (such as Catal Huyuk) hold a better claim to t...

How the Battle of Gettysburg Worked

11 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The Battle of Gettysburg remains the most memorable conflict of the Civil War, and historians continue to analyze the events preceding and following f...

Were people vying to become slaves in the Ottoman Empire?

06 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Under a loophole of Muslim law, a sultan could take one-fifth of the spoils of war, including slaves. Learn how the sultan began a slave army -- and w...

Gandhi's Salt March

04 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When the British Empire controlled India, it used legislation like the salt tax to control the population. Learn how Gandhi's non-violent salt march t...

Was Manhattan traded for nutmeg?

29 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

It's hard to believe that anyone would trade the thriving island of Manhattan for a spice, but history is full of surprises. Find out why -- and how -...

Were ancient Egyptians the first feminists?

27 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

When Herodotus explored Egypt, he was startled by the contradictory gender roles -- women were doing tasks the Greeks restricted to males. Does this m...

How Joan D'Arc Worked

22 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Joan of Arc was a startling, larger-than-life figure, and she had a very strange trial. Learn why the Joan of Arc trial is so contentious -- along wit...

Charlemagne's Coronation

20 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

On Christmas Day in 800 AD, Charlemagne became the emperor of Rome in a coronation headed by none other than Pope Leo III. Learn more about the growth...

How the Marshall Plan Worked

15 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

During a Harvard commencement speech, Secretary of State George Marshall outlined a plan to assist Europe after World War II. Listen in and learn how ...

How Archimedes' Death Ray Worked

13 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Archimedes' death ray is one of history's most fabled legendary weapons -- but what was it? Was it even real? Listen in as Candace and Jane sift throu...

How did a shipwreck double the size of the US?

08 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Originally, Spanish silver was meant to stabilize the Louisiana territory -- but the ship carrying the necessary funds sank in the Gulf of Mexico. Fin...

How the Terracotta Army Works

01 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Approximately 7,000 clay soldiers guard the burial site of Qin Shi Huangdi, China's first emperor. Learn more about the emperor's mysterious army in t...

How did the East India Company change the world?

30 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

From the Opium Wars to the Boston Tea Party, the British East India Company had a profound effect on the course of history. Tune in and learn more abo...

Historically Inaccurate Movies

23 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Although moviegoers love period pieces, filmmakers are notorious for getting the details wrong. Tune in as our resident history buffs take a look at h...

How the Code of Hammurabi Worked

18 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The Code of Hammurabi is one of humanity's earliest, most intact code of laws. Historians continue to discuss the effects and importance of this code ...

The Bloodiest Battles of World War II

16 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

50 million people died over the course of World War II, and historians often cite it as the bloodiest war in human history. Tune in to learn more abou...

How Typhoid Mary Worked

11 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Historians agree that Typhoid Mary really existed -- but who was she, and how did she come to infect so many people? Tune in and learn more about Typh...

Was there really a Pied Piper of Hamelin?

09 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows the story of the Pied Piper -- but how much of this legend is factual? Learn more about the fact and fiction behind the story of the Pi...

How Hitler's Propaganda Machine Worked

04 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Adolph Hitler's legendary propaganda programs steered public opinion with unprecedented precision. Learn how this massive campaign influenced the aver...

How the Alamo Worked

02 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Legends and lore surround the story of the Alamo. As a result, it can be difficult to separate the fact from fiction. Listen in as our resident histor...

How Knights Work

25 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The knights of medieval Europe are often associated with a code of behavior known as chivalry -- but what were these knights actually like? Learn more...