Shows / History Shorts
History Shorts
Dive into the past with award-winning historian Peter Zablocki in this captivating daily podcast! Uncover hidden stories you never knew existed. And don't miss Friday Conversations where Peter teams up with top experts for riveting, in-depth discussions that bring history to life.
Episodes
- History Shorts
Trivia: Classic Video Games
How well do you think you know the early history (not too early, though) of video games? Let us see! https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more…
- History Shorts
Religions: Judaism
Around 2000 B.C., a group of travelers left the Sumerian city-state of Ur. According to the Old Testament of the Bible, among them was a man named Abraham and…
History ShortsConversations: Legacy of Harry S. Truman, w/ Kurt Graham
Peter speaks with Dr. Kurt Grahama, a public historian and director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum…
- History Shorts
History's Most Mysterious Book
The Voynich Manuscript, named after Wilfrid Voynich, an antiquarian bookseller who acquired it in 1912 and is now housed at Yale University's Rare Book and…
- History Shorts
Why Don't We Like Aaron Burr?
Sure, Aaron Burr is today known as one of history's most mistrusted public figures. And you probably know him for his famous duel with Alexander Hamilton. But…
- History Shorts
The Women of Mercury 13
While some men in NASA and the U.S. government in the 1950s and 1960s thought women couldn't handle space, the 13 women selected for an experimental Mercury 13…
- History Shorts
Paris Catacombs
Tourists descend on Paris, the city of lights, by millions each year. Yet, as they take their selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower, many do not realize that…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Food Origins
Let's see how well you know the origins of some popular (and not all that popular anymore) foods. https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more…
- History Shorts
Religions: Hinduism
The Fourth Weekend Series deals with the origins of the great monotheistic religions of World History. So why are we talking about Hinduism, which has 33…
History ShortsConversations: What is the job of the U.S. National Archives? w/ Colleen Shogan
Join Peter as he speaks with Dr. Colleen J. Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States. As the nation's record keeper, Dr. Shogan is responsible for…
- History Shorts
Killing Castro
Fidel Castro was a controversial figure throughout his life, and that included multiple assassination attempts against him, most of them attributed to the CIA…
- History Shorts
What's the Deal w/ Carrier Pigeons?
Way before cell phones, email, or even smoke signals, human beings had found a way to communicate across long distances - their secret weapon - a pigeon…
- History Shorts
Sweet Voices of Evil
When it comes to war propaganda, arguably none is surrounded by more lore than the seductive radio personalities of Axis Sally and Tokyo Rose employed by Nazi…
- History Shorts
Henry's Kids' Game of Thrones
Henry VIII, the iconic Tudor king of England, is perhaps most famously remembered for his six marriages. His relentless pursuit of a male heir, combined with…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Infamous Cults in History
This episode may not be suitable for our younger listeners. Are you ready to test your knowledge of some of American history's most infamous cults?…
- History Shorts
Mysteries: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Our last episode of the Mysteries Series deals with the mystery of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While no attempt was made to solve the mystery of the…
History ShortsConversations: Untold Story of Lincoln's Special Forces, w/ Patrick K. O'Donnell
Bestselling historian, author of 13 books, and the nation's leading expert on America's elite and special operations units…
- History Shorts
Who Cracked the Liberty Bell?
Apart from the Statue of Liberty and/or the White House, the Liberty Bell might be the most enduring symbol of America. It undeniably draws millions of…
- History Shorts
Native American Leaders
While it would be impossible to name all influential Native American figures in American History, some figures arguably best represent the hundreds of tribal…
- History Shorts
The First American Novel Scandal
The plot of the first American novel, published in 1789, the same year George Washington was sworn in as the First President of the United States, The Power of…
- History Shorts
The Amber Room Mystery
When it comes to mysteries in history, that of the vanishing treasure room seems to transcend time. The story of the Amber Room involves the Enlightenment, the…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Deaths of Famous People
I will tell you how these historically famous people died, and you figure out who I am talking about! https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more…
- History Shorts
Mysteries: Betraying Anne Frank
Historians have yet to solve the mystery—and not for lack of trying. Who betrayed Anne Frank? https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more about…
History ShortsConversations: Why history is cyclical. w/ Dan Carlin
This month's spotlight guest is an inspiration for many historians and history storytellers: Mr. Dan Carlin of the Hardcore History Podcast. Peter and Dan…
- History Shorts
Chocolate
While ancient South Americans were used to chocolate, in 1500, it was still unknown to Europeans. But then came the age of exploration. Within one hundred…
- History Shorts
First Female Presidential Candidate
Often forgotten today, one of American history's biggest pioneers, Victoria Woodhull, ran for president in 1872 to her detractors calling her a witch or a…
- History Shorts
1605 Demolition Men
Today, Bonfire Night is a lighthearted social event in Britain - one that grew out of one of the most dramatic episodes in English history, the Gunpowder Plot…
- History Shorts
Emperor's Ransom
The peculiar events surrounding the takeover of the Incas in 1522 and the arrest and eventual execution of the kingdom's emperor, Atahualpa, would cement…
- History Shorts
Trivia: The Great Depression
Ready to test your knowledge of the Great Depression? https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- History Shorts
Mysteries: Sunken Civilizations
Over the years, the discovery of Mesolithic and Neolithic civilizations hidden for millennia under the earth's water and sand has challenged our understanding…
History ShortsConversations: The 16th Century Contest that Shaped the World, w/ Roger Crowley
Roger Crowley is a British historian and the award-winning author of many books, including the Sunday Times History Book of the Year and New York Times…
- History Shorts
Hitler Diaries
In 1983, the German magazine Stern announced a sensational discovery that promised to change the understanding of World War II history. It had gained access to…
- History Shorts
Bloody Angle NYC
You have probably heard of the famous Chinatown neighborhood of New York City - perhaps only second to San Francisco's Chinatown when it comes to pop culture…
- History Shorts
Mummifying Lenin
The man forever associated with the Russian Revolution and Soviet Communism is perhaps equally known for being one of history's most famous mummies. Using a…
- History Shorts
Teapot Dome Scandal
It really is interesting how President Harding's disastrous time as POTUS is not brought up more in modern times when speaking about controversial presidencies…
- History Shorts
Trivia: The Movies
Ready to test your knowledge of early Hollywood history? https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- History Shorts
Mysteries: Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe's death was officially ruled as a probable suicide due to an overdose of barbiturates. So why do amateur and professional historians continue…
History ShortsConversations: A fictional hero in a real world of WWII, w/ James R. Benn
Today's guest is James R. Benn, the best-selling mystery writer of the Billy Boyle World War II historical fiction series. His work has been praised by both…
- History Shorts
Confederados
For some, the American Civil War had never ended, which is a sad fact. Yet, for others, the legacy seems even more misplaced, literally - especially if you…
- History Shorts
White House Ghosts
Did you know many believe the White House to be one of the nation's premier haunted houses? After all, what other place do you get to hang out with the likes…
- History Shorts
Doctors of Death
When one thinks of the French Revolution, they undoubtedly think of one of its biggest symbols, the Guillotine. But did you know that the device was actually…
- History Shorts
Bombing a Royal Wedding
Proclaimed king upon his birth in 1886, Alfonso XIII of Spain inherited a nation long past its prime. Yet, as luck would have it, while all other European…
- History Shorts
TRAILER : Dan Carlin
Check out the trailer for Peter's conversation with Dan Carlin, and make sure you click the "subscribe" button so you don't miss the whole conversation, which…
- History Shorts
Trivia: American Revolution
Ready to test your knowledge of the American Revolution? https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- History Shorts
What If: A Lindbergh Presidency
There was a darker side to American hero Charles Lindbergh—one that, had he cashed in on his fame in 1940 and run for the presidency, would have undoubtedly…
History ShortsConversations: Destroying the Nazi Atomic Bomb Program, w/ Neal Bascomb
Neal Bascomb is an acclaimed journalist, author, and historian who is known for his ability to transform complex historical events into captivating narratives…
- History Shorts
Real Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones has roamed the globe battling Nazis while digging up deserts and saving religious artifacts while managing to land the beautiful girl at the end…
- History Shorts
Naming America
Sure, it would likely have made more sense to name the two continents Columbia after Christopher Columbus, or for the Native Americans who had been here for…
- History Shorts
Nostradamus
Nostradamus was a sixteenth-century French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer best known for his book Les Propheties, or the Prophecies, a collection of…
- History Shorts
Killing the Red Baron
Forever known as Snoopy's arch nemesis, the Red Baron, or Manfred von Richthofen was renowned for his exceptional skills in aerial combat. But did you know…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Ancient History
So, how much do you know about Ancient History? You may surprise yourself. https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more about your ad choices…
- History Shorts
What If: Cuban Missile Crisis
When American U-2 spy planes captured aerial photographs of the missile sites in Cuba, the world held its breath as two superpowers engaged in tense…
History ShortsConversations: How Narrative History Brings the Past to Life, w/ Jeff Shaara
The New York Times Bestselling author Jeff Shaara is a literary giant whose historical novels have brought history to life for millions of people over the past…
- History Shorts
The Curse of the Hope Diamond
The diamond industry has thrived for centuries with the shiny rocks acting as status symbols for those who can afford them. But, there is one famous diamond in…
- History Shorts
Bringing Down the Knights Templar
While the Crusades' quest to recover and hold the Holy Land saw the rise of several influential military orders, the Knights Templar is, by far, the most…
- History Shorts
Mohawk Skywalkers
Behind New York City's skyline lies the story of fearless Mohawk Indians once hired by the Dominion Bridge Company as ironworkers a century earlier…
- History Shorts
The Tunguska Event
On the morning of June 30, 1908, a powerful explosion ripped through the remote Siberian wilderness near the Tunguska River. That much we know, but what…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Cold War
Are you ready to test your Cold War knowledge? https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- History Shorts
What If: League of Nations
What IF America had joined the League of Nations instead of Congress failing to ratify the Treaty of Versailles? Would World War II had been prevented?…
History ShortsConversations: The power of art in the historical narrative, w/ Sabin Howard
Mr. Sabin Howard is one of the greatest artists of his generation, a classical-figurative master sculptor who has spent the last few years of his life…
