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
Vintage News: Death of Jayne Mansfield
This week's story deals with the tragic accident that took the life of one of Hollywood's biggest stars of the 1960s, Miss Jayne Mansfield. Today's article…
- History Shorts
Michelangelo Paints the Sistine Chapel
Many of us have seen - well at least pictures or a few selected details from - Michelangelo's lofty Renaissance masterpiece. Yet, what somehow escapes the…
History ShortsConversations: How "Wild" was the Wild West? w/ Tom Clavin
Join Peter as he speaks with the multiple New York Times Bestselling author Tom Clavin about his path to becoming a writer, history as a whole, and his newest…
- History Shorts
Ninjas
Ninjas, or shinobi, have captured the imagination of people worldwide with their reputation for stealth, espionage, and martial prowess. These covert agents of…
- History Shorts
Mesopotamia - The First Civilization
Mesopotamia may technically not have been the world's first society and civilization, but based on all available evidence, it is, at the very least, the first…
- History Shorts
North Korea's Three Generations Rule
The "Three Generations of Punishment" rule in North Korea is one of the most infamous aspects of its penal system. This policy reflects the regime's harsh…
- History Shorts
War of the Roses
The War of the Roses was a complex and bloody struggle fought between 1455 and 1487 for the English throne between two rival branches of the House of…
- History Shorts
BONUS Deep Dive: WWI and Military Service Tribunals
Join Peter for a conversation about the British Military Service Tribunals and World War I as a whole with the host of the successful WW2 Podcast, Angus…
- History Shorts
Akwesasne: A Nation Among Nations
Akwesasne is a town and a nation where a simple visit will make you cross the U.S. and Canada border multiple times without ever realizing it. This Mohawk…
- History Shorts
Last Days of the Dinosaurs
Did you ever wonder how an entire tribe of giant reptiles disappeared from the face of the Earth? Some scientists now suggest a new theory involving a…
History ShortsConversations: A History of the World in 6 Glasses, w/ Tom Standage
CONVERSATION SERIES: Tom Standage Peter speaks with Tom Standage, Editor of the Economist and the acclaimed author of, among others, The History of the World…
- History Shorts
1956 Suez Canal Crisis
The Suez Canal Crisis was pivotal in highlighting the shift in global power dynamics - and perhaps a glimpse of what might have happened if the U.S. and Soviet…
- History Shorts
Leaflet Propaganda of WWII
Leaflet campaigns have evolved in scope and sophistication, often mirroring advancements in printing technology, flight, and military strategy. Yet, when it…
- History Shorts
King Gillette's Razor
King Gillette never ruled a country, yet he might have had a bigger impact than most of the monarchies that have faded into history. In fact, King was not…
- History Shorts
Warrior Queens Who Challenged Rome
We tend to forget two queens—who lived two hundred years apart and in different regions—whose violence and carnage against the Roman Empire made them some of…
- History Shorts
Vintage News: Pentagon Papers
This week on Vintage News, we examine and comment on an article from 1971 dealing with the Pentagon Papers leak. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON Patreon LEARN MORE AT…
- History Shorts
Firebombing of Dresden
When talking about World War II - there are more controversial topics than one might want to admit… which is where today's topic comes into play. The…
History ShortsConversations: How Important was Henry Cabot Lodge to TRs Success? w/ Laurence Jurdem
CONVERSATION SERIES: Dr. Laurence Jurdem Peter speaks with Dr. Laurence Jurdem, professor of history at Fairfield University and author of The Rought Rider and…
- History Shorts
Blood on the Senate Floor
Sure, we live in divisive times - I do not think anyone denies that. But I guess it could be worse. After all, back in the 1860s, chained dogs had to be…
- History Shorts
U.S. Invades Canada - Twice!
Undoubtedly, the United States and Canada are very friendly and have been economic and defensive partners for decades. But that was not always the case. In…
- History Shorts
Remembering John Q. Adams
John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States (1825-1829), was a remarkable figure whose contributions and significance to American history…
- History Shorts
The Legend of King Arthur
King Arthur was a warrior, a knight, and a king who killed giants, witches, and monsters and led a band of heroes on many daring adventures. But then again…
- History Shorts
U.S. and Greenland: A History
While it is in the news more than one would expect it to be these days, there might not be a palace on earth with a more ill-suited name than the largest…
- History Shorts
Mormon Army of Nauvoo
Most of us have learned about Brigham Young leading his followers, the Mormons, to establish their religious haven in Salt Lake Valley. But, I bet you many…
History ShortsConversations: Speaking with those who knew MLK Jr., w/ Jonathan Eig
Conversation Series: Jonathan Eig Join Peter as he speaks with Jonathan Eig, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, historian, and biographer of the most recent…
- History Shorts
Stealing the Panama Canal
Since its completion in 1914, the Panama Canal has been a source of both pride and contention. While the U.S. viewed it as a symbol of engineering achievement…
- History Shorts
Romulus and Remus of Rome
Although the ancient Roman myth of Romulus and Remus is just that, a myth, it is still the foundational story that shapes the origins of the Roman Empire, and…
- History Shorts
Kosovo Student Poisoning Incident
The Kosovo Student Poisoning incident of 1990 is a mysterious and controversial event that took place during a tense period of ethnic and political unrest in…
- History Shorts
FBI's Long Manhunt for Fugitive Webb
Donald Eugene Webb, an infamous American criminal, still holds the second-longest stint on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, remaining on the run for…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Accidental Inventions
Let's see how many of these accidental inventions you can guess based on very little information given - well, let's say, enough information to make an…
- History Shorts
Father of the Doughnut Hole
Have you ever wondered why a doughnut is called a doughnut? Or perhaps even more importantly, why it has its iconic shape with the hole in the middle? Well, in…
- History Shorts
Rasputin's Autopsy Secrets
When it comes to Grigori Rasputin's mystique, most of it stems from a combination of his enigmatic personality, extraordinary rise to influence, and…
History ShortsConversations: Poland's Place in World History, w/ Norman Davies
CONVERSATION SERIES: Dr. Norman Davies Peter speaks with Dr. Norman Davies, a renowned historian known for extensive research on Polish and European History…
- History Shorts
Killing Dillinger
The story of John Dillinger, one of the most notorious criminals of the Great Depression, is a tale of audacious bank heists, high-profile escapes, and an…
- History Shorts
The $36 Million Dollar Scam
It is now common knowledge that the great Robber Barrons of the Gilded Age cheated the public - also likely the reason why they became known by that monicker…
- History Shorts
Pope's Line Across the World
Once the new world was discovered by Europeans in 1492, so began the clamoring for land and colonization rights between the two biggest maritime powers of the…
- History Shorts
The Fall of Boss Tweed
William "Boss" Tweed, one of the most infamous political figures in American history, was the leader of Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine that…
- History Shorts
Trivia: Candy
SUNDAY TRIVIA: Candy Let's see if you can guess the candy based on its origins story. https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast Find us at…
- History Shorts
Brazilian Expeditionary Force of WWII
Brazil's failure to send troops to fight during the First World War led to an ongoing joke: A snake will smoke a pipe before Brazil goes to war. But by 1944…
- History Shorts
Landmarks: Washington Monument
The Washington Monument's history is marked by dedication, delays, and a remarkable transformation into one of America's enduring symbols of unity and…
History ShortsConversations: How Rome's Roads Shaped History, w/ Catherine Fletcher
CONVERSATION SERIES: Dr. Catherine Fletcher Peter speaks with Dr. Fletcher, the renowned Renaissance and Early Modern European History historian, about her…
- History Shorts
A City Built on Bones
The city of St. Petersburg, founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, stands as one of Russia's most significant cities, both as a symbol of Peter's ambition to…
- History Shorts
Charlie Brown Christmas
Most of us have seen it, and many continue showing it to our children or plan to in the future. Although the story within the Charlie Brown Christmas Special…
- History Shorts
Killing Spartacus
Much of Spartacus's early life is shrouded in mystery, and historical records provide few details. Yet, the story of one of history's most famous rebels who…
- History Shorts
Chappaquiddick
After being elected to the Senate in 1962, Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy quickly became known as a liberal who championed causes such as education and healthcare…
- History Shorts
Remastered: It's a Wonderful Life
REMASTERED: Join Peter for these bonus episodes as he revisits some of his early topics with extended content. Who hasn't seen It's a Wonderful Life? A film…
- History Shorts
OSS' Psychological Analysis of Hitler
In 1942, during the height of World War II, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)—the forerunner to the CIA—commissioned a psychological profile of Adolf…
- History Shorts
Landmarks: Kremlin
LANDMARKS: Kremlin The Kremlin and Red Square are Russia's most iconic historical sites at the heart of Moscow. While we often associate it with the Soviet…
History ShortsConversations: What are some positive lessons from history? w/ Roman Krznaric
CONVERSATION SERIES: Dr. Roman Krznaric Peter speaks with Dr. Roman Krznaric, a renowned social philosopher and bestselling author of numerous books, including…
- History Shorts
Hollywood Urban Legends
Gossip about stars and movies will inevitably come out of Hollywood - and inevitably, the crazier or weirder, the better. While there are new stories every…
- History Shorts
Ford and Edison's Electric Car
A whole century before the world came to love—and/or hate—Tesla vehicles and the electric car craze they ushered, an automobile titan of the industry and one…
- History Shorts
Building a Beer Empire
The story of Anheuser-Busch, one of the world's largest and most influential brewing companies, is a pretty cool tale of innovation, resilience, and adaptation…
- History Shorts
The Chicken of Tomorrow Contest
If most of your weekly meals include some form of chicken, you should know about the Chicken of Tomorrow contest. In fact, the competition held in the United…
- History Shorts
Vintage News: Archduke Ferdinand
VINTAGE NEWS: This week's SUNDAY SERIES rotation returns to VINTAGE NEWS where we share with you headlines and stories from the pages of past newspapers -…
- History Shorts
Landmarks: Stonehenge
Landmarks: Stonehenge Join Peter as he shares a few answers to some of the most asked questions about one of history's most mysterious landmarks…
History ShortsConversations: On the Unsung Heroes of America's History w/ Sharon McMahon
Conversation Series: Sharon McMahon Join Peter as he speaks with Sharon McMahon, an award-winning teacher, New York Times Best-Selling Author, and host of the…
- History Shorts
Businesses that Worked w/ the Nazis
During the Nazi era in Germany, many still well-known companies from various industries either operated within Germany or collaborated with the Nazi regime in…
- History Shorts
Ali Stops the Fight
Muhammad Ali, who had been stripped of his heavyweight titles in 1967 due to his refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War, was making a strong comeback. It…
- History Shorts
Did Nixon Delay Peace in Vietnam?
Richard Nixon's actions during the 1968 presidential election, particularly in relation to the Vietnam War peace negotiations, remain one of the most…
- History Shorts
The Fall of Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe, which began in 1519 and ended in 1522, stands as one of the most significant achievements in the history of…
