History Improv’ed

What impact did the philosophical writings of Thomas Jefferson have on Vietnamese independence leader Hồ Chí Minh? How would Jefferson, a slave-owner and Francophile, have counseled Hồ in dealing with French colonizers? And would they have bonded over a love of pastries? After this episode, History Improv’ed will be taking a hiatus but we’ll be back with more great topics and improvised anachronis...

Trent reports on Western North Carolina from the HIMU (History Improv'ed Mobile Unit). In a land brimming with U.S. Civil War history, will he share some interesting local trivia? Will it be history-focused? Is this because Episode 8 of History Improv'ed isn't ready? Spoiler alert: Ummm, yes, no, and yes.  

What role did US President Richard Nixon play in the Watergate burglary and illegal wiretaps? What were the burglars hoping to find? And were the people who labeled this stuff ‘Dirty Tricks’ and ‘Deep Throat’ moonlighting as pimps?   Links To Further Yer Book-Learnin’   Despite saying he was “not a crook”, President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) was the only president to ever resign the presidency. Hi...

How did Sultan Mehmed II overcome the impenetrable walls of Constantinople? What could Constantine XI have done to avoid being the last Roman emperor? And were the youthful Ottoman forces hopped up on religious exuberance, or just sugar?   Links To Further Yer Book-Learnin’   Sultan Mehmed II or Mehmed the Conqueror (1432–1481), was a merciless warrior who slaughtered millions, conquered vast terr...

How did England’s upstart navy devastate the mighty Spanish Armada? Why did the loss upset the global world order for the next 350 years? And as the world’s most powerful, richest man, how annoying must King Philip II have been for Queen Elizabeth I to not let him put a ring on it?   Links To Further Yer Book-Learnin’   Queen Elizabeth I  (1533–1603) was Queen of England and Ireland for 45 years....

How did the Paris Commune of 1871 change the course of French history and of global communism? Did Patrice de Mac-Mahon scheme his way out of being a soldier sidekick to Napoleon III? And who really made the biggest Impression?   Links To Further Yer Book-Learnin’   The Paris Commune of 1871 was a French revolution that seized power in Paris through the spring of 1871, bringing a socialist, anti-r...

What led Caesar to cross the Rubicon River? Why was it such a big deal? And was Pompey really that great? Trent Edwards and Steve Fait are joined by Lee Uniacke for an improvised history that follows Caesar and friends on their fateful journey, which may require a stop for snacks. Trent and Steve then interview history teacher Matt Roberto about what actually happened.   Links To Further Yer Book-...

How did San Francisco handle one of the biggest natural disaster haymakers in North America’s history? How did scientists gauge the strength of the earthquake in these days before the Richter scale? And at the turn of the 20th Century, was the dreamy Mayor of San Francisco more obsessed with pizza or dim sum? Trent Edwards and Steve Fait are joined by Scott Borden for an unavoidably shaky improv s...

Who bombed Wall Street? Why was all the evidence swept away literally overnight? Trent Edwards and Steve Fait are joined by Scott Borden for a bombing-inspired improv set that may include a nitroglycerine chaser for meatloaf. Trent and Steve then interview history expert Randy Baker about what actually happened. Further Book Smarts Inspired By This Episode The Wall Street Bombing of 1920 rocked th...

A taste of the coming feast of improvised humor and history that is the History Improv'ed Podcast.