15-Minute History

In the popular mind, John Adams' life and one term as President of the United States is often treated as a footnote alongside the careers of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. But Adams left an indelible mark on his country's history. So as we continue our look into the revolutionary period, this episode shares three elements from his life that capture the essence of this...

This week's pop quiz comes to us courtesy of a budding historian at Mr. Streeter's school! He asked about some details from our episode on George Patton a few weeks ago, and his questions were really deep and insightful. Thanks, Joshua, for sending these in--we love hearing from you (and everyone in our audience)!

Join us this week for a discussion on how and why the Americans revolted against King George III, the course that revolution took in the hearts and minds of the American people, and the hope seen at its end in the meeting between the King and America's ambassador, John Adams. Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and tell us about any topics you'd like us to cover as we continue our j...

The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you to a new season of Sketches in History . This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she goes back to early America to witness a great debate and compromise. She finds a building full of...

America is often described as a nation of ideas because its founders risked everything for principles in which they believed. But the revolutionaries had to overcome fears in their own hearts and those of their more hesitant countrymen. In this episode, Jon takes us through how America found these ideas, overcame those fears, and clung to hope of victory. Join us for new episodes and discussions e...

In this week's episode, Joe and I discuss the Roman defeat at Teutoburg and how it reflected the Empire's military philosophy. Join us for pop quizzes and "Sketches in History" episodes every Thursday, and send us your thoughts in the comments below!

Join us for a discussion on last week's episode with our regular guest Dan Lindsey! Apologies for some audio issues when he first arrived--he was a bit too close to the microphone... Let us know your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below. We are excited to get this season going and hope you will join us every Monday for new episodes and discussions on American history.

Who were they? Were they even real? And why did they fade? Joe and Jon discuss some of history's most fascinating warriors in this week's pop quiz. Join us this season for regular pop quizzes and our special "Sketches in History" episodes for younger listeners every Thursday. And post your comments, questions, and thoughts below.

Season Nine is here!!! This year, we are joining Americans in celebrating our country's 250th birthday with episodes about our nation's history. In the season premier, Jon takes a look back at moments of political and cultural change to bring some context to the climate in America today. Join us next week for our discussion and post comments, questions, and thoughts below. We are thrilled to be ba...

In this week's episode, Joe follows up from our last pop quiz and asks about the knowledge lost in the Library of Alexandria, how its destruction affected other civilizations, and why preserving access to information is so important. Join us on Monday for the start of Season 9!!

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 5, 2025. Season 9 begins Monday, October 7! ___ It was still dark. The group of men felt the breeze getting warmer as the eastern horizon began to show signs of light. One of the men, tall with no expression, watched as final preparations were made to a...

In this week's pop quiz, Joe asks about why and how military technologies fade from the battlefield. Join us each week as we approach the start of the new season for new pop quizzes each Thursday. Comment below with your thoughts and ideas for new episodes!

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on October 10, 2022. Season 9 begins Monday, October 7! ___ Familiar to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien believed that myths used stories of heroes to inspire generations of readers. He began his writing...

In this episode, Joe asks about the changes in culture and education after the collapse of Rome, and we discuss some historical parallels to our own day. Join us each week for Pop Quizzes, and comment below with your thoughts and suggestions for new episodes!

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 12, 2023. ___ The dull hum of aircraft filled the morning air. German soldiers looked up from the French town of St. Lô, expecting to see a few enemy fighters bearing down on them. Their hearts froze in their chests as nearly a thousand bombers emerged...

This week, Joe asked about the soldiers who guard political leaders and why they sometimes turn on those whom they are sworn to protect. Why does it happen? What are the results? And could it happen today? Join us every Thursday for pop quizzes, and comment below with your thoughts, questions, and suggestions for new episodes!

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on February 10, 2025. ___ Seven years ago, Joe and I began this podcast with a two-part episode on the Second World War in Europe. Today, we fulfill a promise to longtime listeners with the first installment of the Pacific War--from Pearl Harbor to Midway. Joi...

This week's pop quiz takes a historic approach to Marketing 101. Joe gives us his thoughts on recent trends at American Eagle, Cracker Barrel, Budweiser, and a gun company that shall not be named. By looking at how these companies have performed recently in their brand appeal, we can draw some lessons about how businesses interact with customers and be more aware of changes in their messaging...

Join Jon, Joe, and longtime guest host Dan as they discuss pivotal moments in history that could have gone very wrong , the effects of their outcomes, and the power of individual choice in each one. If you would like to hear more discussions like this, let us know at 15minutehistory@gmail.com. As always, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe!

Welcome to the Pop Quiz! Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org. We promise not to give him any hints.

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on November 18, 2024. ___ Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross—passed almost 17,000 classified documents to the Soviet Union for 30+ years. The information was so extensive and the volume so large, that Soviet intelligenc...

What is the Demon Cat of Washington? Where does folklore originate in culture? How do historians read folklore? Join us for this extended pop quiz as Joe and Jon discuss folklore and its effect on history. And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 4, 2023. ___ On the morning of January 26th, Murphy and his men saw movement in the tree line ahead. As the morning fog cleared, over two hundred German infantrymen and six Mark VI Tiger Tanks appeared and began a counterattack. I will stop here for a m...

Was Charlemagne real? Did we land on the moon? Who are the real villains in history? Join us in this week's conversation about myths vs. reality and theory vs. facts when it comes to history. And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 16, 2024. ___ Xerxes I, also known as Xerxes the Great, was a Persian king who ruled over the vast Achaemenid Empire from 486 BCE to 465 BCE. He was the son of King Darius I and Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. This lineage protected Xerxes...