Casual History

Genghis Khan, a name synonymous with barbaric cruelty and conquest. 800 years ago he created the greatest army the world has ever known , wielding it with tactical brilliance to lay claim to the largest empire in world history. No other man, not even Napoleon or Hitler even came close to the level of success in conquest. Today we discuss the life of Genghis Khan..  Follow us on social media f...

The 15th Amendment granted black men the right to vote under the law, but exercising that right became another challenge..  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  Follow us on our socials for more in depth Info about each podcast @ CasualxHistory  New deep dive episodes every Sunday.  New 5 minute history episodes every Wednesday.  - CH 

July 20th 1944 was a sweltering day at Germany's eastern front headquarters, near the town then known as Rostenburg, East Prussia.  Weather is always a factor in war but even though there were no battles that night, the unpleasant heat would alter the course of history.  Today we discuss the plot to assassinate Hitler.  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and rev...

On the night of December 2, 1943, the Germans bombed a key Allied port in Bari, Italy, sinking 17 ships and killing more than 1,000 American and British servicemen and hundreds of civilians. Caught in the surprise World War 2 air raid was the John Harvey , an American Liberty ship carrying a secret cargo of 2,000 mustard bombs to be used in retaliation if Hitler resorted to gas warfare. The strike...

Many of us have grown up reading this mans work, his tales on self destruction, revenge and violence. Tales of premature burials of ghastly cats and ravens, where the line between the living and the dead is never clear. When you look deeper into the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe a more complex figure emerges. Beyond the traditional image of the alcoholic, pale, sickly author with an obsession...

Sorry for the delay folks, Its been a busy few days. Today's 5 minute history is a fun book-end on our first podcast ever "The Lost Colony Of Roanoke"  A new discovery seems to have solved the case. If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  New deep dive episodes every Sunday.  New 5 minute history episodes every Wednesday.  - CH 

Billy the Kid was the most notorious gunmen in the wild west, his murders turned him into the nations most wanted man. In myth he's a lone outlaw, in reality his story is a lot more murky. Who was Billy the kid? A cowboy with a higher code of honor or a cold blooded killer..  For extra content and fun insights for each podcast check us out on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ CasualxHistory&nb...

It may be apocryphal, a retrofitted fiction crafted by the Spaniards to facilitate their conquest but, given the prevalence of the returning god or king in different mythologies around the world, it carries the ring of truth. Today in 5 minute history we discuss the legacy of the Aztecs..  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review or follow us on our socials for more...

In a single day and night of misfortune, the island known as Atlantis disappeared into the depths of the sea. Today we discuss one of the biggest mysteries still left unknown.. or is it..  Follow along with extra content on our Facebook/Instagram/Twitter @CasualxHistory  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  New deep dive episodes every Sunday.  N...

More than 200 years after the Salem witch trials, ripples of a new hysteria gripped New England.. the fear of vampires.  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  New 5 minute history episodes every Wednesday.  New deep dive episodes every Sunday.  - CH 

In January 1692, 9 year old Elizabeth Paris and 11 year old Abigail Williams began having fits, including violent contortions and uncontrollable outbursts of screaming. After a local doctor, William Griggs, diagnosed bewitchment, other young girls in the community began to mysteriously exhibiting similar symptoms. Today we discuss.. The Salem Witch Trials.  If you like what you hear make sure...

Between 26,500 and 19,000 years ago, massive sheets of ice covered Earth's Northern hemisphere.  During the so-called "last glacial maximum". At least 13,000 years ago those glaciers started to recede, opening up an Ice-free corridor that is thought to have been used by early humans who came down from Northeast Asia to populate the North American continent.  Now there is new evidence if...

A middle aged man, accompanied by a paltry group of followers, sought refuge from the hounds of their oppressors in a remote mountain fastness. For decades their people had been persecuted by one of the most powerful empires the world had ever seen. The Seljuk Turks. Today we discuss the original assassins.  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  You can fin...

Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier than air aircraft.  Make sure to give us a rating and review if you enjoy what you hear!  New 5 minute history episodes every Wednesday  New deep dive episodes every Sunday - CH 

Known as one of the most magnificent city's of the ancient world. It's temple like tombs soar over a hundred feet tall. These wonders of engineering aren't constructed, they are carved into sandstone cliffs. Located in one of the most bone dry deserts in the world.. This is the ancient city of Petra.  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  New 5 minute histo...

In the summer of 1804 two middle aged men in decline, embittered by political defeat, driven by passionate rivalry and trapped by an ideology of personal honor, stand to face each other with their pistols drawn. By the next day, one of these men will be dead.  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  New 5 minute history episodes every Wednesday New deep dive...

In the spring of 1947 with Palestine on the brink of war, three boys stopped at a watering hole near the dead sea.  One of the boys, bored, wandered off and began throwing rocks into the nearby caves.  Hearing the faint crash of pottery he thought he struck treasure. While no gold was to be found. Little did he realize he just discovered what could be considered the greatest discovery in...

In the spring of 2017, a pair of divers shimmied fin-first through a narrow passageway in a water-filled cave beneath Mexicos Yucatán peninsula.  They had discovered a time capsule.. If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!  New 5 minute history episodes every Wednesday.  New deep dive episodes every Sunday.  - CH

On a cold February day in 1864, smack dab in the middle of the US Civil War.  The H.L. Hunley was lying in wait, anticipating the moment it had been waiting months for. The First successful attack by a submarine on a warship ever..  New 5 Minute History episodes every Wednesday. New deep dive episodes every Sunday.  If you like what you hear make sure to give us a rating and review!...

In the 19th century, an era of rapid social and political change - not to mention industrialization - leaving everything behind to chase a dream proved sorely tempting. Today in 5 minute history we discuss why so many people were keen to join the gold rush.  If you like what you hear please consider giving us a rating and review.  New deep dive episodes every Sunday - New 5 minute histor...

Christopher Columbus although though of as a symbol for American exploration and bravery.  His true life turns out to be the exact opposite. Today we take a look at the true life of Christopher Columbus and how he became a figurehead in history and how horribly wrong the popular story we all know really is.  If you like what you hear please consider giving us a rating and review!  N...

In today's 5 minute history we talk about the brand new Neolithic circle discovered near Stonehenge. If you like what you hear, make sure to give us a rating and review!  - CH 

In today’s episode we walk through the life of the smartest man who ever lived and the big reason you’ve probably never heard of him. If you enjoy this episode make sure to leave a rating and review! New 5 minute history episode every Wednesday. - CH

On today's 5 Minute history episode - Come learn how a potato famine forever linked the Choctaw Tribe and Irish people.  If you like what you hear please give us a rating & review!  New deep dive Episode this Sunday.  - CH 

Today we take a look at the life of the infamous Captain Blackbeard.  How his short yet legendary time as a pirate left him to be arguable the greatest pirate to ever live.  Make sure to leave a rating/review if you enjoy what you hear!  New "History in 5 minutes'" episode every Wednesday.  - CH