Bill Petro

Friendly Neighborhood Historian

History EN ↓ 109 episodes

Just enough history to inform, intrigue, and entertain. Short podcasts on the backstory of holidays, historical individuals, and historic anniversaries to learn enough to dazzle your friends and impress your family. Host: Bill Petro #History #Holidays

Author

Bill Petro

Episodes

The History of Santa Claus: Saint or Elf? 06.12.2024 6:48

The historical, literary, and media background of the 3rd-century St. Nicholas of Myra. December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-santa-claus/ #Christmas #SantaClaus #StNicholas

History of Christmas Music: More than just Carols? 05.12.2024 7:02

How was Christmas music done across the centuries, from carols to oratorios? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-music/ #Christmas #Music #Carols

History of Christmas Traditions: some pre-Christian? 04.12.2024 4:47

What are some of the pagan and pre-Christian backgrounds related to holiday practices? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-traditions/ #Christmas #Traditions #Pagan

History of Christmas: The Year - How Could Jesus be born 4 B.C.? 03.12.2024 3:39

How could Jesus be born in 4 B.C., Before Christ, or before himself? Here's the explanation behind the calendar error. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-year #Christmas #4BC

History of Christmas: Nativity Season – Snow in Bethlehem? 02.12.2024 3:48

The birth of Christ: could it have been in the Winter with snow? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-nativity/ #Christmas #Nativity

History of Advent: Why We Celebrate Christmas on December 25 01.12.2024 8:28

What does Advent mean, and why is Christmas celebrated on December 25? How does it relate to Saturnalia and pre-Christian history? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-advent/ #Christmas #Advent

History of Black Friday: One Day Only? 29.11.2024 5:24

The humorous history of the orgy of consumerism following the copious consumption on Thanksgiving. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-black-friday/ #BlackFriday

History of Thanksgiving: the Sacred and the Secular 28.11.2024 9:44

What was the original intention of the Pilgrims coming to America, how was it that they didn't land at their intended destination, when was the "First Thanksgiving," and how did it become a modern holiday? Blog: History of Thanksgiving #Thanksgiving

Introducing your Friendly Neighborhood Historian 28.11.2024 2:18

The backstory to popular holidays throughout the year, and look at important historical individuals and anniversaries of significant historical events. Many of the sacred holidays in the American “Judeo-Christian” heritage have secular associations, just as many of the seemingly secular holidays actually have religious roots. Many Americans, even religious ones, are unaware of the history behind t...