Gems of History

This week it's something new on for us! We cover some disastrous weather related events instead of human centered stories. Specifically, the stories of Krakatoa, the Yangtze River floods, the 1692 Port Royal earthquake, and the deadliest U.S. natural disaster in history - the Galveston Storm of 1900. Lots of fascinating science and after effects from these events! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_histo...

This week we discuss a character in England's history known as Uhtred the Bold. The Netflix show "The Last Kingdom" has a character based on this real life figure of history and we discuss some of the parallels between the two as well as some of their differences. Along the way we also sum up like 1900 years of history in England so, I hope we got that right.  Follow us on Twitter (@gems_hist...

This week we are doing another more relaxed episode as we prep for some upcoming series! Evan dives into the legend of the Cora Tree, a supposed site for a witch trial with a twist. Jacob, on the other hand, gives some more conspiracy tales that tie back into the story of the Montauk Project! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast), and TikTok (@gemsofhistorypod)...

This week, we finish our series on the Donner Party by discussing the various attempts to reach California and the eventual group that makes it to Johnson's Ranch to get help for the survivors trapped at Truckee Lake. "The Forlorn Hope", as the group would come to be known, defied all of the odds and survived what should have been a suicide mission - but not without great costs. The decisions they...

This week we are taking a trip back to the old west! The boys take a dive into the world of the Oregon trail and its beginnings and begin the tale of the ill-fated Donner Party which is one of the most infamous stories of westward travel in American history. Between the disease, bugs, and harsh travel it doesn't sound like a fun time! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_histo...

The main focus of our episode this week is another lesser known World War II hero, this time the British explorer turned soldier Freddie Spencer Chapman. He started life as an orphan and ended up becoming a decorated explorer and naturalist and eventually turned into a one man wrecking crew in the Pacific jungle during the war.  Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_histor...

We're back with the second half of our coverage of Attila the Hun. He gets into some trouble in this one after attacking a bunch of Roman cities and eventually gets turned back by...the pope? His short but amazingly successful life comes to an end in 453 A.D. and he gets one of the coolest burials in the history of the world. And then his sons mess everything up. This is why we can't have nice thi...

This week begins our coverage on one of the most notorious generals in world history, Attila the Hun. After Rome began fighting between the two separate empires it became, the Huns began their move in. The information we have on them is relatively scarce, but the sources we do have paint an amazing picture of a fierce group of warriors who did things their way. Once Attila came along, that was pus...

We took a week off from our more thoroughly researched topics and decided to have a relaxed conversation about some stuff we would otherwise not really have a chance to bring up. Most of it got dominated by alien talk, but Evan also brought us a (possibly dangerous) million dollar idea! Stick around to the end to figure out what that is as well as a potential new suspect for the Hinterkaifeck stor...

Grab your chariots because this week we are taking a trip back to Ancient Rome to study the controversial historical figure that is Nero. The stories tell that he burned Rome and fiddled as the city was engulfed in flames around him, but how much truth is there to the claims that he was a madman? Our goal was to tell the story in a manner that portrays his life as accurately as possible and let yo...

This week we explore the extremely tenuous situation that was the Cuban Missile Crisis - which almost started a nuclear World War 3 with Russia (sound familiar?). John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev luckily came to negotiating terms to calm the situation, but it was moments away from ending in disaster. We discuss how tensions built beforehand and how both sides came to an agreement for how to a...

We didn't put a content warning in this for the depictions of death and incest and stuff, so if you read the description of the episode HERE'S YOUR CONTENT WARNING. But anyways, this week we are covering the still unsolved murders that took place on Hinterkaifeck homestead in 1922. An entire family and their maid, six people in total, were slaughtered on the same night one by one. But here's the c...

This week we change up the formula a bit and take six shorter history tales and spin you a web of fun. There was no real theme going in and and it ended up with quite the variety of stories, so take a trip with us and enjoy! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast), and TikTok (@gemsofhistorypod). Also feel free to email us at GemsofHistoryPodcast@gmail.com!

We all know the United States government isn't above testing on it's own people in order to get an upper hand, but to what extents will they really go? Well according to one man, Preston Nichols, they'll do anything to achieve their goals. From time travel to manifested monsters, the Montauk Project has it all! But is it true? (Probably not). Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_...

On the second and final part on our coverage of the War of 1812, we discuss some of the major battles that took place and how the British burned the White House (because we kinda sorta burned a city in Canada first). We also discuss some of the lasting impacts this war had in American society and why it is important. Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast), and T...

We are back to war! This week we talk about one of the least talked about wars in American history, the War of 1812. Taking place in, you guessed it - 1812, this war solidified America as it's own county and gave the newly established nation the excuse it needed to go and expand westward. But first we tried to take Canada. It's a crazy time! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_o...

In the finale on our Ruby Ridge series, we cover the final death in the case as well as the 11 day standoff and it's eventual conclusion. We also go through the trial and aftermath of the whole event, the first piece in the Oklahoma City disaster puzzle. Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (gems_of_history_podcast), and TikTok (@gemsofhistorypod). Feel free to email us as well at Gemso...

The boys continue their coverage on the story of the Weaver family this week by discussing the various task forces set up to crack down on organized racism and how Randy Weaver became a target of one of these task forces. A simple gun charge turns into a full on U.S. Marshals stake out that has a fatal end.  Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast), and TikTo...

On the first part of this three part series, the boys cover the upbringings of Randy and Vicki Weaver and the eventual family they create as well as their move out to the mountains of Northern Idaho. What lead this idyllic Midwestern family to become so secluded and hide in their self built mountain cabin? It turns out paranoia and close mindedness can do that to you! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_h...

We are back with our finale on the American mafia, this time with much more murder and also a lot more money. We cover big names such as Al Capone and Charles "Lucky" Luciano, who really changed the way the mafia ran and brought it into the public scene. We also attempt to pronounce a lot of names that we probably got wrong. Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast...

This week we start on our overview of the origins of the American mafia and organized crime in the United States. What began as a protest against inequality for the disenfranchised immigrants quickly became an organized syndicate of different people committing felonies and framing local politics. What fun! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast), and TikTok (@gem...

Welcome back for our speed run of some of the major events that took place in 2021! We discuss extremism, sports, and space along with many other key topics. A lot of bad things occurred last year, but so did some good. Here's to hoping that 2022 is a better year for everyone and will hold some great memories! Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram (@gems_of_history_podcast), and TikTok (...

Hopefully you all got your stockings stuffed with gifts other than LSD this Christmas because we are talking about government mind control again! In this episode, we focus mostly on the story of Frank Olson, one of the inner members of the project who ended up dead under mysterious circumstances. The project ended in 1963, but some questions still remain today.  Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history...

We're going on a psychedelic trip this week in the first of two parts on the CIA project known as MKUltra! What was created as a a program to figure out how to control the human mind ended up being a deadly endeavor that yielded few real results. Everyone from the dregs of society to famous criminal bosses were affected, some never able to recover.  Follow us on Twitter (@gems_history), Instagram...

This week we cover one of the greatest figures in the world of the Islamic people: Saladin! He was born into relative nonimportance but slowly grew and worked his way into being one of the best rulers that the Middle East had seen. Between pushing back the Crusades and uniting the different Islamic kingdoms into one, he was a very busy man. And one of the most impressive things about it all was th...