Ill-Equipped History

As a thank you to our wonderful listeners (and a result of our poor time management) we are releasing one of our Patreon exclusive bonus episodes in lieu of a weekly episode! In this episode, Emileigh and Morgan explore the beautiful, tragically short life of Princess Diana and the circumstances surrounding her death.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join...

Leicester Hemingway was the youngest son of the Hemingway family who looked up to his oldest brother, Ernest. Despite never escaping his brother's literary shadow, Leicester made a name for himself when he created the island micronation of New Atlantis off the coast of Jamaica. Join Emileigh and Morgan as they discuss his antics and adventures during his life.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://w...

The Empire State building was part of a big skyscraper boom in the 1930s. It might not have been the tallest building in the world for very long, but it has remained one of the most iconic buildings in history. Join Emileigh and Morgan as they go through the building, tragedies, and legacy of this famous landmark.    Link for Photos: https://skyscraper.org/empire-state-building-construction/     F...

Dr. David Livingstone was the premier Victorian-age explorer around South and Central Africa. He worked for decades to build relationships with different tribes and cultures around Africa. Over time, his letters stopped coming and he was presumed missing... or dead. Journalist Henry Morton Stanley was tasked with finding the man and bringing him back home. Join Morgan and Emileigh as they dig into...

Emileigh and Morgan love strong women and that's exactly what Margaret Corbin, Mary Hays, and Deborah Sampson are. These three women went above and beyond what was expected of them during the Revolutionary War providing critical help to the war efforts.     Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequipped...

Gladys Bentley was a queer black performer during the Harlem Renaissance, famous for her dapper menswear and vulgar song lyrics. She was a trailblazer for gender and sexual expression during Prohibition, and droves came to see her play piano and sing. Join Morgan and Emileigh as they discuss her life and her influence on drag and the performance arts.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instag...

Emileigh and Morgan take a look at the first openly gay elected offical in the United States.  This episode covers his life and accomplishments, the man who killed him and Mayor Moscone, and the aftermath of his death.    Castro Street Fair Info:  https://castrostreetfair.org/fair/   Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.face...

Frida Kahlo was a bisexual artist who lived in the early 20th century. She's famous worldwide for her self portraits and depictions of her physical and emotional pain. Though she did not have a long life, she will be forever remembered as one of Mexico's most notable artists.    If you are struggling with your mental health and need someone to talk to, please call the National Suicide Prevention L...

Andy Warhol might have been the one of the world's most well known artists but very few people saw past his mask and what happened at The Factory. Emileigh and Morgan dive into the life and partners of this famous artist and try to find out what he might have been like beyond the soup cans and portraits.    Free art site mentioned in the episode:  https://www.nga.gov/artworks/free-images-and-open-...

Queen Nzinga ruled Ndongo and Matamba (present day Angola) in the 17th century. She has gone down in history as resisting colonialism and giving the Portuguese what-for using guerrilla warfare. There is more under the surface, however; in today's story you'll learn that being a ruler requires being pragmatic, which is not always peaceful.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illeq...

Bonnie and Clyde have gone down in history as two of the most ruthless Depression Age killers and Gangsters. But were they really that ruthless and how did they end up in becoming a national sensation before they were struck down by the law? Emileigh and Morgan dive in to find out!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.fac...

Virginia Hall was a Baltimore socialite, tomboy, aspiring diplomat, and an amputee. She went by nicknames such as "Fighting Blade" and "Donna Juanita." She spoke six languages and could make her own cheese. Her biggest accomplishment? Giving the Nazis what-for during WWII. She became irreplaceable as she helped coordinate intel and resources to resistance fighters in France, right under the Gestap...

Emileigh and Morgan discuss the attack of Nancy Kerrigan and the involvement of a fellow figure skater that captivated the world during the 1994 Winter Olympic season.   Disclaimer: there is mention, not detailed, of abuse and sexual assault.   Links mentioned in the episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCvO1ooJslM Nancy Kerrigan Long Performance 1994 Olympics   Follow us on Instagram!  https...

Thank you everyone for supporting this podcast for two whole years! Just like last year, we have compiled all of our silliest bloopers, outtakes, and funny moments from this past recording year. We can't wait to see what this next year brings! Here's to another year of Ill-Equipped History!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https:...

Morgan and Emileigh go back 1000 years to discuss the Islamic Golden Age. Math, science, art, medicine, and philosophy thrived in the Islamic Empire, and concepts derived during this time formed the foundation of modern ideas and currently existing practices.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequ...

Emileigh and Morgan dive into the truth behind the three riders of the midnight ride that kicked off the Revolutionary War and American Independence from the British.   Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illequippedhistory@gmail.com   Check us out on TikTok!  https://www....

In the 1850s, thousands of Chinese immigrants came to the US for the gold rush. Many white Americans did not like that. In the 1880s, Congress passed legislation limiting the immigration and rights of an entire ethnic group, the first and only time to do so. Listen how immigrants persisted anyway, despite the violence and discrimination they faced.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram...

Emileigh and Morgan finish out video games starting with the revival of the at-home consoles and ending on where we are today!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illequippedhistory@gmail.com   Check us out on TikTok!  https://www.tiktok.com/@illequipped.histo   Find us...

In this first part, Emileigh and Morgan discover the vast history of the first few generations of video games in the United States. Starting at computers that took up entire rooms to the crash of the in-home consoles of 1980s, this episode showcases how the industry and technology progressed in the early years!   Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Fac...

It's part two of the Hundred Years War. After a 28-year peace treaty, England and France are back at it again and taking land from each other. An unexpected hero, however, helps turn the tide for France.    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   Join our Facebook group!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/illequippedhistory   Email us!  illequippedhistory@gmail.com  ...

Holy crap y'all, we've made it to episode 100! Thank you so much for sticking by us and continuing to provide your support! <3    Today's episode covers the first 50 or so years of the Hundred Years War between England and France. It started with land and title claims, which continued for the duration of the war. Tune in to learn about petty squabbles that turned into absolute horrors in mediev...

In honor of episode 99, we will be partying like it's 1999! to better discuss why everyone was so panicked about Y2K, we have a very special guest!  Below are some links to videos we discussed in the episode!    Grace Hopper Lecture Part 1 and 2:  1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si9iqF5uTFk 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW7ZHpKuqZg   Leonard Nimoy Y2K Survival Video  https://www.youtube.co...

Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and traveler who was in the very good graces of the Mongolian Emperor, Kublai Khan. He traveled up and down the Silk Road and had so much fun, he wrote a book about what he saw (while in prison!). Join Morgan and Emileigh as they discuss the life and times of one of the most famous namesakes!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistor...

For our final Black History Month Episode we will be discussing the amazing story of the 6888 Battalion in the Woman's Army Corps. Through hard work and determination, they defied the odd placed against them and helped the allies win WW2.    Check out the movie about them on Netflix! https://www.netflix.com/title/81590591   Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhistory/   J...

We're continuing Black History Month with the story of a powerful Baltimore lawyer who helped pave the way to desegregating public schools. Thurgood Marshall was an extremely talented lawyer who helped ensure the Civil Rights Movement had stable ground to move on. He fought relentlessly for equal rights in ways you may not expect!    Follow us on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/illequippedhi...