IT’S HISTORY

In this gripping video, we take you inside Cook County Jail, known as the most dangerous jail complex in Chicago. With its notorious reputation for violence, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions, Cook County Jail has long been a source of controversy and concern. Through exclusive interviews with former inmates, guards, and criminal justice experts, we explore the harsh realities of life inside t...

Discover the fascinating history of America's Venice Beach in this video. Join us as we explore the life of Abbot Kinney, learn about the snowstorm that led to its creation, and the coin flip that changed Venice Beach forever. Discover the construction of the famous beach, how the canals worked, and why they became a nightmare. Find out what remains of the canals today and join us on a journey to...

Discover the incredible story of Holland Island, the small town lost to the sea in the Chesapeake Bay. In this engaging video, you'll learn about the island's history, its people, and the devastating natural forces that caused it to disappear beneath the waves. Featuring stunning footage and narration, "When Holland Island Disappeared | The Incredible Story of the Town Lost to the Sea" is a must-w...

In this eye-opening video, we delve into the fascinating world of shipbreaking, the process of dismantling old ships and recycling their materials. Starting with the question of where huge ships go to die, we explore the entire process, from how they are brought ashore to be scrapped to the value of the scrap metal they yield. But shipbreaking is not without its challenges, and we also examine the...

In the early 20th century, Baltimore had an extensive streetcar system that connected neighborhoods and communities throughout the city. However, by the mid-20th century, the streetcars had been phased out in favor of buses and other forms of transportation. Despite their disappearance, the legacy of Baltimore's streetcars still lives on in the memories of those who rode them and in the infrastruc...

Nakagin Capsule Tower was once a futuristic symbol of Japan's postwar economic boom. Completed in 1972, this unique building consisted of 140 modular capsules that were intended to be replaced every 25 years, giving it a self-renewing design. However, over time, the building's maintenance was neglected, and it fell into disrepair. Despite attempts to preserve it, the tower is now in danger of bein...

Welcome to our deep dive into the history of Rikers Island, the notorious jail complex located in New York City. In this video, we'll explore the origins of Rikers Island as a jail, and how it grew from a small facility into the massive, overcrowded complex it is today. We'll examine the dark side of Rikers Island, including the burning problem of trash heap fires, the infestation of rats, and the...

Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most iconic landmarks, attracting millions of visitors each year. But how did this impressive structure come to be? In this video, we'll take a look at the fascinating history of Navy Pier, from its early days as a shipping and recreation hub to its transformation into the bustling entertainment destination we know today. First built in 1916, Navy Pier was originally...

Built in the mid-19th century, the Croton Distributing Reservoir was an engineering marvel of its time, designed to provide New York City with a reliable source of clean drinking water. It was a massive structure, capable of holding up to 100 million gallons of water, and its construction required the removal of a significant portion of Murray Hill. As we delve into the history of the reservoir, w...

Normandy is a picturesque region of northern France known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural heritage. This video explores the tourist logistics of Normandy, providing valuable information on transportation, accommodations, and must-see attractions. From the charming port town of Honfleur to the iconic D-Day landing beaches, viewers will discover the best ways to navigate the...

Goose Island is a neighborhood located on the north side of Chicago and has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. It was initially settled by European immigrants and was once an industrial hub known for its breweries and factories. Today, we discover its mysterious history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Action Park was an amusement park located in Vernon, New Jersey, that operated from 1978 to 1996. The park was known for its dangerous and sometimes deadly attractions, which included a wave pool with unpredictable waves, a ski slope with poorly maintained equipment, and a looping waterslide that often resulted in injuries. Despite these hazards, Action Park continued to attract thrill-seekers fro...

Fort Proctor is a mysterious and abandoned fort located deep in the heart of Louisiana. Built in 1863, it was a strategic military installation during the Civil War, designed to protect the Mississippi River and the surrounding region from Confederate attacks. But today, the fort lies in ruins, overgrown with vines and surrounded by a thick, impenetrable swamp. As you approach the fort, the first...

During World War II, a team of paratroopers embarked on a daring mission to plant a bomb on a church steeple in occupied France. This video tells the incredible story of their bravery and skill as they navigated through enemy territory, facing incredible odds to complete their mission. Through archival footage and expert interviews, we delve into the planning and execution of this high-stakes oper...

Ever wonder why San Francisco has bathhouses? Once a thriving getaway for the working-class public filled with countless amenities, the Sutro Baths were monuments of their time— however, today, they sit as crumbling ruins. Today, we discover their incredible history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first ejection seats were developed independently during World War II by Heinkel and SAAB. Early models were powered by compressed air and the first aircraft to be fitted with such a system was the Heinkel He 280 prototype jet-engined fighter in 1940. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special thanks to @WorldWarTwo for making this episode possible and @WW2TV for the amazing tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discovering American Heritage Through Tales of Urban Decay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fort Jefferson is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. It is the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas and is composed of over 16 million bricks. The building covers 16 acres (6.5 ha). Among United States forts, only Fort Monroe in Virginia and Fort Adams in Rhode Island are larger. The fort is located on Garden Key in the lower Florida Keys within the Dry Tortugas National Park, 6...

A bascule bridge (also referred to as a drawbridge or a lifting bridge) is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. It may be single- or double-leafed. The name comes from the French term for balance scale, which employs the same principle. Bascule bridges are the most common type of movabl...

The Willis Tower (originally the Sears Tower) is a 108-story, 1,451-foot (442.3 m) skyscraper in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois, United States. Designed by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), it opened in 1973 as the world's tallest building, a title that it held for nearly 25 years. It is currently the third-tallest building...

This year, the last four domes of the famed Cape Romano Dome House fell to Hurricane Ian. Though it now sits beneath the waves in its final resting place, it was a self-sufficient marvel in its heyday. Today on It's History, we will discover its story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chicago's grain elevators were created for agricultural trade but destroyed by greed; although the city once had over 300 towering structures, nothing remains but the wealth that shaped the city. Join us in discovering this tale of Urban Decay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's video covers the fascinating history of tale Tourism in New York City, tourist traps, and why some visitors may find their trip to the big apple "repulsive". We've all been there; we booked the trip of a lifetime to a Legendary destination, New York City. The type of place we recognize from TV. Yet When you arrive, you're overcome with the nauseating sensation of disappointment; you try to...

In the late 19th century, the Gillender building was finished. Even though it was regarded as one of the marvels of New York City and was once one of the tallest buildings in the world, now, its former footprint in the city has been consumed by another iconic skyscraper, and all evidence of the Gillender Building is either erased or buried underneath it. So what caused such a great building to be...