Retropod

When author Ernest Hemingway killed himself in 1961, the political strain between the United States and Cuba was escalating. In the midst of that struggle, Hemingway's widow scrambled to recover the author's work from his beloved home in Cuba.

In 1939, an unknown copy editor from Washington, D.C., begged famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design his family a home. The result was a modern house that stood decades ahead of its time.

The world watched Notre Dame as it burned in April. But the cathedral has endured a lot in its 856 years.

Beginning in the earliest days of baseball, fans, journalists and even physicists disputed whether or not pitchers could make a ball curve.

While on a research trip to the Arctic in the early 20th century, scientist Clarence Birdseye — a name you might recognize from the frozen food aisle — made an observation that would go on to change the way we eat.

In the 1950s, millions of people suffered from measles every year. David Edmonston, an 11-year-old student, became the cure.

The nurse who founded the American Red Cross had no formal training in medicine. She tended to countless wounded soldiers.

Every year, freshmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis take part in an annual tradition where they must climb a 21 foot high obelisk covered in vegetable shortening and place a hat at the very top.

More than a decade ago, bestselling historian David McCullough stumbled upon an important name from the past that even he’d never come across before. What he discovered was the story of pioneering American idealists.

In the 1950s, Charles Van Doren, a quiet professor in New York City, became wrapped up in one of the biggest television quiz show scandals in history.

Paint-by-number was a national phenomenon. And then, the paint sets disappeared from the shelves.

Jazz singer Ethel Ennis’s voice wowed audiences and won praise from critics. But when she was faced with the opportunity to become a superstar, Ennis chose a different path.

Serving as special counsel is probably only the third hardest job Robert Mueller has held. His life in public service started when he just 23 years old, as a Marine lieutenant in the Vietnam War.

Anna Jarvis would absolutely hate what Mother's Day has become.

Abolitionist John Brown made a prophecy before he was executed.

People have long been fascinated by the books presidents choose to read. But how much do reading habits actually reveal about a president?

The original manuscript was auctioned off for $2.4 million to an NFL owner, after almost a year of legal wrangling.

Weevils, a voracious beetle found in fields and orchards, were the original target of sarin gas.

Mark Hamill, the actor known for playing Luke Skywalker, shares stories from Star Wars history.

While President Grant had an impressive resume on the battlefield, he was known to be a patsy when it came to helping job hunters. People used to walk right into the White House and ask the president to find them a job.

At the beginning of the television age, “Meet the Press” dented the dominance of newspapers and thrilled news junkies with the power of live broadcasting.

George and his mother had an unusual relationship for the 1700s.

Five brothers fought and died together on the same ship during World War II. Their final resting place was discovered in 2018.

Elaine Brown's takeover in 1974 was a pivotal moment for a woman in the black power movement. Although women had been a dynamic force for social and racial justice, they had often been overshadowed by men.

Mike is joined by a special guest to talk about how Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day began.