Smarticus Tells History

The United States Civil War is a never-ending source of tales of bravery, valor, and danger. But few stories capture the spirit of the battle quite like the Great Locomotive Chase. In this episode of Smarticus Tells History, we explore the strangest locomotive heist that ever was. Led by a civilian spy, a group of Union volunteers commandeered a locomotive engine to destroy the rail lines between...

Welcome to "Smarticus Tells History". In this episode, we embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind one of the most notorious chapters in American history. Join us as we examine the origins, the hysteria, the accused, and the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials. Through insightful interviews, expert analysis, and riveting storytelling, we shed light on the mysterious circumstances...

In this episode of Smarticus Tells History, we delve into the incredible true story of Jack the Signalman, a chacma baboon who defied all odds to become a trusted employee of the South African Railways in the late 19th century. We discuss the remarkable journey of Jack, from his early days as a market trolley pusher to his role as a signalman assistant alongside his owner, James "Jumper"...

There is no shortage of historical conflict to talk about, but only one war in known history started and ended on the same day. As a result of a jilted sultan-to-be calling a British bluff, the Anglo-Zanzibar War in 1896 was over in less than an hour. In this episode of Smarticus Tells History, Smarticus explains the complicated protectorate relationship that led to the British gaining control of...

On a summer night in 1875, more than a dozen Dubliners drank so much whiskey they all perished. But it wasn’t a special occasion, and none of them ordered a single dram from a pub. They were all causalities of the Dublin Whiskey Fire. On this episode of Smarticus Tells History, Marty tells us the unbelievable story of the most destructive fire in Dublin’s history, which started in a whiskey storeh...

Genghis Khan is well known for being the most fearsome warrior in history, and for a good reason: his campaigns through Asia made the Mongol Empire the largest in the world. But few people know of his great-great-granddaughter, who accomplished a feat even her old grand-pops would have marveled at: protecting her independence by defeating every single suitor who dared challenge her to a wrestling...

               Most of us are well-acquainted with Einstein’s impact on both science and pop culture. E=MC2, the classic tongue-out photo, the Nobel Prize. But did you know that Einstein’s brain continued a remarkable journey long after his death? In this episode of Smarticus Tells History, Marty shares the truly bizarre story of the theft of Einstein’s brain. Taken by an opportunistic pathologist...

Napoleon Bonaparte is widely remembered as one of the greatest military leaders of all time. A man with a genius mind, gift for rousing beaten troops, and unquenchable thirst for power, Napoleon helped secure the success of the French Revolution before instating himself as the new emperor. But one battle that didn’t make its way into many books is that of Bonaparte vs. the Bunnies, a surprising fi...

Nearly everyone goes through CPR training at some point. After an instructor walks you through the basics of compressions and breathing, you’re invited to try for yourself on a life-sized doll. But few people know this doll’s name is “Annie,” and her likeness is based on a 19th-century death mask of an unidentified drowning victim in Paris. In this episode of Smarticus Tells History, Marty walks u...

The Mary Celeste is one of the most enduring and intriguing maritime mysteries in history, and on this episode of Smaritcus Tells History, we tell you why. After setting out from New York with his wife and daughter, Captain Benjamin Briggs, his family and crew were never seen again. But his ship, Mary Celeste, was found off the coast of Portugal, still seaworthy and with no signs of invasion, illn...

This week, we’re talking about Halley’s Comet Panic of 1910. Comets have long been seen as omens of disaster, bad luck, or death. Even with scientific advancements and solid historical proof that Halley’s Comet had passed Earth repeatedly without incident, its return in 1910 caused widespread panic. After a frightening prediction by French astronomer Camille Flammarion, people across the world pre...

The Night Witches were a fierce group of Soviet Union women who wreaked havoc on the Germans with surprise attacks in World War II. The most amazing part of their story isn’t that the 1200 people running the regiment were all women. No, it's what they had to overcome to be able to fly into combat at all. Listen now to find out what those obstacles were and what creative tactics they came up w...

Who in the blazes was Charlemagne exactly? What was it that he did that made him stick in history? Well you are gonna have to listen and find out! As always, if you like the episode please leave a review and visit our facebook page at facebook.com/smarticusstellshistory If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here: https://www.pay...

Hello and welcome back listeners! First, I would like to apologize for the buzzing you hear in the first 4 minutes of the episode. I am not sure what caused it, and could not get rid of it. Second, this weeks episode is about the city that was lost for almost 2000 years, Pompeii. It was once a great and flourishing city that was wiped off the face of the earth, killing almost its entire population...

We all have our fears. Some fears have led to some pretty crazy inventions in order to conquer those fears. This weeks episode is about one of those fears, and some of those inventions. Give it a listen and let us know if you liked it!  If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=S...

Good old Roman history! Thats what we have for you this week. The largest Construction ever built in its time, the colosseum is still an impressive piece of architecture, at least what is left of it.  This weeks episode is all about its history and what it was used for!  If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here: https://www.pa...

We all have a love hate relationship with the Monopoly game. It has caused several family feuds and ruined many friendships. But it is and always will be considered one of the greatest board games of all time. What you dont know about it is that it also served honorably in WW2 and potentially saved the lives of thousands of men. Listen on and enjoy the show!  If you would like to donate to the sho...

You remember those stories you were told in school when you were younger? Could you recall every single one of the exploits of great men of their time? No? I thought not. As it turns out, I cant either. Which is why this weeks short story is about one of those great heroes. Give it a listen and let us know how we did on our facebook page at Smarticus Tells History!  If you would like to donate to...

Welcome back for season 2 of the show! This week smarticus tells the story of one of the most notorious pirates in history. Ching Shih. If you think you would enjoy your time as a pirate back in the day, well you may have other thoughts after listening to this one!  If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here: https://www.paypal....

We all love our furry little animals. Some of us more than others. In this week's episode, we discuss an old relic of an order based around the Pug.  This should not be confused with some of the stuff you all see on TV with people dressing in latex dog suits and masks. Although, i suppose there isnt much of a difference from whats going on.....and it could be related i suppose, but not to my...

This week we discuss something that most of us get into everyday without thinking about it. Our automobiles. The origins of the automobile is not a weird fact, but it is something that is not widely known. Tell us what you think about the episode and we hope you learn a thing or two!  If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here:...

We all love our pets, even those crazy people that love their snakes and other more exotic pets. Well this weeks story involves one of those exotic pets. A Syrian brown bear that was an official enlisted member of the Polish 2nd Corps. Give the episode a lesson and leave a review about your thoughts! We hope to see you again in next weeks installment!  If you would like to donate to the show to he...

Do you like molasses? You know, the kind you cook with, or use to make rum. Well Boston got a whole lot of it in January of 1919. You can read all about it, in this weeks episode! There may be more food related disasters in the future so be sure to keep listening!   If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here: https://www.paypal....

If you are anything like me, then you are a big fan of Egyptian history and mythology. This weeks installment is about the history of the one of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt. Queen Cleopatra VII herself.  If you would like to donate to the show to help make improvements and keep it going, you can make donations here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SC5G5XFCX8MYW Also, if you are...

We have all heard of the black plague yes? How about the Black Death? The Bubonic Plague? All of these are just different names for the same sickness that ravaged the medieval times and quite possibly could have wiped mankind off the face of the earth. This weeks episode contains the timeline of how and when the first occurrence of this plague surfaced.  If you would like to donate to the show to...