The History Guy

On today’s episode, we journey back to the fourth century BC on the shores of an Indian river, where an army that had set out from Macedon, more than 3000 miles away had a choice: cross and battle a new Empire and a new army, or turn back home. The ramifications of that decision would be massive. It is history that deserves to be remembered.

On today’s episode, we discuss the impacts of the largest volcanic eruption in human history - the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, which would impact the entire world and bring on a volcanic winter: the so called “year without a summer”.

On today’s episode, we talk about the series of events that connect several duels in the life of Alexander Hamilton, and about how the history of the early American republic could have hinged on the choices of a series of prominent men who couldn’t keep their guns in their pockets.

Welcome to the second episode of our new take on the podcast: Counterfactuals. This is part 2 of our season opener, talking about what might have happened if a significant president died at a moment where in real life he narrowly escaped death. After talking about Franklin Pierce and Teddy Roosevelt, we turn to the only president who was elected to four terms, who might have been killed before he...

In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt was involved in a carriage accident which nearly killed him. In 1853, President-Elect Franklin Pierce watched hs son die in a train accident mere weeks before his inauguration. But what if those events went differently, and those presidents were killed? What is a counterfactual? In the context of studying history, it is a kind of analysis where we examine what might have h...

On today’s episode the History Guy tells the story of Butch Cassidy and the Sudnance Kid, examining the long history to figure out what we know about the two legendary outlaws, and very often, what we don’t. As the History Guy is out of the country for the month of June for Travel with the History Guy in England and Germany, we will be taking a short hiatus on the podcast! If you have any comments...

On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of dental health, examining humanities long relationship with our teeth. First, he tells the story of toothpaste and basic dentistry, and the many ways that dental care has changed. Then he turns to orthodontics, and our centuries-long quest for the perfect smile.

On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of the forgotten naval war of the American civil war. First, he talks about the CSS Albermarle, and its brief but successful career against the Union navy. Then he tells the story of the Black Terror, one of the most successful union navy ships of the war.

On today’s episode, The History Guy tells two stories about important inventions that have become part of the foundation of modern life. First he tells the story of celluloid, the material that jumpstarted the plastic revolution. Then he tells the story behind nearly all of our modern electronics: Transistors.

On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of how hurricanes affected history in dramatic ways. First he tells the story of the ill-fortuned 1715 treasure fleet, meant to rescue Spain from economic distress. Then he tells the story of the Samoan Crisis, how the US and European powers threatened to go to war over the tiny islands of Samoa, and the hurricane that determined Samoa’s fate.

On today’s episode, The History Guy tells two stories of volcanic eruptions, and the dramatic ways these eruptions affected human history. First, he remembers the lesser known victims of Vesuvius in 79AD, and then he discusses one of the most powerful eruptions in human history, Mount Tambora.

On today’s episode, The History Guy tells three stories of movie stars and their service during World War II. First he tells the story of Hedy Lamarr, the beautiful and brilliant film star who had personal connections to the war and patented an idea that has become the basis for lots of modern technology. Then he tells the stories of Douglas Fairbanks Jr, and Eddie Heimberger, famous men who chose...

The History Guy tells two stories of the age of exploration, and explorers whose names you likely know, but whose stories you might not. First is the story of Ferdinand Magellan, and the ignominious end to his famous expedition. Then the History Guy tells the story of Vitus Bering, a Danish sailor who explored the Russian far east and Alaska.

On today’s episode The History Guy tells two stories of engineering feats in New York City. First he tells the story of Alfred Beech’s secret subway, and then he talks about some of the lesser known historical tales of the Brooklyn Bridge.

On today’s episode the History Guy tells two stories of the early mafia, decades before the mob as we know it formed. First he tells the story of two crime families battling it out in New Orleans, and the police officer who tried to take them down. Then he tells the story of Joseph Petrosino, and his efforts to stop the Black Hand. It is history that deserves to be remembered.

On today's episode The History Guy tells two stories of daring and unlikely art heists. First he talks about the Renaissance "Ghent Altarpiece", one of the most stolen works of art in history, and the one theft that was never solved. Then he tells the story of the audacious theft of a portrait of Wellington in England, done in the name of charity.

On today’s episode the History Guy tells two stories of bugs and destruction. First he talks about the great Wine Blight, where pests nearly wiped out the French wine industry. Then he talks about the Rocky Mountain Locust and the plague of 1874.

Today the History Guy tells two stories of American political assassinations at the turn of the 19th century. First he talks about the only assassination of a sitting US governor. Then he talks about the former governor killed by dynamite. While they happened in different parts of the country, together they illustrate some of the biggest political battles of the time, and the lengths some went to...

On today’s podcast the History Guy tells two stories surrounding the day that lives in infamy: December 7th. First he tells the story of the first shots fired, and the first ship sunk in the Pacific war. Then he tells the story of what happened afterward, on December 8th.

On today’s episode the History Guy tells two stories of hygiene history. First he talks about the long history of soap, and then he tells the story of Ignaz Semmelweiss, one of the first doctors to argue that doctors should wash their hands to prevent spreading disease.

On today’s episode, The History Guy talks about two Mad Monarchs. The first is Charles VI of France, whose mental illness changed the fortunes of France and who was nearly set aflame in the Ball of the Burning Men. The second is Bavarian “Mad” King Ludwig II, whose obsession with fairy tale and opera led him to build one of the most iconic castles in history.

On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of Ancient Egypt. First he talks about the far off period of the Old Kingdom, and how the ancient Egyptians transitioned to building the massive monumental pyramids we see today. Then he talks about one of the most astounding forgotten egyptian finds - a fully intact tomb buried beneath the sands in Tanis, that was overshadowed and forgotten by...

On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of harrowing passenger plane incidents in the 80s. First he tells the story of TACA 110, where pilots did everything right only to find themselves in an unprecedented hail storm - and that was just the beginning. Then he tells the story of China Flight 006, when a small technical error quickly cascaded into a disaster.

On today’s episode the History Guy talks about one of the most iconic planes of WWII: The P-38 Lightning. First he tells the unlikely tale of how such a radical design even made it to production, and then he tells the story of possibly the best pilot to ever fly in one: Richard Ira Bong, Ace of Aces.

On today’s episode the History Guy tells the stories of two New York City riots, both of which began over seemingly trivial issues. First he tells the story of the Shakespeare riot, when a disagreement over who played the better Macbeth turned deadly. Then he tells the story of the straw hat riots, when fashion and a particularly warm day ended with thousands of hats smashed on the streets of New...