The History Guy

On today’s episode, The History Guy talks about two cold war programs meant to protect the United States and North America from the threat of nuclear war. First the History Guy tells the story of the Distant Early Warning line and its predecessors, radar systems meant to track possible attacks over the arctic circle. Then the History Guy tells the story of the Texas Towers, and the tragedy that be...

On this episode, The History Guy tells two stories of railway disasters. In the years before highways and jets, rail was the fastest form of transportation, and with so many trains running, some of those trips were bound to end in disaster. First is the story of Quintinshill, where a series of unfortunate events led to the deadliest train accident in British history. Then the History Guy talks abo...

On today’s episode, we’re talking about the Eastern front of WWII. First the History Guy talks about one of the first battles of Operation Barbarossa, the heroic soviet defense of Brest Fortress. Then he tells the story of the famous “Night Witches”, the soviet women who terrorized German troops from the air. Finally, the History Guy tells the story of one one of the most important battles of the...

Today the History Guy tells the story of two special operation raids in WWII - the first war to see extended use of forces trained in specific and unique operations. First he tells the story of the paratrooper raid on Los Banos, and then the harrowing tale of the raid on Makin island. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries avai...

On today’s episode The History Guy is going to talk about Television. First, he’ll tell the story of Television’s invention, from its earliest antecedents to the modern world. Then he’ll tell the story of a particularly interesting part of television history: the early regional tv network called Don Lee Broadcasting. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection...

On this episode of The History Guy Podcast, The History Guy talks about three stories of pirates. First we journey to the Mediterranean, and the king of pirates, Hayreddin Barbarossa. Then THG hops across the pond to the Caribbean, and tells the story of the Pirate Capital, Port Royal, and the earthquake that ended an age. Finally, The History Guy tells the story of an English ship bringing silkwo...

Today the history guy tells two stories of state borders in the US. The first is the long history of Missouri’s borders, which were deeply entwined with American politics of the period. Then the history guy will tell you about the time that Ohio and Michigan went to war over the border between them - and how despite not participating, Wisconsin lost the most.

Next week June 6th, 2022 will mark the 78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. In honor of the enormous sacrifice by the many men and women who fought, planned, and supported that battle, today the history guy tells three lesser-known tales of heroism and sacrifice, just a few of the many meaningful stories of those first days in the battle to crack fortress Europe. First, the history guy tells th...

On today’s episode, the history guy talks about some of the foundations of our modern life: How an Italian-American man’s vision fundamentally changed the way banks and loans work, and that ever-present blessing and curse of the wallet: the credit card. "Echoes of History: Ragnarök" is a historical podcast inspired by the video game "Assassin’s Creed Valhalla : Dawn of Ragnarök." It’s the second s...

On today’s episode, the history guy talks about two ancient societies: the still mysterious Itza Maya, who built Chichen Itza, and the story of the forgotten trading Empire of Axum, located in modern day Eritrea and Ethiopia. "Echoes of History: Ragnarök" is a historical podcast inspired by the video game "Assassin’s Creed Valhalla : Dawn of Ragnarök." It’s the second season of Ubisoft’s popular p...

On today’s episode the History guy takes a drive through some automotive history from the 1970s. First, he’ll tell the story of the Dale, the first “space age car” with a laundry list of amazing features that turned out too good to be true. Then he’ll talk about the Chevy Vega, launched in 1971 to rave reviews that rather suddenly went sour."Echoes of History: Ragnarök" is a historical podcast ins...

On today’s episode, the history guy talks about the United States Coast Guard, and two of their contributions to combat in the World Wars. First, the history guy tells the story of the USCGC Tampa, which served in WWI and became the largest naval combat casualty loss of the war. Then the history guy talks about the USCGC Icarus, which faced a larger and better armed german u-boat in torpedo alley...

Today, the history guy talks about two things that millions of people around the world deal with every single day: the lines on the road, and tires. Both have interesting histories that might surprise you. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 3,000 documentary movies, series, and...

On today’s episode, The History Guy talks about two impressive Kates of the 19th century. First is Kate Warne, who became America’s first female detective when she was hired by Alan Pinkerton in 1856 - and she may have saved Abraham Lincoln’s life. Then the history Guy talks about one of the women behind one of the most famous gunslingers of the west: “Big Nose” Kate, common-law wife of Doc Hollid...

On today’s episode, the history guy tells several stories about aerial hijinks - First the story of Korean air veteran Tommy FitzPatrick, whose good spirits and impeccable skill made him a legend in his own time. Then the history guy will talk about Howard “Buddy” Foote, who decided to steal an $18 million dollar plane, just for a chance to realize his dream. Finally, the history guy will tell the...

On today’s episode, we chat about two heroes of the American civil war who fought against frightful odds to secure better lives for themselves and their people. First is the incredible story of Robert Smalls, who at 22 years old decided on an audacious plan to escape slavery and escape to the Union. Then The History Guy will talk about Abraham Galloway, who escaped slavery only to return to the so...

On today’s episode the history guy talks about two events in the history of the Mob - the Schofield Flower Shop Murder of Arch Killer Dean O’Bannion, and the ballistics expert Calvin Goddard, who did forensic work on the scene of the Valentine’s Day Massacre. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries available anywhere. The servic...

On today’s episode the history guy talks about two strange cases of 19th century true crime: the time an American court case included the testimony of a ghost, and the terrible tale of the fairy trial of Bridget Cleary. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 3,000 documentary movies...

On today’s episode, the history guy talks about a pair of Weird Wars: The time that Mao’s China went to war against Sparrows, and a war between Mexico and France that began over Pastries. It is history that deserves to be remembered. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 3,000 docu...

Merry Christmas! On today’s episode we’re talking about a couple of forgotten pieces of Christmas history: the tale of how nutcrackers became symbols of the season, and the winding road that led American homes to be full of Christmas trees. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 3,0...

On today's episode the History Guy discusses the history of several naturally occurring resources: the mineral asbestos, with its reputation as a hazardous material, and Helium, one of the universe’s most abundant elements. Both have surprising and interesting histories. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries available anywhere...

In today’s episode, The History Guy talks about two historic fruits: the banana and the orange. Both have interesting and long histories connected with humankind. We have a special guest, as well, in The History Guy’s mom and my grandmother, who joins us to chat about fruit and history. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of historical documentaries av...

On today’s episodes we are talking about two stories of US navy destroyers. The first story is about the USS Fanning, which took part in the sinking of the first german submarine sunk by American ships during WWI. Then the history guy skips ahead a few decade to the USS Roper, which in April of 1942 engaged a submarine off the coast of Virginia - the sinking of U-85 would be the first german subma...

On today’s episode the history guy talks about two stories of history lost. First, the saga of the 1890 census, a marvel of advanced data collecting at the time that was lost almost completely in a series of events decades later. Then the history guy will talk about the fire at the National Personnel Records Center, which destroyed millions of military records. MagellanTV - a brand-new streaming s...

On today’s episode, we talk about the children of two of Russia’s most notorious leaders. First is the story of Tsarevich Dmitry, youngest son of Ivan the Terrible. Killed in his youth, years later men would appear claiming to be that Dmitry, and pressing their rights to the Russian throne. Then the history guy will talk about the daughter of the most infamous Russian leader: Josef Stalin, and her...