The Missing Chapter Podcast

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” by famed author Washington Irving, is widely considered to be the first “ghost” story in the then young country’s history. The tale of a headless horseman in a quiet, unassuming New York town, often resurfaces every year around the time of Halloween.  But Irving didn’t invent the idea of a headless rider, nor did he base the story entirely on fiction.  Find...

Some say this Autumn staple is their favorite candy, while others say it's best dealt with by being thrown directly into the trash!  What is the history behind this polarized treat?  Or is this candy altogether a trick?  Find out more on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

The best inventions have always stemmed from a vision.  Great visionaries can picture a solution to a current problem, or imagine turning a luxury into a necessity, or maybe an innovation that changes how a future society operates entirely.  And most visionaries are met with nay-sayers and doubters, and even outright barriers or obstacles because others can’t see what this visionary can....

When the United States entered into World War II in 1941, people of all backgrounds and demographics enlisted and went to fight overseas.  In fact, others would end up joining these same ranks and travelling to far off places to assist in the war effort as well – and not all were people. Included in this group was a 4-pound Yorkshire terrier, who was discovered in New Guinea, near an Ame...

It's 1930 in Banks Mississippi, Robert Johnson walks into a juke joint where two of the most popular blues guitarists of the day, Son House and Willie Brown, were playing a show for a packed house.  He had not been seen in almost a year and asked Son House if he could sit in his chair and play a few songs.  Son responded saying, “Alright, but you sit in that chair, you better do somethin...

It was on October 22, 1962, that former president JFK told the world that the Soviets were building secret missile bases in Cuba, about 90 miles off the coast of Florida. And not only did he make claims to that, he had photographic evidence to prove it.  The Americans and Soviets began the nose-to-nose confrontation over these bases stationed in Cuba.  So, while a diplomatic solution was...

Where were you? Where were you when the sun came up on that gorgeous, picturesque late summer day? Where were you when the commute began, the horns honked, and the daylight broke? Where were you? Where were you when the terminal gates closed, the luggage was loaded, and runways cleared? Where were you when the coffee brewed, the early hello’s exchanged, and the see-you-later hugs were given? Where...

When you hear the word “nuclear”, you might think of nuclear family, nuclear power, nuclear bomb, or nuclear accident.  Well, when you think of nuclear accidents, most of us go right to Chernobyl or Three Mile Island or maybe the most recent Fukushima incident in 2011.  But not too many know about the other nuclear incident that happened on U.S. soil.  As a matter of fact, it’s not...

The triumphs of Alexander the Great and his lasting legacy are undisputable and his impact on world history is legendary, but his story also teaches us something else important, that in the end, even if you are the conqueror of lands, death always prevails.  Find out what finally defeated history's most epic warrior, Alexander the Great, on this episode of The Missing Chapter. 

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  Since the dawn of man, looking to the skies has been a reminder of the vastness of space in comparison to the smallness of human beings, the infinite possibilities that have yet to be discovered, the power in which it holds, and the wonderment that it evokes in our finite human hearts.  We’ve looked to the skies for answers, we’ve...

Their names are synonymous with Saturday mornings and the laughter of children.  Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester the Cat.  Generations began their weekends by welcoming these comical characters into their homes and, as a result, they helped shape the culture that they entertained.  Porky Pig, Tweetie Pie, Foghorn Leghorn, the Road Runner.  The golden age of cartoo...

The Egyptians, the Romans, and modern-day architects have all used concrete in their construction from some of the most basic of structures, to the most magnificent buildings in world history.  But one inventor, someone who is widely known for his other inventions, tried to revolutionize how we see and use concrete forever.  His attempts were valiant, but the concrete future never reache...

Often referred to as “America’s Pastime,” few images conjure up a sense of warm summer days more than baseball - the crack of the bat, the smell of popcorn, and the cheer from adoring crowds.  American baseball has been there throughout our nation’s history – from the Civil War to civil rights, from World Wars to 9/11.  One could argue that no other sport in our nation’s history has help...

Our nation's literary history is filled with talented, gifted authors with minds that are blessed with the ability to paint a picture through words.  Many of us have experienced these literary works, almost being a part of their stories.  But one author, who had a profound impact on 20th-Century fiction, isn't your typical writer.  He was not someone who sat in front of a fire and w...

Elections throughout history, have been periods defined by hotly contested debates, where emotions are high and, in some cases, threaten to boil over.  We have seen instances where candidates allow their feelings to get the best of them and they “blow their top.”  It’s like this now and it seems as though it’s always been like this, since the dawn of representative government.  No e...

America in the 1920s is known for being a decade of change - innovation, invention, and pioneering minds came from the need for increased manufacturing and a changing world following World War I.  One inventor during this time period, however, goes unnoticed even though his invention is used on a daily basis.  Find out who this person is, what his invention was, and how it was brought ab...

On this Missing Chapter Chat, the Phils discuss the unknown and bizarre histories of some of the most well-known lullabies in history.  From the odd origins to the obscure uses in modern times, you may rethink, even question, how some of these nursery rhymes ever made it to our children's ears.  Find out more on this episode of The Missing Chapter.

In the early 1800s, Europe was in the grasp of Napoleon's Bonaparte's Grand Army.  A tenured officer in the artillery ranks will develop a unique system to combat a dilemma that has plagued French forces along the front.  Amazingly, his system of code communication will be transformed to shed light for millions of those living in darkness - at the hands of a 13-year old boy.

Who would ever be brave enough - courageous enough - crazy enough - to travel thousands of miles to fight in multiple wars?  A man by the name of James Beckwourth is more than just a mountain man, fur trader, and explorer, he's a pathfinder - some say the real pathfinder to the west.  Find out more about this man and his unbelievable story across the country, and back again, on this epis...

Annie Oakley, one of America's greatest gunslingers and performers, dazzled crowds in the 19th century with her dangerous tricks and amazing feats.  In 1900, Oakley had a chance encounter with a brash, young European royal during a show in Berlin.  What happened next would put Germany on a course that would dictate European, and world, history forever.

A Union Army soldier, who was an incredibly brave emergency surgeon on the Civil War battlefield, had been witness to the horrifying sights and sounds of battle.  Helping soldiers survive more than just battle wounds, but mutilations, amputations, surgeries, this sensitive and courteous man as early documents describe him as, not only left a lasting legacy serving as a Union soldier, but woul...

Francesco Baracca is touted in history as one of the best fighter pilots in Italy's history.  His aerial talent combined with his compassionate personality, he is respected throughout his country and even with his enemies.  His story goes farther into the vehicular side of history, however, when his personal painting on the side of his plane becomes more "emblematic" than he had ever ima...

Part II of Just A Moment details part II of Operation Finale.  The trial of Adolf Eichmann is set to take place in Israel.  What impact would it have on the Jewish community and the world as a whole?  Find out today on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

In 1934, one year after Adolf Hitler was named chancellor of Germany, Adolf Eichmann was assigned to the Jewish portion of the "security services" of the SS.  He worked closely with Hitler in the development, planning, and implementation of the Nazi "final solution" operation.  The Nazi Holocaust conducted during World War II resulted in the mass murder of 11 million Jews, minorities, an...

On today's MC Short - a story about a young man that suffered a near-death accident - but to his amazement, it was this mishap that propelled him to success.  How did this happen?  Through his mother's devout prayer life.  Their combined faith changed the lives of so many people that he became one of the most powerful men in the 19th century.  Find out more about this man on to...