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Voltaire and Frederick's Messy Friendship
In the 18th century, two of Europe's most formidable intellects believed they had found a kindred spirit in each other. One was a king who dreamed of…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Copernicus Moves the Earth
In the 16th century, one quiet canon and mathematician made a claim so radical it shattered humanity's place in the universe. Nicolaus Copernicus did…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Brief History of Cemeteries
Cemeteries are more than resting places for the dead; they are mirrors of the societies that built them.
From ancient burial mounds and medieval chur…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
The Mann Act: America's Morality Law
Passed in 1910, the Mann Act was meant to protect women from exploitation. Instead, it became one of the most powerful and abused moral weapons in Am…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
Conversations: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome, w/ Greg Jackson
In this special interview episode, Prof. Greg Jackson, the creator and voice behind the wildly popular History That Doesn't Suck, joins History Short…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
Killing Philip II of Macedon
In 336 BCE, at the height of his power, King Philip II of Macedon entered a grand theater to celebrate a royal wedding. He never left alive.
In this …
9 months, 3 weeks ago
History's Worst Nun? Juana Inés de la Cruz
She was called disobedient. Arrogant. Dangerous.
She is now remembered as one of the greatest minds of the Spanish-speaking world.
In this episode of…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
Judicial Life Appointments Gone Wrong
The U.S. Constitution grants Supreme Court justices life tenure to protect judicial independence. But what happens when that protection becomes a lia…
9 months, 3 weeks ago
Laika: First Casualty of the Space Race
In November 1957, at the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 into orbit. On board was not a pilot or a scientist—but a small …
9 months, 3 weeks ago
A Brief History of Cannibalism
Cannibalism sits at the outer edge of human history, invoked as taboo, weaponized as propaganda, and whispered about in moments of extreme survival. …
9 months, 3 weeks ago