The Golden Gate was a Military Fort
Immersed in a vibrant history, the San Francisco Bay Area hosts one of America's most iconic landmarks: the Golden Gate Bridge. The culmination of San Francisco and the state of California as a whole's history, and only able to be constructed due to the influx of citizens from the Gold Rush, the Golden Gate Bridge connected two points fortified during the Civil War. Once called unbuildable, the design of Josef Baermann Strauss brought it into the realm of possibility, but building it was a challenge. And today, at the bottom of the Golden Gate Strait, lies a broken secret recalling dark memories.
30 Dec 202121min
The Rise and Fall of Atlantic City (A Tale of Urban Decay)
Throughout its life, Atlantic City has seen multiple rises and falls— though there is no denying the influence it holds as one of America's former premier destinations for luxury and beachfront attractions. But what caused its final fall, and what was it like in its glory days? This is the story of the rise and fall of Atlantic City.
25 Dec 202127min
Why Does New York's Subway have Ghost Stations? (History of NYC public transport)
Serving millions of New Yorkers every day, there is little question as to the incredible impact the New York City subway system has had on the city's reputation as a massive hub of transportation. But this system was hundreds of years in the making and it evolved from horse trams and steam trains before moving below the ground - today on It's History, we'll be taking a look at how New York City's mass transportation systems have changed over time.
23 Dec 202123min
Chicago's Christmas Tree Shipwreck incident (Chicago's Weirdest Story)
As one of the most bizarre shipwrecks of all time, the Christmas Tree shipwreck has perplexed many in the decades since it occurred. But this story is not as far back as one might assume— and did you know that this strange case was finally solved just 50 years ago? On this Christmas Episode of It's History, we'll be exploring the elusive Christmas Tree shipwreck of the Rouse Simmons.
19 Dec 202119min
New Yorks Underwater Tunnel - The History of the Holland Tunnel
Tunnel. One of the longest underwater vehicular tunnels in the world, it was designed as the masterpiece of Clifford M. Holland's career and was decades in the making, Even today, it serves New York and New Jersey—though as thousands pass through this tunnel every day, it is easy to overlook just how incredible the ingenious engineering behind the tunnel's ventilation system truly is. Today, we'll be taking a look into the story of the Holland Tunnel—a truly crowning achievement of its time.
16 Dec 202118min
How The Erie Canal Transformed America
Europe called it impossible. President Thomas Jefferson claimed it was "nothing short of madness." However, the state of New York proceeded anyway and carved the largest canal the world had ever seen. Though the state faced many challenges, including training an engineering team, carving the land, designing the climbs, and even securing permission for construction. Today, we will explore the history of the Erie Canal.
9 Dec 202121min
Why a Woman was the first to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel
Niagara Falls is by far one of the most incredible wonders in the world— attracting millions to bask in its glory each year. It is a source of beauty just as it is a source of power for thousands of people who live nearby, but did you know that these Falls are steeped in just as much tragedy as they are triumph? Today, we'll find out about the daredevils of Niagara Falls— starting with the first person to ever go over the Falls and survive, all inside a barrel.
2 Dec 202125min
Why the Brooklyn Bridge used Elephants to Prove its Safety
As one of America's most well-known tourist destinations, there is little question of the sizeable impact it has had not only on New York but the country as a whole. But few know just how far back its roots run. By far, it was one of the most ambitious projects of its time—and yet there is much more to this giant of architecture beyond its incredible length and massive towers. In today's episode of It's History, we'll uncover the rich history beyond the bridge that unites Brooklyn and Manhattan.
25 Nov 202124min
