NEW Episode | Three Catastrophes in History That (Almost) Changed Everything | A Discussion
Join Jon, Joe, and longtime guest host Dan as they discuss pivotal moments in history that could have gone very wrong, the effects of their outcomes, and the power of individual choice in each one. If you would like to hear more discussions like this, let us know at 15minutehistory@gmail.com. As always, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe!
1 Sep 45min
Pop Quiz | Who Built the Pyramids? (Republish)
Welcome to the Pop Quiz! Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org. We promise not to give him any hints.
28 Aug 4min
Espionage | Kim Philby and The Cambridge Five (Republish)
During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on November 18, 2024.___Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross—passed almost 17,000 classified documents to the Soviet Union for 30+ years. The information was so extensive and the volume so large, that Soviet intelligence initially suspected some of it might be disinformation, due to the high-ranking positions these spies held and the access they had. However, much of this intelligence was invaluable, influencing Soviet strategies during pivotal moments of World War II and the Cold War.Join us as we teach you about one of the most notorious spy rings in modern history, The Cambridge Five, and the most prominent member, Kim Philby.
25 Aug 17min
Pop Quiz | The Demon Cat of Washington and Folklore
What is the Demon Cat of Washington? Where does folklore originate in culture? How do historians read folklore? Join us for this extended pop quiz as Joe and Jon discuss folklore and its effect on history.And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!
21 Aug 7min
Audie Murphy | An Uncommon Hero (Republish)
During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 4, 2023.___On the morning of January 26th, Murphy and his men saw movement in the tree line ahead. As the morning fog cleared, over two hundred German infantrymen and six Mark VI Tiger Tanks appeared and began a counterattack. I will stop here for a moment and give you an opportunity to take in this scene. First, consider eighteen men with two armored vehicles against two hundred infantry. Faced with just these odds, there is no strategic or tactical way Murphy’s men could hold the line. Second, add the armor. A single Tiger tank was near impossible to destroy by Allied armor. To put it in perspective, one Tiger Tank could take out more than twelve American Sherman tanks before being crippled enough to be put down. It fired an 88-millimeter shell, the most powerful of the German artillery, and could decimate an entire town without any support. Six of these advanced on Murphy and his eighteen men. Six. I don’t need to tell you the odds of the eighteen men winning against such a force, because there are no odds. It's zero. Listen now and join us in awe at what happened next. Remember…this is real history. Join us as we teach you about the life and heroism of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WW2.
18 Aug 17min
Pop Quiz | Phantom Time
Was Charlemagne real? Did we land on the moon? Who are the real villains in history? Join us in this week's conversation about myths vs. reality and theory vs. facts when it comes to history.And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!
14 Aug 5min
Xerxes I | Hubris (Republish)
During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 16, 2024.___Xerxes I, also known as Xerxes the Great, was a Persian king who ruled over the vast Achaemenid Empire from 486 BCE to 465 BCE. He was the son of King Darius I and Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. This lineage protected Xerxes during his time as a prince and solidified his claim to the throne. Join us as we teach you about Xerxes I, his conquest, and how hubris ruined him.
11 Aug 18min
Pop Quiz | Operation Mincemeat (or) Liar, Liar, Literal Pants on Fire
As Churchill once said, "Truth must be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies," and this is never more true in wartime (or a presidential campaign). This week we discuss a deception operation during World War Two, its effect on the war, and the anatomy of both humans and the continent of Europe!We love hearing from you, so post your comments, questions, and ideas for new pop quizzes below.
7 Aug 6min
