HISTORY This Week

October 28, 1895. It’s the first day of a murder trial in Philadelphia, and H.H. Holmes has been left to represent himself. His lawyers say they haven’t had time to prepare for his case, although they may just want to avoid defending the man some newspapers are already saying is “sure to grace a gallows.” Holmes has been accused of murdering his business associate, but rumors swirl that he may have killed dozens, even hundreds more. A century later, some still call him "America's first serial killer." But how did H.H. Holmes earn this reputation? And why is it so hard to learn the truth about this legendary fiend? Special thanks to Adam Selzer, author of H.H. Holmes: The True Story of the White City Devil, and Harold Schechter, professor emeritus of literature at Queens College and author of Depraved: The Shocking True Story of America's First Serial Killer. ** This episode originally aired October 25, 2021. Get in touch: historythisweekpodcast@history.com  Follow on Instagram: @historythisweek Follow on Facebook: ⁠HISTORY This Week Podcast⁠ To stay updated: http://historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this enlightening discussion, historian Marc Leepson, author of a Francis Scott Key biography, unveils Key's complex ties to slavery and his surprising role in creating the national anthem. Tim Grove, a Smithsonian consultant, shares insights on the Star-Spangled Banner's debut with the Battle of Baltimore as its backdrop. They explore Key's motivations, the song's controversial lyrics, and the stark contradictions between its message of freedom and the reality of slavery in early America, all framed within a historical narrative that resonates today.

October 24, 1945. The Charter of the United Nations is signed, promising to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Back when the charter was drafted a few months earlier in San Francisco, delegates from around the world gathered to build a new era of peace and human rights.  Among them is Mary McLeod Bethune, the only Black woman in the U.S. delegation, and she already sees the contradictions beneath the moment: colonial powers writing freedom into a document that excludes millions. Years later, journalist Marguerite Cartwright will carry that insight forward, holding the UN to the ideals it claimed to represent. Why did these two Black women believe the UN was so important, when their own country continued to deny them equality? And how can their work reframe the way we view the struggle for Civil Rights beyond U.S. borders, for all nations?  Special thank you to Keisha Blain,  professor of Africana Studies and History at Brown University and author of Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights. -- Get in touch: historythisweekpodcast@history.com  Follow on Instagram: @historythisweek Follow on Facebook: ⁠HISTORY This Week Podcast⁠ To stay updated: http://historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

October, 1955. In living rooms across Denmark, children tear open the box of a brand-new toy: the LEGO System in Play. Inside are plastic bricks, a printed playmat of roads, little houses and trees — everything in perfect scale. As they build, something new is taking shape.  It looks simple, but it’s a radical idea — every piece connects, no matter when or where it’s made. It’s more than a toy — it’s a system. That quiet innovation will turn a small family workshop into one of the most successful companies in the world. How did a small-town Danish carpenter launch a plastic toy empire? And how did LEGO re-envision what a toy can be? Special thanks to Kristian Reimer Hauge, corporate historian at the LEGO Idea House; Daniel Konstanski, historian for Blocks Magazine and author of The Secret Life of LEGO® Bricks: The Story of a Design Icon; and Chris Byrne, researcher, historian, and “The Toy Guy.” We also want to thank Dana Goldsmith, Andreas Friis, and Roberta Cardazzo. Get in touch: historythisweekpodcast@history.com  Follow on Instagram: @historythisweek Follow on Facebook: ⁠HISTORY This Week Podcast⁠ To stay updated: http://historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

William deJong-Lambert, a historian of science and author, delves into the troubling tale of Trofim Lysenko, who convinced Stalin that ideology trumped genetics. Discover how Lysenko's rise to power led to the purging of dissenting scientists like Nikolai Vavilov. The discussion explores Lysenko's bizarre agricultural theories, his manipulation of politics and media, and the dire consequences for Soviet science. Ultimately, deJong-Lambert highlights the political interference that caused a significant setback in genetic research during a crucial era.

October 4, 1915. President Woodrow Wilson designates Dinosaur National Monument as a national historic site. That’s a big deal, right? There must’ve been a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony, maybe even a parade. But no. In 1915, nobody really cares about dinosaurs. But that is all about to change. And when it does, it is largely because of two paleontologists. Two guys who started off as best friends … until their growing obsession with unearthing and cataloging dinosaur bones would turn them into rivals. Then enemies. How did the competition between a pair of paleontologists lead to unprecedented dinosaur discoveries? And how did their rivalry unhinge them both?  Special thanks to guest Dr. Hans Sues, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. ** This episode originally aired October 3, 2022. Get in touch: historythisweekpodcast@history.com  Follow on Instagram: @historythisweek Follow on Facebook: ⁠HISTORY This Week Podcast⁠ To stay updated: http://historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeremy Parish, a media curator and co-host of Retronauts, dives into Nintendo's ingenious strategy that revived the U.S. video game market after the 1983 crash. He discusses how Nintendo cleverly disguised its NES as an entertainment system, using R.O.B. to appeal to parents. The conversation highlights the creation of iconic games like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Brothers, exploring their massive impact on gaming culture. Parish also details Nintendo's tactics to gain retailer support, ultimately making gaming a household staple once more.

In this informative discussion, Edward O'Keefe, head of the Theodore Roosevelt Library Foundation and author, delves into the dynamic relationship between Theodore and Edith Roosevelt. They explore how Edith reshaped the role of First Lady, institutionalizing her office and transforming White House social dynamics. The conversation also highlights her significant yet often overlooked contributions during tumultuous times, including her handling of personal loss and her complex legacy that she sought to obscure. A fascinating look at a powerful partnership!

Dive into the lives of women often dismissed as 'crazy.' The hosts explore the societal labels that have shaped their stories, from Lindsay Lohan to Judy Garland. With humor and heart, they challenge the stigma surrounding these powerful figures. Each episode is a rich tapestry of history and personal narratives, shedding light on what it truly means to be labeled 'mad' or 'bad.' Tune in for a thought-provoking and entertaining look at forgotten voices in women's history.

In this intriguing discussion, Cliff Stoll, an astronomer and author of The Cuckoo's Egg, recounts his unexpected journey tracking a KGB hacker in 1986. A tiny accounting error unveils a major cybersecurity breach into U.S. military systems. Stoll shares the challenges of monitoring the rogue hacker known as Sventech, revealing how this case marked a pivotal moment in cybersecurity. The conversation highlights the link between early internet vulnerabilities and espionage, showcasing a thrilling intersection of astronomy and security.