We Are History

Angela Barnes and John O'Farrell
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Apr 5, 2021 • 47min

The Abdication Crisis - 1936

Back in 1936 the newspapers were utterly scandalised by a British royal abandoning his stately duties to run off with a controversial divorced American. Hard to imagine today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 29, 2021 • 1h 5min

Operation Mincemeat - 1943

How a homeless Welsh alcoholic helped transform the fortunes of the British Army in the Second World War, despite already being dead. (Warning, podcast contains bad Churchill impressions.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 21, 2021 • 49min

Prohibition

When the United States banned alcohol in the 1920s, they unleashed a huge wave of illegal alcohol production and smuggling that turned honest drinkers into criminals, and small time crooks into millionaire gangsters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 15, 2021 • 1h 8min

Zoo Wars

Explore the quirky competition between East and West Berlin's zoos during the Cold War! Animals like pandas and hippos became surprising propaganda tools in this political battle. Hear about the heroic efforts of Katerina Heinroth in wartime and how each zoo tried to outshine the other with star attractions. Discover the fascinating impact of the Berlin Wall on zoo diplomacy and the unforgettable panda coup of the 1980s. This is a captivating tale of how creatures became symbols of national pride!
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Mar 8, 2021 • 39min

Lesbian Pirates!?

The incredible story of Ann Bonny and Mary Read, both illegitimate and raised as boys in the early 18th century, they brought terror to the Caribbean after meeting on a lesbian pirate website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 1, 2021 • 51min

The Aids Crisis

How the historical prejudice against homosexuals was given fresh impetus in the 1980s by a mysterious illness which seemed to target gay men. And John struggles to admit that the Tory minister did "a good thing". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 22, 2021 • 1h 8min

When Britain was a Republic 1649-60

Britain under Oliver Cromwell's Puritan dictatorship; no theatres, no Christmas and no music - so a tough old decade for Catholic panto stars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 15, 2021 • 45min

Celtic Britain v Roman Empire (away win)

Dive into the thrilling clash between the Celtic warriors and the Roman Empire in ancient Britain! Explore Julius Caesar's tumultuous early visits and the unique Celtic culture that baffled the Romans. Discover the strategic maneuverings of Emperor Claudius, including the dramatic Battle of the Medway and the iconic victory parade complete with elephants. Uncover Boudicca's fierce revolt and the subsequent Roman expansion into Scotland. Delve into the complexities of governance, Romanization, and the legacy left behind after the empire's withdrawal.
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Feb 8, 2021 • 58min

The Big Stink - 1858

How the River Thames became one massive open sewer, forcing Parliament to close the windows and do something about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Dec 28, 2020 • 59min

2020 (Thank God it's history)

For our last podcast of the year we attempt our own first draft of history; looking back at the year that has just been, when Covid-19 meant a complete change of behaviour for us all (except the people telling us to completely change our behaviour). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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