Amazing Tales About History
Mike Allen
Marilyn Monroe, PT Barnum, American history, and Revolutionary War insights ... Dive deep into the hidden corners of history with mysteries, fascinating inventions, secret military operations, magical islands, ancient trails, forgotten roadways, Native Americans, supernatural activity, UFOs. 20-minute episodes. Memorable stories. Great guests. We present history as it should be – accurate, engaging, and told with a touch of magic. New episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 2, 2023 • 26min
The First School Exclusively for Black Women in the U.S.
The first school exclusively for Black females opened in the 1830s. Not all townsfolk approved. A number taunted Prudence Crandall's students and arsonists even set fire to it. Opponents brought legal actions that ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Oct 26, 2023 • 25min
What Happened When You Were Sent to the Poorhouse
In the past, if you couldn’t pay your bills you were sent to the poor house. Alms houses and town farms were part of society's safety net for the poor, disabled, and mentally handicapped. Although largely unregulated, they provided food and work opportunities and most towns had one.
Oct 19, 2023 • 24min
Where Critical Military Equipment Came From During WW II
Connecticut’s industrial manufacturers contributed significant parts of the overall military machine that helped win WW II. Half of the aircraft engines, submarines, a large percentage of the billions of bullets, and much, much more were made in CT.
Oct 12, 2023 • 22min
The Day 2 Rolling Skulls Revealed a Vampire Grave
Two boys playing in a sand and gravel pit came across two human skulls. That led to the unearthing of a suspected vampire grave. State officials worked with folklorists to tentatively identify the remains of the individual whose initials – J.B. – were at first all they had to go on.
Oct 5, 2023 • 24min
The First Time Penicillin Saved a Life
It was a miracle. In 1942, a female patient was barely alive. She had run a 106 fever for 4 weeks. Doctors were out of options. A new treatment – never tried in the U.S. – cured her in less than 24 hours. Just getting the medicine to her was the biggest obstacle of all.
Sep 28, 2023 • 22min
When a New Outdoor Weather Climate was Created
Growing cigar wrappers requires excellent soil and the right climate. Connecticut tobacco farmers had the soil, but not the climate. So, they created a new climate. It covered 1% of the state's land and made the region international market leaders in the 1800s.
Sep 21, 2023 • 18min
An Extremely Unique Gated Community
In the 1950s, Jewish firefighters in Queens, NY wanted to get their children into the countryside during a polio outbreak. The large summer camp they built by hand evolved into a year-round gated community. One of the country's most famous singers spent her summers at Lake Waubeeka.
Sep 14, 2023 • 23min
An Enclave Like No Other - The Russian Village
When Stalin overthrew the Russian czars in 1917, many famous Russian artists and writers fled to the U.S.. Ilya Tolstoy, son of War and Peace author Leo Tolstoy, started The Russian Village, a shrouded town where intellectuals settled to write and socialize with other famous Russians.
Sep 7, 2023 • 19min
Electric Cars Were Market Leaders - 130 Years Ago
The first mass-produced electric vehicle in the U.S. was made in 1897. The Columbia Motor Carriage used a new invention (rubber) to insulate electric wires making them safe. 50% of the cars on the road were EVs back then, compared to just 5% today.
Aug 31, 2023 • 29min
A Real-Life ”Field of Dreams” Baseball Story
Standout Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Steve Blass was one of four Pirates pitchers from the same extended family in the 1960s. Blass remains the last National League pitcher to throw a complete 9 innings in the 7th game of a World Series. Only one other human has done that.
