15-Minute History

Dive into the contrasts of communism and fascism! Discover Marx's vision of equality and the variations seen in Soviet and Chinese models. Explore examples like the Paris Commune and learn about the key role of state in fascism, marked by its ties to big business and militarism. Unpack the authoritarian traits shared by both ideologies, while debating what makes Nazism distinct. Tune in for a thought-provoking comparison that will have you questioning the power dynamics in both systems!

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 27, 2025. New episodes starting next week!___The Battle of Agincourt, though small by modern standards, stands as a turning point in European history by bringing democracy to the battlefield. Joe takes us through the battle in all its detail and asks whether Henry V's actions proved to be a good idea or a bad one.

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 5, 2025.___In this double pop quiz, Jon answers a question from an audience member and then discusses the Overton Window and how the range of "acceptable" political discourse changes over time.Join us every other week for these pop quizzes during the summer, and comment below with any topics you'd like us to cover!

Delve into the fascinating roots of early American society! Explore how four groups of English settlers—Puritans, Quakers, Cavaliers, and backcountry folk—shaped the nation’s cultural identity. Discover the Puritans' strict moral order and the Quakers' community focus. Unpack the contradictions of the Southern economy intertwined with slavery. Learn how these diverse folkways continue to influence modern American society. Each group's unique ideals, both good and bad, have left a lasting imprint on today's political and cultural landscape.

Explore the evolution of nativity imagery across cultures and centuries. Discover how early depictions morphed through medieval and Byzantine art. Delve into regional styles, from Byzantine color contrasts to Gothic humor. Uncover the political reflections in nativity scenes that echoed local power dynamics. Enjoy a journey through modern nativity practices, from yard displays to live reenactments. Finally, reflect on the profound meaning behind Jesus’ humble birth and its universal message.

Explore the intriguing histories of beloved Christmas carols. Discover the working-class origins of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and why religious leaders worried about their non-pious roots. Uncover the tale of 'The First Noel' and its standardization during Victorian times. Delve into 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and its Jacobite theories. Hear about the creation of 'O Holy Night' and its connection to abolitionists. Journey through how carols transitioned from everyday life to the grandeur of cathedrals.

Dive into the essentials of history reading with a lively discussion about impactful texts. St. Augustine's Confessions provides moral insights, while modern historians like Andrew Roberts and Niall Ferguson offer captivating narratives. Biographies of iconic figures such as Churchill and Napoleon reveal broad lessons from the past. Don’t miss classics from Locke, Plutarch, and Thucydides—necessary reads for any history buff. Join the conversation and explore how these works shaped civilization!

"Based on a true story." "Inspired by actual events." "The following actually happened."These five words might be Hollywood's greatest magic trick, transforming entertainment into education, fiction into fact, and Brad Pitt's abs into ancient Greek warfare. More Americans learn their history from movies than from any other source. Think about that for a moment. Our understanding of the past - of who we were, what we've done, and where we're going - can be shaped more by screenwriters than scholars, more by CGI than citations.So what happens when Hollywood gets it wrong? When the decade-long siege of Troy gets compressed into a long weekend? When a president's decision to invade Iraq gets reduced to daddy issues?And yet - what about when they get it right? When a film captures not just the facts but the feeling of a moment? When Colin Firth's king reminds us that history turns on personal struggles as much as grand strategies? When Spielberg refuses to look away from humanity's darkest hour and finds light anyway?Join Jon, Dan, and Joe as they wade through Hollywood's version of history - celebrating the films that honor the past and calling out the ones that butcher it for a buck. From newsrooms to royal courts, from Warsaw ghettos to Trojan beaches, we're asking the question that matters: in an age where movies are our history teachers, what exactly are we teaching ourselves? And more importantly - who gets to decide what's worth remembering?

Why do dumb ideas keep popping up like weeds? Why do people embrace them despite mountains of evidence they don't work and huge piles of bodies left in their wake? Are they true believers or just grifters? And should 15-Minute History rebrand itself into "fifteen minutes of rage-bait"?Join us each Thursday for Pop Quizzes and Sketches in History, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Dive into the complexities of the War of 1812, where enduring symbols like 'Don't give up the ship' emerge from a conflict that resolved almost nothing. Explore the motivations behind impressment and the intriguing dynamics of British support for Native resistance. Discover Tecumseh’s vision and how American naval strength clashed with land weaknesses. From the burning of Washington to the Battle of New Orleans, this deep analysis questions whether the war was a transformative struggle or merely a pointless endeavor for a young nation.