15-Minute History

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.

The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she returns to September 10, 1813, to witness the dramatic conclusion of the Battle of Lake Erie. After Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship USS Lawrence was destroyed, the 28-year-old commander makes a daring decision that changes everything. Rowing through enemy fire to reach the USS Niagara, Perry raises his "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag once more and sails directly at British ships. In this episode, your kids will learn about grit, witness the first time an entire British fleet surrendered, and discover how the tides began to turn in the War of 1812. Experience what it's like to stand on the deck of the Niagara as Perry transforms certain defeat into triumphant victory!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

Washington burns. The White House is in flames. But from the smoke and ashes, a nation discovers what it means to be American.The War of 1812's darkest hour became its defining triumph. As British veterans fresh from defeating Napoleon torched the capital, as rockets rained on Fort McHenry, as peace was signed but war raged on, Americans transformed humiliation into legend.Join us for the explosive conclusion of our two-part series on the War of 1812. In this second installment, we witness Perry's amazing victory on Lake Erie, the death of the great Tecumseh, the night America's capital burned to the ground, and Andrew Jackson's stunning victory at New Orleans - a battle that remade American identity, fought two weeks after the war had already ended.

Explore the fascinating ways ancient Greek and Roman writings shaped the thoughts of America's Founding Fathers. Discover how they drew lessons on representative government and the perils of pure democracy. Key figures like Cicero and Plato influenced their views on leadership and statecraft. The podcast dives into the importance of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution, highlighting safeguards against majority tyranny. It’s a historical adventure that reveals the classical roots of American governance.

Explore the rich history of Thanksgiving, from the Mayflower's journey and Squanto’s vital assistance during the first feast, to lesser-known stories that expand the holiday’s narrative. Hear a poignant soldier’s letter from World War I that captures gratitude amidst chaos, and discover the surreal tale of a failed turkey delivery during the Hurtgen Forest battle. Reflect on a German doctor’s heroism and the profound art of being thankful, even in challenging times.