Stuff You Missed in History Class

The podcast dives into the history of the USS Indianapolis, discussing its role during World War II, its delivery of atomic bomb components, and the devastating torpedo strikes that led to its sinking. It explores the harrowing survival and rescue efforts of the crew and the aftermath of the incident, including controversies and the recent discovery of the wreck in 2017.

Explore the origins and evolution of NORAD tracking Santa Claus, from a Cold War defense measure to a collaborative tradition between the US and Canada. Discover the surprising history of NORAD and its primary missions, along with the comparison between tracking Santa and the response to a letter from Virginia. Learn about the military's efforts to promote Santa Claus and the establishment of the NORAD Santa tracking tradition.

For Christmas, we're revisiting an episode from previous hosts Sarah and Deblina. During the first Christmas of World War I, British and German soldiers laid down their weapons and celebrated the holiday together. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This podcast episode delves into the missions of the Special Operations Executive during and after WWII. It highlights the sabotage of a railway viaduct in Greece, the efforts of Norwegian saboteurs, daring missions in the Norwegian wilderness, and the important roles of women in the SOE.

Learn about the formation and activities of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II and their influence on spy movies. Discover the successful mission of Operation Josephine B to disrupt Germany's production. Explore the development of a powerful hybrid grenade and the mysterious disappearance of two operatives. Hear the story of Czechoslovakian operatives and their dangerous mission to assassinate a high-ranking Nazi.

A revisit to an episode on fairly recent history: In 1988, the appointment of a hearing president at Gallaudet University sparked a protest that changed the course of both the school and deaf culture in America. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the historical origins of candy canes, wassail, and gingerbread, while exploring the scandal surrounding Jen Shaw. Delve into the evolution of the wassel tradition and the cultural significance of gingerbread. Learn about the invention of the candy cane machine and the dangers of fresh pressed apple cider.

Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Fry discuss the fascinating stories of three notable women named Belle with surprising aspects to their lives. They explore Gertrude Bell's struggle as a female chemist, John Pierpont Morgan Sr.'s impressive collection, and a portrait challenging societal norms. They also touch on the ethical dilemma of displaying babies.

We're revisiting an episode about settlers bringing animals and plants to Australia, including rabbits. The rabbit population exploded, and rabbit-controlling fences were started by the 1880s. Work on the State Barrier Fence began in 1901, and it's still maintained today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This small island off the west coast of Ireland recently became a film star, but Skellig Michael has a rich history all its own. An ancient monastery, lighthouses and the island's status as a bird sanctuary all make up its story. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.