HISTORY IN A HURRY

THE HISTORY OF ROLLER DERBY

From the beginning, roller derby has been an unconventional sport with unconventional players. Its history is as surprising as the game is fast-paced! Join Jack and Lauren as we head to the Great Depression to explore roller derby’s journey and how it became the game played today.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE - PART ONE

In August of 1769, a boy was born on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. His name was Napoleon Bonaparte and he would change the world forever. From lowly artillery officer to ruler of a massive empire, join Jack and Lauren as they discuss one of the giants of European history.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE - PART TWO

In Part one we saw Napoleon's incredible rise to become ruler of a powerful European empire. But the good times are about to come to an abrupt end. Join us as we discuss the failed invasions of Spain and Russia, naval disasters, a daring escape from exile, and the infamous Battle of Waterloo, plus so much more on this week's episode of History in a Hurry!

OPERATION RHEINÜBUNG

Early in the morning of May 19th Germany's massive new battleship, the Bismarck, left port as part of Operation Rheinübung. Its goal was to reach the Atlantic and wreak havoc on the merchant vessels keeping Britain alive in the struggle against the Third Reich. Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss one of the most important events in the early years of World War II.

HILDEGARD OF BINGEN

Join Jack and Lauren as we dive into the fascinating life and story of Hildegard of Bingen. Not many women in the Middle Ages can say they were a theologian, composer, writer, abbess, mystic, physician, and visionary.... But Hildegard definitely can.

SNEFERU: BUILDER OF PYRAMIDS

Join Jack and Lauren as we dive in to the oldest subject we’ve ever covered on History in a Hurry: the reign of Sneferu, the Pyramid Builder in Ancient Egypt! Despite his nickname, this pharaoh did much more than set the stage for 2,000 years of Egyptian architecture. Plus, learn more about the fall of Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

THE HUNT FOR ADOLF EICHMANN

The man dubbed "the architect of the holocaust", Adolf Eichmann, was able to escape in the aftermath of the second world war. But a tip out of the blue from a source in Argentina gave the Israeli Intelligence Agency, the Mossad, a chance to find and capture him. Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss the secret operation to bring this notorious war criminal to justice.

THE ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE

The 2019 World Series has Jack and Lauren in the mood to tell a story from baseball history! From 1943 to 1954, American families turned up at ballparks to watch a different kind of baseball game. From the outside, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was all about short skirts and lipstick. But after just a few games it became clear: these young women were true American athletes.

CORRECTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS V

It's History in a Hurry's 50th episode! Join Jack and Lauren as we correct & discuss the past ten episodes. We also review movies based on some of the topics we've talked about, including Waterloo and Operation Finale.

THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY

After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, the Japanese ran wild and strung together victory and victory against the United States. But thanks to an intelligence break, Admiral Chester Nimitz took a big gamble to try and turn the tide of the war in the Pacific Theater. Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss one of the most important naval victories in the entire Second World War.

ANTONY VS. OCTAVIAN: THE BATTLE FOR ROME - PART ONE

It's time to go back to Jack's happy place, ancient Rome. Just days after the assassination of Julius Caesar, two men emerged to try and fill the vacuum of power. Join Jack and Lauren as they tell you all about Gaius Octavius and Marc Antony, and their rivalry that defined an entire era of Roman history.

ANTONY VS. OCTAVIAN: THE BATTLE FOR ROME - PART TWO

At the end of part one, Marc Antony married Octavian's sister as part of a peace agreement. It seemed the conflict between the two men had been finally resolved. But that didn't last for long. By the end of the episode, only one will survive to reign supreme over the mighty Roman Empire. Join Jack and Lauren as they conclude this epic two-parter about the rivalry that changed the course of history forever. 

THE CATALPA RESCUE

In the 1860s, British Intelligence in Ireland arrested six members of the Fenian secret society. They narrowly avoided the noose but received a lifetime sentence of servitude in one of the British penal colonies in Western Australia. But after a desperate plea for help from an old comrade, a daring plot was hatched to break them out. Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss the incredible story of the Catalpa rescue mission of the Fremantle Six.

PROHIBITION (AND HOW IT BACKFIRED)

100 years ago, the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution officially went into effect. And just like that, thousands of average Americans decided they weren’t going to follow the law. Join Jack, Lauren (& some moonshine) as we dive into the story of Prohibition: America’s “failed noble experiment”!

OPERATION ANTHROPOID

It’s our first listener suggestion episode of 2020! Join Jack and Lauren as we dive into the crazy story of Operation Anthropoid, the undercover operation to take down “The Butcher of Prague”, Reinhard Heydrich.

ADMIRAL YI SUN-SHIN - PART ONE

In 1592, a Japanese invasion force landed in southern Korea and proceeded to conquer the vast majority of the peninsula. Only one man stood in the way of foreign domination. Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss the greatest naval commander in all of history.

ADMIRAL YI SUN-SHIN - PART TWO

When we last left Admiral Yi, his new naval tactics and turtle ships had led to an incredible undefeated record. In Part Two, Jack and Lauren break down the biggest challenge in Yi's naval career thus far. Join us as we discuss the end of the Imjin Wars and the heroic death of the savior of Korea.

CORRECTIONS AND DISCUSSION VI

It's that time again! Join Jack and Lauren as we correct and discuss the past ten episodes. We also review movies based on some of the recent topics, including Anthropoid and Cleopatra.

BRAZIL: THE COLONIAL ERA AND INDEPENDENCE

There's a whole lot of history to cover this week! From the very first colonies, all the way to the movement that led to an independent kingdom. Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss the fascinating history of Brazil.

MARY SEACOLE

We’ve all heard of Florence Nightingale, but why haven’t we heard of Mary Seacole? Join Jack and Lauren as we learn more about this amazing British-Jamaican nurse who gave critical aid to troops on the front lines of the Crimean War.

AL "SCARFACE" CAPONE

He may be the most well-known name of the 1920s. Al Capone’s roots were in Brooklyn, but it was in Chicago where his reputation as a dangerous gangster really took form. Join Jack & Lauren as we dive into this notorious character and how the U.S. government was able to take him down. *NOTE: This episode discusses violence and gang activity and may not be suitable for younger audiences.

RAMESES THE GREAT - PART ONE

Today he’s considered one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs. Rameses II, better known as Rameses the Great, is remembered as a strong warrior, leader and builder. Join Jack and Lauren as we dive into Part One of this ancient pharaoh’s life and reign.

RAMESES THE GREAT - PART TWO

Rameses the Great seemed to have a "midlife crisis" around Year 15-25 of his reign. Today, historians provide a few theories into what happened around this time period of the pharaoh's 60+ year reign. Join Jack and Lauren to discuss these theories and also learn more about the ruler's mummy in Part Two on Rameses the Great!

THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE OF 1921

Things are getting dark this week, because Jack and Lauren are discussing one of the worst instances of racial violence in the history of the United States. The Tulsa Race Massacre is not fun to learn about or discuss, but it's critically important for every American to learn about.

THE PUNIC WARS - PART ONE

We're back and we're hitting the ground running! Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss one of the most important and consequential wars in all of human history. Republican Rome will be pushed to the absolute brink by the ancient North African power of Carthage.

THE PUNIC WARS - PART TWO

When we last left the Romans, Hannibal had crushed them at the Battle of the Trebia River. But believe it or not, he was just getting started. Join Jack and Lauren as they conclude the epic story of the struggle between Carthage and Rome.

HATSHEPSUT - EGYPT'S FEMALE KING

King Hatshepsut ruled Egypt thousands of years ago and was known as a powerful leader and magnificent builder. She was also a woman, and her successor tried to erase her from the pages of history. Join Jack and Lauren as we discuss how Egyptologists were able to re-discover King Hatshepsut and piece together her history centuries later.

CORRECTIONS AND DISCUSSION VII

It’s episode 70 of History in a Hurry! Join Jack and Lauren as we discuss the most recent episodes we’ve covered on the podcast. We also review some movies and shows (marginally) related to our episode topics, including Watchmen, Exodus: Gods and Kings, and Stargate.

MAGIC BULLETS AND SULFA: THE BIRTH OF ANTIBIOTICS

It's time for some medical history! Join Jack and Lauren as they discuss the research and development of the world's first modern antibiotic and the tragedy that forever changed the role of the federal government in the production of new medicines.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON: PART ONE

Alexander Hamilton is one of America’s most well-known founding fathers. Although he became one of the new country’s most powerful voices, Hamilton came from humble beginnings as an immigrant and an “illegitimate” child. Join Jack and Lauren as we dive into Hamilton’s early life and service in the Revolutionary War. Thanks to History in a Hurry listener Will for the episode suggestion!