HISTORY IN A HURRY

9 ANCIENT INVENTIONS YOU STILL USE TODAY

Did you know the alarm clock that woke you up this morning has been around since the times of Ancient Greece? Of course, the technology has gotten a little bit better… but the concept has stayed the same. Join Jack and Lauren as they dive into 9 ancient inventions you likely still use today.

MARIUS, SULLA, AND THE TWILIGHT OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC - PART ONE

Everyone’s heard of Julius Caesar & the fall of the Roman Republic. But do you know what happened in the generation before Caesar’s? Join Jack & Lauren for Part One on the Twilight of the Roman Republic, and the two dueling men who dominated Rome’s political landscape.

MARIUS, SULLA, AND THE TWILIGHT OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC - PART TWO

When we last left our rivals, Marius and Sulla had come to an odd compromise and Sulla fled Rome. However, it was just a matter of time before the two men were dueling again. In Part Two on Marius and Sulla, hear why not all stories from history turn out the way you expect, and why this tumultuous time frame gave way to Julius Caesar.

THE ROAD TO CIVIL WAR

Most people living in the United States know the major points of the American Civil War. After all, it's the most important event in the history of the country. But Jack and Lauren aren't talking about Gettysburg, Antietam, or any of the other major battles on this week's episode. Instead, they examine America in the decades leading up to the conflict that would go on to take 620,000 lives.

THE BONE WARS

Bet you didn’t know competitive fossil hunting was a thing, but it was and we’re talking about it on History in a Hurry! In one corner: paleontologist and scientist OC Marsh. In the other: paleontologist and scientist Edward Drinker Cope. Although their discoveries in the American West forever changed science and solidified the Theory of Evolution, the rivalry between the two men grew to far-too-epic proportions.

THE EARLY HISTORY OF KOREA

Everyone talks about ancient Rome, Egypt, Mesopotamia… Today on History in a Hurry, Jack and Lauren discuss the fascinating history of the Korean Peninsula. From the power struggles to the epic battles, learn more about the events that shaped East Asia all the way from the late stone age to the 10th century AD. 

CORRECTIONS AND DISCUSSION IV

It's the fourth corrections and discussion extravaganza! Join Jack and Lauren as they make amends for their mistakes, discuss the latest batch of episodes and play a game. Plus, we review movies including The Good, The Bad & the Ugly, Gone with the Wind and The Great Battle.

THE 1907 ROMANIAN PEASANT REVOLT

At the turn of the 20th century, Europe was a pretty unstable place. Romania was not immune from the political unrest, but the chaos & violence that broke out here in 1907 remains relatively unknown. Join Jack & Lauren to learn about the Romanian peasant revolt on 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.