Hysterical History
219 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 400 ratingsHysterical History is a comedy podcast where Alexis and Hailey, friends and history lovers, tell each other wacky yet factual stories from the past. Join them every TUESDAY for laughs and weird history realness.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Episode 69: Kangaroo Court
August 29, 2018 07:27 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBPeople going to trial for murder is as old as time itself. But...animals going to trial for crimes? A more common and recent occurrence than you think. Tune in this week as Hailey teaches Alexis about animals who have gone to trial against people...who don't always lose. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 68: Wild Events at the 1900 Paris Olympics
August 21, 2018 21:05 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBOlympic events come and go every time a new country gets ahold of them. But usually those events are all generally recognized as sports. This week, Alexis teaches Hailey about events that happened at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, a now unrecognized Olympics by the IOC that almost canceled the Olympics for good. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 67: Locusta and the Poisoned Enema
August 15, 2018 00:22 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBWhen women kill, they often use poison, but Locusta made poisoning an art. Join us this week as Hailey teaches Alexis about the ancient assassin who killed Roman emperors and transformed history. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 66: The Pastry War and Santa Anna's Leg
August 07, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBWe've talked about a war fought over a bucket, but have you heard of a war fought over a pastry shop? In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey how a Mexican revolution leads to a French blockade of Mexico's ports and how General Santa Anna's leg ended up in a museum in Illinois. Also Alexis accidentally says France touches Mexico and that they owned Mexico. In both incidences, she meant Spain. Podcasting is hard, but she cringed while editing it and had to write this note. Special thanks t...
Episode 65: War of the Bucket
August 01, 2018 01:18 - 40 minutes - 37 MBWhat does it take for a country to go to war with another? Usually, a border disagreement, or continual frustration between the two nations. But sometimes, all it takes is a stolen bucket. This week, Hailey teaches Alexis about thousands of people dying...over a bucket. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 64: Lundardi's Hot Air Balloon Menagerie
July 24, 2018 19:15 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBHave you ever wanted to fly in a hot air balloon? Well, hopefully your ride will go better than Vincenzo Lunardi's and has less animals onboard. Join us this week as Alexis teaches Hailey about an Italian hot air balloon pilot in England known as the Daredevil of Aeronautics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 63: Chester Alan Arthur - The Lost Possibly Canadian President
July 18, 2018 06:10 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBHave you ever suffered from the Mandela Effect, where you forgot if he died in jail, or is it's Berenstein or Berenstain Bears? Or have you forgotten an entire president of the United States? This week, Hailey teaches Alexis about the life of Chester Alan Arthur...who she isn't sure is even a real president. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music, and to all you listeners who stuck out our hiatus with us! We love you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 62: Eunuchs Galore - Chinese History in a Nutshell
June 12, 2018 23:53 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBChina has a history of being interested in art and writing and...penises? In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey an ancient and modern story about eunuchs and the difference between having family jewels or losing them. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 61: Cottingley Fairies and Fake News
June 05, 2018 21:30 - 1 hour - 56 MBFairies aren't real...are they? In this episode, Hailey teaches Alexis about the Cottingley Fairies, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and also they talk about the Great British Bake Off a lot. Sorry for the sound quality at the beginning. We were on the wrong mic, but I promise, it's only for a few minutes. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 60: The Pied Piper of Saipan
May 29, 2018 20:15 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBMost of the time in war, soldiers are there to take the enemy out as a team. But Guy Gabaldon is a Marine on a personal nightly mission to save the enemy in Saipan. Tune in this week as Alexis teaches Hailey about a guy who was willing to put his life on the line to save the enemy from death. Warning: talk of mass suicide and a racial slur is mentioned in historical context. If those topics are difficult for you, you might want to skip this episode Special thanks to Swing Whale for our m...
Episode 59: Nipple Sucking
May 22, 2018 20:13 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBWhat do regicide, bogs and Nicholas Cage all have in common? The answer might be nipple sucking! Tune in this week, as Hailey teaches Alexis all about a possibly real ancient practice and the arduous journey a historian can take to get to the truth. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music and Dannie for the review on iTunes! Thanks Dannie! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 58 - Jumbo the Elephant
May 15, 2018 20:00 - 1 hour - 74.6 MBBrand deals are everywhere now, but you know who got the first one ever? An elephant named Jumbo! He went from the African bush to being a sensation at the London Zoo, and even part of P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show On Earth! Join Hailey in learning from Alexis all about Jumbo, his rise to fame, his untimely and suspicious demise, and the aftermath. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 57 - Doctor Cream: Canadian Serial Killer
May 09, 2018 01:05 - 53 minutes - 49 MBIs Jack the Ripper Canadian? This week, Hailey teaches Alexis about a terrible Canadian man who loves poison and murder and moved to London at a convenient time...also he has the WORST NAME EVER. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 56 - The Dancing Plague of 1518
April 24, 2018 12:31 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBHave you ever felt like you just had to dance? What about without music and until your feet bled? Or until you died? In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey about the Dancing Plague of 1518, and how this town makes the town in Footloose almost seem reasonable. Sorry for the continued weird audio, this will be the last episode hopefully! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 55: Tsar Peter the Great (or: Peter The Okay)
April 17, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBPeter the Great had a big impact on Russia's history and development. But was he really as great as people say he was? Or was he just a weird party animal who stole people's wigs? Or....both? Tune in this week, as Hailey teaches Alexis about the Russian royal who was desperate to be European. Sorry for the continuation of odd audio, hopefully, it'll be better next time we record! (in a few weeks) Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...
Episode 54: Solved? The Mysterious Disappearance of Louis Le Prince
April 11, 2018 12:32 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBLouis Le Prince invented the single lens video camera and recorded the first film, but if you've heard of him, it's probably because of his disappearance. Right before he was scheduled to unveil his invention to the world, Le Prince didn't arrive on the train his brother saw him leave on. In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey about how cool of a guy he was, goes over the theories on his disappearance, and uncovers a sketchy source with a possible answer! Once again, sorry for the audio! T...
Episode 53 - The Great Rat Massacre
April 03, 2018 12:26 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBWhat should you do when rats are crawling up your toilets and giving you the plague? Not listen to Paul Doumer, that's what. Tune in this week, as Hailey teaches Alexis about why extermination orders don't work. Sorry about the sound quality, especially for Alexis. We tried a new mic set up right before she went on vacation, and so these eps are backlogged and the next few episodes will be a little weird sounding. Thanks for being patient! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hos...
Episode 52 - Nikola Tesla VS Thomas Edison: The Current War
March 27, 2018 20:50 - 1 hour - 92 MBTesla and Edison were the ultimate bitter rivals during the Current War. Nikola Tesla, a poet of science, against Thomas Edison, the greatest proponent of the experimental method. In this episode, Alexis teaches special guest, Lane, about the greatest electrical scientist who ever lived...and Edison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 51 - The 160 Room Winchester House
March 21, 2018 18:11 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBGot a lot of money and nothing to do? How about building a house for 38 years straight? In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey about the Winchester House and how grief can make you do some weird things. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 50 - Emperor Nero: Antichrist or Just Terrible?
March 13, 2018 21:15 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBNero is a famous Emperor of Rome for a lot of reasons, most of them fire related. But are they true? Or did historians give him a bad name? Tune in this week, as Hailey teaches Alexis about how Nero may or may not have been the worst. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 49 - The Hellfire Club
March 07, 2018 08:32 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBThe Masons are a secretive club today, but in the 1700s, there were a whole bunch! Tune in this week, as Alexis teaches Hailey about her favorite one, The Hellfire Club. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 48 - Egyptian Lady Pharaoh
February 28, 2018 07:27 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBYou all know Joan of Arc is Alexis's favorite lady, but who is Hailey's? In this episode, Hailey teaches Alexis about Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh who ruled Egypt intelligently and peacefully. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 47: Joan Of Arc Is On Fire
February 21, 2018 03:29 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBAs a child, Joan of Arc just wanted to weave, dodge, and be a good future wife. But God burdened her with a glorious purpose to save France as a teenager. This week, Alexis teaches Hailey about her favorite historical lady, Joan of Arc. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 46 - Cargo Cults
February 14, 2018 03:02 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBMany religions preach a God in Heaven blessing the people down below on Earth. But do the blessings usually come as physical cargo in boxes? In today's episode, Hailey teaches Alexis about people in Oceania worshipping military men in cargo cults. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 45 - The French Sir Who Might Have Been A Dame
February 06, 2018 22:03 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBChevalier D'Eon lived life as a spy, a diplomat, and a man. But returned to France a woman. In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey about a decorated war hero who might have been a woman all along. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 37 - American Vampires in Vermont - Fixed
January 30, 2018 23:50 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBDo you have a persistent cough and think you might have consumption? If you're in America between 1700 and the 1910s, you might have a vampire on your hands! Tune in this week as Hailey teaches Alexis about the much less famous vampires of the US and how to take care of them, as told by different New England states. This is the full version of an episode of ours that somehow got edited wrong! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music and Lane for pointing out that it was messed up! Hos...
Episode 44 - Zhengde: China's Murder-Happy Emperor
January 23, 2018 09:15 - 44 minutes - 41 MBWhat did 13-year-old boys do before video games? They became absolute monarchs and lost their minds! Join Hailey this week as Alexis teaches her about an emperor who starved his harem, tried to tame tigers and had an alter ego who was a General. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 43 - Nazis and Drugs
January 17, 2018 03:22 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBGermany didn't have enough resources, soldiers, or money to even hope to win World War 2 when it started. What did they have? Drugs! This week, Hailey teaches Alexis about the Third Reich and how they hated all drugs, expect meth! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 42 - Was The Assassin Who Killed Franz Ferdinand Eating A Cheese Sandwich?
January 10, 2018 03:02 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBThe Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination kicked off the first World War. But, despite careful planning, it very nearly didn't happen. Tune in this week as Alexis teaches Hailey all about how a wrong turn and a sandwich shop lead to his demise. Special thanks to Swing Whale for out intro music and LyricWulf on youtube for our outro music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 41 - Slapping Kings &Possum Drops: New Year's Eve Traditions Throughout Time
January 03, 2018 07:41 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBHappy New Year! But was it always? This week Hailey teaches Alexis about ancient celebrations of the new year, when they celebrated, how they celebrated and how people in America celebrate now. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 40 - How To Not Kill Fidel Castro
December 20, 2017 06:58 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBFidel Castro may be dead now, but for decades he was a thorn in America's side. One the CIA tried quite a few times to remove. This week, Alexis teaches Hailey about a few of the apparent 638 attempts on Fidel Castro's life by the CIA. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 39 - Jesus Christ, Snake Exploder
December 05, 2017 19:55 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBThe Bible is long and filled with different books and stories...but some of them didn't make the cut. Tune in this week as Hailey, the atheist, teaches Alexis, the Christian, about Jesus making people blind, blowing up snakes and literally murdering children. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 38: Anne Hutchinson, First Punk Rocker in America
November 28, 2017 20:20 - 57 minutes - 53.2 MBAmerica was built on the foundations of punk rock, those being anti-establishment sentiments and the need to rebel against the man. And no one exhibits these themes in pre-U.S. history more than Anne Hutchinson. Join us this week, as Alexis teaches Hailey about the queen of free thinking and punk rock, Anne Hutchinson. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 36 - Drunkest Pilgrim Ever
November 14, 2017 03:21 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBWho are your ancestors? In this episode, Alexis teaches Hailey about Stephen Hopkins, her 10th great-grandfather, who came over on the Mayflower. Happy early Thanksgiving! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 35 - How to Cure Any Migraine
November 07, 2017 02:08 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBEver had a headache so bad that you wanted to literally burn a hole in your skull? Or tie a dead mole to your head? In this week's episode, Hailey describes some ancient methods of curing headaches that seem insane, and probably don't work. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 34 - The Worst Slave Owner Ever
October 30, 2017 18:32 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBSlavery has never been a good thing, but in this spooky scary episode, mistreatment has been taken to the extreme. Join Hailey in learning from Alexis about Delphine Lalaurie, a woman who tortured her slaves enough and in such disturbing ways that it made her infamous. Special thanks to Swing whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 33 - Death Mountain
October 23, 2017 18:52 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBWhat happens when 10 hikers go on an adventure in winter in Russia? Only one survives, of course! Join us this week as Hailey teaches Alexis about the dreaded mystery for spooky scary Halloween fortnight! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 32 - Death To Kings
October 16, 2017 21:12 - 1 hour - 72.1 MBMost absolute rulers just kill people who are insubordinate. But what if they're in your family? And what does any of this have to do with Swedish monarchy? Tune in this week as Alexis teaches Hailey about Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, a man who said no to all but the perfect opportunity. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 31 - The Potato Prophet
October 09, 2017 19:31 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBDo you love potato chips? Mashed potatoes? French fries? Well, the French weren't always too keen on potatoes. Join Alexis in learning as Hailey teaches how French snobbery almost killed the French people and how the royal family tricked people into stealing potatoes. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 30 - The Principality Of Sealand
October 02, 2017 21:28 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBEver wished you could be a prince or princess of your own country? Well, one man made that a reality and started his own nation. This week, Alexis teaches Hailey about debatably the smallest nation in the world; Sealand! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 29 - Bone Wars
September 25, 2017 21:00 - 1 hour - 78.1 MBSometimes wars aren't fought by countries, but just by men who have strong feelings about BONES. This week, Hailey teaches Alexis about Marsh and Cope, two men, once friends, who started an epic war over dinosaur bones in America in the 19th century. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our intro music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 28 - Disneyland's Opening Day Disaster
September 18, 2017 18:56 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBDisney is a magical place where people gather from all over the world and there's never a trash can more than a few steps from you. But the opening day of Disney was not so magical...or clean. Join Hailey in learning the horrors of opening day of Disney, as Alexis explains why workers called it 'Black Sunday'. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 27 - Olympic Sized Failure
September 11, 2017 19:29 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBThe Olympics are a spectacle and generally heavily organized now, but in 1904, that was not the case in Missouri. Join us this week as Hailey teaches Alexis about how marathon runners did drugs, took naps, and used cars during the race. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 26 - Jemmy, The Bull Whisperer
September 04, 2017 17:09 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBJemmy Hirst was a farmer in Northern England, who had a penchant for inventing and training animals to do...less than conventional jobs for him. Join Hailey in learning about all his crazy animal training as Alexis teaches her about her new favorite historical Englishman, Jemmy Hirst. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 25 - The Worst Poet Ever
August 28, 2017 12:08 - 1 hour - 62.2 MBGet ready to feel great about your poetry from middle school! Hailey teaches Alexis about the worst poet possibly ever, William McGonagall, and has the receipts to prove it. Special thanks from Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 24 - The Girl With The Chin Tattoo
August 21, 2017 12:00 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBThink face tattoos are hardcore? Well, in the 1800s, they were unheard of on white women...except for Olive Oatman. Join Hailey this week in learning about the crazy story of how Olive Oatman became the first white woman with a tattoo in the U.S. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 23 - Dark Dr. Phil
August 15, 2017 01:57 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBEveryone knows about Rasputin, but not many people know there was a pre-Rasputin in Russia. Join Alexis in learning about him as Hailey tells her about a terrible charlatan who likely set Rasputin up perfectly to topple Russia. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our intro and outro music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 22 - Jackson v. Calhoun and President Mountain
August 08, 2017 01:17 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBIn this two part episode, Alexis reveals that Jackson's and Calhoun's, president and vice president, hate for each other began over a petty disagreement between cabinet wives and fun facts about Mount Rushmore, although we prefer the name President Mountain. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 21 - Ice Curtain
July 31, 2017 19:49 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBThe Cold War was a long stream of paranoia for most people, but for those between Big Diomede and Little Diomede, it was sneaking across the border to preach and drink together, be it by swimming or bath tub boating. Join Alexis this week as Hailey teaches her how Alaskan history in the Cold War is kind of Russian history as well. Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 20 - Pope Demote
July 24, 2017 14:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBYou know how usually there is only one pope? Not in the 1400s! Join Hailey in learning as Alexis tells about a time when there was not one, not two, but three popes, all at once! Special thanks to Swing Whale for our music! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.