Short History Of...
158 episodes - English - Latest episode: 15 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.8K ratingsHistory is full of the extraordinary.
Each week, we'll transport you back in time to witness history's most incredible moments and remarkable people.
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Hosted by John Hopkins. Production: Katrina Hughes, Kate Simants, Nicole Edmunds, Jacob Booth, Dorry Macaulay, Rob Plummer, Cody Reynolds-Shaw. Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink.
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Episodes
The First Persian Empire
June 23, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourFor a little over 200 years, the First Persian Empire ruled over a vast expanse across three continents, making it arguably the world’s first great superpower. At its peak, it stretched from its base in Persia - roughly analogous to modern-day Iran, all the way to India in the East, incorporating swathes of Central Asia, Egypt, Libya and Iraq. It also conquered ancient powers such as Pharaonic Egypt, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Altogether, it ruled an area that now comprises some twenty na...
The Dambusters
June 16, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourThe top-secret Dambusters mission was one so crucial that British intelligence hoped it would hasten a triumph over Nazi Germany. But it was also highly dangerous, and required the 133 pilots to fly at high speed and exceptionally low altitudes, all in the dead of night. With only one bomb per plane, they had one shot at changing the course of the war. So why did Britain feel the time was right to bomb Germany in such an audacious way? How effective was this campaign in bringing the war to ...
Taj Mahal
June 09, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourKnown as the ‘Crown of the Palace’, the Taj Mahal has become a global icon that’s visited by millions of people each year. Although it’s widely regarded as a masterpiece in architecture, design, and craft, its origin story is one of tragic love. So who was the man who had the Taj Mahal built, and what of the woman he created it for? What was its fate under the rule of the British? And how did it grow to become a symbol of Indian nationhood in the twentieth century and beyond? This is a Sh...
Introducing: D-Day: The Tide Turns - Episode 1
June 05, 2024 23:00 - 54 minutesThis is a taster episode of a brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Host Paul McGann follows the real people involved in the D-Day landings. It’s 1944 and Europe is in the grip of the Nazi war machine. But on the shores of Great Britain, thousands of men and women are planning the great fightback. What will it take to turn the tide of World War 2? Search ‘D-Day: The Tide Turns’ in your podcast app and hit follow to get new episodes each Thursday. Or listen at noiser.com Episode 2 is live...
Mount Rushmore
June 02, 2024 23:00 - 59 minutesDesigned to be a shrine of democracy, Mount Rushmore was one of the most ambitious building projects of the 20th century, and is still visited by millions of tourists each year. But for many, its history is complicated. Carved into a site believed to be sacred for the Lakota Sioux tribe, the monument serves as a bitter reminder of the injustices and crimes committed against the Native American people. So how did this remote, hallowed spot come to be transformed into a monument intended to las...
Martin Luther King
May 26, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourA pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King played a crucial role in challenging racial discrimination in the United States. Believed to have been one of America’s greatest ever orators, his speeches inspired millions, and galvanised support for racial equality. But despite his successes, his message of egalitarianism and advocacy of nonviolent protest was met by many with opposition and rage. So what set King on the path that would change the lives of millions?...
Mahatma Gandhi
May 19, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourRaised in India, and trained in London as a lawyer, Mahatma Gandhi went on to lead a life that was anything but ordinary. He campaigned against unjust laws in South Africa, led the movement against British rule in India, and changed the entire nature of protest. His commitment to non-violence would inspire world leaders for generations. But how did a shy, unpromising schoolboy turn into one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century? Where did his ideals and approach to conflict come from? A...
The Great Wall of China
May 12, 2024 23:00 - 58 minutesThe Great Wall of China is one of the architectural wonders of the world. Stretching for over 21,000km - as far as London to New York and back, twice - it follows what used to be the border between China and Mongolia. Built over a period of 2,000 years by millions of conscripted workers, it’s been the subject of myths and legends for centuries. But who really built the Great Wall, and how? Is it true that those who died at the Wall were buried within it? What purpose did it serve? And can thi...
Polynesian Exploration
May 05, 2024 23:00 - 53 minutesModern genetics tells us that the residents of the far-flung Polynesian islands are one of the most closely related people in the world. But, thanks to the exploration of their ancestors, they’re also the most widely dispersed. Polynesian exploration of the Pacific has been compared to humankind’s missions into space, and has led to a unique and vibrant culture for these islanders. So what do these people scattered across 1,000 islands have in common? How did the earliest pioneers survive epi...
The Korean War
April 28, 2024 23:00 - 59 minutesBeginning only five years after the end of World War Two, the Korean War was an exceptionally violent conflict which led to the death of at least 2.5 million people. It became the most deadly conflict of the Cold War era, a political battle of capitalism versus communism, that almost triggered World War Three. But how was this war encouraged by American, Soviet, European, and Chinese ambitions? Was anything really achieved by the years of fighting? And what was the true aftermath of the confl...
Ian Fleming
April 21, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourIan Fleming’s most famous creation, James Bond, is a cultural icon. To paraphrase one critic, Bond is someone men want to be, and women want to be with. Although many attitudes expressed in the Bond books are out of kilter with modern ideas, Bond remains one of the most enduring fictional characters in history. But what is the story behind his creator - Ian Fleming? What inspired Fleming to write the ultimate spy novels? Did his success bring happiness? And how much of his own character did h...
Introducing: The Curious History of Your Home
April 14, 2024 23:00 - 33 minutesNoiser presents a brand new podcast: The Curious History of Your Home. In this taster episode of Noiser’s new podcast, join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic stories behind everyday objects in your home, starting with the wallpaper. To discover more episodes, search ‘The Curious History of Your Home’ wherever you get your podcasts or follow the link https://podfollow.com/the-curious-history-of-your-home. New episodes every Tuesday. Short Hi...
The Aztecs
April 07, 2024 23:00 - 1 hourSince the arrival of the Aztecs in central Mexico from the early 1300s, history has been fascinated by them. They’re widely reputed to be a savage people who left behind obsidian knives, skull racks, and disturbing remnants of human sacrifice. But in reality, the Aztecs were far more multifaceted than that. So what else has history gotten wrong about the Aztecs? Why were they so feared and reviled? How did they become so powerful? And what is the full truth about their downfall? This is a Sh...
The Battle of the Somme
March 31, 2024 23:00 - 56 minutesThe Battle of the Somme was supposed to be the joint British-French offensive that would win the First World War. A string of battles spread over five months, it involved everything from cavalry charges, poison gas, and the debut of the tank. But the Somme was anything but victorious….on the first day alone, over 19,000 British soldiers were killed and more than 57,000 wounded, making it the single bloodiest day in British military history. So what was the Allied war plan, and how did it fail...
The Founding Fathers of the US
March 25, 2024 00:00 - 1 hourThe founding of the United States on July 4th, 1776, changed the world, and inspired other colonies to control their own destinies. The men responsible for writing and signing the Declaration of Independence - the Founding Fathers - have gone down in history as legends, with an almost ‘God-like status’. But nearly 250 years on, their legacy is challenged and debated. So who were the founding fathers? How did their talents, ideas and flaws shape their nation? And how do the choices they made i...
Eleanor Roosevelt
March 18, 2024 00:00 - 1 hourEleanor Roosevelt was a woman who redefined the role of the First Lady of the United States. By refusing to be merely a passive companion and wife, and choosing instead to pursue a life of activism, she was seen as an equal to her powerful husband. But what made Eleanor Roosevelt - a woman who was born an aristocrat - fight so hard for the underdog? How did she balance her commitment to social justice with family life? And what was the truth about her unconventional marriage to one of America...
St Patrick (Repeat)
March 17, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutesThough St Patrick is honoured by millions of revellers worldwide every year, few know more about him than the popular myths concerning shamrocks and snakes. The real story of St Patrick reads like an adventure story, involving kidnapping, enslavement, and daring escapes. But how did his commitment to spreading the word of God lead him to become the embodiment of all things Irish? This is A Short History Of… St Patrick. A Noiser production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Philip Freeman, ...
The Real Pirates of the Caribbean
March 11, 2024 00:00 - 59 minutesThroughout the late 17th and early 18th Century, the waters of the Caribbean were crawling with pirates. Stories about swash-buckling buccaneers, and insatiable treasure-seekers haunted the tropical islands, as navies tried in vain to put a stop to their reign of terror. But who were some of the world’s most notorious pirates? How much of what we think we know about them is real, and how much is legend? What was life like on board a pirate ship? And how were these fearsome bandits caught and ...
The French Revolution, Part 2 of 2
March 06, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutesIt’s simple enough to pinpoint the beginnings of the French Revolution in 1789, but far more difficult to mark its end. Following the initial outbreak of revolution, France was plunged into years of political, social and economic instability, as various new governments sought to replace the ancient monarchy. But how did the relationship between the king and his people deteriorate so badly? Who were the figures that ruled after him? And what was the lasting impact of those dark years at the en...
The French Revolution, Part 1 of 2
March 04, 2024 00:00 - 55 minutesDuring the late 18th Century, a series of political, social, cultural, and economic issues reached breaking point, exploding in what is now known as the French Revolution. This unprecedented event affected not just France, but the rest of the world - reinventing centuries-old approaches to society, and introducing Europe to brand new ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. But how did France reach the tipping point that triggered the Revolution? Is it the most important event in Western h...
River Nile
February 26, 2024 00:00 - 54 minutesSnaking across 4,000 miles and 11 African countries, the River Nile is perhaps the most famous river on planet earth. The 80 billion gallons of water that flow through its banks each day give life to countless animals and ecosystems - from crocodiles and hippos, to rare species of fish, plants, and people. But who has tried to harness the power of this river, and why have so many failed? What cultures have grown from the Nile’s waters? And why are emperors, prophets, writers, Kings and Queens...
Industrial Revolution
February 19, 2024 00:00 - 58 minutesDuring the years 1760 to 1830, British industry exploded. Thanks to advances in machinery, and forward-thinking inventions, the country shifted from a predominantly agricultural nation, to a modern state. This movement has become known as the Industrial Revolution. But why did these changes take place in Britain and not somewhere else? What were its impacts at the time, and how has it come to shape the modern world? And, are we indeed still living through it? This is a Short History Of the I...
The Ninja
February 12, 2024 00:00 - 50 minutesRemembered in popular culture as the ultimate type of assassin, the Ninja were ancient masters of secrecy, operating for just 200 years in central Japan. Legends tell of them walking on water, controlling the weather, and even turning invisible. But what is the true story of the Ninja? How did this form of espionage originate? And how did Ninjas move from the shadows of folklore to the spotlight of modern culture? This is a Short History Of The Ninja. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to J...
Michelangelo
February 05, 2024 00:00 - 57 minutesMichelangelo was one of the greatest artists of his time, with works such as the Sistine Chapel and his sculpture of David, earning him an enduring place in history. Amid the complex Italian politics of his time, Michelangelo navigated powerful dynasties, religious upheavals, and professional rivalries to ensure art was always the centre of his life. But what drove him to keep producing outrageously brilliant work? How did his relationship with superstar contemporaries like da Vinci and Rapha...
Queen Victoria
January 29, 2024 00:00 - 1 hourQueen Victoria was Britain's longest reigning monarch until Queen Elizabeth II - her great great granddaughter. Born fifth in line to the throne, at a time when the Royal Family’s popularity was at an all time low, Victoria went on to be one of Britain’s most beloved monarchs. Today, she’s associated with an empire on which the sun never set, an overpowering love for her husband, and her crippling grief. But who was the real Victoria? What was it like for a young woman to hold so much power i...
Petra
January 22, 2024 00:00 - 55 minutesThe ancient city of Petra, in south-west Jordan, is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. Founded over two millennia ago, it was a key location for trade between Arabia, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. But as the centuries passed, Petra’s glory faded and it was eventually forgotten by the world. That was, until its rediscovery over 1,000 years later by a Swiss explorer. But what led to the sudden surge of interest in the city of Petra? Why was a permanent settlement built in t...
Boudica
January 15, 2024 00:00 - 53 minutesThe legend of Boudica has survived for two millennia, although much of her life still remains a mystery - some historians dispute whether she existed at all. For those who do believe in her, she personifies liberty, defiance, and female power, while for others, she was a barbaric, blood-thirsty warrior. But what is her real story? How does modern archaeology support Boudica’s folklore? Can we really call her a feminist icon when she slaughtered women and children? And how did her actions alte...
Indian Ocean Tsunami
January 08, 2024 00:00 - 58 minutesOn the morning of December 26th, 2004, a massive earthquake struck the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering an enormous tsunami that hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and more. Killing at least 275,000 people, and impacting 20 countries, it remains the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st Century. But what exactly caused the earthquake and subsequent tsunami? How did it hit with no warning? And has enough been done to limit the effects of such an event if it happens again? ...
The Whiskey Rebellion
January 01, 2024 00:00 - 40 minutesJust a few years after the Declaration of Independence, an uprising against a levy on liquor became the first great test for the government of the nascent United States of America. But what drove ordinary people to take up arms against the federal government? And why did founding fathers Washington and Hamilton march an army against their own people? This is the story of a new nation trying to define its own limits and philosophy. From Noiser, this is a Short History Of the Whiskey Rebellion....
Introducing: Herod the Great Part 1: Ruler of Galilee
December 27, 2023 00:00 - 58 minutesNoiser presents Real Dictators: The Story of Herod the Great. You may well know the name from the Nativity story. The cruel king who learns of a prophecy proclaiming a Messiah and orders the slaughter of innocent children in response. He’s become synonymous with almost pantomime villainy. At the same time, Herod changed the face of the Middle East in the 1st century BC. His reign featured dazzling architectural ventures and significant legal changes… as well as social division, political intr...
Agatha Christie (Repeat)
December 18, 2023 00:00 - 58 minutesRetaining the title of the “Queen of Crime” to this day, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. Across 66 novels, 14 short-story collections, and 20 stage plays, she depicted the evil lurking in the hearts of ordinary people. But how did this homeschooled daughter of a privileged English family learn so much about poisons, psychopaths and murder? What in her personal life informed such a suspicious view of ordinary people? And how did she trigger a real-life mystery in 1926...
J.R.R Tolkien
December 11, 2023 00:00 - 51 minutesJ.R.R Tolkien is one of Britain’s most beloved authors, famous for creating the fantasy world ‘Middle Earth’ through his novels ‘The Hobbit’ and the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. What started out as a bedtime story for his young children, now captivates millions of fans across the world, who long to join his memorable characters on their epic adventures. But how did Tolkien rise from a humble Birmingham childhood to become one of the most respected literary figures of all time? What inspired h...
The Colosseum
December 04, 2023 00:01 - 53 minutesVoted one of the seven modern wonders of the world, Rome’s Colosseum is an instantly recognizable building. Constructed by Emperor Flavian in the first century AD as a gift to his people, and still standing almost two millennia later, it has a rich and fascinating history. Films such as Gladiator and Spartacus popularize its reputation as home to brutal gladiator battles, but what is the real story behind the Colosseum? How did one emperor’s dream become a reality? Why was the arena abandoned...
Winston Churchill
November 27, 2023 00:01 - 56 minutesWinston Churchill is one of the most recognizable figures of the 20th Century. Voted in 2002 as ‘the greatest Briton’, he’s remembered for his unfailing leadership throughout the Second World War, as he steered Britain through its darkest hour to eventual victory. But what is the real story behind Churchill? How did the rise of Hitler thrust him into the spotlight? What sort of controversy surrounded the famed politician? And why was he dumped by the British electorate just after winning the ...
Highwaymen
November 20, 2023 00:01 - 57 minutesFor centuries, stories have been told about highwaymen - dangerous rogues who attacked unsuspecting travellers in the dead of night, demanding their money or their life. These robbers have been romanticised into myths, plays, films, and songs. But what’s the truth behind the legends? Who were the real men - and sometimes women - who risked death sentences for the contents of a purse? How did authorities respond to highway robbery? And do these career criminals really deserve such heroic statu...
Abolition of The British Slave Trade
November 13, 2023 00:01 - 55 minutesIn the mid-17th Century, Britain dominated the Slave Trade, shipping over 3 million enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. Conditions on board slave ships were inhumane, and large numbers of enslaved men, women, and children died en-route. However, during the 18th and early 19th centuries, certain individuals started to speak up and demand an end to slavery. So who were these courageous pioneers, brave enough to challenge the status-quo? How did they fight the establishments? And what of the ...
Charles Dickens
November 06, 2023 00:01 - 52 minutesCharles Dickens is considered one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian Age. His works shone a light on prevalent issues of his era, such as poverty, disease, and inequality, and called for widespread social change. Since Dickens’ time, his books have been translated into 150 languages, and have never been out of print. But how did a boy from Portsmouth turn into one of the world’s most celebrated literary figures? Why were his words so effective in sparking real societal change? And, as...
The Gunpowder Plot (Repeat)
November 05, 2023 00:01 - 1 hourThe Gunpowder Plot is an epic tale of adventure and murderous revenge, a detective story complete with secrets, aliases, even an anonymous letter of betrayal. But who was really behind it? What drove the conspirators to attempt such an audacious act of terrorism? This is a Short History Of the Gunpowder Plot. A Noiser production, written by Kate Simants. With thanks to Jim Sharpe, historian and author of Remember Remember the Fifth of November: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. This episode ...
Magna Carta
October 30, 2023 00:01 - 49 minutesMagna Carta is one of the most enduring documents from the Middle Ages. Reluctantly signed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, it forever changed society and politics in Britain, and the rest of the world. Magna Carta has been credited with inspiring the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and providing the basis for democracy across the globe. But what does Magna Carta actually say? What events led to its creation? And how has it changed the world today? This is a Short History Of Magna Cart...
Jane Austen
October 22, 2023 23:01 - 48 minutesJane Austen is arguably the most famous female writer in history. Her novels have gone on to inspire countless films, plays, and dramas all over the world, and have been translated into almost 50 different languages. But how did an 18th Century woman create stories that are still loved today? What makes her characters so timeless? And, while we know all about her heroes and heroines, what do we know about the author herself? From Noiser, This is a Short History of Jane Austen. Written by L...
Congo River
October 15, 2023 23:01 - 51 minutesThe Congo River is the world’s deepest and most powerful waterway. In its basin, a wilderness bigger than Alaska, natural resources abound - oil, gold, diamonds, rubber. But this river, more than any other, is also linked with some of the darkest times in human history – with slavery, war and corruption. So what do we know of the early communities who lived on its shores? Why did it take Europeans so long to explore the river? And what role did the Congo play in the development of motor c...
Margaret Thatcher
October 08, 2023 23:01 - 53 minutesMargaret Thatcher was one of the most controversial figures of the 20th Century. Praised by some as a fearless leader and feminist icon, and despised by others as a heartless politician, the Iron Lady caused divisions wherever she went. But why did Britain’s first female Prime Minister inspire such extreme hatred? What policies did she implement, how did they affect the communities of Britain? And what, if anything, is her legacy today? This is a Short History of Margaret Thatcher. Written by...
Boston Tea Party
October 01, 2023 23:01 - 44 minutesIn December, 1773, hundreds of angry Bostonians charged into the harbor at Griffin’s Wharf, and tossed over 300 chests of tea into the icy waters below. This lawlessness marked the culmination of what many Americans viewed as decades worth of oppression and exploitation by the British. Ultimately leading to the American War of Independence, this nonviolent protest has become one of the most pivotal moments in American history. But what circumstances led to the Boston Tea Party? Why was tea su...
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
September 24, 2023 23:01 - 54 minutesIn 2011, Japan was hit by the worst earthquake in the country’s history. Enormous tremors caused devastation all throughout Japan, and the tsunami that followed wreaked further havoc. But the damage didn’t end there. 200 km north of Tokyo, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was in danger. It had been so severely damaged that there were fears of a full-scale, global, nuclear melt-down…. But how close did the world really come to nuclear disaster? Whose brave actions ensured even greate...
Joan of Arc
September 17, 2023 23:01 - 52 minutesJoan of Arc is a historical superstar, a peasant who rose above her rank and gender to help free France from foreign occupation. Claiming to be acting under the orders of saints and angels, she became a symbol of national freedom. But how did a near-illiterate teenage girl win the hearts and minds of soldiers and citizens alike? What was behind her angelic visions? And why was she abandoned to a brutal fate at the age of just nineteen? This is a Short History of Joan of Arc. Written by Jo F...
Suez Canal
September 10, 2023 23:01 - 52 minutesThe Suez Canal is one of the world’s most famous waterways - connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and opening up trade between the East and the West. But ever since its legendary construction in 1869, the Suez Canal has been at the centre of conflict and controversy. Why does a ditch in a desert spark years of political crises? Who helped turn a pharaoh’s dream into a reality? And how does a 19th Century waterway still hold the key to global trade almost 2,000 years later? This is a ...
Marilyn Monroe
September 03, 2023 23:01 - 52 minutesMarilyn Monroe was one of the most famous screen actors of all time. Known for her charisma and beauty, her private life and turbulent health made headlines throughout her career, and her early death cemented her iconic status. But how was she shaped by her disrupted childhood? Did she change Hollywood – or did it destroy her? And why does her legend still inspire and exert such power, 60 years after her death? This is a Short History Of Marilyn Monroe. Written by Kate Harrison. With thank...
The Sutton Hoo Ship Burial
August 27, 2023 23:01 - 56 minutesThe discovery at Sutton Hoo of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his lavish treasure is one of the greatest archaeological finds on English soil. But who was the man considered worthy of such a splendid burial? Why was there no trace of human remains? What lies beneath the other mounds on the site? And why bury a body in a ship? This is a Short History of the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial. Written by Nicola Rayner. With thanks to Gareth Williams, curator at the British Museum and autho...
Charlie Chaplin
August 20, 2023 23:01 - 56 minutesThe first truly global celebrity, Charlie Chaplin was once the most famous man in the world. The king of the silent movie, over the course of 82 films his wistful slapstick saw him light up the silver screen like no one else. But how did he leave behind the extreme poverty of his London childhood? What’s the truth about his complicated love life? And how did personal and political conflict threaten to derail one of the most celebrated careers in entertainment history? This is a Short History ...
Women’s Football
August 13, 2023 23:01 - 50 minutesFootball is the most popular sport in the world, and is played anywhere from pitches marked out in desert dust, to warzones with helmets for goalposts. But it’s still predominantly a male sport. So what about the roots of women’s football in the UK? How did social change in the First World War contribute to its sudden growth? And after a catastrophic ban from the FA in 1921, how did the women’s game rise from the ashes? This is a Short History of Women’s Football. Written by Lindsay Galvin. W...