Ebbs of History

When a Soccer Game Started a Real War

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Content note: this episode briefly discusses the death by suicide of an 18-year-old in 1969 and how the media of the time used her death politically. We handle it carefully but listeners may want to be aware.

If you need to talk to someone, in the U.S. call or text 988.

Imagine a World Cup qualifier that ignites a full‑scale war—three soccer matches, a border crisis, and a hundred‑hour conflict that reshaped Central America. Dive into the shocking tale of how a game of football turned into a deadly showdown and what it tells us about power, migration, and the fragile line between sport and violence.

Sources:

- Wikipedia: Football War — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War

- Britannica: Football War — https://www.britannica.com/event/Football-War

- BBC News: Honduras v El Salvador — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-48673853

- Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training: The 1969 Soccer War — https://adst.org/2014/06/the-1969-soccer-war/

- Zinn Education Project: July 14, 1969 — Soccer War — https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/soccer-war/

- Chirinos, E.A. (2018): National Identity and Sports in Latin America — The Hundred-Hour Football War. Memorial University Open Journals

- Kapuscinski, Ryszard. The Soccer War. 1978.

- Galeano, Eduardo. Soccer in Sun and Shadow. 1995.

- Medium / Amit Katwala: World Cup Stories, 1970 — https://medium.com/@amitkatwala/world-cup-stories-1970-the-hundred-hour-football-war-cc801f6fac2b

- Everything Everywhere: The Football War — https://everything-everywhere.com/the-football-war-el-salvador-vs-honduras/

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link:**https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/**

License: Attribution 4.0 International License

When Ireland Had a Pirate Queen

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Dive into the wild world of 16th‑century Ireland, where a fierce mother‑captain named Grace O'Malley defied kings, gave birth on a ship, and fought off pirates the next day—proving that history’s fiercest rebels can also be moms.

Sources:

Chambers, Anne. Granuaile: Grace O'Malley — Ireland's Pirate Queen c. 1530–1603. Gill Books.

Wikipedia: Grace O'Malley — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_O'Malley

Royal Museums Greenwich: Grace O'Malley — https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/grace-o-malley-irish-female-pirate

Royal Museums Greenwich: Grace O'Malley, fact and fiction — https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/grace-o-malley-pirate-history-fact-fiction-legend

IrishCentral: The incredible life of Grace O'Malley — https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/grace-omalley-irelands-pirate-queen

The Irish Post: 12 fascinating facts about Ireland's Pirate Queen — https://www.irishpost.com/gallery/irelands-pirate-queen-twelve-fascinating-facts-about-legendary-grace-omalley-129406

Howth Castle: Legends — https://howthcastle.ie/about/history/legends/

History Guild: Meeting Grace O'Malley — https://historyguild.org/meeting-grace-omalley-irelands-pirate-queen/

EBSCO Research Starters: Grace O'Malley — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/grace-omalley

Encyclopedia.com: O'Malley, Grace — https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/omalley-grace

The National Archives (UK): State Papers SP 63/170 — Grace O'Malley's "Articles of Interrogatory," 1593

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When America Tried to Conquer Canada and Failed Spectacularly

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In 1812, the United States declared war on Britain and immediately set its sights on conquering Canada. American leaders were so confident that Thomas Jefferson claimed taking Canada would be "a mere matter of marching." What followed was one of the most embarrassing military disasters in American history: three separate invasions, all ending in failure, surrender, and humiliation. From a general who surrendered an entire fort without firing a shot to militia who refused to cross the border, this is the story of ambition meeting reality in the most spectacular way possible.

Sources:

USS Constitution Museum: War of 1812 Overview (https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/major-events/war-of-1812-overview/)

History.com: How U.S. Forces Failed to Conquer Canada (https://www.history.com/articles/how-u-s-forces-failed-to-conquer-canada-200-years-ago)

Wikipedia: Siege of Detroit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Detroit)

National Park Service: Surrender of Detroit (https://www.nps.gov/articles/surrender-of-detroit.htm)

The Canadian Encyclopedia: Capture of Detroit (https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/capture-of-detroit-war-of-1812)

Wikipedia: Battle of Queenston Heights (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Queenston_Heights)

American Battlefield Trust: Queenston Heights Battle Facts (https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/battle-queenston-heights)

Wikipedia: Battle of Lake Erie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Erie)

American Battlefield Trust: Lake Erie Battle Facts (https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/battle-lake-erie)

Wikipedia: Battle of York (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_York)

The Canadian Encyclopedia: War of 1812 (https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/war-of-1812)

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When Laughing Was Contagious

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we explore the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic, a bizarre outbreak that affected a small village in East Africa. The epidemic lasted for 18 months and primarily affected adolescent girls and young women in schools. The psychological explanation, social context, and historical impact of the epidemic are discussed in detail.

Sources:

Wikipedia: Tanganyika laughter epidemic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanganyika_laughter_epidemic)

Atlas Obscura: The 1962 Laughter Epidemic of Tanganyika Was No Joke (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/1962-laughter-epidemic-tanganyika)

Rankin, A.M. & Philip, P.J. (1963): An epidemic of laughing in the Bukoba district of Tanganyika. Central African Journal of Medicine - Hempelmann, Christian F. (2009): The laughter of the 1962 Tanganyika 'laughter epidemic'. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research

Wikipedia: Mass psychogenic illness (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_psychogenic_illness)

Chicago Tribune: Examining 1962's 'laughter epidemic' (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/07/29/examining-1962s-laughter-epidemic/)

History.com: 7 Mysterious Mass Illnesses That Defied Explanation (https://www.history.com/articles/mysterious-illnesses-mass-hysteria)

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When Sports Were Crazy

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 07 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

What if sports could get you sacrificed, dragged to death by horses, or killed by a king's splintered lance? In this episode, we count down ten of the craziest sports ever played. These weren't just games.

Sources:

Wikipedia: Mesoamerican Ballgame (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_ballgame)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Mesoamerican Ballgame (https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/the-mesoamerican-ballgame)

National Geographic: Death Ball (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/death-ball)

Olympics.com: Pankration (https://www.olympics.com/ioc/ancient-olympic-games/pankration)

Wikipedia: Pankration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pankration)

Britannica: Pankration (https://www.britannica.com/sports/pankration)

History.com: Chariot Racing (https://www.history.com/articles/chariot-racing-ancient-rome)

Wikipedia: Chariot Racing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chariot_racing)

Wikipedia: Knattleikr (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knattleikr)

Hurstwic: Knattleikr (http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/knattleikr.htm)

Wikipedia: Jousting (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jousting)

Warfare History Network: Medieval Jousting (https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/medieval-jousting-a-bloody-sport-indeed/)

Italy Segreta: Calcio Storico (https://italysegreta.com/calcio-storico/)

Wikipedia: Buzkashi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzkashi)

Britannica: Buzkashi (https://www.britannica.com/sports/buzkashi)

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When Germany Defended the Wrong Country

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In 1943, British intelligence pulled off one of the most audacious deceptions in military history. They dressed the body of a deceased Welsh homeless man as a fictitious Royal Marines officer, stuffed his briefcase with fake invasion plans, and dropped him off the coast of Spain — hoping Nazi Germany would take the bait. The plan, codenamed Operation Mincemeat, convinced Hitler that the Allies were targeting Greece and Sardinia instead of Sicily. When 160,000 Allied troops stormed Sicily on July 10, 1943, the Germans were completely caught off guard. The operation helped turn the tide of World War II and contributed to the fall of Benito Mussolini.

Sources

Ben Macintyre, Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory (2010)

National WWII Museum: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/secret-agents-secret-armies-operation-mincemeat

Imperial War Museum: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-war-on-paper-operation-mincemeat

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mincemeat

Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/event/Operation-Mincemeat-WWII-1943 History.com: https://www.history.com/articles/what-was-operation-mincemeat

BBC Wales: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-61080456

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXNDLnbTWQ8

Theme Song Attribution

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli

Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When an Emperor Made His Horse a Senator

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In ancient Rome around 40 CE, Emperor Caligula became so obsessed with his champion racehorse, Incitatus, that he gave the horse a marble stable, an ivory manger, golden wine goblets, eighteen personal servants, and purple imperial blankets. Then he announced plans to appoint Incitatus as a Roman consul — one of the highest offices in the empire. Was it genuine madness? A brutal political joke aimed at a corrupt Senate? Or propaganda written decades later by historians with their own agendas? We dive into the spectacular, absurd, and surprisingly nuanced story of the horse who almost ran Rome.

Sources:

Wikipedia: Incitatus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitatus)

History.com: Did Caligula Really Make His Horse a Consul? (https://www.history.com/articles/did-caligula-really-make-his-horse-a-consul)

Wikipedia: Caligula (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula)

Britannica: Caligula (https://www.britannica.com/biography/caligula-roman-emperor)

HistoryExtra: Roman Emperor Caligula Facts (https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/caligula-facts-life-biography-horse-consul-incitatus-little-boots-how-die/)

TheCollector: Principal Sources of Emperor Caligula's Reign (https://www.thecollector.com/what-are-the-principal-sources-of-emperor-caligulas-reign/)

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When a Woman was Pope

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

What if I told you that a woman once disguised herself as a man and became the Pope? Join us this week on Ebbs of History as we unravel the incredible legend of Pope Joan—a tale of ambition, deception, and a shocking revelation that could change everything you thought you knew about the history of the Catholic Church. Don't miss it!

Sources

Wikipedia: "Pope Joan" — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Joan

Smithsonian Magazine: "Why the Legend of Medieval Pope Joan Persists" — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-coins-suggest-legendary-female-pope-may-have-existed-after-all-180970297/

History Extra / HistoryExtra: "The Outrageous Heretical Legend of Pope Joan" — https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/pope-joan/

Cambridge History of the Papacy, Chapter 7: "The Myth of Pope Joan" — https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-history-of-the-papacy/myth-of-pope-joan/8CF23E2BCFE14452CC06BAFD0A787F3F

Franciscan Media / St. Anthony Messenger: "The Legend of Pope Joan" by Christopher M. Bellitto, PhD — https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/the-legend-of-pope-joan/ • Catholic Answers Magazine: "Pope Joan: The Myth That Just Won't Go Away" — https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-popess-who-just-wont-go-away

Catholic Exchange: "A Primer on the Persistent Myth of Pope Joan" — https://catholicexchange.com/a-primer-on-the-persistent-myth-of-pope-joan/

Sky History: "Pope Joan: Did the Vatican Have a Medieval Female Pontiff?" — https://www.history.co.uk/articles/pope-joan-did-the-vatican-have-a-medieval-female-pontiff

On This Day (April 16 historical events) — https://www.onthisday.com/events/april/16 • Britannica: "On This Day — April 16" — https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/April-16

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: Attribution 4.0 International License

When Thousands of Children Tried to March to Jerusalem

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In the summer of 1212, something strange swept across medieval Europe. Thousands of young people, inspired by charismatic teenage leaders claiming divine visions, set out to do what seasoned knights had failed to accomplish: reclaim Jerusalem through faith alone. No armies, no weapons, just conviction. What happened next is a tragic tale caught between history and legend, reminding us that good intentions without preparation can lead to disaster.

Sources:

Britannica: Children's Crusade (https://www.britannica.com/event/Childrens-Crusade)

Wikipedia: Children's Crusade (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Crusade)

History.com: The Disastrous Time Tens of Thousands of Children Tried to Start a Crusade (https://www.history.com/articles/the-disastrous-time-tens-of-thousands-of-children-tried-to-start-a-crusade)

HistoryExtra: What Was The Children's Crusade (https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/childrens-crusade-france-germany-march-on-jerusalem-failure-was-it-real/)

Medievalists.net: The Children's Crusade: A Change of Interpretation Over Time (https://www.medievalists.net/2024/06/childrens-crusade-interpretation/)

Catholic Answers: The Real Story of the Children's Crusade (https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-real-story-of-the-childrens-crusade)

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When The Thames Became a Stinking Nightmare

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered how a summer stench could change the fate of an entire city? Join us as we dive into the Great Stink of London in 1858, a foul disaster that forced the government to take action, leading to one of the greatest engineering feats in history. Discover how Joseph Bazalgette transformed a city drowning in sewage into a model of modern sanitation.

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: Attribution 4.0 International License

When a Colony Vanished Into Thin Air

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

What happened to 117 English colonists who vanished without a trace on Roanoke Island in 1587? Was it a tragedy of war, starvation, or a simple case of survival through adaptation? Join us this week as we unravel the haunting mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke and explore the surprising connections that may have saved them.

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: Attribution 4.0 International License

When a French Soldier's Shovel Unlocked Ancient Egypt

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

A mysterious slab of stone, three scripts, and one stubborn genius later, the world finally learned to read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. In this episode, we follow the Rosetta Stone from its accidental discovery during Napoleon's campaign to the breakthrough moment when Jean-François Champollion cracked the code and brought an entire civilization's words back to life.

Sources 1. Adkins, Lesley and Roy Adkins. The Keys of Egypt: The Obsession to Decipher Egyptian Hieroglyphs. HarperCollins, 2000.

2. Parkinson, Richard. Cracking Codes: The Rosetta Stone and Decipherment. University of California Press, 1999.

3. Robinson, Andrew. Cracking the Egyptian Code: The Revolutionary Life of Jean-François Champollion. Oxford University Press, 2012.

4. British Museum. "The Rosetta Stone." https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/objects-news/rosetta-stone

5. Ray, John. The Rosetta Stone and the Rebirth of Ancient Egypt. Harvard University Press, 2007. 6. Ceram, C.W. Gods, Graves, and Scholars: The Story of Archaeology. Second Edition, Knopf, 1967. 7. Gillispie, Charles Coulston and Michel Dewachter. The Monuments of Egypt: The Napoleonic Edition. Princeton Architectural Press, 1987.

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/ License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When War Was Declared on Cats

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

What happens when a paranoid pope declares war on our feline friends? Join us this week as we unravel the bizarre tale of Pope Gregory IX, who believed cats were in league with the devil. Discover how this misguided crusade may have had deadly consequences, setting the stage for one of history's most devastating pandemics. You won't want to miss this wild ride through medieval history!

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/ License: Attribution 4.0 International License

When A City was Built on Water

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The episode explores the fascinating history and challenges of Venice, a city built on water. It delves into the ingenious engineering behind Venice's construction, its modern-day challenges, the historiography of Venice, and the valuable lessons learned from the city's unique existence.

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli

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https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

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Attribution 4.0 International License

When Los Angeles Battled the Sky

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

This weel we delve into the Battle of Los Angeles, a historical event that led to panic and the internment of Japanese Americans.

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli

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https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

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When There Were Three Popes

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Ever wondered what it would be like to witness not one, but three popes on trial? Join us this week on Ebbs of History as we dive into the chaotic world of the Western Schism, where political intrigue and religious power collide in a medieval reality show that lasts nearly four decades. Get ready for a story filled with twists, turns, and just a hint of scandal!

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

License: Attribution 4.0 International License

When Dancing Was Contagious

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Have you ever felt like your body was moving on its own, unable to stop? Imagine hundreds of people in a 16th-century town, dancing uncontrollably until they collapse. This bizarre phenomenon, known as the Dancing Plague of 1518, left a community in crisis and raised questions about mass hysteria and human vulnerability. Join us as we unravel this haunting mystery and explore the lessons it still holds today.

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli

Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/

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When Roosters Faced Justice

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode we explore the bizarre tale of a rooster put on trial for allegedly laying an egg in medieval Europe. We look into the absurdity of the rooster's trial, which reflects the superstitions and fears of the time and draw parallels between medieval panic and modern-day reactions to uncertainty highlighting how humans create narratives to cope with randomness and fear.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Ebbs of History

01:50 The Rooster's Trial Begins

09:26 Understanding Medieval Panic

12:22 The Absurdity of Animal Trials

15:46 Lessons from the Rooster Trial

18:13 Fun Fact Challenge

19:55 This Day in History

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When Australia Lost a War… to Birds!

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Go back in time with us and explore the bizarre historical event known as the Great Emu War, where Australian farmers, overwhelmed by emus destroying their crops during the Great Depression, sought military assistance, and the military lost!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Emu War

06:30 The Context of the Great Depression

11:37 The Emu Invasion Begins

16:39 The Military Response

21:34 The Emu War: A Series of Failures

27:15 Lessons Learned from the Emu War

32:35 The Shift in Historiography

38:30 Conclusion and Reflection

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Introduction. Episode 1 January 1!

The Ebbs of History — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 20:34:24 GMT

Subscribe to Ebbs of History today! Our first episode is dropping on January 1, 2026!!!!!

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When Rabbits Defeated Napoleon

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode we explore the humorous and unexpected tale of Napoleon Bonaparte's encounter with a horde of rabbits during a celebratory hunt. The story serves as a reminder that history is often filled with strange and entertaining events that challenge our perceptions of powerful figures. Through laughter and storytelling, we highlight the importance of details in historical narratives and the lessons we can learn from them, including the need to recognize the limits of power.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome!

01:29 When Rabbit Defeated Napoleon

03:25 The Story

09:21 Why Did This happen?

11:07 Historiography

12:08 Summary

12:35 Lessons Learned

13:47 Fun Fact Challenge

14:39 This Day in History

16:48 Closing

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When the Streets of Boston Ran Sweet

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The conversation delves into the historical event of the Great Molasses Flood, exploring its causes, impact, and aftermath. It also discusses the historiography of the event, lessons learned, and parallels to other historical tragedies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Great Molasses Flood

02:21 The Incident Unfolds

10:31 Aftermath and Cleanup Efforts

13:09 Investigating the Cause

17:10 Lessons Learned and Historical Context

23:14 Reflections on Human Nature and Corporate Responsibility

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli

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When Time Went Missing

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

What if your birthday never existed? No, not because your parents forgot it—or because of a calendar mix-up. I mean… what if the entire year you were born never happened at all? Today’s episode is not really an event or a person. Today’s pod is about an idea, a theory, some could say, a conspiracy theory! We are going to discuss The Phantom Time Theory, also called the Phantom Time Hypothesis!

The clip delves into the Phantom Time Theory, a controversial claim by Dr. Herbert Illig that 300 years of the Middle Ages never happened. The discussion explores the theory's lack of evidence, the importance of historiography, and the dangers of historical negationism. It emphasizes the need for skepticism and critical thinking in studying history.

Keywords

Phantom Time Theory, Herbert Illig, historiography, historical negationism, skepticism

Chapters

00:03:09 Introduction to Phantom Time Theory
00:06:27 Examining Illig's Claims
00:09:38 Importance of History and Historiography
00:16:26 Skepticism and Critical Thinking

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli

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When a Dead Pope was Put on Trial

The Ebbs of History — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Imagine a courtroom where the defendant is a skeleton wearing a crown! Today, we’re talking about the Cadaver Synod. A trial for a dead pope. Actually, physically, rotting, stinking dead. A pope dug up the body of another pope, dressed him in robes, and put him on trial in a real courtroom.

Keywords

history, cadaver synod, pope, medieval history, power dynamics, historical events, lessons from history, erasure of history, political intrigue, absurdity in history

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ebs of History

03:11 Meet the Hosts and Their Historical Interests

06:00 The Cadaver Synod: A Dark Historical Event

11:59 The Trial of a Dead Pope

18:06 The Absurdity of the Charges

24:02 The Aftermath of the Cadaver Synod

30:03 Lessons from History: Power and Erasure

35:58 Conclusion and Fun Facts

Lost at Sea Shanty by legacyAlli
Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/legacyalli/sound-phrases/rf-lost-at-sea-shanty/
License: Attribution 4.0 International License