History Shorts

Each day, award-winning historian and author Peter Zablocki shares his research into the little-known and hidden-in-plain-sight historical curiosities you probably never heard of. All in the little time you probably do not have.

History
351
It's a Wonderful Life
<p>Most of us have seen arguably the biggest holiday classic movie, “It&#39;s a Wonderful Life.” A film that, while structured to be hit when it opened right before Christmas of 1946, within a week became the year’s biggest flop. Yet, did you know that if it were not for the movie being so quite literally forgotten, it would likely never have become the classic holiday favorite it is today?</p>
6 min
352
Gladiators drinking Gatorade
<p>There are companies, podcasts, and review shows dedicated to sports nutrition, post and pre-workout supplements, and basic hydration practices. But did you know that Roman Gladiators, the sports stars of their time, had their own workout drink for after their matches? That is, if they lived, of course. </p>
5 min
353
Did you say, Terracotta Army?
<p>Alexander the Great had his famous army, and who could forget the Spartans or Napoleon’s forces, but did you know one of history’s most famous armies was only discovered in 1974? And ironically we never knew it even existed. </p>
6 min
354
Sending Nazi POWs to College
<p>Many people may not know that during WWII, the United States held a significant number of German prisoners of war in various camps across the country. But did you know that unlike in other countries, America’s POWs were sent to college? </p>
10 min
355
Rosa Parks
<p>Everyone knows of the famous Rosa Parks stand that united a movement that changed America forever, but did you know that Parks giving up her seat, like many other things we think we know about her action, was not a spontaneous event but a pre-planned action? </p>
5 min
356
The Real Dr. Frankenstein
<p>Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was only in print for a few months when a Scottish physician caused quite a sensation in Glasgow. So, did you know that in 1818, Scotland, a real-life Dr. Frankenstien nearly brought a person back from the dead?</p>
4 min
357
The Nine Unknown Men
5 min