Weird History

In 1534, the ordinary German city of Münster transformed overnight into a religious dystopia when radical Anabaptists seized control and declared it the "New Jerusalem." Led by a charismatic tailor-t…

Are you tired of changing your clocks twice a year? Have you ever wondered why we even bother with Daylight Saving Time?

Join us as we delve into the history of this tradition and explore the ongoing…

In the male-dominated world of 16th century seafaring, one woman commanded a fleet of ships that terrorized the English and controlled Ireland's west coast. Grace O'Malley - warrior, chieftain, and p…

What happens when a dying millionaire’s prank will turns into a surreal race for motherhood—and a national scandal? In this jaw-dropping episode of Weird History, we dive into The Great Stork Derby, …

In 1900, an Icelandic publisher released a version of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" that was wildly different from the original - and then it vanished for over a century. Recently rediscovered, "Makt Myrkr…

In 1872, two smooth-talking con men pulled off one of history's most audacious scams by "discovering" a massive diamond field in the American West. After secretly scattering cheap diamonds across wor…

In 1933, a group of powerful Wall Street executives allegedly plotted to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install a fascist military government. Their plan? Recruit decorated Marine Corp…

Welcome to Weird History!

You've heard the story: Pope Gregory IX declared war on cats, linking them to satanic heresy in a 1233 papal bull that triggered widespread feline extermination. But here's t…

In 1859, Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself Emperor Norton I of the United States - and somehow, an entire city decided to play along. Broke and desperate after losing his fortune, Norton began i…

In this episode of 'Weird History,' we explore the fascinating and somewhat disturbing history of phrenology, a 19th-century pseudoscience that claimed to determine a person's character and intellige…

In 1847, skilled surgeon Robert Liston attempted to perform the fastest amputation in medical history - and succeeded in the worst possible way. Armed with his lucky knife and legendary speed, Liston…

In 1945, German soldier Georg Gärtner slipped away from a POW camp in New Mexico, beginning one of the longest successful disappearing acts in American history. For four decades, he built a new life …

When the French king betrayed and executed her husband in 1343, noblewoman Jeanne de Clisson transformed from a wealthy aristocrat into one of history's most ruthless pirates. Selling her lands to fu…

In 1844, thousands of Americans gave away their homes, abandoned their crops in the fields, and quit their jobs to prepare for Jesus's return on October 22nd. After a Baptist preacher decoded "hidden…

Step into the realm of the mysterious with this captivating episode of "Weird History," where we delve into the enigmatic tale of The Green Children of Woolpit. In this episode, we investigate the st…

Dive into the Sticky Truth: Uncovering the Great Molasses Flood of 1919

Ever heard of a tsunami of molasses? It sounds unbelievable, but in 1919, it was a terrifying reality in Boston's North End12. A…

The time Napoleon was almost defeated by.. a pack of bunnies?

We'll examine whether this is true or false on today's episode.

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Imagine a pope exhuming the lifeless body of his predecessor and putting it on trial. Picture the decaying corpse dressed in papal robes, propped on a throne in the grand Basilica of St. John Lateran…

Meet Timothy Dexter: The "Lord" of Luck and Absurdity

Ever heard of a man so spectacularly lucky, he turned utter foolishness into a fortune? A man who could sell warmth to the Caribbean? Then prepare…