I migliori History Hit podcast (2025)

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The First Day of the Somme 1:05:39

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circa 9 ore fa1:05:39

1:05:39

In partnership with Findmypast, Dan narrates the extraordinary story of the bloodiest day of the First World War. The first day of the Somme saw units wiped out as men charged from their trenches directly into German fire. The losses were devastating, exacerbated by the tragic reality that units were often composed of groups of friends, co-workers,…

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If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2 55:27

3 giorni fa55:27

55:27

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man. Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Poli…

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American Origins of Halloween 37:05

4 giorni fa37:05

37:05

How did the pre-Christian commemoration of Samhain travel across the seas from Ancient Ireland to America? And how did it evolve into the Halloween we know and love to this day? In this special spooky episode Don welcomes Dr Kelly Fitzgerald, Head of the School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore at University College Dublin, to take us through H…

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Ancient Irish Funeral Traditions 35:32

3 giorni fa35:32

35:32

Have you ever been to an Irish wake? If so, you may have heard of the ancient tradition of keening or the superstition of the 'hungry grass'. In this episode, Dan is joined by the hosts of the After Dark podcast, Dr Anthony Delaney and Dr Maddy Pelling, to explore some of the historic rites and beliefs surrounding death and mourning in Ireland. Ant…

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What Caused Europe's Witch Hysteria? 31:40

5 giorni fa31:40

31:40

Across early modern Europe, fear spread like wildfire; between the 15th and 17th centuries, tens of thousands were accused, tortured, and executed as witches. At its centre was a man named Heinrich Kramer, whose infamous book, Malleus Maleficarum, or The Hammer of Witches, fanned the flames of hysteria and codified centuries of misogyny. Dan is joi…

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Was the American Revolution a World War? 44:14

7 giorni fa44:14

44:14

What makes a war a World War? If it's the involvement of multiple major world powers, will France, Spain and the Netherlands do? If it's battles fought globally, do Canada, West Africa, India and the Mediterranean count? On top of the 13 colonies? In this episode, Don is joined by Richard Bell from the University of Maryland. Richard is the author …

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Atatürk: Fall of the Ottoman Empire 34:54

7 giorni fa34:54

34:54

On the 19th of May, 1919, an Ottoman general stepped ashore at the Black Sea port city of Samsun. This marked the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence, and ultimately the end of the Ottoman Empire. The man's name was Mustafa Kemal, the soldier, statesman and reformer who would create the Republic of Turkey out of the rubble, and become its …

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Elizabeth I: Evil or Genius? 31:22

10 giorni fa31:22

31:22

Elizabeth I is often celebrated as one of the greatest English monarchs - but should she be? From her commanding portraits and grand speeches to her brutal suppression of dissent and controversial decisions, we explore whether Elizabeth’s legacy is one of power and stability or one marked by bloodshed and negligence. Renowned historian Anna Whitelo…

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What If George Washington Became King? 50:31

11 giorni fa50:31

50:31

‘No occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations.' This was George Washington's response when the idea of his becoming 'King' was put to him. But what if he had? What would an American royalty look like? Who would have succeeded Washington? And why did this not happen? Don is joined for this episode by Michael Hattem, au…

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How to Survive in Renaissance England 39:29

12 giorni fa39:29

39:29

Quacks, wise women, barber surgeons and private madhouses - just some of the options available if you were to find yourself in ill health in the 16th and 17th centuries. Dan is joined by historian Dr Alanna Skuse to look at healthcare in Renaissance England, from healing the humours and blood letting to cross animal blood transfusions, skin grafts …

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What if the Cuban Missile Crisis Sparked WW3? 27:57

14 giorni fa27:57

27:57

On October 22 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced that Soviet missiles has been discovered in Cuba. Over the following days, the fate of the Americas was on the line. In this episode, Don is joined once again by Renata Keller to explore the causes and events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and to discuss what might have happened had the situatio…

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Richard II vs Henry IV 55:34

14 giorni fa55:34

55:34

Today, we dive into the dramatic tale of two men whose rivalry changed the course of English history. We unravel the complex relationship between King Richard II and his ambitious cousin, Henry Bolingbroke - later crowned Henry IV. We're joined by Helen Castor, historian, broadcaster and author of ‘The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II …

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If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 1 1:07:23

16 giorni fa1:07:23

1:07:23

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man. Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Poli…

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How Did the Industrial Revolution Change the World? 47:02

17 giorni fa47:02

47:02

Was the Industrial Revolution the most important event in human history? Dan is joined by economist and journalist Duncan Weldon to explore why exactly the industrial revolution started on the soggy archipelago of Britain and the impact of its entrepreneurs, politics, and empire had on the country and the rest of the world across the 18th and 19th …

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What If There Were No CIA? 51:29

18 giorni fa51:29

51:29

The Agency. The Company. Langley. Without the Central Intelligence Agency, would we talk about conspiracy theories as much as we do? Who would be in power in Guatemala? What about Iran? Would the Bourne films ever have been made? Don is joined by Jeffrey Rogg to discuss what would have happened had the CIA never been founded. Jeff is a Senior Resea…

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The Germans Who Rebelled Against the Nazis 38:17

19 giorni fa38:17

38:17

Today, we journey back to Berlin in the summer of 1943, where a clandestine gathering of Germany’s elite quietly plots to resist Hitler’s regime. But there is a traitor in their midst... We're joined by acclaimed journalist and author Jonathan Freedland, author of 'The Traitors Circle: The Rebels Against the Nazis and the Spy Who Betrayed Them'. He…

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Origins of the US Navy: America's Revolutionary Pirate 39:54

21 giorni fa39:54

39:54

Happy 250th Birthday to the US Navy! Today Don asks, who was John Paul Jones and did he really father the US Navy? Our guest is historian James L. Nelson, author of 'Washington's Secret Navy'. In July 2026, tall ships of the world will be coming to Port of New York and New Jersey. Find out more here: https://sail4th.org/ Edited by Tim Arstall. Prod…

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The Battle of Jutland 46:20

21 giorni fa46:20

46:20

On 31st May, 1916, 250 warships and nearly 100,000 sailors converged in the North Sea for the world's first full-scale clash of dreadnought fleets. Admiral Jellicoe’s Grand Fleet was pitted against Admiral Scheer’s High Seas Fleet for what was supposed to be a decisive battle - but which ended with a less than certain outcome. We're joined by Andre…

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Medieval Sex 42:14

24 giorni fa42:14

42:14

Warning: this episode contains explicit language. Medieval people weren’t prudish—far from it. Dan is joined by medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega to explore sex, marriage, and desire in the Middle Ages. They delve into the beliefs around sodomy as “non-procreative sex”; pilgrimages as raucous release valves, raunchy art and love spells. They'll …

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Who was the Best President Ever? 47:02

25 giorni fa47:02

47:02

What should we look for in a great President? Who was the greatest of all time? And is it harder for modern Presidents to make the top of the list? Don is joined by Professor Jeremi Suri, author of The Impossible Presidency and co-host of This Is Democracy. Edited by Sophie Gee and Freddy Chick. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer was Charlot…

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Alexandria 31:43

26 giorni fa31:43

31:43

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America's Invasion of Canada 40:24

28 giorni fa40:24

40:24

'Canada ought to be the 14th colony' was a view held by many American revolutionaries. In the winter of 1775, Benedict Arnold led an incredible (if doomed) mission to make it happen. We're delighted to be joined again by Maj. Jonathan D. Bratten, historian for the Maine National Guard. Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Produce…

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The Spanish Civil War 58:28

28 giorni fa58:28

58:28

Why did Spain spiral into civil war in 1936? Today, we delve into the grinding class conflicts and ferocious political divisions that split Spain in two, from the dictatorship of the 1920s to the ambitious and divisive government of the early 1930s. We explore why democracy unravelled in Spain, and how foreign intervention - or lack of it - turned …

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The Battle of Agincourt 35:39

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circa un anno fa35:39

35:39

In this episode, Dan explains the dramatic story of the Battle of Agincourt when, against overwhelming odds, Henry V’s underdog English army emerged victorious over their mighty French opponents. We explore why the battle happened in the first place, as well as the key characters, weaponry, and tactics that turned the tide. Join Dan to discover how…

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Who Was the Worst President Ever? 32:28

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circa un anno fa32:28

32:28

What makes a bad President? Who was the worst of all time? Don is joined by Professor Jeremi Suri, author of The Impossible Presidency and co-host of This Is Democracy. Next week we'll be looking at who is the best President ever! Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long. Sign up to History Hit for hundred…

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Magna Carta 43:00

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circa un anno fa43:00

43:00

Dan and leading medieval historians explain everything you need to know about Magna Carta...and the story is more dramatic than you might think. Magna Carta sprang from an England on the brink of civil war; the feeble king John left grappling for control after a disastrous defeat in France in the early 13th century and a baron's rebellion in Englan…

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Origins of the Second Amendment 31:50

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circa un anno fa31:50

31:50

'A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.' The Second Amendment, included in the Bill of Rights, was ratified in 1791. It went largely unquestioned until the mid 20th century but is now one of the most contentious questions in US politics. So wh…

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The First Trains 35:05

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circa un anno fa35:05

35:05

On 27 September 1825, a steam-powered marvel known as Locomotion No.1 made history, pulling passengers and coal from Shildon to Stockton-on-Tees in the North of England. This 25 mile journey, changed the world forever. Dan is joined by historian Steven Brindle as they mark the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger steam train journey—a m…

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Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 2 55:04

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circa un anno fa55:04

55:04

In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s—and there are No. 1 debuts. Entering Billboard’s Hot 100 at the top is one of the hardest tricks in music. In fact, it wasn’t possible in the U.S. until 1995. That’s when the record labels hacked the Hot 100 and figured out how to send new singles straight into the chart penthouse. But sc…

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The Battle of Hastings 57:17

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circa un anno fa57:17

57:17

On 14 October 1066, the armies of William, the Duke of Normandy, and the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson clashed near Hastings in one of the most famous battles in history and one that would decide the fate of the English throne. We all know the outcome, but how and why did the battle take place? To answer this question, Dan returns with another …

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What Caused the Civil War? | Secession 35:14

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circa un anno fa35:14

35:14

In the wake of Abraham Lincoln’s election, Southern leaders made a fateful choice: to break from the Union. Yet instead of plunging the country into war, what followed next was a tense standoff. There were, as we'll learn today, twists and turns on the path from Secession to all out Civil War. Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Seni…

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The Mongol Invasion of Europe 46:58

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circa un anno fa46:58

46:58

In the 13th century, a force unlike any Europe had ever seen came thundering across the steppe. The Mongols had already carved out the largest land empire in history - but after conquering vast swathes of Asia, they turned their gaze west. Today, we explore why the Mongols began pushing into Europe and how successful their invasions really were. Fo…

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USA & Cuba: A Brief History 59:21

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circa un anno fa59:21

59:21

From being within its sphere of influence to acting as a thorn in its side, Cuba has always been seen as strategically important to the USA. What has the nature of their relationship been historically? What is the legacy of the Cold War within Cuba? And what does the future hold for prospects of normalisation? In this episode, Professor Michael Bus…

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Did the Trojan War Really Happen? 34:58

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circa un anno fa34:58

34:58

The Trojan War is one of the great foundational stories of Western literature - a tale of gods and heroes, betrayal and siege, immortalised by Homer in the Iliad. But was it mere myth, or did it spring from real events in a real place? Today we're joined by Eric H. Cline, a professor of ancient history and archaeology at The George Washington Unive…

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Anne Boleyn: Myths vs Reality 1:01:42

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circa un anno fa1:01:42

1:01:42

The life of Anne Boleyn has intrigued audiences for centuries. Everyone knows something about her time as Queen of England, and of course, her betrayal and execution. But her formative years in France remain a bit of a mystery. Joining us today is Estelle Paranque, an Associate Professor in History at Northeastern University London, and author of ‘…

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What Caused the Civil War? | John Brown's Raid 41:06

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circa un anno fa41:06

41:06

John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry helped cause the Civil War. His is a magnetic persona that's hard to take your eyes away from. But who were the people who inspired him? Who funded him? Who joined him on the raid? It turns out there's a lot more to the story as Don learns with today's guest Dr Kellie Carter Jackson author of We Refuse: A Forceful…

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Emperor Augustus 39:27

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circa un anno fa39:27

39:27

Augustus has often been hailed as Rome’s greatest emperor - he ended civil war, built an empire and declared a new age of peace. But behind the architectural marvels and military triumphs lies a story of ruthless power plays, propaganda and dynastic uncertainty. In this episode, we're joined by Gregory S. Aldrete, a Professor Emeritus of history an…

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The Origins of California 38:16

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circa un anno fa38:16

38:16

How did California become the Golden State? It's a story that includes conquistadors, missionaries, gold miners, railroad builders and tourists, to name a few. Don is joined by Michael Hiltzik, author of 'Golden State: The Making of California', to explore the history of the home of one in eight Americans. Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Tim Arst…

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The Greatest Knight That Ever Lived: William the Marshal 2:07:59

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circa un anno fa2:07:59

2:07:59

William the Marshal’s story reads like a legend. Born a landless younger son, he rose through sheer skill and courage to become the greatest knight of his age. In this Explainer episode, Dan takes you through his extraordinary life - from tournament competitor to fearsome warrior, loyal servant and master of chivalry. Produced and written by Dan Sn…

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Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 1 54:55

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circa un anno fa54:55

54:55

In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s—and there are No. 1 debuts. Entering Billboard’s Hot 100 at the top is one of the hardest tricks in music. In fact, it wasn’t possible in the U.S. until 1995. That’s when the record labels hacked the Hot 100 and figured out how to send new singles straight into the chart penthouse. But sc…

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Rommel's Defeat in North Africa 1:01:47

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circa un anno fa1:01:47

1:01:47

Today, we unravel the dramatic North African campaign of World War II. Discover how the Allies turned the tide against Rommel, why Tunisia’s fall was as pivotal as Stalingrad, and how these battles shaped the fate of Europe. We're joined by Saul David, broadcaster, historian and author of 'Tunisgrad: Victory in Africa' for a sweeping look at strate…

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What Caused the Civil War? | Politics 36:25

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circa un anno fa36:25

36:25

How did the politicians in Washington D.C. push America towards the one thing they wanted to avoid: all out Civil War? We look at how the violent and frat house culture that existed within D.C. played its part, and at the chronic failure of leadership from those sitting atop of this steaming mess - the Presidents. We're joined by returning guest (f…

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