Friendly Neighborhood Historian

Bill Petro

Just enough history to inform, intrigue, and entertain. Short podcasts on the backstory of holidays, historical individuals, and historic anniversaries to learn enough to dazzle your friends and impress your family. Host: Bill Petro #History #Holidays

  1. History of John Witherspoon: the Ordained Founding Father

    FEB 3

    History of John Witherspoon: the Ordained Founding Father

    How a Scottish immigrant preacher became the sole clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-john-witherspoon #JohnWitherspoon #FoundingFather #AmericanRevolution

    10 min
  2. Interview on BBC: What's the History Behind New Years Eve?

    JAN 14

    Interview on BBC: What's the History Behind New Years Eve?

    BBC Radio 5 Live interview to discuss the traditions of an American New Year's Eve celebration. Blog: https://billpetro.com/interview-history-behind-new-years-eve #BBC #NewYearsEve

    15 min
  3. History of the Feast of St. John: Which St John?

    12/26/2025

    History of the Feast of St. John: Which St John?

    Who was St. John the Apostle, and what was his role in the history of Christianity and the Bible? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-feast-of-st-john #StJohn #FeastOfStJohn

    6 min
  4. History of Christmas Magi: Who were the Wise Men?

    12/19/2025

    History of Christmas Magi: Who were the Wise Men?

    Who were they, where were they from, why did they come, what is their part in the Christmas narrative? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-the-wise-men #WiseMen #Magi #Christmas

    5 min
  5. History of Caesar Augustus: What Did He Have To Do With Christmas?

    12/17/2025

    History of Caesar Augustus: What Did He Have To Do With Christmas?

    What did the most powerful individual in the world have to do with the humble Nativity? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-christmas-caesar-augustus #CaesarAugustus #Nativity #Bethlehem

    8 min
  6. History of Christmas: King Herod – Why was he called Great?

    12/15/2025

    History of Christmas: King Herod – Why was he called Great?

    What was the historical and political context at the time of Jesus' birth in Jerusalem and Rome? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-king-herod/ #HerodTheGreat #Christmas

    8 min
  7. History of White Christmas: Most Popular Christmas Song Ever

    12/11/2025

    History of White Christmas: Most Popular Christmas Song Ever

    Why is the song so popular, and why does it always seem to come back into popularity?  Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-white-christmas/ #WhiteChristmas #Christmas

    7 min
  8. History of Thanksgiving Native American: Why Squanto already knew English

    11/25/2025

    History of Thanksgiving Native American: Why Squanto already knew English

    Why Squanto already knew English when he met the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-thanksgiving-friendly-indian #Thanksgiving #Squanto #NativeAmerican

    5 min
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About

Just enough history to inform, intrigue, and entertain. Short podcasts on the backstory of holidays, historical individuals, and historic anniversaries to learn enough to dazzle your friends and impress your family. Host: Bill Petro #History #Holidays

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