History Pondered and Explored

History Pondered
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Explore History's world-changing events and people. Discover history, the stories of brutal battles, dangerous rulers and adventure. Find the hidden and thought provoking treasures not found in history books. Hear the adventures and most fascinating, engaging and yet unknown figures that dramatically change the history of the world. Engage with thought provoking world history. The improbable heroes...the overrated heroes...and so much more Tell us what you think at historyoffhand@gmail.com and history pondered on Instagram, X and Threads OR on historypondered.com

  1. 5d ago

    The Triangle Factory Fire-The Disaster That Changed America

    The Triangle fire happened on March 25, 1911. It was the deadliest workplace disaster in New York for nearly a century. This wasn.t the first garment factory fire in NYC at that time. In fact the owners of the Triangle had several previous fires, almost always coinciding with then end of the fashion season, when having leftover inventory was bad for business. Several decades prior to the fire, such fire safety innovations (sprinklers, fire doors and many more) and been effectively put into action in New England cotton mills, the use of such innovations was rare in the garment factories of NYC at the time. Fires tended to get paid off by insurance, insurance brokers found ways to make money despite the fires and the political machine Tammany Hall certainly was not helping matters. Yet a series of very unlikely events made the aftermath of the Triangle Fire different. Women union organizers, such as Clara Lemlich, and politicians, such as Francis Perkins, who became the first woman US cabinet member, as Secretary of Labor, through continued hard work and resilience, were able to influence Tammany Hall help push through laws in NYC. These were laws such as child labor laws , minimum wage laws, working hours laws and the right for women to vote. These laws moved from New York onto the rest of the U.S. The high levels of corruption, grifting and graft were minimized to the extent possible, at least for the time being. #History #trianglefire #suffragists #America

    31 min

  2. Jun 10

    The Battle of Marathon. The Beginning of Western Civilization?

    One of the most important battles of all time. But was it really the beginning of Western Civilization? The battle pitted the city-state of Athens vs the one super power at the time-Persia. Up to 490 BC, the Persians virtually never lost, especially against any Greek city states. The Persians had a professional army whereas the Athenians only had the Hoplites, heavy infantry mostly used against other Greek city-states. The Athenians were outnumbered at least 2-1 and more likely outnumbered way more than that. So how in the world did the Athenians win? And what about the claim that, after this battle, Western Civilization began? Tune in and find out. Also go to History_Pondered on Insta to see the battle site and so much more! #History #Battle #Greeks #ancient

    33 min

  3. Jun 4

    Rogue Heroes- The Incredible True Story of The SAS in WW2. (Part 2)

    The finale of this epic saga! The fascinating and at times, almost unbelievable stories of the initial SAS. Audacious, clever, brave, sometimes reckless and nonchalant, but just packed with incredible stories and people. In particular, Jock Lewes, Paddy Mayne and David Stirling. They are the type of stories that for the TV series made from the book- Rogue Heroes, the History of the SAS- certain actual events were toned down as it was thought the viewing public might not believe these events actually happened. But they did! #History #WW2 #SAS #rogueheroes #Britain

    37 min

  4. Jun 2

    Rogue Heroes- The Incredible True Story of The SAS in WW2. How Britain's Special Forces were Created changing War Forever

    The SAS- Special Air Service- who saw that something had to be done in the deserts of North Africa to change the course of WW2 in favor of the Allies. Ingenuity, tragedy, bravery and nonchalance were among the many ingredients, that together, created not only the SAS, but the concept of modern day Special Forces. The exploits of the initial SAS, starting in July 1941 created many myths and legends. The actual stories are more unbelievable than the myths. The SAS made the impossible probable and the unthinkable doable. Their motto: Who Dares Wins- tells a lot about this incredible group. But there is so much more in this epic and fascinating story This episode, in its entirety was created by me. Roberto. Research, writing, editing, the music, the lot

    46 min

  5. May 26

    The Gwangju Uprising - The Gwangju Massacre and The Pivotal Democratic Movement

    Just a few years after the Korean War became a frozen conflict, a military coup came to power in South Korea. Nearly 20 years later, another military coup came to power. During these years, while "The Miracle of the Han River" greatly increased the industrialization and commercialization of the country- due in part as with similar "miracles" of the past- the influx of outside finance. This miracle came at a cost for many South Koreans, especially those in South Jeolla Province, where the city of Gwangju was situated at the time. Couple this with decades of alleged human rights oppression and marginalization, a seemingly routine protest and demonstration, quickly turns into something else entirely. An experience that many of the citizens found difficult to express. An experience that could not be openly expressed for years because of the continued political situation. The experience, if survived, made the nation take notice, eventually leading to the democratization of the country. A key source for this episode is the book - The Gwangju Uprising- the Pivotal Democratic Movement That Changed the History of Modern Korea, by Choi Jungwoon as translated by Yu Young-nan. The episode was also influenced by the novel- Human Acts- by Han Kang and the movie "A Taxi Driver" directed by Jang Hoon. These sources all show how ordinary people may react in the face of state v1olence Produced, researched and created by Roberto. All music by Roberto #democracy #korea #history @hankang @jangboon @choijungwoon

    42 min

  6. May 19

    The Theft That Made The Mona Lisa A Masterpiece

    Hard to believe but before the Mona Lisa was stolen, it was viewed as a fine example of Italian Renaissance Art- especially by the intelligentsia and some of the artists in Paris. Others, if they even went into the Louvre, may have likely walked past it or given it a quick look. It was tucked away in a gallery amongst many other paintings. In 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen. In part due to its relatively diminutive size, which made it much easier to abscond into the streets of Paris. For two years, the painting was missing. The newspapers in Europe and then North America were awash with stories of the theft, the bungling of the security, and almost any other thing the papers could come up with to feed the frenzy of the public. In 1913, it was recovered and the thief caught, which started the stories up to a new frenzy and new heights of story telling. Only the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and later, the beginnings and rumblings regarding WW1 could keep the Mona Lisa out of the papers.

    19 min

  7. May 12

    The Charge of the Light Brigade-Someone Blundered

    Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is but to do and die. From the poem the Charge of the Light Brigade, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. These two lines are probably the most famous lines from the poem and likely famous across the world due to the bravery inferred by the British Light Brigade Calvary in the Crimean War. Yet in the same stanza, there is the line- Someone had blundered. The takeaway from the poem is primarily the bravery and yet the statement is made- someone blundered. Was the Charge a case of Lions led by donkeys? If so, who were the donkeys? Who blundered? Tune in for the rest of the story of the valiant charge along with the somewhat ludicrous leaders that ordered the charge. #Crimeanwar #History #England #France #Russia

    40 min

  8. May 5

    Why Did Italy Fail in World War II?

    In a word- Mussolini. Obviously there is more to it than that yet what put him and kept him in power was very ineffective when it came to major military operations. World War I showed the world that war was now conducted on an industrial scale with industry and innovation necessary to even think about being in a big operation. Chaos, confusion and propaganda can be helpful components of such an operation but you have to have the capability to back it up. You have to have short term and long term planning. Consideration of supply and training and reserves is needed. Some of the other major powers that entered World War II understood all of this better than others, there was still learning to do with regard to planning, operations and industrialization turning into military might. Italy and Mussolini learned only when it was way to late. While some of his planners made plain that Italy was not yet prepared and would not be for years, that message did not make at difference...at first...but within just a few years, that message came back loud and clear...when it was way too late

    1h 6m
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About

Explore History's world-changing events and people. Discover history, the stories of brutal battles, dangerous rulers and adventure. Find the hidden and thought provoking treasures not found in history books. Hear the adventures and most fascinating, engaging and yet unknown figures that dramatically change the history of the world. Engage with thought provoking world history. The improbable heroes...the overrated heroes...and so much more Tell us what you think at historyoffhand@gmail.com and history pondered on Instagram, X and Threads OR on historypondered.com

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