Chasing History Radio

The USS Constitution, known as "Old Ironsides," is still afloat today in Boston harbor. Gaining its historical status during the War of 1812, it has had a long and varied life. Through the years the question of keeping up with repairs has always been dealt with in unique ways, such as the children's penny campaign.

Love tokens were mementos made from coins of the time and given to loved ones when you were apart. These love tokens were made from legitimate coins of the time and were engraved by hand. Sometimes, during the war, these tokens were the only items families would have as a lasting reminder of someone who was lost.

In this episode, we discuss dep lop sandals, which were used by the Vietcong during the VietNam war. The sandals were made from old tires and there are many reasons that they were used, from comfort to practicality. Also known as Ho Chi Minh sandals, since he wore them all his life, they are still made today.

In this episode, Ryan shares a little of his family history that leads into coal mines and safety. Canaries were the beloved safety system of the miners, warning them of potential danger from carbon monoxide. Used from the late 1800s til 1996, the canary was a true lifesaver.

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we talk about Operation Overlord. From the invasion to deceptive inflatable tanks, this was the longest day. The whole operation was an amazing feat of planning.

We talk about shipwreck artifacts and their recovery. Commercial diving help drive the shipwreck craze, where you could find gold and many other items. From lesser known to famous shipwrecks like the Atocha to the Titanic, and how you can own a piece of that history.

A quick history of Civil War era amputation knives, designed for speed. Amputations during the Civil War had to be quick, only about 20-30 seconds. Amputations grew during this time due to the introduction of better bullets, and to help save lives from infection.

Haggis hurling was reintroduced as a traditional Scottish sport in 1977. It had an incredible revival in Scotland with many family clans wanting to participate. 27 years later it was revealed it all started as a joke, but it has become a real sport since then.

The modern game: "Shut the Box" has a history that began in 12th century pubs. It spread around the world with sailors and the growth of shipping. It is still played in pubs today but also used in classrooms to help teach math.

In this episode, we discuss the reasons behind one of the most deadly conflicts in American history: the American Civil War. The tactics, inventions, and everything related to why this was our deadliest war.