Friendly Neighborhood Historian

By 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 impre... more

· History

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Friendly Neighborhood Historian:

How many episodes does Friendly Neighborhood Historian have?

The podcast currently has 87 episodes available.

Friendly Neighborhood Historian episodes:

January 08, 2025 History of J.R.R. Tolkien: A 100-Year Love Affair
How Tolkien's book, Beren and Luthien, parallels the love he had for his wife and is the foundational romantic myth of Middle-earth. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-jrr-tolkien #JRRTolkien #LordOfTheRings

...more
22min
January 05, 2025 History of Epiphany and Twelfth Night: Ending the 12 Days of Christmas?
Celebrated more in the East than the West, how does this end the Christmas season and what does it have to do with Twelfth Night? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-epiphany-12th-night #Epiphany #TwelfthNight #Christmas
...more
5min
January 03, 2025 History of the 12 Days of Christmas: They're after Christmas?
Contrary to popular belief, they follow Christmas; Advent precedes Christmas. Was it originally a pro-Catholic catechism memory aid? What would all the items in the song cost? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-12-days-of-christmas #12DaysOfChristmas #Christmas
...more
7min
January 02, 2025 History of New Year’s Resolutions: Where Did They Begin?
Where did they begin, how have they changed over the centuries, and why do we do it at the beginning of the year? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-new-years-resolutions #Resolutions #NewYear
...more
7min
January 01, 2025 History of Telemachus: the Monk Who Ended the Roman Gladiatorial Games - January 1, A.D. 404
The history of this little monk, and the popularization of his story throughout the centuries. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-telemachus #StTelemachus #Rome #GladiatorialGames #History
...more
12min
January 01, 2025 History of New Year's Day: Why on January 1?
It wasn't always on this date. Here is the history behind how this holiday moved from March to January. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-new-years-day #NewYear #NewYearsDay #Calendar #History
...more
7min
December 31, 2024 History of New Year's Eve
What are the ancient origins and modern traditions of this end-of-the-year celebration? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-new-years-eve #NewYearsEve #StSylvester #Champagne #Kissing
...more
10min
December 30, 2024 History of Auld Lang Syne: What Does the Song Mean?
What does the song mean, what is its origin, how did it become popular, and why do we sing it on New Year's Eve. Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-auld-lang-syne #AuldLangSyne #NewYearsEve #Music
...more
7min
December 28, 2024 History of Childermas: Feast of the Holy Innocents
Commemorating the killing of innocent children under King Herod. When was the Children's Mass first observed, and what was its origin? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-childermas #Childermas #Christmas #KingHerod
...more
6min
December 27, 2024 History of Holiday Fruitcake
December 27 is National Fruitcake Day. What is its origin, how does it differ from country to country, why does it last so long, what do people in Colorado do with it? Blog: https://billpetro.com/history-of-fruitcake #Fruitcake #Holiday #Colorado
...more
9min

FAQs about Friendly Neighborhood Historian:

How many episodes does Friendly Neighborhood Historian have?

The podcast currently has 87 episodes available.