This Week in History: rioting sports fans in sixth-century Constantinople, the first-ever meeting of the UN General Assembly, the birthdays of famous musicians, and a pivotal moment in world history as Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon.

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In this week's episode, get across the story of Operation Just Cause, when the US staged an invasion of Panama in 1989, capturing and airlifting its leader back to the US to face drug-related charges.

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This Week in History: the establishment of calendars and international timekeeping systems, the federation of Australia, the birthdays of several prominent authors, and the introduction of the euro as a currency.

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Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of William McGonagall, widely considered to be the worst English-language poet that history has ever seen.

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In this episode, hear the tale of Jean de Carrouges, who fought a duel to the death to seek justice for his wife Marguerite.

WARNING: this episode contains content that may be distressing and is not appropriate for younger listeners.

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The smartphone is an invention that is currently bringing about a technological transformation of human civilisation - and an invitation to think about how other inventions from history have similarly impacted peoples' lives. 

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Changes are coming to Half-Arsed History in 2026! Some positive, some negative - here is the TL;DL:

• There will now only be two episodes released each week: the usual full-length episode and a new series called This Week in History, replacing QAH

• I'm pulling back a little bit to try to bring my unsustainable workload back under control, reduce burnout, and find better balance

• Half-Arsed History's second book is coming later in 2026, the manuscript is currently being written and edited

• A brand-new Half-Arsed History card game is in the works, and you can be involved with playtesting and illustration

• The show's merch will undergo a full and proper refresh later in the year - artists are encouraged to submit portfolios

• A big goal for the show in 2026 is growth, so please tell your friends, enemies, and people about whom you feel largely ambivalent about Half-Arsed History

List of historical figures likely to appear in the card game: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KEsNw2oTfuXZOn-dU3-dtVhHJAvY0dt0DNbzhIVBbMY

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Quarter-Arsed History presents: the very amusing history of Sealand, an unrecognised micronation located on an abandoned military fort off the coast of Britain.

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In this week's episode, meet five more historical figures with strange epithets: Æthelred the Unready, Constantine V Koprónymos, Louis Do-Nothing, Malcolm the Maiden, and Piero the Unfortunate.

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The internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a big truck. It's a series of tubes. 

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