Everyone knows about the October Revolution, the genesis of the greater Russian Revolution that took place in the final days of the Great War (World War One). But what many people don't realize is that this wasn't the first revolution to grip the country. Almost a century earlier, a failed revolt led by generals and military leaders attempted to bring an end to the absolute monarchy, one of the last of its kind in Europe. Join me as we explore this forgotten revolt, this week on the 'History Loves Company' podcast!

Last time, we charted Vlad the Impaler's ascent to the Wallachian throne and how he earned his notorious moniker. But even he couldn't rule forever and the latter half of his life reflects this as he became embroiled in conflict after conflict, not just with those longing for his own throne, but with outside forces as well. Find out what ultimately became of Vlad in part two of his amazing story!

In the years since the late 19th Century, the name Dracula has conjured up images of a vampire living in a secluded castle, but what if I told you that the name comes directly from an actual historical figure? Not a vampire, mind you, but someone who was just as bloodthirsty. Join me this week for a look at the meteoric, albeit chaotic, rise of Vlad the Impaler, one of the most notorious figures in all of history.

The human desire to create art isn't a new one. In fact, it dates back to our very beginnings, when various hunter-gatherer societies wandered the world in search of food and proverbial greener pastures. One such work to survive from that metaphorically dark period of human history is the so-named Venus of Willendorf. Discovered during an archaeological dig in Austria in 1908, she's become legendary in the years since, though she's still just as mysterious to us now as she was then. Find out more about her in this week's episode!

With the Great Famine in 1845 in Ireland, millions of destitute Irish fled to the United States in search of a better life. But their arrival on these shores was anything but warm and welcome. So harshly were they treated and severely discriminated against that, by the time the country entered into a war with Mexico, several troops of Irish ancestry defected to the other side. But this is more than just a tale of bigotry and injustice. It's one of courage, tenacity and, above all, standing up for what's right. Tune in to learn more.

With both societal and government acceptance of homosexuality in Britain these days, it's hard to imagine that there was ever a time when such expressions were outlawed. And yet, throughout much of that country's history, gay men were chastised, shunned, even arrested simply because of who they loved. Join me this week for a look at the steps the British government took towards decriminalizing homosexuality, a series of landmark decisions whose consequences and effects are still being felt today.

We use them every day. Whether on foot or bicycle, by car or bus, the traffic signal has become so integral to our daily lives that we're hardly conscious of them anymore. But did you know that several makes and models were implemented before the final form we use today? Find out just how many (and how many equally brilliant people) were involved in their creation, development and evolution, this week on the 'History Loves Company' podcast!

Chances are, you heard it in school, or else used it yourself so as not to have your other classmates (or worse, the teacher) eavesdrop. And yet, while it may have played a fundamental, to say nothing of fun, role in our childhoods, the history of Pig Latin is complex and, above all, amusing. Une-tay in-nay (tune in) to this week's episode to learn more about it!

No longer safe in the United States with so many local law enforcement agencies hot on their trail, Butch Cassidy, Harry Longabaugh and the latter's girlfriend, Etta Place, make for South America, where they plan to start life anew. But old habits, as they say, die hard and they're soon back in the robbery business. But what ultimately becomes of the trio in this new, exotic locale? Find out in Part Two of Butch Cassidy's hard-to-believe story!

Several outlaws shaped and defined the myth of the American West, though were as wild and tenacious as the man known to history as Butch Cassidy. From humble beginnings in the wilds of Utah, he'd go on to gain notoriety on, not just one, but two continents. Tune in to part one of his incredible but absolutely true story.