In this episode of History Squirt, we explore whale-related history — exploding carcasses, industrial blubber economics, naval mishaps, and humanity repeatedly underestimating very large mammals. From whaling empires to bizarre maritime disasters, whales have been minding their business while humans make it weird. Let’s squirt!

Topics: whale history, whaling industry, maritime disasters, exploding whale incident, naval history, industrial revolution resources, ocean history, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore Emperor Nero — lyre enthusiast, professional dramatist, and ruler of Rome during one extremely inconvenient fire. From artistic delusions to political purges, Nero ruled like a theatre kid handed absolute power and no supervision. It went about as well as you’d expect. Let’s squirt!

Topics: Emperor Nero, Great Fire of Rome, Roman emperors, Julio-Claudian dynasty, ancient Rome scandal, imperial excess, Roman political history, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore Agrippina the Younger — Roman empress, political strategist, mother of Nero, and full-time operator in a world powered by paranoia. She maneuvered her way through imperial politics, possibly poisoned a husband, and raised a son who would eventually return the favour. Roman family dynamics were… intense. Let’s squirt!

Topics: Agrippina the Younger, Roman Empire, Nero’s mother, Julio-Claudian dynasty, Roman imperial politics, women in ancient Rome, palace intrigue history, History Squirt

In our worst episode yet, we explore the Lighthouse of Alexandria — ancient Egypt’s giant glowing middle finger to shipwrecks. One of the Seven Ancient Wonders, it stood for over a thousand years guiding sailors before earthquakes and time decided it had glowed enough. Big tower. Bigger ego. Let’s squirt!

Topics: Lighthouse of Alexandria, Seven Ancient Wonders, Pharos of Alexandria, ancient Egypt architecture, maritime navigation history, Hellenistic Egypt, ancient engineering, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart — the British officer who lost an eye, a hand, survived multiple plane crashes, escaped a POW camp, and described war as “fun.” He was injured so often it became a personality trait. Let’s squirt!

Topics: Adrian Carton de Wiart, World War I hero, World War II history, British military legends, war survival stories, decorated officers history, 20th century warfare, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore Benedict Arnold — American Revolutionary War hero turned professional betrayal icon. He fought bravely, felt underappreciated, switched sides to the British, and permanently turned his name into shorthand for “don’t be that guy.” Let’s squirt!

Topics: Benedict Arnold, American Revolution, Revolutionary War history, famous traitors, US independence, West Point betrayal, 18th century America, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore the Year of the Five Emperors — 193 AD, when Rome decided that one emperor simply wasn’t chaotic enough. Assassinations, auctions of the throne, military power grabs, and rapid regime turnover. It’s imperial musical chairs, but with legions. Let’s squirt!

Also, a word from our advertisers at PPID.

Topics: Year of the Five Emperors, Roman Empire crisis, 193 AD Rome, Praetorian Guard auction, Roman succession crisis, imperial civil war, ancient Roman politics, History Squirt

Shout out to the Pixabay creators who provided sound effects for the episode:

• Diamond_Tunes

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus — a tomb so dramatic it rebranded the word “mausoleum” forever. Built for King Mausolus with sculptures, columns, and architectural flexing, it stood tall for centuries before earthquakes and opportunistic recycling got involved. Let’s squirt!

Also, a word from our advertisers at The Secret.

Topics: Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Seven Ancient Wonders, King Mausolus, ancient tomb architecture, Halicarnassus history, classical monuments, Persian-Greek world, ancient engineering, History Squirt

Shout out to the Pixabay creators who provided sound effects for the episode:

• Jules_Orden

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus — a marble megastructure so impressive it made the ancient world collectively nod in approval. One of the Seven Ancient Wonders, it was burned down by a man whose only goal was immortality through arson. It worked. Let’s squirt!

Topics: Temple of Artemis, Seven Ancient Wonders, Ephesus history, ancient Greek religion, Herostratus, classical architecture, ancient monuments, Hellenistic world, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we explore the history of the calendar — why January is first, why leap years exist, and why at one point entire countries just skipped 11 days and hoped no one noticed. From the Julian calendar to the Gregorian reform, timekeeping has always been a little chaotic. Let’s squirt!

Topics: history of the calendar, Julian calendar, Gregorian calendar reform, New Year origins, timekeeping history, leap years, Roman calendar system, historical time measurement, History Squirt