Honourable Mentions: Hilarious History

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Merry Christmas and welcome to a special episode of Honourable Mentions where, to celebrate the season, we are looking into the lives of Franz Gruber and Joseph Mohr, whose 1818 collaboration in the parish church of Oberndorf, Austria, gave the us the world's favourite Christmas Carol - Silent Night or Stille Nacht if you want to show off. 

But we're not stopping there - oh no - like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, we're going on until the job is done, so drop those turkey drumsticks and settle in as we explore the legacy of the Carol and its part in the famous Christmas truce of the First World War.

It's a fun packed, festive sleigh ride back in time. 

If you've ever wondered what Steven and Neil's favourite Christmas films and songs are, this is the only place to be. And remember to listen out for an exclusive Christmas message from the real Santa Claus himself! 

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Discover the incredible true story of Fred Kroll, the visionary behind some of the most iconic board games in history. In this episode of Honourable Mentions, we dive deep into the 1970s toy market to explore how Kroll and the Pressman Toy Corporation revolutionised the way we play.

​From the chaotic clicking of Hungry Hungry Hippos to the rhythmic popping of the Trouble game (and its legendary Pop-O-Matic bubble), Fred Kroll didn’t just sell toys—he created cultural phenomenons. Join us as we trace the history of vintage toys, the high-stakes business of toy industry acquisitions, and the legacy of the man who defined a generation of childhood fun.

​Whether you're a fan of board game history, a collector of 70s nostalgia, or interested in the business of toy inventors, this episode is a must-listen look at the golden age of play.

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As codename Ivan, Duško Popov was the top spy for the German Military Intelligence (Abwehr) in the Second World War, but, under the codename Tricycle, he was also leading dangerous espionage missions for MI6 and the British. 

He played a key role in D-Day. Warned the USA about Pearl Harbor, and crossed paths with J. Edgar Hoover, a glamorous film star, and a future novelist.

Join us for another fascinating Honourable Mentions with a twist in the tale.

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What would you do if you had seconds to save 5,000 lives? This is the jaw-dropping history of Jesús García, "El Héroe de Nacozari," and the day a train loaded with mining explosives caught fire in the heart of a bustling Sonoran copper mining town.
 Instead of running, 25-year-old engineer Jesús García Corona put Locomotive 501 into full-steam reverse, driving the ticking time bomb six kilometers away into the desert before it finally detonated.

In this episode of Honourable  Mentions: Hilarious History, we uncover the harrowing details of the 1907 Nacozari train disaster, the flawed mechanics behind the locomotive’s deadly sparks, and how one ordinary worker became a legendary figure of Mexican heroism and a globally recognized "Hero of Humanity."

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Join us as we dive into the wild, witty, and wonderfully bizarre world of Jack Karlson, the man behind the greatest viral video in internet history. But what is the true story behind the "Succulent Chinese Meal" guy?

From the steps of a Brisbane Chinese restaurant to the global stage of meme royalty, Karlson’s life was far more than just a 1991 arrest video. 

Was he a dangerous criminal, a misunderstood artist, or simply a man who knew his judo well? ​In this episode, we dive deep into the wild life of the man also known as Cecil George Edwards. 

We move beyond the viral video to explore Karlson’s history as a serial prison escapee, a master of disguise, and a legendary Australian larrikin. From the "charge" of eating a meal to his final years as a celebrated folk hero, we investigate the man who turned a routine arrest into a performance for the ages.

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1872. New York: A handsome, young Master Mariner named Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah, and small daughter Sophia Briggs are about to set sail to Genoa, Italy, with a cargo of alcohol. What could possibly go wrong?

Join us and learn about the cursed background of the Briggs family, the tragic history of their ship, and how Benjamin and his crew sailed into legend and infamy aboard the Mary Celeste. 

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Before there was Sherlock Holmes, there was Kate Warne. In 1856, a 23-year-old widow walked into the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and demanded a job—becoming America’s first female private detective.
​In this episode of Honourabl Mentions: Hilarious History, we dive into the incredible true story and hidden history of the woman who broke up the mid-19th-century boys' club. Long before women were even allowed on police forces, Kate used brilliant disguises, aliases, and psychological grit to catch embezzlers, track down murderers, and solve high-stakes true crime cases.
​We break down her most famous historical mission: going undercover as a Southern Belle to infiltrate a secret society and foil the 1861 Baltimore Plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln. Discover how she smuggled Lincoln onto a midnight train disguised as her "invalid brother," and how her legendary sleepless vigilance literally inspired the famous Pinkerton motto, "We Never Sleep."
​If you love historical true crime, untold women’s history, and tales of espionage, this deep dive into the life of the Union's greatest female spy and the leader of the Female Detective Bureau is for you.

​Hit subscribe/follow so you never miss a wild story from theforgottenside of history!

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In 1591, an illiterate puritan named William Hacket convinced a following that he was the literal Messiah, sent by God to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I. It did not go well.
​In this episode, we dive into the wild, blasphemous, and deeply strange story of the Hacket Conspiracy. How did a man known for brawling and swallowing a rival's nose, end up declaring himself King of Europe? And why did the Elizabethan authorities react so violently to his street preaching?
​In this episode, we discuss:
​Who was William Hacket? From con man to self-proclaimed prophet.
​The Hacket Conspiracy of 1591: The plot to dethrone Queen Elizabeth I.
​The Co-Conspirators: How Edmund Coppinger and Henry Arthington fueled the madness.
​The Brutal Aftermath: Execution, treason, and the Elizabethan crack down on religious extremism.
​If you love bizarre history, true crime, and royal scandals, this 16th-century madness is for you.
​Hit subscribe for more deep dives into history's most forgotten eccentrics!

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Step into the shadows of Elizabethan England and meet Gamaliel Ratsey, the original gentleman highwayman who terrorized the roads with a hideously deformed mask, a sharp wit, and a flair for the theatrical. Long before Dick Turpin captured the public imagination, "Gamaliel Hobgoblin" was kick-starting the world's very first true crime phenomenon.

Following his return from the brutal Nine Years’ War in Ireland, a destitute soldier turned to a life of highway robbery, transforming himself into a folk hero. Traveling the dangerous roads of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Bedford, Ratsey and his gang didn't just yell "Stand and deliver!"—they put on a show.

​Join us for the first ever episode of Honourable Mentions: Hilarious History, as we peel back the layers of the real man behind the myth and his brief, blazing career as England's most wanted fugitive. We explore the life of the highwayman who taught the world that if you’re going to be a villain, you might as well be a star.

We are just starting out and this is our first ever attempt at creating a podcast episode, so PLEASE leave a 5 star review, share with your friends and subscribe. That way you won't miss out on any of our future episodes. Thank you so much ❤️

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