Hundred Proof History

At the turn of the 20th Century, the nation of Mexico was in a constant state of revolution and civil war. Their nosy neighbors, the Americans, were busy deciding who to support based primarily on which government would be best for business. In doing so, they pissed off a revolutionary named Pancho Villa who would lash out by attacking an American town. As a result, the United States sent the army into Mexico, pissed EVERYONE off, and came dangerously close to a full blown war that would have kept them out of World War I.  It's a small, hidden moment in American history, and you're doing yourself a disservice by not knowing everything about it. So why don't you just go ahead and grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this episode of Hundred Proof History titled The Punitive Expedition: Dress Rehearsal for War!

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In December 1941, the United States was reeling from the Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor. In the following days and months, US President Franklin D Roosevelt would see his military suffer additional defeats in the Pacific and he became more and more desperate for a victory that would boost morale along the home front.  Enter Jimmy Doolittle, a graduate of Cal Berkeley and MIT, daredevil pilot, and all around badass human. In April of 1942, Doolittle would lead American pilots on a seemingly impossible attack on Japan that would greatly change the course of the war. It's an awesome story so grab your drinks, settle in, and enjoy this episode of Hundred Proof History titled The Doolittle Raid: A Taste of Your Own Medicine!

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In the early 16th Century a Portuguese explorer defected to Spain and then convinced the king to let him try and sail west to find a sea route to the spice islands instead of going to Kroger and buying chili powder in giant containers like a normal person. What ensued was a ridiculous journey that resulted in an orgy, multiple mutinies, executions, war, imperialism, just all sorts of fun stuff. And the hell of it is, you've probably heard this guys name and his accomplishment but you haven't heard his story or the fact that he didn't actually accomplish what he set out to do. So now it's time to change that by having you just grab your favorite beverage, smashing in your earbuds, and enjoying this episode of Hundred Proof History titled The Magellan Expedition: No Pleasure Cruise!

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In the first half of the 20th Century, Italy, like many European countries, was trying to figure out what type of government they should have.  Would they stick with a monarchy? Switch to freedom loving democracy? Try that wacky new communism that the Soviets were so horny for? Eventually they'd go their own way and follow a strong willed politician into the exciting world of Fascism. That leader would go on to do some good things, some bad things, and then a whole lot of super shitty things in his quest to lead Italy to glory, but deep down we know his darkest secret: He just wanted to be loved. In this episode of HPH we're telling you his life story from his stabby childhood to his summary execution. It's a fun ride that takes you through two world wars and you know how  much we love those. So, grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this episode of Hundred Proof History titled Benito Mussolini: Flip Flop Fascist!

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When we last left you, the Marquis de Lafayette had helped lead the Americans to victory over the Brits and was an international hero. Now it was time for him to return to France where he hoped to spread liberty and democracy to his own people. Unfortunately for him, his people weren't ready for that and what followed was a violent series of revolutions that would see Lafayette become a villain who would be imprisoned and exiled from his own country. But there are a lot of twists and turns along the way and maybe by the end you'll still think he's pretty neat.  So, grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this episode of Hundred Proof History titled Lafayette Part 2: The French Are Assholes!

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In the late 18th century the American's were struggling mightily against the British Empire in their quest for independence. They lifted their boombox, blasted Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler (look it up kids) and cranked it so loud that it could be heard across the ocean. It was then that a dashing, daring, handsome and caring 19 year old Frenchman heard the call and came to the United States to not only lead them in battle but to also force the French government to provide desperately needed aid to the Americans. Without him, the war might have gone completely different and it's damn time you learn his story. In this episode we're talking about his early life and his bromance with one George "American Jesus" Washington. So, grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this wheels off episode of Hundred Proof History titled Lafayette Part 1: French by Blood, American by BLOODSHED!

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In 1937 Imperial Japan decided that the heavily divided nation of China was ripe for the picking and decided to invade.  China realized it was outmatched so their leaders came up with a daring strategy: Try to draw Japan into an urban battle within the biggest city in front of a massive international population. Because, hey, if you're gonna get your poo pushed in, you might as well do it in front of an audience. That's been our experience at least. This week we're taking a look at what some historians call the first actual battle of WW2, and kicking off our 2022 coverage of the sequel to the war to end all wars. So, grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this episode of Hundred Proof History titled The Battle of Shanghai: World War One and a Half.

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At the end of the 19th Century, the American economy was in the toilet and the big business Republicans were looking for someone to lead them to glory. Enter William McKinley, the governor of Ohio and all around corporate hero. As the following few years passed, McKinley expanded the American territories through warfare and turned the economy into a global powerhouse. And then someone shot him. His whole presidency was a crazy ride so in this episode we're telling you about the politics, the war, and the assassination that would define his story.  Sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy this bonus length episode of Hundred Proof History titled The McKinley Administration...Birth of an Empire, Death of a President.

In April of 1986 disaster struck in the tiny nuclear city of Pripyat, Ukraine when the nearby nuclear reactor exploded hurling debris, and radiation, into the air. It turns out that this disaster was entirely predictable and avoidable but in those days there was no pessimism allowed in the Soviet Union so the fuse to the proverbial powder keg was lit and ignored until the whole thing blew up. In this episode of HPH we're taking a look at the failings of the reactor, teaching you literally everything we know about nuclear reactors, and of course telling you about the explosion and the horror that followed. So, grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy this episode of Hundred Proof History titled The Chernobyl Disaster: HBO Lied to Me!