Hello! In todays episode we look at the history of the Rockefeller Christmas tree! We take a look at the very first tree, various trees throughout the years (including which one was the biggest), and how the current trees are picked.

We also venture into what happens to the trees after their time at the center is done. 

Sources for todays episode include: The Habitat for Humanity Website, reckefellercener.com, Multiple articles from 6square feet, and The New York Times and Rockefeller Center's First Christmas Tree: The Story of This Now-Landmark Calendar Event by Lorraine Hillaire

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, we delve into the story behind the creation of the iconic Ferris wheel. Learn how the Ferris wheel gained fame following its debut at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the challenges faced by its creator George Washington Gale Ferris, and the engineering marvels involved in its construction. Despite hurdles like strong winds and questionable stability concerns, the Ferris wheel became a symbol of American ingenuity and a popular attraction at the fair. Discover the historical context, the earlier inventions, and the eventual fate of this towering spectacle.

Sources for today's episode include: Devil in The White City by Erik larson. An article titled “We Call It The Ferris WHeel. But is It?” bur Dr. Pam Gianni

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In todays episode I cover the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. Over the course of todays episode You will hear about Chicago being chosen as "The" host city, how the fairs design concpet came to be, and the many trials and tribulations of building an extravagent exposition in just three years. You will also have to listen to me say "World's Fair" far too many times, and for that I am sorry. 

Sources for todays episode include Britannica, Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, Villanova University, The New York Preservation Archive Project. 

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! And happy Thanksgiving! Coming off the tail end of the Potato Famine, I figured we all needed a little lighthearted episode this week. This week I take a look at the eagle and the turkey, both of these birds are significant to the US but for wildly different reasons. One is a symbol for strength, and one is enjoyed by millions on our day of thanks. 

Todays episode will look into the eagle as our national symbol, eagle preservation, and the repository where deceased eagles are sent to be further distributed to Native Tribes across the US. 

We also take a look at the pesky myth floating around that Ben Franklin wanted the turkery to be the national bird. While on the topic of turkeys I figured lets just take a brief look at thanksgving because why not. :)

Sources for todays episode include: The American Eagle Foundation, History.com, an article from RollCall.com by Mike Magner, The Ben Franklin Institute. Britannica, and Smithsonian Magazine

Thank you for listening to today's episode! If you liked what you heard, the best way to spread the word would be to share with a friend or two. If you really liked what you heard today, then I would really like it if you could leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I am going into 2025 focusing on growing the show and bringing new history lovers to the Its a History Podcast crew.

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In this final episode in our three part series on the Irish Potato Famine, I take a look at Irish Emigration out of Ireland. I also take a look at the famine ships and coffine ships that sailed over 3,000 miles from Ireland to north america. This journeys would aften be two months long, if not longer, and for many, they would not survive to step foot on land again. These ships were the perfect breeding ground for typhus to spread, leading to more death and devestation. 

Sources for today's episode include: The Library of Congress, Britannica, history.com, and The Famine Ships: The Irish Exodus To America by Edward Laxton. 

Thank you for listening to today's episode! If you liked what you heard, the best way to spread the word would be to share with a friend or two. If you really liked what you heard today, then I would really like it if you could leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I am going into 2025 focusing on growing the show and bringing new history lovers to the Its a History Podcast crew.

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! 

In this weeks epsiode, we go into Part 2 of the Irish Potato Famine. Over the course of todays episode, you will learn just how bad the Bristish repsone to this Humanitarian Crisis actually was. You will also learn how the famine itself was started and the effects of the famine on the Irish population. We also briefly go over workhouses and how they were involved in the great Hunger.

Sources for todays episode include: Ireland's Great Hunger Museum, History.com, HistoricUK.com, The National Institute of Health, RTE, and an article titled “ Why the British Relief Measures Failed" by Ellen-Mrie Pederson.

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In todays episode, we start our first look at the Three Part Special on the Irish Potato Famine.

Over the course of this episode, you will learn how the English came to dominate over Ireland starting way back with everyones favorite Henry, Henry VIII. With the help of his two daughters, Ireland would soon be fully under English control.

We aslo take a look at how the farming practices over the course of hundreds of years, aided by a controlling tennet/landlord system, set up Ireland to be dependent on a single Crop. 

The Potato. 

Sources for todays episode include: 

The National Irish Museum

History.com

Britannica

Ask About Ireland

An article from the BBC titled How the Humble Potato Changed the World by Diego Arguedas Ortiz. 

And an article by Cynthia E Smith titled The Land-Tenure System in Irlenad: A Fatal Regime

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In todays episode, I take a look at how we got our modern day Jack O' Lanters. From legends such as Stingy Jack to children carving faces into turnips (horrifying), Jack O' Lanters can be traced back to the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Whales.

Upon their arrival to the US, turnips were traded out for Pumpkins and the rest is history.

We can also trace many of our halloween tradtions back to ancient celtic tradtion of Samhain (Sow-wen). Dressing up in costume as well as the day for halloween itself both come from this celebration. 

Sources for today's episode include: PBS, History.com, Carnegi museum of natural history, and irishmyths.com. I would like to really shout out Irish Mysths.com as they provided a treasure trove of detail for this episode.

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In todays episode I take a sidestep into true crime, and we take a look at H.H. Holmes. H.H. Holmes was a manipulative Conman, who commmited fraud his whole life. He was also a prolific seriel killer that took the lives of many unsuspecting women in Chicago. 

After the Great Chicago Fire, rebuilding efforts brought many oppurtunities to young men and young women alike. And when Chicago was picked to host the next Worlds Fair, an influx of people would soon enter into the city looking for work.

Holmes utilized what was supposed to be a showcase in american excellence for his sinister plans. Just minutes away from the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, Holmes Built a structure with questionable intentions. With no head architect, Holmes was able to design a building built for his unsavory plans. 

Throughout todays episode, we look at Holmes himself, his arrival to Chicago, the construction of his Castle, and the women who met an unfortnate end at the hands of holmes. 

Sources today include: Devil in the White City by Eric Larson, National Geographic, Britannica, The Wilmette Historical Museum, and Crime Museum 

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening! 

Hello! In this second Halloween Episode for the month of October I discuss Witches! In the first part of todays episode I look at the Basque Witch Trails that happened over in Spain. We take a very brief look at the Spanish Inquisition, and then dive into the Malleus Maleficarum. We round out the epsiode taking a look at the Salem Witch Trails and finish with a look at Salem today. 

Sources for todays episode include: 

National Geographic, Marketplace, New york historical society,  Wikipedia, Britannica. Smithsonian magazine

If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at [email protected].

You can also find me on Intagram and Threads @itsahistorypodcast

Thank you for listening!