In 1974, Richard Nixon became the first, and to this day only, US President to resign from office. This followed the scandal surrounding the 1972 break-ins at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Building in Washington D.C., orchestrated by Nixon's administration. Nixon initially tried to cover up his involvement, but his secret recordings of Oval Office meetings were subpoenaed by the Supreme Court, leading to his downfall. The Watergate scandal significantly impacted US politics, fostering widespread public distrust in politics and politicians. Its legacy is seen in the "-gate" suffix attached to contemporary controversies, symbolising scandal (e.g. Billygate, Bottlegate, Partygate, Bountygate, Punchgate, Donutgate and many, MANY more...).

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

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Known as "The Nine Days Queen", Jane Grey is often overlooked in history books as an English monarch, simply due to the fact that her reign was so short. In 1553 King Edward VI, Henry VIII's only son, was dying and he wanted to ensure that the English throne passed to another Protestant. On the advice of his scheming Chief Minister, the Duke of Northumberland, he signed over the throne to an obscure fifteen-year-old noblewoman from Leicestershire... who just happened to be Northumberland's daughter in law, Lady Jane Grey. In doing so, Edward sidelined his older half-sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary was outraged by this, and when Jane was duly proclaimed Queen on 10 July 1553, Mary started gathering forces to support her claim to the throne as Henry VIII's eldest child. Things very quickly unravelled for the poor young Jane, and she lost her crown just nine days later on 19 July. Shortly after being proclaimed Queen Mary I, Mary put Jane on trial for high treason as a usurper, and she was beheaded on 12 February 1554.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the tragic death of Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the Ministry of History has made an episode about his life. Whilst I was in Senna's native São Paulo a couple of months back, I sat down to discuss Senna's life with local tour guide Bruno. Senna's life may have been cut tragically short, but his influence on the racing sport is still felt today. After his death it was revealed he had donated hundreds of millions of dollars of his personal fortune to charities in Brazil and his legacy includes the Senna Institute which provides education to poorer children in Brazil. Upon his death at just 34 years old, such was his hero status in Brazil, that the government declared three days of mourning, and he was buried with full state honours.

Join us as we delve into the story of this highly complex individual, whose softly spoken, sensitive, compassionate and highly emotional demeanour stood in stark contrast to his aggressive and ruthless driving techniques, all while navigating the depths of a deep Christian faith.

If you're ever in Säo Paolo, then do check out Bruno and the tours he offers. He's fantastic!

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the wartime pharmacological history in this discussion episode, where I am joined by Jonathan, a fellow Berlin tour guide, to shed light on the pervasive use of amphetamines during the Second World War. Delve into the motivations, consequences, and the intricate relationship between soldiers and stimulants. We'll also talk about Adolf Hitler's addiction problem - he was addicted to many different drugs in the last ten years of his life, including methamphetamine, cocaine and pain killers. Join us for a stimulating look into a chapter of history where drugs played a strategic role in the theatre of war.

Apologies for the poor quality of audio, this is back when I was using very basic microphones!

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It all began with the Treaty of Windsor in 1373, which formally allied Portugal and what was then England (superseded by Great Britain in 1707). Since then there have been numerous developments and treaties to strengthen the alliance, with the two countries working together on trade, war and diplomacy. In June 2023, the two countries celebrated the 650th anniversary of the alliance, with the Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa being hosted at Buckingham Palace by King Charles III for celebrations. In this episode, we'll dissect the complexities, tracing the evolution of this enduring relationship between the two countries. There have been ups and downs to the alliance, but one thing remains true: Portugal and Britain have maintained a steadfast friendship despite challenges, marked by substantial emigration flows in both directions for each nation, with each country contributing to the others culture in wonderful ways. Join us for a thoughtful examination of the shared endeavours, treaties, and geopolitical shifts that define the most enduring diplomatic alliance in history.

The bond between these two countries is so deep and special, that Portugal is the real ‘Special Relationship’ for Britain. Forget the USA.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few weeks back, we covered Operation Anthropoid, the assassination of high-ranking Nazi Reinhard Heydrich. On today's episode, we will cover the horrific Nazi reprisals that the Germans carried out in response to the assassination. Following the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazis falsely accused Lidice's residents of aiding the assassins. On 10 June 1942, in a horrific act of reprisal, the entire village was obliterated, with its male population systematically executed, while women and children were sent to concentration camps. This event stands as one of the most notorious atrocities committed by the Nazis during the war.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of Ukraine's Story, we will be brought right up to the present day, and talk about the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. It is a complex conflict that arose following Russia's annexation of Crimea. The war escalated in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk, where pro-Russian separatist movements declared independent republics. The conflict has been characterised by a blend of conventional warfare and irregular tactics, with Russia allegedly supporting the separatists. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, sporadic fighting and tensions persist, fuelling geopolitical and humanitarian concerns.

But something we today all remember, it is etched into our collective memories, is waking up on 24 February 2022 to see the horrifying images of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Ukrainians are still to this day trying bravely to repel. We don't know what will happen, but this episode will take you all through the war right up to towards the end of 2023.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me and fellow history buff Eliecer in this episode as we delve into the brief yet impactful era of Gran Colombia. We explore the charismatic leaders, political intrigue, and the ambitious vision that shaped the short-lived attempt to unify parts of South America, inspired by Simón Bolívar's dream. Gran Colombia, officially formed in 1819, encompassed present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and parts of Peru, Panama, and Brazil. Unfortunately, internal disagreements led to its dissolution by 1831, marking the end of this visionary chapter in South American history. It does make me think what could have been...

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

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Josip Broz Tito, the long term ruler of Yugoslavia, is a fascinating and complex figure considered by many as an example of a "good" dictator. During his tenure from the Second World War until his death in 1980, Tito skilfully navigated the intricate web of ethnic diversity within Yugoslavia, fostering relative stability and economic development. His policy of non-alignment during the Cold War allowed Yugoslavia to maintain independence from both the Eastern and Western blocs. Despite these achievements, Tito's leadership was not without criticism. His regime exhibited authoritarian tendencies, employing censorship and political repression to suppress dissent. Moreover, economic challenges emerged in the later years of his rule. The legacy of Tito is thus a nuanced one, reflecting the delicate balance he maintained between unity and control in Yugoslavia.

In exploring his fascinating life, I am joined by fellow history buff Igor Radulovic, who himself is a historian from Montenegro (formerly a part of Yugoslavia). Igor is a member of the project team that educates teachers about the usage of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) archives when preparing history lessons on the 1990s conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. To find out more about Igor’s work, click here.

The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.