The complicated relationship that existed between the United States and its Soviet advisory, Joseph Stalin, was one that changed with almost every shift in the global climate of the 1930s and 1940s. From defending the eastern front from Adolf Hitler’s advances in World War II to the negotiating table of the Paris Peace Conference, few leaders from history have had a more divisive legacy in our nation’s past than Stalin, himself. The dictator that most historians accredit with killing more than 20 million people is the same leader whose forces altered the course of war with his unwavering defense of the Russian city of Stalingrad. By 1947, however, with the ushering in of the Cold War, it was undeniable that Joseph Stalin was the primary communist opponent that the United States government had to concern itself with. Therefore, upon his death in 1953, U.S. foreign policy makers waited with baited breath on who his successor would be and what this would mean for the American people.

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We’ve done a bunch of top 5’s - and we’ve gotten great feedback on them.  We’ve also had a great deal of guests on our show, from colleagues to students to historians and editors of worldwide magazines and nationally-renowned books.  Today, we’re combining the best of both worlds. 

That’s right!  We’re taking a top 5 and mixing it with a guest speaker.  Welcome to the Top 5 Weirdest Traditions…it’s a top 5, it’s a Missing Chapter Chat, and it’s our friend and colleague’s first time on the Podcast.  So join us today in welcoming historian, coach, and friend of ours, Justice Parker to today’s episode of the Missing Chapter.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Missing Chapter Podcast website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information, previous episodes, and professional development opportunities.

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Oh if these walls could talk - how many times have you heard that?  Well, how would you react if I told you that the office walls of a certain US ambassador were talking - to spying KGB members outside the US embassy in Moscow.  Now wait a second, how could this have happened?  And isn’t this the sort of stuff we see on Bond films and sci-fi movies?  That kind of stuff doesn’t really happen right?  Oh it does, and it did all throughout the cold war.  In this instance, the brilliant technology especially for mid-20th century standards, the preparation, and sneakiness is most certainly film-worthy, and it’s the topic of conversation on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

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In the days following September 2, 1945, there were few labels more abhorrent than that of ‘Nazi.’ As the events of the Holocaust and Adolf Hitler’s genocide against Europe’s Jewish community and other groups and minorities came to light, anyone associated with the Nazi’s or anyone linked to their repulsive deeds were put on trial and held accountable for their actions. SS officers and Nazi officials scattered throughout Europe in a frantic race to escape prosecution. They assumed false identities and took refuge in the few countries that sympathized with their ideologies and whose extradition laws kept them safe. Subsequently, in the years after World War II, Nazi hunters like the famed Simon Wiesenthal would scour the ends of the earth trying to find these criminals and bring them to justice.

For some 1,600 German, Nazi elite - scientists, engineers - however, one government in particular recruited them… welcomed them, embraced them after 1945. They didn’t have to hide their entities. The resumes they built during WWII is what set them apart from their colleagues. This country and the project they were being chosen for… might surprise you. What lengths were countries willing to go to during the height of the Cold War, under the threat of the Nuclear Age, when they willingly signed… A Deal with the Devil.

Go to ⁠⁠⁠The Missing Chapter Podcast website⁠⁠⁠ for more information, previous episodes, and professional development opportunities.

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Any historian or history buff will tell you, there are certain people throughout history that used their gift of leadership for great things.  Some, on the other hand, have used this gift for well, not so great things.  On this episode of the Missing Chapter, we’re taking a look back almost a millennia in time, to the 13th century, where we see a very, shall we say, skillful and strategic leader who used his leadership not to bring out the best in others, but as a means of conquest.  And we’re talking about one of the largest contiguous empires man has ever seen…the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan.  I’m sure many of our listeners know their fair share of Genghis Khan stories, or at the very least, are aware of the brutality that he was known for and the fear that he struck into anyone in his path.  But maybe, just maybe, there’s a story of a walled city that he came upon that gave him pause.  What to do next?  Turn back around?  Try to scale the walled city?  Surrender?  Well, knowing him, he’s most definitely not surrendering, but what he does next will make you wonder how someone could be so clever, and so evil simultaneously.  Welcome to the Missing Chapter everyone, let’s get started.

Go to ⁠⁠The Missing Chapter Podcast website⁠⁠ for more information, previous episodes, and professional development opportunities.

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The shadowy figure emerged from the staircase onto the roof of the hospital – the tallest building in Tokyo at the time. The series of lies and bluffs that he had used to this point had, in fact, worked gaining him access to the spot in the city skyline he would need to complete his mission.

From beneath his kimono, he drew a small movie camera and began to pan the view before him, albeit draped under the cover of night. This included the harbor and the industrial district of Tokyo – which was comprised of munitions plants and military factories. After several minutes of filming and picture taking, the man puts the camera back under his kimono, retreats from the roof, and quietly makes his way back down the stairs – as if he had never even been there.  It was late and in less than 24 hours, he would be taking the field with his teammates in front of thousands of adoring fans.  

Sound like a Cold War spy thriller, a Hollywood action film… or just another amazing episode of your favorite podcast? In the world of espionage, question everything, except what you’re about to hear now on The Missing Chapter. 

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Historical Coincidences was a big hit with our fan base, so guess what, it’s a part II.  That's right, the sequel!  And are sequels ever as good as the original? Well, in this case, it is! We had a blast talking about the original top 5, so let’s expand on that initial episode and get into the coincidental, the odd, and maybe even get a little weird. It’s the part II episode of history’s most coincidental events, welcome to the Missing Chapter!

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In the United States, the Roaring 20’s represented an era of great change and growth. Music, industry, arts & literature, entertainment and fashion were evolving at an extraordinary pace and out of this a hot new item emerged. Decorated with a recently discovered miracle substance, this accessory would change the way people were able to tell time. However, no one could have known that this miracle substance would claim the lives of dozens of young women. This story will not only give insight about workplace safety, but a whole new meaning to the phrase “glow-in-the-dark.”

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Go to ⁠The Missing Chapter Podcast website⁠ for more information, previous episodes, and professional development opportunities.

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Happy April Fool's Day, everyone!  Some of us are doing what most people do on April 1st...nothing really out of the ordinary - while others, however, are using today’s date and continued tradition as an excuse to pull some of the most ridiculous, albeit clever pranks on everyone from family, friends, grandparents, teachers, classmates…no one is off limits on April 1st because hey, that’s what we do on April fools day because it’s not only just allowed, it’s encouraged! 

But have you ever stopped and asked yourself why we actually participate in this anyway?  I’m guessing that anyone who’s actually pranking people and participating in this tradition really don’t care to ask themselves why they’re doing this, but us history nerds love it!

So, why DO we partake in this weird, odd, and kind of obscure “holiday” - wait, is it a holiday?  Either way, where the heck does all of this come from?  Find out today on this Missing Chapter Short!

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