On this day, October 16, 1859, John Brown launched one of the most unique and bewildering events in American history, his raid on Harpers Ferry.  In this re-up episode from The Educator Podcast, we discuss this incredible event which became one of the main catalysts for the Civil War which would start just a year and a half later. We also take a look at what it’s like to visit this excellent historic site today. 

Want to jump ahead in this episode?

Summary: 1:22
Interesting Facts: 6:00
Background: 7:52
The Raid: 20:07
Aftermath: 37:07
Visiting Today: 45:00 

John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (then still part of Virginia) was an attempted slave insurrection lead by the infamous militant abolitionist John Brown, who had already become well known in the US for his prominent role in the pro-slavery versus anti-slavery violence that had already taken place in the Kansas Territory, called Bleeding Kansas. At the Raid on Harpers Ferry, late in the evening on Sunday, October 16th, 1859, John Brown led a group of 22 men, including 3 of his sons, to capture the United States Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia and the thousands of weapons stored there in order to ignite a slave rebellion.

He horribly miscalculated, however, and by the afternoon of the following day he and his followers, along with many of the hostages they had captured, found themselves trapped in a small fire engine house surrounded by hundreds of angry citizens and militiamen. It would be Brown’s last stand. Fighting ensued, ultimately leaving 5 townspeople and 10 of Brown’s raiders dead and many more wounded. By Tuesday morning US Marines showed up, broke down the doors of the fire engine house using a ladder as a battering ram, and captured John Brown and his remaining raiders.

But the story doesn’t end there. John Brown, considered by most who had heard of him to be a madman, spent the next several weeks of his imprisonment giving interviews to anyone who would listen – Senators, Congressmen, reporters, and ordinary citizens. These interviews became widely publicized across the country and quickly began to affect the national consciousness, not just on perceptions of him but on opinions of slavery in general. He came across as  “truthful and intelligent” even to his enemies, and said of his actions, “I claim to be here in carrying out a measure I believe perfectly justifiable… to aid those suffering great wrong.”

On November 2nd he was found guilty of treason, murder and inciting a slave insurrection, and sentenced to death. This appeared to be no problem for him, he had made clear, for “I have only a short time to live. Only one death to die, and I will die fighting for this cause. There will be no peace in this land until slavery is done for.”

John Brown quickly became known in the South as a murderous villain, but for abolitionists he was a heroic martyr for their cause, and his words and actions convinced many in the North that violence might be the only way to end slavery. His actions helped force the question of slavery in the United States, and to this day he remains an enigma of a man, not easily definable or understood, but captivating nonetheless.

A fan of interesting facts? Listen to find out how famous names like Lee, Whitman, Booth,  Douglass, Tubman, Thoreau, Emerson and Jefferson connect to this story, and much more. 

In another hilarious and informative discussion from the Embark Center, we research and discuss the historical controversy over Hitler's death, examining the reliability of historical evidence as we try to determine if Hitler really died in his famous Fuhrerbunker in 1945. Was it was faked and he escaped instead? You might be surprised by the evidence.

On this day, September 28, 1781, the Battle of Yorktown began. In this re-up of an episode from The Educator Podcast's Walking History series, we discuss the Battle of Yorktown, also known as the Siege of Yorktown, the final and most important battle of the Revolutionary War, resulting in American independence from Great Britain. This episode does a deep dive into the battle, discussing its background, the chess game that Washington was playing with the British, and the battle itself. Finally, we end by discussing what it’s like to visit this incredible battlefield today.

Want to jump ahead in this episode?

Summary: 4:35
 Interesting Facts: 7:15
 Background of the Battle: 8:35
 The Battle: 32:55
 Aftermath: 52:50
 Visiting Today: 55:20

The Battle of Yorktown, also known as the Siege of Yorktown, was the final and most important battle of the Revolutionary War, resulting in the complete surrender of the British forces under General Lord Cornwallis to General George Washington and eventually leading to the full British surrender and independence for the United States. Culminating on Oct. 19th, 1781, the battle pitted a combined force of about 17,000 American and French troops against just over 8,000 British. The British had been holed up in the port town of Yorktown, Virginia, near the Chesapeake Bay since the summer, but by October they found themselves trapped between a French fleet at sea and American and French troops by land. Without escape or reinforcement the British forces were sitting ducks.

By 1781 the American Revolution had reached its 6th year of fighting, with both sides tired, but momentum was on the side of the Americans. The French had allied with the Americans and were providing soldiers, supplies, and their powerful navy. The British had tried unsuccessfully for years to control the Middle and New England colonies, and by 1781 their only force, though a large one, in the northern colonies was stationed in New York City. Washington’s strategy of protracted fighting and avoiding large, pitched battles had worn down the enemy, and support for independence steadily grew throughout the new United States. But victory was far from certain. British forces, particularly those under General Cornwallis, were attacking throughout the south, and the British forces in New York City far outnumbered Washington’s and could defeat or capture his army at any time. 

The Americans, and French, however, with a great deal of ingenuity and a little bit of luck, managed to corner and defeat Cornwallis’ southern force. “Oh God! It’s all over.” Said British Prime Minister Lord North upon hearing the news of the defeat at Yorktown. For all intents and purposes it was, although Washington and the rest of those fighting didn’t know it yet, still afraid of the British force in New York. The British would not attack, however, and soon peace negotiations began, finally ending with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. It secured full independence for the fledgling United States, creating the first democracy the world had seen since Rome, and proved that the world’s most powerful countries and their monarchs could be challenged and overcome.

Washington DC is a history lover's dream, you're immersed in it as soon as you set foot in this iconic American city. In this episode we talk about the history of DC and visit:

The National Mall - It's Monuments, Museums and Government Buildings
The National Archives
The National Cathedral
Georgetown and other Historic Neighborhoods

With the help of the ever curious and unintentionally hilarious kids at the Embark Center, we dissect famous historical controversies and conspiracy theories, including the JFK assassination, Marylin Monroe's death, the 27 Club, and of course, Hitler.  We dare you not to laugh listening to this one!

In this re-up of one of his favorite episodes from The Educator Podcast, Matt visits and talks about the incredible Battle of Antietam. 

The Battle of Antietam, also known as The Battle of Sharpsburg,was  one of the most consequential battles of the American Civil War and the single bloodiest day in American history. We also take a look at what it’s like to visit this extremely well-preserved battlefield today.  

The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17th, 1862 in the Appalachian foothills of western Maryland, just across the border from Virginia. It resulted in almost 23,000 casualties and over 3,500 deaths, although the actual numbers are likely far higher, and lead President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Want to jump ahead in this episode?

Summary: 2:08
Interesting Facts: 6:40
Context of the Battle: 8:16
The Battle: 31:26
Aftermath of the Battle: 50:38
Visiting the Battlefield Today: 59:58 

In the weeks before the battle, more than 40,000 Confederate troops lead by General Robert E. Lee had made their way north into Union held Maryland and were pursued by almost 90,000 Union troops under the command of General George B. McClellan. Lee eventually positioned his forces in a somewhat precarious position near the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, with his back to Potomac River. A master tactician, he knew the many faults of his opponent, and was willing to bet his smaller force could still win the day. McClellan positioned his forces north to south, opposite Lee’s, across a small river called Antietam Creek, and set up to attack. 

Small-scale skirmishing occurred on the evening of September 16th, and early on September 17th the Union attack began in earnest. McClellan attacked first at the northern end of the line, and for hours Union forces bombarded Confederate troops in a bloodbath that left thousands dead and wounded. Unable to dislodge the Confederates, McClellan then sent his forces towards the center at what would become one of the most hallowed grounds on a Civil War battlefield, the Sunken Road, also known as the Bloody Lane. Finally, McClellan ordered attacks towards the south of the line where a small bridge crossed Antietam Creek. For hours thousands of Union troops were held back by only 500 Confederates who held the high ground across the river until Union troops finally broke through at 1pm. Almost in a position to outflank Lee’s army and potentially cut them off from retreat, a Confederate force arrived at the last possible moment, stalling the Union advance and effectively ending the battle. 

Lee, outnumbered and battered, remained in his position the next day and then retreated back to Confederate held Virginia. McClellan, despite repeated pleas by Lincoln and the War Department, refused to pursue.

The battle was a strategic victory for the North in that it stopped a Confederate invasion, but could have resulted with the complete defeat or capture of Lee's forces had McClellan acted more decisively or had a more competent commander been in charge. Seeing the battle as an important morale boost for the country, however, President Lincoln used the opportunity to issue one of the most famous and consequential statements in American history, the Emancipation Proclamation, changing the nature of the war and forever altering the course of US history. 

Hear about the most interesting historical locations in Virginia, including:

The Luray Caverns
Mount Vernon (Washington's Home)
Old Town Alexandria
Monticello (Jefferson's Home)
Montpelier (Madison's Home)
Jamestown
Williamsburg
Yorktown
Civil War Stuff (it's literally everywhere you turn)
Arlington National Cemetery