Gems of History

The finale is here! To wrap up the show, and our series on Lizzie Borden, we discuss the lead up to the official trial as well as the nitty gritty details of both legal teams' arguments over the guilt and innocence of Lizzie. In the end, she is ultimately acquitted due to crafty legal maneuvering and a lack of evidence tying her to the crime, but that didn't, and still doesn't, stop people from believing wholeheartedly that she did it. Thank you all once again for listening to the show for the past few years, we truly couldn't have done it without you.

To wrap up the podcast, we are going back to a topic we covered way back at the beginning of the show and giving it another look - specifically, the Lizzie Borden murder case. On this episode, we discuss the timeline of events and give some background on who the family was and the setting in which they lived. The police eventually land on no other option but to arrest Lizzie Borden for the murder of her parents and take her to a proper trial. What are your initial thoughts?

We are taking a week off from research to prep for our final series, so this week we found some wild news stories to talk about! A Colorado funeral home with a stack of nearly 200 unburied bodies starts off the episode, then we get into brain chopsticks, violent incel murders, and butt-based chess cheats! This one truly goes all over the map.

One of the most devastating health crises of the past half century has been the onset of HIV. After first infecting a human victim in Africa in the early to mid 1900s, it spread across the world and has infected and killed millions. There is no cure at this point, but modern vaccine testing is starting to show some promise in a future preventative.

Following some of the most tumultuous times in modern American history, Richard Nixon stepped into the White House. He shot up through political ranks quickly, despite his lack of social prestige. At first, his tenure as President was promising. He reorganized social infrastructure and made pushes for civil rights. But behind everything,  the pressure of war, foreign ideals, and domestic unrest created a sense of paranoia within Nixon. This paranoia pushed him to make unethical decisions, leading to the most important event of his political career, the Watergate scandal.

Continuing with their coverage of Lewis and Clark, the boys this week discuss some of the more controversial takes from the expedition. Behind the mask of exploration, the Corps of Discovery more or less exploited the Native American hospitality and used their knowledge to complete a mission of expansion for the United States government. They paved the way for later western migration for Americans and the eventual crippling of the Native American culture through minimization of their numbers and placing them on reservations.

This week the boys dive into the well-trod story of Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery. The group was one of the first expedition of white settlers to travel west across the United States and explore the country all the way to the Pacific coast. Along the way, they met with numerous Native American tribes and established friendly relations with them as well as cataloged hundreds of plants and animals that they found along the way.

Not many people celebrate death, but in Mexico they decided to change that. What started as an Aztec tradition is now one of the biggest holidays in the country, with families and friends gathering together to eat, drink, and honor their dead loved ones. El dia de Los Muertos is a time to once again commune with the deceased, portraying death as a part of the natural cycle of life and not something to be feared.

It's time to read some spooky tales from the internet once again! This installment includes evil magic, ghostly forest creatures, and creepy landlords! Happy Halloween everyone!

World War II heightened every emotion. Not only did anxiety and uncertainty reach new levels, but so did promiscuity and disregard for societal norms. In the darkness of the Blitz, the UK saw a spike in crime that strained the thin police force. Looting and assaults became more commonplace as the bombing runs disguised misdeeds. But one man was more interested in a darker type of criminal activity. He used the blackouts as a way to hide a spree of murders that would be likened to one of the most famous serial killers ever. He’s known as the Blackout Ripper.

What happens when you die? That question might be one of the oldest thoughts to plague humankind. Since ancient times, people have come up with theories based around that question. For early peoples, it was easy enough to use nature as their lens. After Death, we return to that natural cycle. Or perhaps we send our spirits out to appease whatever entity runs the forces of nature that keep us alive. Eventually that lens shifted towards organized religion, with dedicated arenas for every soul depending on the choices they made during their lifetime. But that's looking at the question from a grand viewpoint. What about looking at the question from a physical and literal standpoint? What happens to our bodies when the transaction that gave us life is finally voided? For most, it's not as frightening to think about the physical implications when compared to the existential ones. But that wasn't always the case. For centuries, there have been people who are wracked with anxiety and fear over that question. 

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Music in the episode credit to Myuu. Link to their YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Myuu

It's officially October, which means it is time to begin our coverage of all things spooky and haunted! To start off, we discuss the history of werewolf legends and how they have transformed and changed over time. From beginning as mythological kings who were punished by gods to the modern icons from Twilight and other media, the man-wolf image has taken on a life of it's own. In a sense, werewolves are more real now than ever. But did they really exist?

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Lee Miller is now recognized as an accomplished photographer and artist who covered some of the most intense scenes of World War II. But for a while, she served mostly as a muse for other people's art. After a tumultuous childhood, Lee reinvented herself in multiple different ways and eventually found herself working with, and making friend with, some of the biggest names in the art world like Pablo Picasso and Man Ray. Despite her success later in life as a war correspondent, Lee died before her art was truly recognized. But after she passed, her son Antony discovered her works and made sure to get them to people who would truly appreciate them.

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We are taking a little time off of researching to bring you some of the wackiest news from the past week or so! Let us know what you think about the stories we covered. Are aliens real? Should a man be arrested for trying to cross the ocean in a giant hamster wheel?

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In the finale of our series on the shipwreck of the Grafton, and now the Invercauld as well, we focus on the dichotomy between the response of the two shipwrecked crews. The Invercauld survivors barely avoid eating each other alive with nobody stepping into the leadership role to organize the men. Meanwhile, the crew of the Grafton continue to work together to build a ship that will get them to the mainland. Trust me when we say, this episode has a lot more depression and awful people than the first.

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This week we begin our journey with the crew of the small schooner known as the Grafton. After leaving port in Sydney, Australia in the waning months of 1863, the ship went off in search of riches in the sub Antarctic islands hundreds of miles south of New Zealand. Unfortunately for those five men on board, not only were they not going to find their fortunes, but they would end up wrecked on one of those islands and forced to survive there for over a year. A true showing of comradery allowed the men to build a comfortable shelter and survive together, all doing their part to keep the group alive and kicking. But unbeknownst to them, another crew was about to join them on the island.

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In the early months of 1993, the United States was put on notice. In a country that hadn’t faced much in the way of homeland terror, an explosion in the heart of one of the nation’s most populous cities instilled foreign fear in the hearts of Americans. A near one ton bomb obliterated multiple floors of a parking garage beneath two of the biggest symbols of American economic might - the World Trade Centers. Eight years before the Twin Towers would be reduced to rubble, this blast was the biggest terroristic threat on American soil, and today, on the Gems of History, we will explain how it all happened.

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From it's humble beginnings as a rugby/soccer doppelganger to now a multi-billion dollar industry, the National Football League has cemented itself in the culture of America as a sporting juggernaut. Fall is dominated by American football now, with the Superbowl becoming one of the biggest televised events in the world. But it also has its share of controversies, from domestic abuse scandals to fixing games. Join us as we take a trip through over a century of sporting history!

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Since the beginning of organized societies, there have been laws. And since there have been laws, humans have broken them. In order to maintain order, we developed courts and hold trials to enforce those laws. This week, we examine the beginning of laws and some of the earliest court setups. Additionally, we examine one of the biggest trials of the 20th century in America, known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, which pit two of the biggest celebrities in the country against one another in a battle of religion vs science.

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Before Julius Caesar was the name in Rome, he needed help getting there. And who better to help than one of the richest men in the history of the Roman Republic - a man named Marcus Licinius Crassus. Caesar and Crassus, alongside another man named Pompey, would be three of the last men in charge of Rome before its change from Republic to Empire. Caesar and Pompey would be assassinated, but Crassus, if the stories are to be believed, may have had the worst end of all. Want to support us? You can! Just go to Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast or download the Patreon app to sign up!

It's Evan's turn to do a solo episode this week, since Jacob is gone (again) and he decided to keep it light by discussing 10 of the worst years in recorded human history! From the introduction of the atomic bomb to the Black Death to massive volcano eruptions, this one is just as depressing as you would ever want it to be!

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One of the major reasons for the mass immigration to the New World from places in Europe, aside from riches and exploration, was the option to practice religion more freely. Away from the restraints of Catholicism or Protestantism, these new settlers could experiment with new versions of old religions. This led to some rough patches, see the Salem Witch Trials, but it also led to some of the biggest names in modern religious history, many of them men. But amidst that ever-changing landscape, a group of women - or perhaps more appropriately, two young girls and their adult sister - etched their names into the history books alongside those men. Their names were Leah, Maggie, and Kate, and they were the Fox Sisters.

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Since the beginning of human life, we’ve been getting sick. Plagues and epidemics have run through populations, with obvious ones like the Black Plague knocking off huge swaths of the population. But even with modern technology we fall victim to outbreaks of disease. In the late 20th century the largest waterborne disease epidemic in United State’s history struck, known as the Milwaukee Cryptosporidium outbreak of 1993. Want to support the show? You can! Just go to Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast or download the Patreon app and search for the show to sign up!

Hey everyone! We did a collab! For the full video episode, go look up the original show to watch! All the links will be posted below. Enjoy!

Join hosts Mark and Pete in an engaging conversation with Jacob Schopp and Evan Rusch, hosts of "Gems of History." Explore the impact of history on our thinking and how podcasting has transformed their perspectives. Discover the profound lessons history offers and the power of podcasting to connect, share knowledge, and inspire change. Gain insights into their motivations, challenges, and rewards as they unveil the intersection of history, podcasting, and personal growth. Immerse yourself in this captivating episode of "A Work In Progress." A Work In Progress on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xwuTUi1XaW5yGHWKZTqtp

A Work In Progress on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-work-in-progress-with-mark-and-pete/id1669089078

A Work In Progress on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aworkinprogresswmarkandpete

During tough times, people will sometimes turn to unreasonable means for survival. And in the midst of American Prohibition and the subsequent Great Depression, a new roster of outlaws reared its head. Among that roster was John Dillinger, who lived a short and fast life, robbing banks and running from J. Edgar Hoover and the recently formed FBI. Despite only living for three decades, his legacy has influenced numerous books, films, and documentaries. Let’s find out why, today on the Gems of History. 

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Hollywood is just another neighborhood in America, or at least it was when it began. It started as a small agricultural community, and in just over 100 years, sat as one of the most influential cultural landmarks in the world. Today, it dominates all forms of media, with thousands moving there each year to figure out if their star is on the rise or destined to burn out. Today on the Gems of History, we’ll figure out how Hollywood became the nameplate for film and celebrity and discuss some of the controversy along the way.

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Among the world’s many mysteries, there are few that have captivated scholars more than that of the Voynich Manuscript. It’s a text that has been studied for centuries, and we know a good amount about it, but at the same time we really know nothing about it. The book itself is full of strange art, familiar looking charts, and indecipherable writing. But in the larger picture, how and why did coded languages begin in the first place? Let’s find out today on the Gems of History Podcast. If you want to support us, you can! Just download the Patreon app and search for "Gems of History Podcast" or go to Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast to sign up today!

As the second half of the 20th century got underway, Iran found itself at a crossroads. Societal and political changes heightened tensions in the country, leading to discontent and turmoil amongst the people of Iran. By the end of the 1970s, the stage was set for a revolution, one that would reshape Iran’s, and the world's, history. On this episode, we unravel the story of that historic shift as we discuss the events of the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

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This week is another relaxed episode since Evan is out of town, but we found some fun news stories to talk about from the past couple weeks! There's some updates on the war in Ukraine, a naked landlord, and an intruder on the White House lawn - what a wild time.

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Heading back into the world of the paranormal this week, we examine the case of the Amityville Horror - debatably the most famous haunting case in the United States. But as it goes with any famous paranormal case, the story is hotly debated. People on both sides have come out in support or condemnation of the main character, George Lutz and his family. It has spawned movies and books, bringing in millions of dollars through the years. Do you believe?

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This week, we delve into the history of one of the most popular pets in the world - cats! From ancient Egypt to the modern day, cats have had an interesting run. They went from top of the ladder to bottom of the heap and back again, being blamed for everything from the Black Death to witchcraft outbreaks. But once that stigma subsided, they found their way back into the homes of loving families, where they remain today.

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This week is an Irish story in Australia - the rescue of six Irish prisoners from a British prison in Australia! It is one of the most sensational prison breaks in the history of Australia, including fake aristocrats, American whaling captains, and...potential invasions of Canada? This story has it all, including a happy ending! If you would like to support the show, you can by going to Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast and signing up!

We are jumping back into the world of true crime this week as we explore one of the most well known unsolved cases in history, the Zodiac Killer. There are so many different suspects that people have championed over the years, but none of them really stand out too much over the others. It's an infuriating case, but one that nobody can stop talking about. Let us know what you think! If you want to support us, you can by subscribing to our Patreon! Just go to Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast to sign up!

We are going back to antiquity once again, this time focusing on one of the biggest names to come from the time period: Alexander the Great. However, instead of focusing directly on Alexander himself, we decided to take a look at those around him as well and truly figure out how he was able to create what would come to be the biggest empire in the world. His mother Olympias and his father Philip II were both incredibly important to his story and deserve their time to be discussed as well.

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This week, Jacob is joined by former co-host Mark Steinbrenner for a more relaxed episode (after the horrors of Unit 731). Jacob reads three different tales from the frontier, two folklore stories and the life a man who really embodied that wild west spirit! To support the show, go to Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast to sign up! You'll get ad-free episodes, early access to shows, and the ability to suggest topics in our monthly polls!

This week we have our first Patreon chosen topic: Unit 731. In the lead up to the official outbreak of World War II, Japan was already hard at work creating biological and chemical weaponry using human test subjects as their medium. It was one of the most brutal campaigns of scientific study in human history, said to be worse than that of the Nazi concentration camps. And one of the worst parts? Nobody took responsibility for it. If you'd like to participate in helping us choose an episode next month, you can sign up for our Patreon at Patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast!

We are jumping back to the BC world (before crunchwraps) to talk about the life of one of the greatest generals in human history - Hannibal! We discuss the founding of Carthage, Hannibal's rise to power and his exploits in Rome, where he does a lot of insane things and completely destroys the Romans in almost every battle.

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This week we have an explosive episode for you, in which we discuss the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. From his beginnings as a genius young boy to his eventual life as a reclusive hermit in the woods who mails packages to random universities and airlines, Ted was a socially awkward kid who never grew up and decided to use his brains for bad.

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Welcome back for our annual review of the year that has passed! 2022 had a lot of big things occur worldwide, from war in Ukraine to heads of state being assassinated and a lot in between. I think everyone could just use a nice relaxing year for once if I do say so myself.

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This week we continue our coverage of the Branch Davidians by discussing life at Mount Carmel under the leadership of Vernon Howell, now David Koresh. The big changes include his name, a new building, oh and like 15 women that he "marries", too many of which are underage (the correct number of underage wives is zero if anyone is confused). The ATF also gets involved, really needing some bad press after the Ruby Ridge situation. 

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It's finally here! To celebrate our centennial episode, we decided to cover a topic that has been discussed behind the scenes for a while - the Waco Siege of 1993! In this first part, we discuss the history of the Branch Davidians and the upbringing of their eventual leader, David Koresh as well as the wild trial that gives him control of the Mount Carmel property.

We also launched a Patreon! If you'd like to support us, you can find that here: https://www.patreon.com/GemsofHistoryPodcast

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This week we try our hands at being news anchors and bring you some of the wildest and wackiest stories we could find! Ancient condoms, face eating golfers, and 29 year old high school students...what a wild world we live in. 

This week's episode focuses on a truly badass chick. Khutulun was a distant relative of Genghis Khan and was a very fierce warrior in her own right. She was also an undefeated wrestler, amassing huge wealth for her family by defeating a bunch of potential suitors in matches. I know I wouldn't want to go up against her.

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Imagine being married at the age of 7 to a kid you don't know and then trying to rule a kingdom as a teenager. Then your husband gets assassinated and you are the prime suspect. But to make matters worse, you get kicked out of your kingdom and have to petition the pope for your life in a different country while your cousins are allying with your enemy. AND while all of this is going on, the Black Death - one of the most disastrous events IN HUMAN HISTORY - is also making it's way through Europe. Welcome to the life of Joanna, Queen of Naples. 

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We continue our month of historic female figures by focusing on Maya Angelou and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Maya Angelou is a well respected artist and activist who worked alongside some of the biggest names in the Civil Rights Movement and courageously wrote about her tumultuous upbringing in multiple autobiographies. Toshiko Akiyoshi moved from Japan to America in the 50s to pursue a career as a jazz musician and became one of the most well respected figures in the genre, working with huge jazz stars such as Norman Granz and Charles Mingus.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the wife of not one, but two kings? Maybe go on a crusade? Defend your land from your grandson at the age of 80? Well wonder no more because Eleanor of Aquitaine did it all for you so you can live vicariously through her! Eleanor was an amazing woman of the middle ages and left a huge mark on the world around her through the way she carried herself. She truly was a queen.

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