History You Didn't Know But Should

Christmas during the Civil War wasn’t just about battles paused and soldiers in camp, it was about families, faith, longing, and a country in transition. In this episode of History You Didn't Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore how Americans actually experienced Christmas in the 1860s: at home, in churches, and far from loved ones. They look at how traditions were changing, how faith and sentiment shaped the holiday, and how...

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray sit down with Dr. Denver Brunsman, Department Chair and Associate Professor of History at The George Washington University. We explore how George Washington approached executive power and how his character, military experience, and political instincts shaped the presidency. Dr. Brunsman also considers whether Washington unintentionally set the stage for what some ...

On this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray head into the mountains of North Carolina to chase the legend of Grandfather Mountain’s Phantom Hiker, the silent, ghostly figure who passes travelers on the trail before fading into the trees. Along the way, they follow the breadcrumbs of other ghostly wanderers, from prophetic vanishing hitchhikers warning that “Jesus is coming” to lone spirits keeping to their ...

Down a lonely dirt road outside Whiteville, North Carolina, lies a bridge with a heartbeat. Locals call it Heartbeat Bridge, a place where legend says a masked killer once claimed his victim, cutting out her heart and tossing it into the swamp below. Stop your car on the bridge at midnight, kill the engine, and listen closely, some say you’ll hear a pulse echoing from the darkness.

In this episode of History You Didn't Know But ...

In this spine chilling episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray turn down a dark stretch of Highway 210 in Pender County, North Carolina. One late night in July 2021, a 911 call reported a bleeding man in a Civil War uniform standing by the roadside. But what followed was no ordinary sighting, it was something out of nightmares. Was it a ghost, a bear, or something beyond the natural? Dare to listen…and join us ...

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the epic story of the 1916 flood that tore through North Carolina’s mountains destroying bridges, railroads, and entire communities. We also trace the legacy of later storms like Hazel, Matthew, and Hurricane Helene (2024) to show how hurricanes and floods continue to reshape the region and remind us of its ongoing vulnerability to inland flooding.

Tune i...

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Ray and Chris take a look at the chaotic and transformative year of 1968. From the Vietnam War and civil rights struggles to assassinations and protests in the streets, the presidential election unfolded against a backdrop of division and unrest. We unpack how Richard Nixon’s campaign capitalized on themes of “law and order,” why Hubert Humphrey struggled to unify his party, an...

In this episode of History You Didn't Know But Should, Chris and Ray talk about why history isn’t just about memorizing dates and names. It’s about perspective. Too often, we focus on the same stories and the same people. But when we broaden our view, looking at events and individuals from fresh angles, we begin to see connections, consequences, and hidden details that change everything. Whether it’s rethinking a well-known fig...

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into one of the most colorful and modern-feeling elections in American history, the 1840 contest between President Martin Van Buren and the log cabin war hero William Henry Harrison. We unpack the over-the-top campaign strategies, the use of catchy slogans and mass political marketing, and why this election set the stage for future presidential image making. ...

The Lost Colony has never been more intriguing. In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the enduring mystery of Roanoke: what really happened to the settlers, why the story still captivates us, and what recent archaeological findings could finally give weight to one of the most debated theories. This isn't just a history lesson, it's a detective story centuries in the making. Don't...

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the story behind Juneteenth, what it really commemorates, how it became a national holiday, and why it matters. From its origins in Galveston, Texas to its broader significance in the long struggle for civil rights, this conversation reminds us that progress is worth celebrating, even when the road is long.

Whether you're new to Juneteenth or want a d...

What do drums, freedom, and rebellion have in common? In this powerful episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray uncover the gripping story of the Stono Rebellion—, n explosive 1739 uprising where enslaved Africans marched for liberty and left a legacy that still echoes today.

🎧 Hit play, learn something that you may have forgotten from history class, and if it sparks your curiosity, like, share, and pass it on. ...

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore a lesser-known pattern in presidential history, covering up serious health issues at the highest levels of power. In light of former President Joe Biden’s advanced prostate cancer diagnosis, we revisit the hidden illnesses of past presidents: Chester Arthur’s kidney disease, FDR’s paralysis, JFK’s secret health cocktail, Woodrow Wilson’s battle with the Sp...

In this episode, we delve into the events of July 6, 1944, when a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance in Hartford, Connecticut, turned tragic. A fire, ignited during the show, rapidly consumed the paraffin-and-gasoline-treated canvas tent, leading to the deaths of at least 167 people and injuring over 700 others. We explore the causes of the fire, the ensuing panic, and the lasting impact on circus safety r...