Weird History

In 1600, a teenage girl escaped from a Spanish convent by cutting her hair, disguising herself as a man, and embarking on one of history's most audacious gender-bending adventures. Catalina de Erauso transformed herself into a swashbuckling conquistador, fighting duels across Spain and the Americas, gambling away fortunes, and leaving a trail of dead bodies - including her own brother, whom she killed in a street fight without recognizing him. Her exploits include serving in the military, escaping multiple death sentences, confessing her biological sex to a bishop to avoid execution, and eventually receiving special permission from the Pope himself to continue living as a man. Discover the extraordinary story of the "Lieutenant Nun" whose autobiography shocked 17th-century Europe and who navigated the dangerous colonial world by defying every gender norm of her time.Donate to the show here:

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Off the coast of Japan’s Yonaguni Island lies a submerged enigma: massive stone terraces, staircases, and pyramid-like structures stretching 165 feet long and 65 feet wide.

Discovered in 1986, the Yonaguni Monument has sparked a fierce debate. Some researchers claim it’s a man-made relic of a mythical lost civilization, pointing to tool marks and carvings resembling animals and human faces.

Skeptics argue it’s a natural formation shaped by earthquakes and currents—though even they admit its 90-degree angles and symmetrical platforms are uncanny. Estimated to be 10,000–16,000 years old, this ‘underwater city’ could rewrite history—if proven artificial.

Dive into the clash of science and myth, and decide: ancient engineering marvel or Earth’s jaw-dropping geology?

In 1835, Michigan and Ohio mobilized militias, pointed cannons at each other, and nearly started a civil war over which state would get to claim... Toledo. This bizarre border dispute featured midnight raids, drunken militias firing into the darkness, a governor with a $1,000 bounty on his head, and exactly one wounded casualty (someone got stabbed with a penknife). When President Andrew Jackson tried to intervene, Michigan told him to mind his own business. The conflict got so heated that Michigan refused to become a state for two years out of pure spite, creating a semi-independent "republic" in protest. Discover the forgotten territorial showdown that almost turned the Midwest into a battlefield, how it was finally resolved with the weirdest compromise in American history, and why Michiganders still haven't forgiven Ohio almost 200 years later.

In 1835, the New York Sun shocked the world with headlines claiming famed astronomer Sir John Herschel had discovered life on the Moon—including bat-winged humanoids, unicorns, and sapphire temples. The six-part series, written by Richard Adams Locke, described a 24-foot telescope revealing lush forests, herds of ‘bison,’ and rational ‘Vespertilio-homo’ creatures building structures. Though a satire mocking religious pseudoscience, the hoax captivated thousands, spurred missionary plans, and even fooled scientists. Learn how this 19th-century ‘fake news’ scandal skyrocketed the Sun’s circulation, inspired Edgar Allan Poe, and shaped tabloid journalism—proving sensationalism sells, then and now.

Nourie Hadig isn’t your grandmother’s Cinderella. In this haunting Armenian folktale, a persecuted girl survives betrayal, cannibalistic sisters, and a moon goddess’s curse to reclaim her destiny. Darker than Grimm and older than Perrault, this story reveals Armenia’s rich oral tradition—where fairy tales bleed into myths, and happy endings come at a price. Discover why scholars call it one of history’s most macabre ‘Cinderella’ variants… and how it survived centuries of war and exile.

In 1943, British intelligence pulled off the most audacious military deception in history. They acquired the body of a homeless man who had died from rat poison, dressed him as a Royal Marines officer, fabricated an entire fake identity complete with love letters and personal documents, and then dropped him off the coast of Spain with false invasion plans. The goal? To convince Nazi Germany that the Allies were going to invade Greece, when they were actually planning to attack Sicily. This elaborate ruse involved a novelist, a pathologist, and a dead body with a completely fictional backstory that was so convincing it made its way through Spanish intelligence and directly to Hitler's desk. Discover how a meticulously crafted lie, a random corpse, and some of the most creative minds in British intelligence changed the course of World War II - and potentially saved thousands of lives with nothing more than an elaborate, macabre hoax.

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In this episode of Weird History, we dive into a medieval conflict so absurd it sounds like a comedy sketch, but resulted in real bloodshed. In 1325, two Italian city-states went to total war over a wooden bucket stolen from a public well - a conflict that would leave thousands dead and become one of history's most bizarre military encounters.

Uncover the intricate political landscape of medieval Italy, where Bologna and Modena had been bitter rivals for generations. We'll explore how a simple bucket theft became the spark for a massive battle at Zappolino, where hundreds of knights and soldiers clashed over what might be the most pointless war in European history.

Through expert interviews and historical analysis, we'll break down how this conflict represented more than just a stolen bucket - it was a complex power struggle between competing municipal governments, feudal hierarchies, and regional pride. Learn how the bucket itself became a trophy of war, eventually displayed in Modena's city hall as a symbol of triumph.

Perfect for history buffs, military strategy enthusiasts, and anyone who loves stories that prove truth is stranger than fiction. Whether you're fascinated by medieval politics or just want to hear about the most ridiculous war ever fought, this episode reveals how human pride and territorial disputes can escalate into full-scale military conflict.

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Born in the twilight of the 19th century in an unknown location, Victor Lustig mastered the art of deception so completely that the FBI dubbed him "the man with 47 faces." His most audacious con? Posing as a government official and selling the Eiffel Tower to scrap metal dealers – not once, but twice. Lustig charmed his way through luxury hotels across Europe and America, swindled the notorious Al Capone, printed counterfeit money so perfect the Secret Service struggled to detect it, and somehow convinced victims to hand over their life savings for a "money-printing box" that produced nothing. His incredible 40-year criminal career spanned continents, featured daring prison escapes, and left a trail of wealthy victims who were often too embarrassed to report being fooled. Discover the extraordinary life of history's most charismatic swindler and the elaborate psychological games that made his impossible scams work time after time – until his luck finally ran out.

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In 1944, Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda was sent to a remote Philippine island with orders to spy on American forces. His final command: never surrender, no matter what. He took those orders so seriously that when World War II ended in 1945, Onoda refused to believe it. For the next 29 years, he continued his one-man guerrilla war, living in the jungle, raiding local villages for supplies, and dismissing all attempts to convince him the war was over as enemy propaganda. Leaflets, newspapers, even letters from his family were all rejected as elaborate American tricks. By the time his former commander personally traveled to the jungle to relieve him of duty in 1974, Onoda had become a living ghost from another era – a soldier who had killed some 30 civilians while fighting a war that had ended when Harry Truman was president. Discover the extraordinary story of loyalty, isolation, and psychological conviction that kept one man fighting decades after peace was declared.

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Imagine this: It's your wedding night. You and your new spouse have just retired to the bedroom when suddenly, dozens of neighbors surround your house banging pots and pans, firing guns in the air, and demanding entry to your bedroom. This wasn't a home invasion – it was Shivaree, a once-common tradition where entire communities would terrorize newly married couples on their wedding night. Discover the shocking history of this sanctioned harassment that saw newlyweds dragged from bed, forced to serve drinks to intruders, or even carried through town in their nightclothes. From its origins as a community punishment for "inappropriate" marriages to its evolution into a bizarre American frontier custom, explore how this intrusive ritual persisted into the 1950s. This is the untold story of society's strangest, most invasive wedding tradition – and why couples lived in fear of their "special night" becoming a public spectacle.

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In 1534, the ordinary German city of Münster transformed overnight into a religious dystopia when radical Anabaptists seized control and declared it the "New Jerusalem." Led by a charismatic tailor-turned-prophet named Jan van Leiden, they expelled all non-believers, burned all books except the Bible, abolished private property, and instituted mandatory polygamy – with the self-proclaimed king taking 16 wives for himself. What followed was a nightmarish 18-month siege where starving citizens were forbidden to leave under penalty of death, dissenters were publicly executed, and the streets ran with blood as the "holy kingdom" descended into madness. Discover how religious fervor, apocalyptic prophecy, and charismatic manipulation created one of history's most disturbing theocratic regimes – and why its shocking lessons about the dangers of extremism remain relevant today.

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Are you tired of changing your clocks twice a year? Have you ever wondered why we even bother with Daylight Saving Time?

Join us as we delve into the history of this tradition and explore the ongoing debate about its usefulness. We'll uncover the surprising origins of DST, revealing that it wasn't started to help farmers. In fact, farmers have often lobbied against it because it disrupts their schedules.

Here's what we'll cover

:•The history of DST: From its early concept by George Hudson in 1895 and William Willett, to its implementation in Germany during World War I and later in the United States in 1918.

•The Uniform Time Act of 1966: How this act standardised DST in the US, and how the Department of Transportation became responsible for its oversight.

•The Energy Policy Act of 2005: How this act extended DST period

.•The states that don't observe DST: Find out why Hawaii and Arizona opted out.

•The potential health impacts: We'll examine the arguments about how changing the clocks can disrupt sleep patterns and potentially affect health.

•The economic impacts: Does DST really save energy? We'll look at studies that suggest the energy savings are negligible, and it may even increase energy consumption.

•The Sunshine Protection Act: We'll discuss the recent attempts in the Senate to make DST permanent and the debates surrounding it.

Whether you love it or hate it, Daylight Saving Time has a complicated history and continues to spark debate. Tune in to understand the real reasons behind this time-shifting tradition.

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In the male-dominated world of 16th century seafaring, one woman commanded a fleet of ships that terrorized the English and controlled Ireland's west coast. Grace O'Malley - warrior, chieftain, and pirate queen - defied social norms by inheriting her father's shipping empire, leading men into battle, and allegedly giving birth on her ship before returning to fight the next day. When English authorities imprisoned her son and brother, she did the unthinkable: sailed directly to London, demanded a face-to-face meeting with Queen Elizabeth I, and negotiated their release in a language she didn't speak. Discover how this remarkable Irish woman created a pirate kingdom through brilliant strategy, fierce loyalty, and ruthless tactics, ensuring her legacy as Ireland's most infamous seafarer. From castle sieges to naval battles, prison breaks to royal confrontations, this is the true story of the woman who refused to surrender her freedom or her ships to anyone - not even the most powerful monarch in the world.Another episode about a female pirate is here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tQK75RfFJ6rDue0LmkOcp?si=LWbpKeIASveZJXmmunHd3Q

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What happens when a dying millionaire’s prank will turns into a surreal race for motherhood—and a national scandal? In this jaw-dropping episode of Weird History, we dive into The Great Stork Derby, one of history’s strangest legal dramas.

In 1926, eccentric Toronto lawyer Charles Vance Millar left a bombshell in his will: a fortune would go to the woman who bore the most children in the next decade. What followed was a cutthroat competition of fertility, a tabloid frenzy, and a moral firestorm that divided Canada. Was this a darkly comic social experiment—or a grotesque exploitation of women’s lives?

Join us as we unravel:
✨ The twisted mind behind the will—a man who loved pranks, horse racing, and chaos.
✨ The women who raced to out-birth each other—and the shocking tactics they used.
✨ The ethical outrage that gripped newspapers, churches, and politicians.
✨ The legacy of the Derby—how it exposed poverty, sexism, and the limits of the law.

From courtroom battles to midnight diaper counts, The Great Stork Derby is a story of greed, desperation, and the absurdity of human nature. Perfect for fans of true crime, weird history, and societal scandals, this episode will leave you asking: How far would you go for a fortune?

🔔 Subscribe now to Weird History for more untold tales of history’s wildest moments.

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In 1900, an Icelandic publisher released a version of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" that was wildly different from the original - and then it vanished for over a century. Recently rediscovered, "Makt Myrkranna" (Powers of Darkness) reveals an eerier, more sexual, and surprisingly political take on the vampire classic, complete with mind-controlling cults, underground civilizations, and a Victorian-era #MeToo story. But here's the twist: Stoker himself may have collaborated on this darker version, making it less of a translation and more of an alternative "director's cut" of one of horror's greatest tales. Discover how this lost Arctic reimagining of Dracula survived in the land of eternal night, why it disappeared for decades, and what its rediscovery tells us about the vampire novel we thought we knew.

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In 1872, two smooth-talking con men pulled off one of history's most audacious scams by "discovering" a massive diamond field in the American West. After secretly scattering cheap diamonds across worthless land, they convinced banking tycoons, geologists, and even a founder of Tiffany & Co. to invest millions in their fictional gem empire. The scheme was so convincing that it sparked a nationwide diamond rush and nearly crashed the global gem market - until one skeptical geologist noticed something wasn't quite right about these miraculous diamond fields. This is the incredible true story of Philip Arnold and John Slack, the Kentucky cousins who almost got away with the perfect crime, and the investigation that brought down their glittering house of cards.

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In 1933, a group of powerful Wall Street executives allegedly plotted to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install a fascist military government. Their plan? Recruit decorated Marine Corps General Smedley Butler to lead a coup, only to have Butler secretly expose the entire conspiracy to Congress. Discover the shocking true story of the Business Plot - a near-successful attempt to replace American democracy with a corporate-controlled regime that came closer to succeeding than most history books admit.

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Welcome to Weird History!

You've heard the story: Pope Gregory IX declared war on cats, linking them to satanic heresy in a 1233 papal bull that triggered widespread feline extermination. But here's the twist - historians now believe this dramatic tale is mostly medieval urban legend. While anti-cat sentiment existed in medieval Europe, there's little evidence of an official papal campaign against cats. This episode unpacks how historical myths get created, spread, and believed - exploring the thin line between fascinating storytelling and historical fact. Discover how a compelling narrative can sometimes overpower historical accuracy, and why we love a good story, even when it might not be entirely true.

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In 1859, Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself Emperor Norton I of the United States - and somehow, an entire city decided to play along. Broke and desperate after losing his fortune, Norton began issuing imperial decrees, printing his own currency, and walking San Francisco's streets in a makeshift military uniform. Incredibly, local businesses honored his fake money, theaters reserved him free seats, and newspapers published his royal proclamations with a mix of humor and genuine respect. This is the unbelievable true story of how one man's delusion became a beloved urban legend, transforming a failed businessman into a beloved city icon who ruled without an army, palace, or any real power - just pure audacity and the collective imagination of an entire city.

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In this episode of 'Weird History,' we explore the fascinating and somewhat disturbing history of phrenology, a 19th-century pseudoscience that claimed to determine a person's character and intelligence based on the shape and size of their skull. We delve into the origins of this bizarre theory, its impact on society, and the ethical implications of such pseudoscientific beliefs.

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