logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
13m 22s

Chet Arthur Steps Up (1881)

JODY AVIRGAN & RADIOTOPIA
About this episode

It's September 24th. This day in 1881 (actually, September 22nd) Vice President Chester Arthur assumes office after James Garfield dies from an assassination. 

Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how Arthur was really no one's first choice, but nevertheless rose to meet the moment and gravity of the situation.

This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.

If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.com

Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypod

Our team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia


Up next
Today
Emergency Podcast: Smithsonian Showdown, Relitigating Slavery, More (2025)
This is audio of a video chat we recorded earlier this week in reaction to the recent attacks on the Smithsonian by the Trump administration, the conversation about slavery's legacy, and more. We released this in full video for our newsletter subscribers first -- consider subscri ... Show More
41m 2s
Aug 21
The First Battle Over The Smithsonian (1846) [Archive Favorite]
The Trump administration has ramped up its attacks on museums and The Smithsonian. We're recoding a special reaction episode that will appear in our newsletter - sign up now to get it. In the meantime, here's an episode from the archives on the founding of the institution.It’s Au ... Show More
21m 56s
Aug 19
The Dumbest, Most Perfect, Political Question Ever (2012) [Archive Favorite]
It’s July 31st, 2012. This day, on the campaign trail, a reporter shouts a question at Mitt Romney: “What about your gaffes?!”Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how the question came to be asked and why it perfectly encapsulates everything wrong with modern political journalism. Plus ... Show More
18m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 10
Special Episode: Gavin Arthur (with Maurice Casey)
Join our community of Extra Bad Gays on Patreon or Apple Podcasts for special episodes and more! Have you ever wondered who the sexual link between Edward Carpenter and Allen Ginsburg was? Wonder no more, and meet Gavin Arthur: grandson of US President Chester Allan Arthur, astro ... Show More
1h 7m
Jan 2025
President FDR & the New Deal
In 1932, amidst the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected the 32nd President of the United States. He was more than a leader; he was a beacon of hope, steering the nation through its darkest days... and the newly-elected president had a plan. In this episode, Don is ... Show More
39m 53s
Jun 30
Murder, Madness and The Unusual Life of William Minor
When you pick up a dictionary and look up a word, have you ever stopped to consider who it was that compiled such meticulous work? Was it a scholar, or group of scholars, holed up in a musty backroom somewhere dedicating their lives to the task, or a wide group of volunteers, cro ... Show More
56m 55s
Dec 2024
President Calvin Coolidge: The Roaring 20s' Quiet Leader
Sworn in after the death of President Harding by the light of a kerosene lamp, the 30th President of the United States led the country through 6 years of the prosperous roaring 1920s. Coolidge polled more than 54% of the popular vote in 1924, so what was so good about 'silent Cal ... Show More
48m 31s
Aug 2024
Summer Holiday 2024 - Algernon Blackwood
This week I'm off on my Summer holiday for a trip in the woods, so what better episode to do than read a few stories from Algernon Blackwood, all about weird woods. What was I thinking... ------- For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com Support the ... Show More
55m 41s
Jun 2023
The Horror of M.R. James: Lost Hearts & A School Story
It's time for a mid-season summer break and to tide us over I've got a couple of tales for you from the genius of M.R. James. I've picked two of my favourites to read, I hope you enjoy them! ------- This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, check out betterhelp.com/darkhistories t ... Show More
48m 26s
Nov 2024
SIX WIVES #2: Anne Boleyn is Brat
Today we talk about Anne Boleyn, and Henry VIII's descent into being a tyrant. Don't lose your head!We also discuss evil condos and Carley getting cancelled on letterboxd.It's a lot of info so strap in girls!!!!! Sign up on Patreon for ad-free early episodes, plus bonuses! patreo ... Show More
1h 16m
Dec 2022
EP. 04 Abraham Lincoln
On this episode, Douglas Murray is joined by Andrew Ferguson to discuss the life and legacy of the the Great Emancipator. The two dissect his early life, political career, and the Civil war. Should Abraham Lincoln stay cancelled? Douglas Murray is a British author and political c ... Show More
1h 1m
May 16
THE KENNEDYS EP. 1: The Humble Beginnings
We are back!!! Welcome to the KENNEDYS!!!! (Curse of). Join us as we start to unpack the beginning of the Great American Dynasty that is the Kennedys, starting all the way back at their humble beginnings.We also have a lengthy catch-up chat and discuss the Canadian Election, Queb ... Show More
1h 21m
Jul 23
Who Will History Remember?
How do we decide who the most significant people in our history are? Whose story is worth telling? In this episode, I’m joined by Eoin Kinsella, managing editor of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, to explore how he and the team behind this remarkable resource tell the story of ... Show More
32m 9s