This Day in Esoteric Political History

Throughout Africa and beyond, Zimbabweans are known for choosing some of the most bold, head-turning English-language names. Zimbabwean producer Kim Chakanetsa tells the story of how her country's journey from colonial rule to independence shaped the nation's unique naming tradit ... Show More

This week we're featuring Audio Flux, a short-form audio challenge where artists squeeze surprising stories into three minutes.Find out more about Audio Flux by visiting audioflux.orgFollow Audio Flux on Instagram: @audiofluxingFeatured Audio Flux stories include:The Sound of Sil ... Show More

A young designer faces an impossible brief and discovers the spark that will define his legendary career. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.co ... Show More

I'm on vacation, and I hope you'll get some time away soon, too! Our featured podcast today is one that you'll 100% want to listen to on your summer travels: History Daily. Each weekday on History Daily, host Lindsay Graham (not the senator) takes you back in time to explore a mo ... Show More

<p>It’s August 27th. On this day in 2014, President Barack Obama gave a press conference about Ukraine and ISIS and foreign policy — but much of the political chatter was about his choice of tan suit.</p> <p>Jody and Niki are joined by Sam Sanders of NPR’s “It’s Been A Minute” t ... Show More

UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson team up to investigate the history of today’s politics — and what it means for our future. Each week they will explore the great forces, ideas and events that led us to where we are, whether in Britain, th ... Show More

<p>It’s January 11th. In 1888, a massive and quick-moving storm swept across the American Midwest, trapping hundreds of school-children in their schoolhouses. </p> <p>Jody and Niki discuss why the storm was so severe, and deadly — and how the poor preparation for the storm led t ... Show More

<p><em>We’re re-running some favorite recent episodes this week, and will be back with brand new episodes very soon!</em></p> <p>It’s December 15th. In 1960, a New Hampshire man lined his car with dynamite and planned to ram in to the limousine in which President-Elect John F Ke ... Show More

<p>Stéphane Bern vous invite chaque semaine à la rencontre d’un grand personnage de l’Histoire, en retraçant les grands moments de son existence. Monarques, artistes, courtisanes et seigneurs de la guerre, tous ces personnages jalonnent la grande et la petite histoire au travers ... Show More

<p>Over Britain’s first century of mass democracy, from the Great Depression to the pandemic, politics has lurched from crisis to crisis. How does this history of political agony illuminate our current age of upheaval?</p><br><p>Phil Tinline is a leading producer and presenter of ... Show More

<p>It’s November 5th. This day in 1980, voters in the Maryland 5th Congressional District have just re-elected Gladys Noon Spellman — despite the fact that she is in a coma from which she would never recover.</p> <p>Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the twists and turns of the elec ... Show More

<p>The two party division of the US political system is as evident as ever as we warm up to the 2024 elections. But where does this state of affairs come from?</p><br><p>Don speaks to Michael Barone, political analyst, historian and journalist, to find out more about the history ... Show More

<p>We’re finishing off 2021 with what is perhaps Julius Caesar’s greatest legacy. It’s not a military victory or battle, but one of the many political reforms that truly has stood the test of time: the Julian calendar. Before, calendars were largely based on the lunar calendar, a ... Show More