Unhinged History

Happy Pride Month! We're kicking off June with stories that are meant to be told. Angie starts with Lucicus Beebe. This dandy of a gentleman did everything with the utmost panache. He toured the US and Europe in his own decked-out train car and remained fashionable, even when reporting on fires that broke out.

Theresa brings in the tragic story of the pink triangle, which started in concentration camps and is a potent symbol of ...

This episode is yet another shiny example of something you never expected. Theresa starts off sharing the story of Wong Kim Ark, the US citizen you likely never heard of. He is the man who challenged the government, had his case heard by the Supreme Court, and established himself as the first person named as a recipient of birthright citizenship. Oh, this was back in 1898.

Angie, as flabbergasted as she is, somehow figures out a...

Grab your weighted blanket and settle in with a mug of calming tea. You'll need it. Angie kicks things into high gear when she shares the story of the legendary female samurai, Tomoe Gozen. Listen along to Theresa thinking she knows more of the story than she actually does.

Theresa takes a sharp left turn by sharing the story of the Lone Fir Cemetery and the Chinese Immigrants who built Portland, Oregon. In true Theresa fashion,...

Since Angie took the entire episode last week, Theresa brought a hell of a story this week. Grab your popcorn and hunker down because she's sharing the story of the 442nd. This heroic group of Japanese-American soldiers in WWII bravely fought for five days and nights through freezing rain and dense fog to rescue 211 Texans pinned down by German troops.

This episode pairs well with:

The Joshigun (women's army) fighting during th...

Woowwee. This week is a crazy mashup of stories.

First off, Angie shares a Japanese festival called Nakizumo, where sumo wrestlers attempt to make babies cry, on purpose.

Theresa overcomes her feelings about this to share the story of Richard Sakakida, a nisei (a first-generation Japanese American) sent to spy on the Japanese in Manilla before the US's entrance to WWII. She shares his capture, torture, and survival. It's a lot...

Join your favorite unhinged historians as they bring you some crazy stories. Today Theresa shares the tale of Molly Williams, the first female firefighter, who was also the first Black woman firefighter. Oh, and she did it at the age of 71.

Not to be outdone, Angie regales us with Lilian Wyles, the first female inspector of Scotland Yard. This barrier-breaking woman paved the way for women in the police force in the UK, and you ...

At Unhinged History, we are nothing if not consistent. To prove that, Angie shares a solid resistance story from WWII. In this unbelievable tale, Major Cary Elwes, not that Cary Elwes, along with fellow SAS sneak behind enemy lines, steal a train, and rescue POWs.

Theresa presses all the buttons triggering outrage as she shares the Mexican Repatriation Act, that time the United States deported up to 1.8 million people, with up to ...

No matter what you expected, you never guessed this week's stories.

Theresa kicks things off with the tale of Hazel Scott, the Black musician who seamlessly blended classical and jazz. She was the first Black woman to have her show on national TV in the 1950s.

Angie refuses to be chill with her choice of stories when she shares the story of Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalhami, the Persian pirate prince. This man starts his life on la...

In celebration of April Fool's Day, Angie and Theresa are at it again.

Angie starts off with the tale of the Cardiff Giant. George Hull and his cousin William Newell create this elaborate hoax to convince people that they found a giant petrified man – then the showman Barnum gets involved.

Theresa then shares the story of the Fox sisters. These renowned mediums ushered in the Spiritualist Movement. But were the frauds?

Thi...

Aww, the sweet feeling of predictability. Theresa starts us off with, the particularly unhinged story of Jeanne de Clisson, the Lion of Brittany. This female French pirate was an absolute menace for 13 years as she pillaged her countrymen in a revenge plot.

Angie, is well, the sweet amazing soul she is, week after week, as she shares the story of Mary Kingsley. This Victorian adventurer makes a name for herself trekking through ...

Angie kicks us off with Tarenorerer. This aboriginal woman comes from Tasmania. After being a slave for a brief period, our girl escapes from slavery and shows the colonizers how much of a pain this rebel leader can be.

Theresa picks up from here and regales us with the story of French sculptress – Camille Claudel. This woman comes of age during the late 1800s and makes a name for herself while having a tumultuous relationship with...

Join us this week as Angie and Theresa serve up some fabulous stories of strong-willed women. 

Theresa starts with Rosemary Bryant Mariner. This naval aviator holds many firsts. She was the first woman to fly a tactical jet, the first woman to command an aviation squadron, and she was one of the first women to serve aboard a navy warship. 

Angie goes on to tell the story of Nellie Bly. This hard-hitting journalist elevated investig...

This episode is in response to a move to pull key stories from the Air Force History Class. We believe in telling stories that have representation. These stories are filled with struggles and hardships. 

Theresa starts by sharing the WASPs of WWII. The Women's Air Service Pilots bridged the gap created by men serving on the front lines. These 1074 women shuttled planes from factories, were test pilots, towed targets, and more. At l...

This week's stories are incredible. Angie starts off with the story of Ronald Erwin McNair, the second Black NASA astronaut. Not only was he an astronaut, he was a fifth-degree black belt and accomplished saxophone player. His tenacity helped him rise through the ranks at all of his goals. His life is cut short, tragically, when the Challenge spacecraft explodes. 

Theresa lightens the mood by reverting to a love of hers – female sp...

Whatever you were expecting, this wasn't it. Theresa shares the over-the-top story of Eartha Kitt. Come for her rough childhood and stay for her playing Cat Woman. Between that and the CIA compiling a dossier about her with some racy gossip, this story has it all. 

Angie zips much further back into history to share Toussaint Louverture with us. This Haitian general led during the revolution against France. Sometimes called the "Bla...

This week the dynamic duo do what they do best. Angie kicks us off by sharing her greatest love, Egypt, with us and telling us facts about King Tutankhamun. Maybe you've heard them all before, but you've never heard Angie gush about him. 

Theresa dips into her bag of stories that make you both happy and livid. Come for her telling the tale of how the Black Panther Party created the Free Breakfast Program, which is the reason public...

Journey with us on a fantastic romp through history. Theresa shares the story of Enheduanna, the first named author. She lived in approximately 2300 BC, in ancient Sumaria, and wrote hymns for 42 temples and three epic poems. 

Angie regales us with the tale of Jeffrey Hudson. As a member of the court of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I of England, he lived quite the life. This man was raised as a gentleman, fought a due...

Strange things happened this week. Both Angie and Theresa cover a very specific time in Russian History. Angie starts with the story of Maria Bochkareva, who created and led the Russian Women’s Battalion of Death during WWI.

Then Theresa harkens back to the Otsu Incident. In May 1891, Russian Crown Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich visited Otsu, Japan, when he was attacked by the Samurai Sanzo Tsuda. This would sour his affinity for Ja...