Ridiculous History

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Latest Episodes:

CLASSIC: The FBI's Quest to Understand "Louie, Louie" Feb 18, 2025

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The Kingsmen's cover of "Louie, Louie" is one of the world's most famously unintelligible songs -- and this haunted the FBI. In this episode, Ben and Noel recount the evolution of "Louie, Louie", as well as Uncle Sam's insanely thorough (and hilariously unsuccessful) attempt to figure out the song's lyrics. The guys also rack up some extra credit with their special guest Christopher Hassiotis, who introduces them to the wide, wide world of "Louie, Louie" cover songs across multiple musical genres.

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CLASSIC: The Time a Soviet Premier Was Banned From Disneyland Feb 15, 2025

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At the height of the Cold War a series of debates in a model kitchen in Moscow (true story!) led Nikita Khrushchev to visit the US on a whirlwind publicity tour. The Soviet leader hobnobbed with politicians, celebrities and business tycoons, soaking up all that America had to offer, often with a few choice remarks along the way. However, there was one place he wasn't allowed to enter: Disneyland. Join Ben and Noel as they take a closer look at Khrushchev's doomed quest to meet America's most famous mouse.

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That Time Japan Absolutely Rinsed Russia, Part Two: The Togo Turn Feb 13, 2025

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As Japan corners Russian forces in Port Arthur, the Tsar sends a new fleet of ships on a 7-month journey to break the barricade. In a stunning battle that alters the course of history, Japanese Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō executes a brilliant series of manuevers that remain some of the most thoroughly-studied maritime tactics in the entirety of naval history. In the second part of this week's two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore how Japan absolutely waxed the great Russian Empire in a conflict that, despite its short lifespan, fundamentally altered the course of the world overall.

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That Time Japan Absolutely Rinsed Russia, Part One: The Race For Manchuria Feb 11, 2025

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Two Empires. One region, in tenuous balance. While often forgotten in the modern day, the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 was a pivotal turning point in early 20th century geopolitics. On one side, the vast Russian Empire: having established control over Siberia, Nicholas II seeks to secure outlets to the Pacific. On the other side of the conflict, an expansionist Japan rushes headlong toward modernity and empire. Something has to give. In the first part of this week's two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the massive consequences of the Russo-Japanese war, and how the consequences of this conflict resonate in the modern day. (Spoiler, neither empire bothered to ask the actual people of Manchuria for their opinion.)

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CLASSIC: Kidnapping, Binge Drinking and Costumes: Voter Fraud in the 1800s Feb 08, 2025

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Allegations of U.S. voter fraud have made the rounds in recent years -- but, once upon a time, these were much more than allegations. Join the guys as they explore the massive voting fraud operations that riddled U.S. politics throughout the 19th century in this week's Classic episode.

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Victorians Got Super Weird With Flirting, Part Two: Courtship and Calling Cards Feb 06, 2025

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Cast your mind back to the Victorian Era, when countless singles and would-be paramours struggled to circumvent strict social mores in the search for true love. In the second part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max continue their exploration of Victorian Era, conspiratorial methods -- especially the infamous 'acquaintance card.'

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Victorians Got Super Weird With Flirting, Part One: "Fan Fiction" Feb 04, 2025

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The Victorian Era was, on the surface, a time of almost cartoonish sexual repression. Courtship was governed by rigid sets of rules and heirarchy, and even meeting a prospective partner outside of these codified steps could be considered a breach of cultural mores. So, what's a lover to do? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the conspiratorial, ridiculous ways people flirted in the Victorian Era.

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Why did people hate the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge? Feb 01, 2025

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Nowadays most people are fans of national parks, but this wasn't always the case. Join the guys as they delve into the strange "birds vs. babies" conflict over Lake Malheur.

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First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part One: The Niece Will Have To Do Jan 30, 2025

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For more than two hundred years, the American public has elected not just a president, but a family. While the position of First Lady of the United States is not outlined in the Constitution, you literally cannot be the President without someone at your side. As a result, the position of FLOTUS wields immense, subtle power -- often in ways the public does not understand. In the first part of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the intricate, bizarre -- dare we say, ridiculous -- stories of people who quietly saved the world while a president took credit.

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Some of History's Funniest Honorifics, Part One: The Babymaker, the Debauchee, and More Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Honorifics are perhaps best described as the fancier version of nicknames, with some of the same familiar rules: just like nicknames, you don't get to give yourself an honorific. And, again, just like nicknames, not all honorifics are particularly flattering. What do we mean? Join Ben, Noel and Max to learn more about ridiculous honorifics in today's episode.

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