Step Back History
Why is Puerto Rico not a State?
Puerto Rico lies at a strange place in the greater American empire. It's one of the oldest colonized places in the Americas, and a debate about its fate has roiled for centuries. Let's talk about it!
Curated Video
Cardistry: The Art of Card Flourishing
This video is a brief introduction to the art of cardistry, which is the performance art associated with card flourishing and manipulation. The video showcases various card tricks and moves, such as cuts, shuffles, flips, and fans,...
Curated Video
A Journey through Helsinki
Welcome to this video where we explore the vibrant city of Helsinki, the largest city and capital of Finland. Situated conveniently between Tallinn, Stockholm, and Saint Petersburg, Helsinki has become a hub for business, research,...
Weird History
What Was Up With Those Victorian Skirts?
Crinolines put the hoop in the Victorian-era skirt. For two decades, women wore crinolines - lightweight cages attached to their waists - under their clothing to create a wide, bell-shaped silhouette. Thanks to crinolines, hoop skirts...
Curated Video
The Mind-Boggling Illusions and Tricks of Peter Newell
In this video, we learn about Peter Newell, an American artist, illustrator, and writer. The video discusses some of his notable works, including his children's book series called Topsy Stevies, which featured images accompanied by short...
Curated Video
Juggling: From Ancient History to Modern Skills
This video provides a brief history of juggling and explains the physics and skill behind the art. It offers tips for beginners who want to try juggling at home, emphasizing the importance of practice and safety. By following these...
Cerebellum
The World War One Years 1917-1920 - The 19th Amendment
American democracy has a lineage of written records that we can trace to show the development of our nation, and how each document builds on those before it to make our foundation of freedom stronger. In this video, the documents...
Curated Video
The Many Attractions of Honolulu
Experience the best of nature, history, and adventure in Honolulu. From the iconic Waikiki beach and high-rise hotels to historical landmarks like the Lolani Palace and Pearl Harbor, the city offers a rich cultural experience. Indulge in...
Weird History
What Hygiene Was Like During the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period in history where factory work was beginning to claim dominance over the workforce, beginning in England and eventually spreading over the pond into America. But lacking in regulation, oversight and,...
Curated Video
Maria Spelterini: The Incredible Tightrope Walker of Niagara Falls
In this video, we delve into the extraordinary life and accomplishments of Maria Spell Terrine, a remarkable Italian tightrope walker. Join us as we explore her notable career, which includes her groundbreaking achievements and...
Curated Video
Felicien Trewey: A Master Illusionist and Performer
Let’s learn about Felicien Trewey. He is what you would call a total performer because he did everything.
Curated Video
Why European Disesases Didn't Kill Africans
In most schools in America, we are taught that "European diseases" killed off the indigenous peoples of the New World. But what about Africa and Asia? Why weren't they affected?
Jabzy
Slavery in Korea - Stuff That I Find Interesting
In this video, Jabzy brings us historical tidbits and unknown facts about Slavery in Korea
Curated Video
Italy, Campania - Caserta Palace
The construction of the palace was begun in 1752 for Charles VII of Naples, who worked closely with his architect, Luigi Vanvitelli. When Charles saw Vanvitelli's grandly scaled model for Caserta, it filled him with emotion "fit to tear...
Curated Video
Monet's Water Lilies: Great Art Explained
"Thoroughly researched and cleverly presented, with stunning visuals, Great Art Explained makes you realise that familiarity with a work of art sometimes makes us indifferent to its power" - Forbes Magazine, 9 July 2020
Weird History
What Ottoman Sultans Dined On
Sultans in the Ottoman Empire loved to eat. In the 15th century, Topkapi Palace boasted a kitchen staff of 100 people, a number that grew to 500 during the 16th-century reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Before 1600, the kitchen staff...
60 Second Histories
Mrs Pankhurst – marriage
Emmeline discusses marriage and her early life in the suffragist movement
History Hit
The Ottoman Empire with Kate Fleet
The region stretching from eastern Europe and sweeping right across into Arabia and the north coast of Africa, was home to one of the most extraordinary empires in history: the Ottoman Empire. Along its routes flowed ideas, goods,...
Curated Video
Merian C Cooper and Ishiro Honda: Masters of Optical Illusions and Kaiju Films
Let’s take a look at the works of Merian C. Cooper and Ishirō Honda. Both are known for their work on giant monster movies, especially the Kaiju genre.
Curated Video
The Origins of Halloween part 2: From Pagan Festivals to Modern Celebrations
This video explores the origins of Halloween and how it evolved over time. From early Christian feast days merged with northern European festivals for the dead, to the All Saints Day and All Souls Day, the video delves into how the...
Curated Video
What Did Victorians Eat for Christmas Dinner?
Victorian Christmas part 5 The cuisine of the Victorian era was a mix of dishes and ingredients from Medieval times and modern day food. Turkey, duck, goose, and a variety of jellies were common and some dishes moved from savory to...
Curated Video
Coverture
Coverture severely restricted women’s political, financial, and personal rights and was imported to the American colonies as a part of English common law. It affected the lives of all American women and although it has been diminished...
Curated Video
Great Art Cities Explained: London
In the first of a new series, James Payne and Joanne Shurvell combine their love of Art and Travel, as they look at less well known museums in cities around the world. In "Great Art Cities Explained: London", we look at three museums...
Professor Dave Explains
The Birth of the Pharmaceutical Industry
Earlier in the series we talked about how it was the artificial dye industry that gave way to the pharmaceutical industry in the latter half of the 19th century. Let's now examine the first large pharma companies to emerge, and the...