History or Something Like It: Recent Episodes
History Or something Like It
A bi-monthly show bringing you little known facts about some of history's greatest mysteries, claims, and misconceptions.
We began our show with a look at the early years of Billy the Kid, and know we conclude our first season with a look into his death. Did Pat Garrett really kill Billy the Kid, or did he shoot the wrong man, allowing the outlaw to escape his life as a fugitive? Was an elderly man from Hico, Texas really Billy the Kid as he claimed to be? Join us for this and more in this episode of History or Something Like It.
In 1847 Alexander Dumas would write his third story featuring characters introduced in his famous D’Artagnan trilogy starring the three musketeers. This third story would feature an imprisoned son of royalty whose identity remained hidden behind an iron mask, securing the place of Louis XIV on the French throne. While Dumas’ work was one of fiction, the basis of the story comes from rumors that spread during the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. Was this prisoner a real person? If so, who was this man behind the iron mask? Join us this episode as we look into the various theories behind this masked inmates identity.
In this episode we are joined by some local trick-or-treaters who ask us their questions about various myths and legends about Halloween. Where do jack-o-lanterns come from? How did trick-or-treating get its start? What’s the deal with poisoned candy? Learn about all this and more on this episode of History or Something Like It.
Mankind has long held a fascination and desire to speak to those who have passed on. Join us in this episode as we look at a few thousand years of history relating to necromancy, a system of magic that deals with the deceased. From ancient Mesopotamia and Babylon to the modern Ouija board, this dark and arcane art has had a long evolution and reception.
Disclaimer: This episode focuses on a religious artifact. This discussion comes from a mythological and historical perspective and is not intended to endorse or challenge the faith of any of our listeners.
Grab your fedora and whip and jump into this episode of History or Something Like It as we examine the legendary Ark of the Covenant. Join us as we discuss what the ark looked like, its claimed powers, its known path and disappearance, and claims of location. Mythology, religion, conspiracy theory, and history blend together into the accounts of the lost ark.
When the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, they met a Native American who could speak their language fluently, allowing communication with the neighboring Wampanoag tribe. This Native American is most commonly referred to as Squanto. Join us as we examine the Patuxet's motives for helping the English Pilgrims after his return to the New World from capture and enslavement due to English traders.
As World War 2 drew nearer to a close, the German government began thinking about what would happen if they lost the war, and decided on one course of action to delay the inevitable. Join us in this episode as we take a look at Werwolf, the Nazi attempt to form a guerilla movement at the end of World War 2. Why did it fail? What, if any success, did it have?
The number 13 brings to mind bad luck, curses, and things to be avoided. Join us in this episode as we delve into some of the many myths surrounding this unlucky number. We examine possible origins of the fateful number, its ties to Friday the 13th, and briefly examine how various cultures view the number 13. We also travel to Stonehenge in this episodes “Go There” segment.
In this episode we finish our series on claims of Pre-Columbian contact with the New World with looks at potential journeys across the Pacific. Did the Chinese discover the Americas? What about the Polynesians? After looking for these answers, we quickly debunk other claims such as those regarding the Celts, Romans, Knights Templar, and others. This episode marks the beginning of a new segment as well, GO THERE.
Invention has been claimed to be the mother of necessity, but what about innovation? During the American Civil War innovation to technologies both new and old would forever change the face of warfare. While many have already pointed out the innovations made in firearms of the time, there were innovations made in other areas, mainly transportation, that perhaps had an even greater impact on the war. Join us as we look at the American Civil War through its waterways, railroads, and bright blue skies.
In this episode, we continue exploring claims of contact from the ancient world with the new. As caves have provided shelter since the dawn of time, this episode focuses on two caves and the claims made about them regarding early African travel to North America. Join us for part 2 as we look into the legends of Kincaid’s Cave and Burrow’s Cave. Were there ancient Egyptians in the Grand Canyon and is Alexander Helios buried in Illinois, or are these pseudo-historical claims simply hoaxes and frauds?
Multiple claims have been made regarding who first discovered the Americas. Those on the fringe have claimed that the Egyptians, Romans, Celts, Chinese, heck, nearly every civilization to walk the planet made it to the New World before Columbus. In this multi-episode series, we are going to look into these claims and see if they hold any weight. Part one focuses on claims of the Vikings making deep into North America. Join us as we look at the Kensington, Heavener, and other runestones. Are they history, or are they something like it?
In this episode, we begin with a look into the use of modern technology and how it can be used to locate previous settlements, preserve knowledge, and become an excellent source of teaching tomorrow’s generations. While Chris does begin to go on a rant and lecture about the dangers of looting, we see how looting can be both low and high-tech.