Backroads of History

On this episode, Jeff and Dawn discuss that time when the Australian army declared war against emus - and lost.

Before Ferguson, 2014; before South-Central Los Angeles, 1992; before Watts, 1965; there was Tulsa 1921. Yet, for decades, the obliteration of possibly the wealthiest African-American community in the United States was largely unknown, even among Tulsans. Today we look back at the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, the most deadly and destructive race riot in the history of the United States.

Jeff discusses the history of one of the most dreaded and deadly diseases in mankind's history. Learn how tuberculosis is associated with romanticism, plagues, elephant urine, and even vampires.

Jeff and Dawn discuss influential American magician and CIA operative, John Mulholland, and his role in the CIA's most controversial program, MKULTRA. Was Mulholland a player in the biggest scandal to rock the CIA?

In this Halloween edition, Jeff and Dawn discuss the real life origins of some of our favorite monsters, and discuss one of those monsters who really walked among us.

Jeff and Dawn discuss the life and career of the famous, and infamous, Mexican ruler and general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, including the weird odyssey of his leg, now embroiled in an interstate and international dispute.

Jeff and Dawn discuss the medical efforts to save the life of Pres. Ronald Reagan after his attempted assassination by John Hinckley, Jr., and how perilously close he was to death.

Jeff and Dawn discuss eccentric British war hero, Digby Tatham-Warter, who led his troops into battle in a bowler hat, stopped an armored personnel carrier with an umbrella, and who planned a large escape from enemy territory while masquerading as a deaf and dumb person. Almost too colorful to believe, but all true.

Jeff and Dawn discuss Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen and his discovery of x-rays, as well as why being an early researcher in this field was so dangerous.

Jeff and Dawn discuss the scandalous life and career of former Congressman and Civil War general, Daniel Sickles.

Jeff and Dawn discuss the colorful history of hoboes in the United States and discover a surprise - there were once Hobo Colleges!

Jeff and Dawn discuss women's long-distance running pioneer, Kathrine Switzer, and her historic, and controversial, entrance in the 1967 Boston Marathon.

Jeff and Dawn explore the ancient surgery of trephination - drilling holes into the skull.