The world created by George R.R. Martin for A Song of Ice and Fire has a pretty rich history. The world familiar to most through Game of Thrones covers only a few years worth of events from Westeros and Esso. House of the Dragon does the same only giving us a snap shot of a years known as the Dance of Dragons. We're here to open up the history books and discuss the history of the world of ice and fire that hasn't gotten the premium cable treatment. From the Children of the Forest, to Aegon the Conquer's landing and conquest, to Robert's Rebellion. We'll talk the history of the Great Houses, some still standing, some long since gone, and much more. Welcome to Westeros. Support the show
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3:03:21
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3:03:21
The Historical Hunt for Immortality
The Fountain of Youth, The Philosopher's Stone, The Apples of Hesperides, The Peaches of Immortality, The Elixir of Life, The Holy Grail. The quest for everlasting life has been told in one way or another throughout recorded history. Every religion has its version, every culture has its myths, but the search of immortality is literally a tale as old as time. From religious doctrine, to the science of alchemy, and finally genetic engineering humanity has been trying to find the ultimate loophole to that thing called death. There have been some pretty insane attempts to live forever and we try to cover some of the best or most interesting on this weeks episode of Historically High. Support the show
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2:21:12
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2:21:12
The Antwerp Diamond Heist
Dubbed the Heist of the Century, the Antwerp Diamond Heist is straight out of a movie, seriously, I'm pretty sure the plot to the Ocean's 11 remake pulled a lotta inspiration from the events that actually took place. Antwerp is known as the diamond capital of the world. 85% of the rough diamonds in the world make their way to Antwerp. The Diamond District is where the cutting, polishing, wheeling, dealing takes place. When you have that many diamonds circulating around you're gonna need a very secure place to store them, like an underground vault with ten or more different levels of security preventing a break-in. Most thieves would look at this place and give it a hard pass. That is unless you're a member of The School of Turin, a mysterious organization known to count master thieves from all disciplines amongst its members. But to pull off a caper that escapes with more than $100 million in jewels, you need more than luck, you need preparation, skill....and a salami sandwich. Join us as we get Historically High on the heist of all heists. Support the show
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2:48:07
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2:48:07
Operation Gunnerside
Imagine if you will, it's the 1940's and Europe is being overrun by the Nazi war machine. Scientists that would take part in the success of the Manhattan Project have fled their now occupied nations bringing their knowledge of harnessing atomic power to the Allies. That didn't deter the Nazi's from forming a program of their own, starting the "Uranium Club" in 1939. No one knew where the other stood in their goal of building the bomb, for all the allies knew Hitler was on the cusp of developing it first. Nuclear fission was discovered in Berlin after all. When a Norwegian scientist escaping Nazi occupation informed the British a hydroelectric plant, which just so happen to be the largest producer of Heavy Water in the world, was captured by Hitler and its production ramped up, the Allies knew the implications. Heavy Water is a key ingredient in the process of creating nuclear fission. It allowed the process to occur with natural uranium, instead of the much more difficult to produce enriched uranium. To slow the Nazi's nuclear program several missions were attempted to destroy the heavy water production, the only problem was the plant was build like a fortress in one of the most inhospitable places in the world. This is the story of those men that took on a suicide mission to stop Hitler from getting The Bomb. Join us this week as week as get Historically High on Operation Gunnerside. Support the show
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1:33:06
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1:33:06
The Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo is taught in a way that makes you believe it is U.S. History. In truth, the Texas Revolution took place on Mexican land with mostly Mexican citizens. The Texas Revolution was won off of the loss at The Alamo. This battle had it all. Famous names, sneak attacks, answering questions via cannon. There wasn't ever really a question who was going to win the clash at the Alamo. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his Mexican troops were headed to squash a rebellion. He had recently taken the Texian tax free status away, and was planning on enforcing the abolishment of slavery, all while flexing his dictatorial wings. The men of the Texian Army that were lost at the Alamo did not die in vain. Their sacrifice could be heard on every battlefield after. Shouts of "Remember the Alamo!", fueled the revolution. Ultimately, Santa Anna was caught between a rock and a legless place, but that's a story for another day. Today you should join us as we get Historically High on The Battle of the Alamo.Support the show
A dive into historical topics from an elevated perspective. New episodes will be out every Wednesday. Find us on our socials:@Historicallyhi on Twitter @historicallyhighpod on Instagram. Don't forget to like, rate, subscribe, and let your friends know what they are missing.
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