HistoryWow

Welcome to HistoryWow

Why ‘Wow’? Because history has a ‘Wow’ factor. History is rich in fascinating and inspirational incidents and events. Stories of heroism, self-sacrifice, humor, arrogance, foolishness, victory against the odds, the cruel hand of fate, irony and nobility.

History’s got the lot. Since 2012, HistoryWow’s aim, using only the finest historical reference material, has been to bring you some of these fascinating and inspirational incidents and events, in a short, sharp format. A little bit of history every day. But not enough to overload your busy lifestyles. We hope you enjoy HistoryWow!

Widespread Support for Dedicated History Subscription Streaming Service – Three Country Survey

A survey of history enthusiasts in Australia, the United States and the UK has found widespread support for a dedicated history subscription based streaming service.

Over 80 percent of survey respondents said they would subscribe to such a history entertainment platform.

The survey results endorsed anecdotal evidence of strong support for traditional history as an entertainment offering, with no political or agenda pushing history. Or, as one respondent said, ‘no woke-washed history’.

More Here

World War One caused by English Medical Incompetence

Tens of millions died as a result of the cataclysm that was the First World War.

Our groundbreaking research here argues that English medical incompetence was the cause of the horrific events of 1914 to 1918.

Audio Summary

Media Release

Research Paper

History Question of the Day

The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti existed between 1762 and 1800. Where was it?

Answer: Modern day Georgia. It came into being after the unification of two eastern Georgian kingdoms, the Kingdom of Kartli and the Kingdom of Kakheti. It was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1801.

Source: From Conflict to Autonomy in the Caucasus by Arsene Saparov

More at: History

The answer tomorrow.

Yesterday's question and answer:

Cooling Castle was a 14th century English castle built in Kent. Constructed to defend the area against French raiding parties, it was the first English castle designed to allow fort defenders to use gunpowder weapons. What was ironic about its eventual demise?

Answer: It was the offensive capability of gunpowder weapons that led to Cooling’s capture after only eight hours when besieged by Sir Thomas Wyatt (1521-1554) in January 1554. The castle was largely destroyed.

Source: Fortess Kent by Roy D. Ingleton

More at: History

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The HistoryWow Research Team

The HistoryWow research team is led by principal researcher Benjamin S V Bray, who has a first class honours degree in history from Edinburgh University and a masters degree in philosophy majoring in history from Cambridge University.

Ask HistoryWow

The History Wow Search Engine. "Ask HistoryWow"

History Question of the Week

Which battle, taking place in 1622, was the only major engagement that was fought between two European powers on the Chinese mainland?

The answer on Thursday.

Submit Answer

The first correct answer to each week's question will receive a US$30 voucher to buy a history book of their choice.

Last week's question and answer:

What was the first war in which the United States attempted to blockade a foreign port, shell a foreign capital and land troops on foreign soil?

Answer: The First Barbary War (1801-1805).

Source: The Wars of the Barbary Pirates by Gregory Fremont-Barnes

More at: History

HistoryWow’s Golden List of Great History Books

There are many great history books, on a range of interesting topics. These are some of the ones we at HistoryWow think are especially good.

These excellent books are available at: History

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The HistoryWow Forum

CALLING ALL HISTORY BUFFS!

The fascinating thing about history is that there are a variety of different opinions and views on historical questions. Here is your chance to tell us what you think about a particular history question.

THIS WEEK'S HISTORYWOW FORUM TOPIC IS:

It was the growing influence of foreign powers that was the main reason behind the disintegration of the Chinese state in the early twentieth century. What do you think?

More at: History

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What Business Can Learn from the Lessons of History

A unique business conference and corporate presentation.

HistoryWow’s Favourite History Sites

At HistoryWow we love history. A knowledge of history gives one a more sophisticated worldly perspective, makes one more judicious and wiser and, we believe, a better decision maker. Apart from the fact that the best history is real life, high drama and excitement. There are many great history websites. Here are some that we at HistoryWow think are especially good.

www.history.com
www.historytoday.com
www.britishmuseum.org

On This Day

1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

More at: History

Holly From HistoryWow on Instagram

Holly may be an AI creation. But she’s an all English girl. History arouses the naughty in her.
See Her Here

Got a History Question?

Have you an intriguing, fascinating or inspirational history question and answer? Then, we'd love to hear from you. The best ones, ideally with the source provided, will be posted on either the History Question of the Day or History Question of the Week.

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HistoryWow’s Amazing History Tales

A short, sharp hit of history in audio format.

Just totin' my flattery trowel

Listen to more than 120 additional history audios.

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HistoryWow on Facebook

More short, sharp hits of history on HistoryWow's Facebook page

HistoryWow’s Quick Shot Videos

A short, sharp hit of history in video format. Acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde was the toast of London society in the 1890s until things came decidedly unstuck through an association with a young British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as ‘Bosie’.

The source for this HistoryWow video is: Oscar and Bosie - A Fatal Passion by Trevor Fisher; General Historical Texts.

More Quick Shot Videos on HistoryWow's YouTube Channel:

Great Moments in American History

A new audio offering from HistoryWow.

The Richest American Gives It All Away
The Man Who Could Fly
America's help in the aftermath of World War One

Who Am I?

I was born in Huanggang, China, in 1908.
After training as a soldier, I became a leader in the Chinese Communist Party
During the Chinese Civil War (1927-1950) my leadership was pivotal in a string of Communist victories.
After the war I initially avoided politics, but later became minister of defence in 1959. In 1968 I replaced Liu Shaoqui (1898-1969) as the heir apparent to Mao Zedong (1893-1976).
In 1971, after a political struggle, I was killed in a plane crash in Mongolia while attempting to seek refuge in the USSR.

Submit Answer

Last week’s answer: Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536)

More at: History

HistoryWow’s Highlighted Historical Quotation

“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

More at: History

HistoryWow in the News

Articles from The Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Acuity – the professional magazine of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand - and more. View here

HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

More at: History