Please enjoy this bonus episode from The French History Podcast! Is it better to be a hero or great? What is the difference? What makes someone a hero or great in France? Pierre talks all about that and how to get into the Panthéon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please enjoy this bonus episode which is the series premier of Countdown to Dallas, a new show from Evergreen Podcasts. In this episode we recap the basic events surrounding President Kennedy's assassination. We’ll discuss the formation of the famous Warren Commission, its findings — and highlight the one thing about its report that's often overlooked. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

!sretratseriF kcab emocleW... What's that funny sentence? A secret hidden message of course! Because this week we're getting into the weeds of heavy metal and Satanic Panic. Were Judas Priest hiding secret messages in their songs? Was music threatening the very fabric of the modern world? And where did the moral panic go? It's a complicated, tragic, and often absurd story, so music journalist and metal-head Michael Hann is back to talk us through it all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever watched Romeo and Juliet or The Apprentice, you’ll know the iconic music of Prokofiev! This week, we chat about the Russian composer who lived through World War I, II, the Russian Revolution and the Great Purge AND kept making music through it all, with pianist Alexander Karpeyev. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He’s all work no play… except for the occasional Western movie. This week we’re nattering about Egyptian revolutionary Nasser, with author and broadcaster, Tarek Osman! So, would the revolution have happened without Nasser? What inspired his political career? And what’s his legacy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who's Malenkov, you're probably asking? He might only have been top dog of the USSR for 9 days after Stalin die, but Georgy's pretty interesting. The wonderful storyteller Dr Natalya Chernyshova joins Katie and Tom to talk about the days that followed Stalin's death. Natalya's currently working on a project funded by the British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What was it like to live under Stalin’s Soviet Union? And how does this period still impact people today? This week, we’re speaking to Alex Halberstadt, the grandson of Stalin’s last bodyguard, about this despotic, charismatic and tyrannical leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He’s a material boy living in a material world - this week we’re chatting philosopher George Santayana with Dr Matthew Flamm! Are philosophers just mansplainers in ivory towers? What is the meaning of life according to ol’ George? And most importantly, what is the Fire philosophy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This man was glitz, show, and absolute musical talent. He influenced Elvis, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga. We all know his name, but who was Liberace? Music journalist Jo Kendall helps Tom and Katie dig into the life of the man who was loved by millions but who, behind the chunky rings, charm, applause and piano trills, had a secret that he took with him to the grave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When hero to American Italians Rocky Marciano hangs up his gloves in 1955, he's undefeated world heavyweight champion. Voice of British boxing Steve Bunce is back to tell Tom and Katie about Rocky's biggest and best fights, and why he was such a key figure of the 20th century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's 1953 and Britain and the Commonwealth are still recovering from the war, when the King dies. Princess Elizabeth finds herself thrust onto the throne at the age of 27, and so a new era began. Katie and Tom are joined once again by the wonderful historian Margaret MacMillan to talk coronation chicken, surprise guests, and that ruby-encrusted dress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's actually behind the manufacture of a vaccine? And why was the polio vaccine such a huge deal? In a fascinating first for We Didn't Start The Fire, Billy is plunging us into the depths of medical marvels, mysteries and conspiracy theories. Vaccine expert Dr Gareth Millward joins Tom and Katie this week, and has a weird story to tell about monkeys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is Eisenhower, an army officer who in 1953 became the 34th man to enter the White House, still one of the most highly-regarded presidents? Dr Rivers Gambrell is back again to help Tom and Katie piece together the full picture of Ike. From his Jehovah's Witness childhood, his failed career as a sportsman and his involvement in documenting the Holocaust, to his marriage with Mamie - and, horrifyingly, his secret war on the White House squirrels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RIDE SALLY RIDE! We can’t believe it’s true, but Sally Ride is the birth name of the woman who’d later to become the First American woman to orbit space. Talk about nominative determinism! And what an extraordinary woman she was: from tennis player mentored by THE Billy Jean King, to lifelong advocate for women in STEM, her impact can’t be understated. But why were people so averse to woman-astronauts? Why did she hide her sexuality for so long? And ohhhh god WHY did engineers try to give her so many tampons for a 6 day flight?!? It’s time to chat about the incredible Sally Ride, with author Sue Macy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JD Salinger created the dismissive, arrogant, spiralling out of control Holden Caulfield in 1951, and with it he changed the face of fiction forever. The book's impact is fascinating and huge: presidents talk about Holden, teenagers want to be him, teachers ban the book from classrooms, serial killers use it as their 'manifesto'. Here to help Katie and Tom understand the Catcher cult is novelist and podcaster Caroline O'Donaghue, and boy has she got some goddamn interesting points to make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This jaunty look at 1800s Thailand is the final musical that Billy thought worth mentioning in his Cold War breakdown. But does The King and I deserve spot 20 in Billy's song, or is it just a handy rhyme for next week's Catcher in the Rye? Back again is musical superfan Dr Cara Rodway from the British Library and, in a shocking We Didn't Start The Fire first, our guest isn't convinced. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know him from The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Guys and Dolls. You know his dreamboat smile. But what about Brando's fight for civil rights and his support of Native Americans? Probably the most memorable actor of the 20th century, Marlon Brando's influence stretched far beyond the screen; and here to explore how is broadcasting icon Jonathan Ross for a very special episode of We Didn't Start The Fire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did a tiny village in the Korean mountains come to symbolise the north and south split? The answer lies in the year 1953, when a piece of paper was signed to end what became known as The Forgotten War. But Colin Thackery, Korean War veteran and oldest ever winner of Britain's Got Talent, remembers it well. Memories of gunfire, bodies, starving children, American soldiers playing the piano, frostbite. It's a remarkable story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do Muhammed Ali, Marciano and Sonny Liston stand up against Sugar Ray "sweet as sugar" Robinson? Legend of the boxing world Steve Bunce opens the lid on Sugar Ray's world, and gives Katie and Tom a glimpse of Harlem in the 1940s and 50s, the life led and the fights fought by possibly the greatest boxer of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hydrogen bomb. A nuclear threat bigger and badder than any atomic bomb that came before it. How close did the USA and Soviet Union come to global annihilation during the Cold War? Very. And renowned historian and wonderful storyteller Margaret MacMillan is here to tell us why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1953, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were sentenced to death by electrocution and died side-by-side: Julius after one shot of electricity, Ethel after three. They left behind two small children. Their crime? Conspiracy to spy for the Soviet Union. UCL's Dr Josh Hollands joins Katie and Tom again to explain why their case shook the world, pulling in the likes of Frida Kahlo, Einstein, Jean Paul Sartre, and Barack Obama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the makers of We Didn't Start The Fire, this is Death of a Film Star. If you'd like to hear more, search for 'Death of a Film Star' in your favourite podcast platform, or click here: https://podfollow.com/1562008537. WARNING: this episode contains references to suicide. It’s not true to say there’s never been anyone like Marilyn Monroe. There’s always been movie stars. There’s been blonde ones. Ones with bodies that half the world wants to stare at and the other half want to ban. But no-one’s done it like her, and no-one’s paying quite such a price.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norma Jean is surely the most iconic figure of the 20th century. She was painted by men, photographed, directed and loved by men. She was also resented, abused, and put in a strait jacket. Author and Marilyn megafan since the age of 7 Shar Daws talks with Tom and Katie about the truth behind the blonde: strong, smart, and vastly underestimated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second of four episodes on Korea. Author of award-winning 'White Crysanthemum' and captivating storyteller Mary Lynn Bracht takes Katie and Tom to a deeply sinister side of Korea's history: comfort women. An estimated 50-200,000 women and young girls fell foul of the Japanese occupation during WWII: sold as sex slaves, they were brutalised and mutilated. This began a scar in the country's psyche that was torn wide open when in 1950 some westerners drew a line on a map - and so North and South Korea were born. This episode contains content that may be upsetting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the game that's spun its way into the hearts of millions: today we're taking a wild ride through the history of the ICONIC game show, Wheel of Fortune. But how did a billionaire's childhood memories of hangman, turn into a cultural phenomenon? What are things actually like behind the scenes? Who turned up drunk for an audition? And how did David Letterman nearly end up hosting it? Today we're joined by Wheel superfan and gameshow historian, Adam Needeff to chat all about Wheel of Fortune, why we love gameshows, and his own experiences working on the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world's most elusive country, Billy's 12th lyric, and the first of four on Korea. Dr Sojin Lim from The University of Central Lancashire takes Katie and Tom back to the 1950s to find out why this tiny Asian peninsular was split in two and how North Korea became North Korea. It's a story of escape, state-sanctioned haircuts, coercion, and global powers gently flexing their muscles, a fire bubbling within. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The babysitter." Television is Billy's eleventh lyric, and the BFI's TV expert Dick Fiddy takes Tom and Katie back to the 1950s when it began to take hold. The impact of TV through the 20th century and into today is fascinating and unexpected, from advertising and snooker to presidential elections and the moon landing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studebaker: a central cog in 20th century America's booming automobile industry, or just a punchy rhyme? There's something romantic about the story of this small company from South Bend Indiana that was a symbol of innovation and uniqueness for many, but whose struggle to keep up with the Big Three led to collapse in the 1960s. Editor of the Studebaker Owners Club UK Greg Diffen gives Tom and Katie an insight into a community of Studebaker connoisseurs who still roar through the countryside in their Avantis, hoping to keep that small scrap of history alive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"A mystery wrapped in an enigma." Episode nine is the first of three that will follow Nixon's rise from his poor Quaker roots in rural California, to the White House and Watergate. The fantastic Dr Rivers Gambrell brings alive Nixon's early career for Tom and Katie: his dream of being a sports star never far from his mind, the path that led Nixon to his 1968 win is one of rejection, awkwardness and fervent political cunning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy's eighth lyric invites Katie, Tom and UCL's Josh Hollands into the world of the Red Scare, the crippling anticommunist conspiracy that shrouded America in the '40s and '50s. Thousands of teachers, artists, army officials, and gay people were blacklisted or forced to leave the country. And at the heart of it all lies Senator Joseph McCarthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie and Tom's romp through the 20th century meets baseball, and there's a darkness behind one of the greatest players of all time. From TV advert appearances and Simon and Garfunkel songs, to an obsessive and abusive marriage with Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio's private and public don't quite match up. They're joined by baseball player and author Josh Chetwynd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sixth lyric, sixth topic. Katie and Tom are joined by historian of the popular press Dr Chris Shoop-Worrall, and together they delve into the dark world of the man who made gossip a currency: widely-loved and intensely-disliked columnist and broadcaster Walter Winchell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're five lyrics in, and Katie and Tom are getting musical. Literally, if you make it to the end. Dr Cara Rodway (Chair of the British Association for American Studies by day, musical nerd by night) gives a pretty convincing case for why the soundtrack has spent more weeks at UK number 1 than any other song. Even one of Billy's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deaf in one ear, shy, bisexual, sensitive - are these the reasons Johnnie Ray isn't worshipped as the Father of Rock and Roll? Katie, Tom and author Cathi Unsworth delve into the world of the man who gave way to Elvis, the Beatles, Morrissey. It's a journey which will take them from a small farm in Oregon to African-American clubs in Detroit, and finally to hidden corners in smokey clubs where London's 1950s subcultures could be found. Cathi's latest book Bad Penny Blues is out now: http://www.cathiunsworth.co.uk/ or https://www.facebook.com/cathiunsworthwriter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's episode 3 and Billy's transported us back to post-1949 Communist China. Katie and Tom talk to Prof. Yangwen Zheng about her childhood under the regime, and she's got a fascinating story to tell. It's one of stolen pencil cases, the class enemy, disappearing family members, widespread famine, murder - and the man at the heart of it all, Mao Zedong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the rise of communism in the country, beginning a series of constant conflict that Afghanistan still faces today. It’s also had huge impacts on our geopolitical climate today - to fight Russian communism, the US backed and funded rebels, who’d later become the Taliban, who rose to power, and continue to rule today, after the civil war which followers Russia’s eventual retreat. But how did one invasion lead to such huge consequences? How does the Taliban continue to rule today? What does it tell us about the war in Ukraine? And what does Afghanistan’s future look like? Today, we’re joined by an esteemed guest - foreign correspondent, Afghanistan expert, and the only journalist who was with the Taliban when they took Kabul in 1996, David Loyn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode two brings us swanning into the Golden Age of Hollywood, with the charisma, charm and controversies of Doris Day, brought alive by Dr Tamar Jeffers-McDonald. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This brand new pop culture history podcast is nothing like anything you've heard before, and it's everything you need to understand the modern world. This is the start of an epic journey where Tom Fordyce and Katie Puckrik take each of the 120 people, places and things mentioned in 'We Didn't Start The Fire', the smash hit by Billy Joel, and record an episode on every single one - and in the process they're expanding their brains without even feeling like they're learning. True to Billy Joel's words we're kicking off with Harry Truman, an ordinary man from humble stock who rose to become the 33rd President of the United States, founder of NATO, yes-sayer to the devastating nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, vanguard of the heroic Berlin airlift, and avid piano player. Katie and Tom are lucky to have with them the columnist and famed political pundit Eleanor Clift (whom you may have seen appear as herself in films like 'Independence Day' and 'Dave'), to help them understand the man who oversaw the rebuilding of the post-war world. Has any US president ever had to make so many monumental decisions? The clips used in this episode are in the public domain and have been kindly provided by the Screen Gems Collection at the Harry S Truman Library. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A modern history podcast inspired by the lyrics of Billy Joel. Billy didn’t just write an unforgettable smash-hit with ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’, he also created the most fascinating, random and original history of the post-war world. Each episode, a new lyric and a fresh subject, all presented by Katie Puckrik and Tom Fordyce. It's politics, rock 'n' roll, sport, space, television, the Cold War, explored and explained by historians, eyewitnesses, and mega-fans. Billy started it. We're going to finish it. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @spreadthatfire, or share your thoughts and stories with us fire@crowdnetwork.co.uk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1979, Iran’s pro-Western Shah was overthrown by Ayatollah Khomeini, ushering in the Iranian Revolution and Iran’s shift to an Islamic Republic. But the hope many people thought Khomeini represented, quickly soured as his zeal led to increasing amounts of oppression. And despite it all, this revolution still holds strong today, only recently starting to face real threats to its stability. So how has it lasted so long? What do the women’s rights protests mean for Iran’s future? And what was it really like to live through the revolution? This week, we’re joined by award-winning British-Iranian journalist, documentary producer and author, Ramita Navai, to talk through the history and her personal experiences with the Iranian Revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners, strap yourselves in. The late 20th century was an era of glamorous air travel, where you could saunter right through to the plane and buy your ticket in your seat (alongside your martini). But, alongside the glamour was a slew of sky-jackings, with hundreds of hijackings taking place across the world. But who were behind these? why were they so prevalent? How did it impact the public? And WHY did some hijackers bring a baby on board, and force the hostages to knit for them? This week, we’re chatting ‘Terror on the Airline’ with author, Brendan Koerner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Billy chose to encapsulate this behemoth of a topic in a single lyric, we'll never know. But this week, we're talking Palestine and all it experienced in the 20th century. Wars, protests, land grabs, displacement: the atrocities of this era are still being felt, and carried out, today. It's not something we were ever taught much about, but luckily we're joined by the Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University and co-editor of the Journal of Palestine Studies, Rashid Khalidi, to discuss this hugely important topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronnie was one of America's most beloved and controversial presidents. From his early days as a B-movie actor and union president, to his pivotal role in heating up the Cold War, Reagan was an icon of the 80s (even for British kids like Tom!). But what was he really like? How did he become president? And did he really bring an end to the Cold War, or was it all just a Hollywood-style illusion?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Menachem Begin was the sixth Prime Minister of Israel, and a signal of the state’s growing disillusionment. Since its founding, it had been run by socialist Ashkenazi elites, but Begin’s win signified a shift to a conservative coalition of marginalised Mizrahi and Jewish-religious communities. But what did this mean long term for Israel? How does it impact politics today? And what did it all mean for Billy? To discuss it all we’re joined by Henry Abramson, a Lecturer in Jewish History and Thought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluffies and spikies, get ready to ROCK! It's the music scene that shook (and scared) the 70s, and could've ended Billy's career... this week we're talking punk! How did it all start? Who's THE definitive band? Why was it so scary? And how did Billy feel about it?! We're ready to nerd out, and we're joined by music journalist Michael Hann to delve into all things punk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The time has finally come... we’ve made it to the end of the song. This episode description is being written on a tearstained laptop as we speak. But we PROMISE we’re going out with a very fizzy bang. The cola wars was a tense battle between soda giants Coca Cola and Pepsi, as they tried to be crowned the hippest, Americanest, tastiest cola. But it’s also the epitoment of American capitalism and the power of brands. So who won the war? What the hell was New Coke? And who wins in the battle of Madonna v George Michael? Plus there’s a cola taste test and a whole lotta reminiscing. Thanks for joining us listeners, we hope you enjoy ❤️‍🔥 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our friends at Podmasters have a new podcast you’re going to love: Jam Tomorrow. How did Britain’s dreams of a new postwar world go unfulfilled? And what does that mean for us today? In the first of a new documentary series from the makers of Oh God, What Now?, Ros Taylor looks at the legacy of the War itself. Ιdeals of the Blitz Spirit and dreams of wartime heroism still shape everything from pop culture and entertainment to the Brexit debate. But the truth of the War is more complex and less comforting. What will it take for us to see the Second World War – and ourselves – clearly? If you'd like to hear more, just search for Jam Tomorrow wherever you get your podcasts, or hit this link! https://link.chtbl.com/JamTmrwFD Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Jade Bailey. Voiceovers by Imogen Robertson. Original music by Dubstar. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Jam Tomorrow is a Podmastersproduction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the 1970s, Richard Nixon's paranoia has reached new heights. He's become consumed with wiretapping, secret recording devices and surveillances, and he's convinced everyone's out to get him. He's dipping his toes into criminality, and the cover ups on top of cover ups are become more and more incriminating. But how does he get to this point? What's the point of new return? And how does it impact his legacy? It's the original scandal that broke the non-existent internet... let's chat Watergate with host of Nixon At War, Kurt Andersen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch out for that brown acid - it’s WOODSTOCK time baby!! We’ve always wished we were alive for Woodstock (and not the ’94 one that Katie worked at…) But what was it really like behind the scenes? And how did a drug deal turn into the most famous music festival of all time? Luckily author and pal of the Woodstock stars, Bob Spitz is here to chat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's episode 100, LET'S GO TO THE MOON! The 1969 Apollo 11 landing was iconic, but what happened to the earlier missions? What kind of impact did it have on pop culture and the Cold War? Why are there so many conspiracy theories? And most importantly - who was the first person to poo on the moon? Our old pal, science journalist Kit Chapman, has returned to gab about it all with us!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices