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PODCAST

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything?

RRC International

Welcome to "Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything" the podcast where we unravel the most well-known tales of calamity, mishap, and unforeseen consequences that have shaped the course of history, and consider whether we’ve actually learnt anything from them all these years later! In this podcast, we examine the historical events that you may think you know about already and the causes that lead to them, be they icebergs or baker’s ovens. We will consider whether these tragedies could have been

history

All Episodes

16:16

The Minamata Bay Mercury Poisoning - 1951-1968

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/11/02

Between 1951 and 1968, a chemical factory dumped extreme amounts of mercury into Minamata Bay, a small town in south east Japan, poisoning fish and devastating the lives of those who relied on them for food. Over 1,500 people died, thousands were left disabled, including many unborn babies, and millions were exposed to toxic mercury levels. Join us as we learn why the incident remains a symbol of the need for stringent environmental regulations to prevent industrial pollution and protect public

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16:38

Tenerife Airport Disaster - 1977

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/10/02

The Tenerife Airport Disaster occurred on March 27 1977, when two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport. Simple but fatal errors in communication, alongside very poor visibility resulted in a disaster that makes this the deadliest accident in aviation history outside terrorism. On this episode, we explore what life was like for those who lived in the local area, as well as how aviation history was changed forever.

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24:35

The Great Fire of London - 1666

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/09/02

In this podcast episode, we delve into the events that unfolded during the Great Fire of London. Join us as we explore how a small bakery in Pudding Lane became the unfortunate spark that ignited the city. Fanned by powerful winds, the flames quickly engulfed buildings and continued their relentless path of destruction for days. Surprisingly, the official death toll stood at a mere six individuals, but the aftermath of the fire left a staggering 85% of London's population without homes.

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15:57

The Eruption of Mound Vesuvius - 79AD

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/08/02

In this episode of our podcast, we explore the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in August 79 AD. We detail the series of pyroclastic surges and ash clouds unleashed during the eruption, which launched a colossal column of volcanic ash and gases into the sky. We also discuss the ferocious pyroclastic flows, swift currents of hot gas and volcanic debris which reached temperatures exceeding several hundred degrees Celsius, hauntingly preserving the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum for future

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11:12

Easter Island Ecological Collapse

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/07/02

In this episode, we explore the devastating ecological collapse of Easter Island, one of the world’s most remote islands famous for its huge statues, vanished entirely, taking all tree species with it. Forest harvesting began around 900 and peaked by 1400. By 1722, when European explorers came across the island, it was already deforested. The consequences of deforestation had been dire: the ecosystem collapsed, resources diminished, and population dwindled. Trapped without food, resources, and a

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26:23

Alton Towers Rollercoaster Crash - 2015

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/06/02

A day of thrills turned into a nightmare at Alton Towers on 2nd June 2015, when what should have been a routine ride on the Smiler Rollercoaster, famed as one of the most intense and scariest rides in the theme park, ended in disaster, when a loaded rollercoaster train collided with an empty test car. The crash left every single rider injured, and for two riders, the impact was life-changing. Join us on this episode to discover how a system designed for safety failed so catastrophically and whether

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12:53

Apollo Theatre Collapse - 2013

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/05/02

In the midst of a lively performance of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time", tragedy struck when a segment of the Apollo Theatre's ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, leaving more than 80 theatre-goers injured, and many more shaken. This episode discusses the risks with old buildings, and how audience members believed that the ominous sounds of the roof beginning to collapse were actually part of the show…

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14:16

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill - 2010

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/04/02

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in history. Occurring in April 2010, even now, experts are still unsure just how extensive the damage to the local flora and fauna has been. Tune into this episode to find out how the disaster was triggered by a sudden outburst of natural gas, which unfortunately resulted in the platform of the oil rig igniting, and tragically claiming the lives of 11 workers and causing injuries to 17 others.

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34:33

Episode 6: The Sinking of the RMS Titanic 1912

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/03/02

On this extra-long episode of "Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?", we’re diving into one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters: the sinking of the RMS Titanic. On the night of April 14, 1912, the "unsinkable" ship struck an iceberg, leading to a catastrophic loss of life and forever changing the world of sea travel. We’ll explore the events leading up to the tragedy, the tragedies that had befallen the titanic before it had even set sail, and how the disaster reshaped maritime safety

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20:53

Shoreham Air Show crash - 2015

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/02/02

On 22nd August 2015, at the Shoreham Air Show in England, a former military aircraft crashed onto a main road during an aerial display, leading to the tragic deaths of 11 individuals and injuring 16 others. Join us as we learn what happened to lead the aircraft to strike the A27 road while attempting a loop manoeuvre, break into four parts on impact, and ignite a large fireball.

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28:25

King's Cross Fire - 1987

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2025/01/02

Join us in this episode as we delve into the tragic events that unfolded at King's Cross station on November 18, 1987. A small flame, ignited by a lit match falling through a gap on a wooden escalator, sparked a catastrophic blaze, claiming the lives of 31 individuals, including a senior firefighter, and injuring many others. Tune in to learn about the immediate impacts of the fire, the heroic efforts of firefighters, and the lasting changes in safety protocols as a result of this tragic incident

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30:27

Three Mile Island - 1979

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2024/12/02

Travel back to March 28, 1979, when the tranquillity of the Susquehanna River was shattered by the partial nuclear meltdown at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania. In the early morning hours, the Unit 2 reactor unleashed radioactive gases and iodine into the environment, marking the darkest chapter in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history. This catastrophic event, rated Level 5 on the International Nuclear Event Scale, had far-reaching consequences, earning the

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16:55

Great London Smog - 1952

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2024/12/02

In December 1952, London was engulfed by a deadly smog that wreaked havoc on its residents. Lasting for 4 harrowing days, the Great London Smog claimed the lives of approximately 12,000 people and left thousands more suffering from illness. Join us as we dive into the gripping narrative of this environmental disaster, exploring the impact it had on the city and its inhabitants. We'll uncover the events that led to this catastrophic smog and examine the lasting repercussions it left on the

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29:25

The Globe Theatre Fire - 1613

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2024/12/02

In this episode, we explore a dramatic incident from the world of theatre. Imagine a bustling performance, the anticipation of the crowd at its peak. Suddenly, a canon misfires, igniting the wooden beams and thatching of the theatre. Within an hour, the entire structure is engulfed in flames and burns to the ground. Miraculously, no one is injured. Join us as we uncover the story behind this fiery mishap and its lasting impact on theatre construction.

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2:02

Did History Actually Teach Us Anything? Trailer

Did History (Actually) Teach Us Anything? ·

2024/11/27

Welcome to Did History Actually Teach us Anything?The podcast where we unravel the most well-known tales of calamity, mishap, and unforeseen consequences that have shaped the course of history, and consider whether we've actually learned anything from them all these years later... In this podcast, we examine the historical events that you may think you know about already and the causes that led to them, be they icebergs or bakers ovens. We will consider whether these tragedies could have been

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