WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - This Week In History with Michaela and Gavin: July 14-20

Episode Date: July 15, 2024

 We will be here all summer keeping you up to date with a week's worth of historic trivia ranging from world history to pop culture! Stick around for the end of the episode to see whether Gavin or Michaela wins our "Guess That Year" portion of the show. Do you know when the first paper bank notes were printed?

Welcome to this week in history with Michaela and Gavin. The show where we highlight historical events from World American and Pop Cultural History. First up in World History, what do you got? I have July 15, 1099, Jerusalem was captured in the First Crusade. What's your opinion on the Crusades? Good thing, bad thing? Ooh, that's asking me on air. Wow. I think in principle a good thing.

I think they were executed pretty poorly. I think that's pretty diplomatic answer. A good way to keep my head. Sounds good. Okay, so what do you have for us? My first world date is technically happened in America, so it could be said later in our show. But the first atomic bomb was successfully tested at the Trinity site in New Mexico, marking the beginning of the nuclear age on July 16, 1945.

I mean, obviously a bigger cultural moment back then, but also we've had a movie that recently came out highlighting. Yes. So at the forefront of most people's minds. which is a great movie, I think, and it really portrayed the, kind of the struggle of creating a weapon that ultimately helped end a war, but in its nature was so destructive. Right. Yeah, no, it was a really good movie, and especially dealing with that moral complexion, I guess. Really long, too, though. Oh, it was so long.

No, tell me, did you see Barbie as well? Did you do the double? I didn't see Barbie. You know what happened is I watched the Ben Shapiro review of Barbie? Oh no. It just popped up on my recommended. He just roasted it. Yeah. And I, from what I can tell, it wasn't as bad as he said it was. I wasn't a fan, but also he really hated it. It was really funny to listen to. That was a mistake of my part. I just like, it was recommended to me and I watched it. I was like, oh, this movie is horrible. Propaganda. Of the devil. Do not watch it. And then everyone else was like, well, it's all right. It's okay. So, yeah, but Oppenheimer. Great movie. Oppenheimer. Still need to watch Barbie. Also, it's crazy that in just, July 1945, they just successfully dropped that first bomb.

And then it was only like, what, a month and a half later that the war was ended. Yeah, that's so true. That's just like such a fast turnaround. Anyways, this has nothing to do with bombs. It actually has to do with a stone. July 19th, 1799, the Rosetta Stone was found. And it has three languages. It's how we learned Egyptian hieroglyphics, which is kind of cool.

That is epic. All thanks to Mr. Bonaparte, Napoleon. Yeah, and some random soldier, one of like his men who just found it. It's like, oh, cool. You know how big it was? I don't do you? I mean, I was just wondering if it's small enough that someone could have like thrown it for fun just because like, oh, big rock. Guys do that sometimes.

I've seen like a model of it and it would be pretty hefty to throw. Okay. All right, what do you have? My second world date is the July 14th, 1789. The storming of the Bastille in Paris occurred, marking the beginning. beginning of the French Revolution. So this is before the Rosetta Stone because Napoleon had not yet taken power. But I think my mom, my mama was always like mentioning to us that like Bastille Day was a thing because she like lived in France for a little bit.

Oh, did she? That's cool. She cares about French things. Hmm. But July 14th, she'd always be like, oh, today's Bastille Day. And she'd tell us that's like, it's basically their fourth of July. So they celebrate it. Like, okay.

It's like they honor it. Which is interesting. Yeah. In high school, I read. The Tale of Two Cities. Oh, yeah. Love that book. Great book.

And that Bastille Day happened in that book. Yeah. And it's really cool. That's what first, like, got me interested in history, basically, was that book. That's so interesting. In English, English class, getting you into history. I know, because I hated reading, but I loved that book. And I loved history.

Why do I like this so much? What's going on? All right. My last date is a failed assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20th, 1944. So there was, this was part of like the July plot and they put a bomb in a suit in a briefcase, I think. And it went off and he was, I read just today that his arm was paralyzed for a little bit. Oh. So like it actually affected him, but he did not die.

Not. Couldn't kill him. Couldn't kill him. Take the Americans a little bit later to do that. Good old USA. Good old USA coming through. All right. My last date is also Adolf Hitler. Oh, whoa. His autobiographical manifesto.

Say that three times. That's tough. Autobiographical manifesto, MindConf, was published on July 18th, 1925. So. So, almost 20 years exactly before he was attempted assassination. Yeah, that's, that book is, I mean, the fact that people still, it's like still like a common book that people know about. Is it like a war theory? I forget.

I forget exactly what it's about. But he like, he wrote it while he was in jail, I think. Right. But it definitely has a lot in there of, like, telling about his... I think it's, like, also, like, his whole philosophy on, like, Aryanism and, you know, so... Yeah, all the bad stuff. It's just, like, crazy to me that that gets published, and then, you know, it's like, oh, yeah, sure, let's elect him, and then everything happens. Like, he was very forward about what he thought.

Anyways, it's okay. I guess hindsight is 2020. I wouldn't have voted for him. Moving over to USA, good old America. I have. July 16th, 1790, I almost made this a trivia, so I'm curious if you know what this is, but Congress declares the new capital along the Potomac River and named it Washington, D.C. After George Washington.

So we didn't actually, our capital wasn't actually there until 1790. Was it in New York or Philadelphia? I'm pretty sure it was New York. That sounds right. And then they moved down the river. It's kind of fun. That's such a good, like, I feel like that was probably the least of their worries, It's like finding a place to have the government.

Right. You know, just beyond getting the government working correctly. But then to think about like, oh, we need to have a place that's not in a state. So no one state has like supremacy, which is so cool. So they thought of that. Also, I think Thomas Jefferson was the first president to actually live in the White House. Is that right? I think that that sounds right.

So that's kind of crazy. I know. Poor George Washington. Yeah. He deserved it. And he did get named after it, though. All right. Well, my first American date is July 16th as well.

Okay. But 1969. So a little bit later. Apollo 11 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center beginning the first man mission to land on the moon. Wow. And the first man mission to return for the moon. Probably.

They won. Seeing that they're both here on Earth. They did it. They both got back somehow. They returned. It worked. Yeah, the first, what was it? First step for man.

A small step for man. One giant leap for mankind. Something like that. One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Is that right? What's the difference between man and mankind? I've always wondered that. Like, why did he distinguish?

Well, man here is like him, like himself. Oh, he's referred. He himself like a man. Oh. And then mankind is... Gotcha, and he's doing it for... Mankind. Man.

Yeah. There you go. Wow, I'm really glad I could be here for that moment. That was really cool. I mean, if you guys could see his face, he's like, wow. Mind blow. I just... I thought he was saying, like, small step for man.

Right. No, because normally when you say man, it's like mankind. Yeah. But you play on words, I guess. Okay. Both things are getting bigger. He's taking a small step for an individual, but then a giant leap for mankind. Wow.

Especially America, USA. All right, I also, I actually have one that is related to the moon landing. It's not actually the moon, but the space race to the space or something like that. So John Glenn was born on July 21st, 1921. John Glenn orbited the Earth three times in 1962, so before the moon landing. But I always, like, John Glenn was the other name that I could always remember besides Neil Armstrong. Because I was, I think he's from Ohio, which I'm from Ohio. So I was like really proud of those two men.

Yeah. You know, I did a lot for them. No, I'm kidding. But anyways, I thought it would be really crazy and very dizzying to orbit the Earth three times. Yeah. I mean, do you know, I feel like it's when you're going to. you're up there, you don't know you're spinning, though. Probably not.

But you could just, like, look down and be like, wow. There's the Earth. There's the Earth. Like, all the people are down there. Yeah. I guess you could say that John Glenn orbited so that Armstrong could. It was a step to the moon. Yeah.

There we go. He took a metaphorical step by orbit. So that Armstrong could leap. Let's go. I love this. Beautiful, beautiful imagery. Yeah. All right.

July 18th, 1947. So before both those dates, President Harry S. Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act, which established the line of succession beyond the vice president. Wow. So obviously, a president had just died before this, so I'm sure this was on the forefront of many people's minds that if the president dies. So we know the vice president takes over, but who takes over if the vice president dies? And you brought up a good point earlier of like if someone blows up a building. Like I was just thinking of people dying naturally and then you had to replace it.

But like if a big group of powerful people. It gets blown up. Then who's the next list in line? Also kind of crazy that like it took them nearly two centuries to think about that. I guess like a century and a half. Or to at least formalize the legislation. Yeah. So vice president and speaker of the house and president pro tempore of the Senate and then secretary of state and then the list keeps going.

So I don't think we'll ever get to that point in our lifetime to see that used. But still good that it exists. So there's a little bit of security. Insert jokes about. No. No. I'm kidding. No.

All right. Well, what's your... My last American date has nothing to do with presidential succession, so I can't really, you know, do a segue. But July 21st, 1861, the first battle of Bull Run. So it was one of the first battles of the Civil War. Yeah. I think it was actually the first land battle. And it was shocking to the nation because of the casualties on both sides.

It was just, I think, evident of how crippling this war was going to be. Yeah, it was a foreshadowing moment. I've also heard that, like, because they weren't taking this war seriously, they brought out lunches watched from the hill. Really? Yeah. I forget where I read that. I actually think I've heard that now that you say that.

Like, people would just, like, picniced and watched it. And they're like, oh, shoot, this is actually a big deal. This is, like, real. This is going to be a long war. Wow. That's crazy. It just shows how people weren't ready for what was going to happen. That's very true.

All right, what do you have? My last date, July 15th, 1971, year my mom was born. Let's go. No, my dad, I'm sorry, my dad. Oh, let's go. President Richard Nixon announced that he would visit the People's Republic of China, marking a significant step and opening diplomatic relationships between the two countries. So was this a step for Nixon or a step for mankind?

Sorry. Everything is a step for mankind if America's involved. That's so true. Yeah, I think I've, the only thing I know about that trip is I've seen a picture of him. on the wall of China, I think. Oh, really? Actually, that's so true. But I don't know.

I'm guessing it was okay. I mean, he's fine. Yeah, he's fine. No one died. All right, on the pop culture. Love it. All right, I have one. July 15th, 2006.

Twitter launched, which is crazy because now it's X. Yeah, doesn't even exist anymore. I guess it does exist, but, you know. I still can't call it X. Like saying you tweet is just so much easier You're saying posted on X. What do you do? You X?

No, you don't. Check out Donald Trump's latest X. X post would. No. Just tweet is way easier. Do you have a Twitter account? Kind of, but it's only to follow like. To follow people.

No, like soccer transfers and like news about the Premier League. So really boring stuff. I try not to look at political stuff on there because it's ranted sometimes. Try not to. That's hard because there's all. lot on there you can find like there's the two sections like the the four you and then the following i try to always stay on the following because you know just need to because four you is all recommended yeah it's just going to be like so-and-so shot you know or this person dead or this person's

a crook i'm like i don't i don't need to know all this i just want peace let me look at my soccer stuff okay so i know but did you watch the soccer euro cup or something i did were you sad hard broken. You wanted England? I wanted England to win. And if they had just, no one cares. But if they had just subbed out Harry Kane earlier, they would have so many more shots. Sad. It was, it was a tough game. I mean, they had a great goal. That's true. And that's because they subbed out Harry Kane and replaced him with Cole Palmer, who that scored the amazing goal. Gavin knows his stuff. All right. Sorry, brought up us something. Let me rant real quick. Okay, back to your pop culture. All right. Less, you know, polarizing. July 19, 1966,

Frank Sinatra's iconic album, Strangers in the Night, reach number one on the Billboard charts. Here's a little piece of that. Strangers in the night, exchanging glances. So, iconic song, iconic man. I love Frank Sinatra. What a guy. Tied to the mob, but, you know, still a great guy.

Tied to the mob, is that you said? That's like how he got famous, apparently. I didn't know that. You ever seen The Godfather? No, I haven't. But I know. I know that. I know I should. You got to watch it.

All right. Outing me with all my little pop culture experience. But the character in the movie, who's like a jazz singer, is modeled after Frank Sinatra. And Frank Sinatra got really mad about it because it was like really obvious and blatant. Oh, wow. Yeah. Tea. Yeah, lots of Italian tea.

We love it. I love it. All right, what's your next day? Okay, I have July 17, 1955 Disneyland opens in California. Ah. I always, I didn't, I should have looked this up. When did Disney World? open. I'm assuming after.

Is that the one in Florida? But I always get them very confused. Oh, 1971. Okay, so it was after. The year my father was born. Wow, what a great year. So he could have gone. For the grand opening, he would have been like four months old, but it would have

been great. He would have remembered and told you about it and then taken you when you were four months old. Impactful of an event. Have you ever been to either land or world? No. My parents are just not like theme park people. They're kind of yuck. Yeah.

I feel like you have to go at a prime age of like the kids will remember it and enjoy it. But also now that I look back, I'm like, yeah, mom and dad are really stressed. Yeah. Because I feel like it's never that fun for the parents. Right. And the kids don't really understand what's going on. Yep. Yeah.

So all around. Lots of people. Again. So fair. Do what you want to do. Go to the parks you want to go to. I'm not advocating for either. No promotions on this.

Yeah. What I will promote, though, is this great song that came out in 1982, July 23rd. I of the Tiger by Survivor topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming an anthem for its association with the movie Rocky 3. Can we hear that one, please? Yes, of course. We'll be stuck in my head all day. Originally, apparently, they wanted another one bites the dust by Queen.

But Queen like declined the request, I guess. So I assumed it was a money thing, but apparently they just said, They didn't want their song in the movie. And so they had this song written. Sorry, which movie is this? I forget. Rocky. Oh, yes.

So, just like crazy that I can't think of Rocky and not think of this song. And so the idea of a queen song being tied to that movie is. That would be so great time. That didn't happen. Great song. I'm going to sing a long whole time. Sorry to just to give you the little sample. Nah, it's all good.

I loved it. All right. My last public cultural date is actually what we were talking about. earlier with Universal Studios. So this is the final book of Harry Potter was released in our lifetime, July 21st, 2007. Wow. We were pretty young. But still, it was released, Deathly Hollows.

Do you think that will ever happen again? Because I've seen pictures of people lining up at bookstores, like, to get the book. Really? And, like, it was a huge thing that people were, like, putting out spoilers on the internet for all the plot points and stuff. You think that will ever happen again? I guess it kind of happened with Hunger Games that people got really. into those.

But I don't think books are important enough to people. I know. I hope it does happen again. But also you can just like pre-order them all on Amazon now so you're not going to see the lines. That's true. Yeah. Which is sad.

Same with like consoles at GameStop and stuff. They used to have like huge cues. Childhood. Bring back waiting in lines. What a good time. All right. My last date is July 17th, 1989. The animated television series, The Simpsons.

premieres as a half-hour primetime show on the Fox Network. 1989, wow. 89, yeah. I think it's still airing and they're making new episodes. Yeah, I've never seen it. I mean, I see people with T-shirts all the time. Yes. That's pretty impressive.

It's like a cultural thing, yeah. It's just been cemented in our culture. Great influence, I guess, apparently. Yeah, apparently. All right, what time is it? It's Guess That Year. Part of the show where we guess the dates associated with these other. events. So what's your first one? My first one. All right. I always, I always almost give you the date by

accident. Okay. Well, what you should do is give me the date and I'll give you the event. That's how good I'm. You're like, I'm feeling confident today. Yeah, I got this one. Okay, so this is July 18th, not telling you the year. The year that Nero burns Rome. It's a pretty important date. Oh, yeah. This is very important. Gosh, I'm just going to guess the wrong century. I already know it. No, you're not. You're not. Three? No, two, two. One. One? Oh, is it like, oh, wait, this is so stupid. I should have known. He was persecuting Christians. So this was like before 100.

There you go. Oh, my God. There you go. No, it's okay. See, you got it. Cut it. Just forget you heard the last 10 seconds. 47 AD. No, add 20 years. 64. 64. 64.8. Well done. I mean, I was 400 years off.

I think maybe 47 was close to when he was born because wasn't he like 20 when he burned? That's so true. I misheard you. I thought you said when he was born. Right. That's why I got it right. Born, burn. Sounds pretty similar.

All right. Well, I got an early one too for you. Oh, okay. That's helpful. So the 354-day Islamic calendar was established. The 354-day Islamic calendar. Okay, well, Islam didn't become a religion until like, well, Muhammad, okay? So, hmm.

I think Muhammad was 633. So let's say 709. Oh, no. No? Yeah, you're like about 100 years off. You were really close with Mohammed when you said that first date. 633? Yeah, you're really close.

So the calendar, that's what we're saying, right? Yeah. Okay, so. Before 633. Oh, 633 is when Mohammed died. Oh, that would be why. That would be why. It was right before he died.

Okay, really? Yeah. 630. No, 622. Okay. Yeah, that was pretty good. When you said that first day, I was like, oh, she's there. And then she's there and then she jumped ahead.

But you just shifted his death date to his birthday, which makes sense. So understand. I belayed everything a little bit. Whoops. My date for you, the French emperor, Napoleon III, declares war on Prussia beginning the Franco-German war. Sorry, that's very confusing. Napoleon III after Napoleon. Oh, Napoleon the third.

Okay. Yes. 18? Well done. Okay. This is good. Better start than last time. 1840?

No, but close. Go up and stay... 1850? No. 60. 1870? Yes. I didn't know there were Napoleons in power in 1870.

That's crazy. All right, what do you have for me? Okay. Okay, I have two more and I want you to pick. Do you want to do something about bank notes or something about parking meters? You were so nice to me. I saw the parking meters once to do bank notes. Okay.

The first bank note in Europe was issued by the Swedish bank, Stockholm Banco. Oh my goodness. Oh my. I don't even know. Where do you start? I literally don't even know. Sweden.

Okay. 16? Yeah. Really? Yeah. Let's go. Okay. That's crazy.

I'm just proud that I got that. 1666. No, 61. 61. But still, that's insane. You win. I just wanted. Automatic win.

Let's go. That was a complete guess. I just need everyone to know. I had no idea when that was. That's crazy. 1661. First bank note. All right.

First bank note. I wonder if any of them are still around. I doubt it. That would be cool. That would be cool. I bet it'd be worth a lot of money. Yeah. We'll still be around though next week for our next show because this is this week in history with

Michaela and Gavin and we're at the end. Thanks for joining, guys. Bye.