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
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3:03:54
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3:03:54
The Nuremberg Trials
WW1's end saw the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which went hard at the country of Germany. So much so it allowed Adolf Hitler to ascend to power using the treaties punishment as a tool to turn a large portion of the country to him for the fix. The Allies were determined to make sure that mistake was not repeated after WW2. The proposed solutions included mass killings and show trials, summary executions of leadership, to an international criminal trial. The IMT or International Military Tribunal was formed to try the 25 highest remaining nazi military officers, political figures, and economic collaborators for their crimes against peace and humanity. A Judge and Prosecutor from The U.S., U.K., France, and Soviet Union would determine their fates and in the process give the world its first look at what the third reich was doing besides just making war. This is where the world would hear evidence about the early nazi parties plan to invade other countries, the atrocities they committed on the eastern front, and about the individual roles they played in the Holocaust. Disclaimer: This episode deals with some heavy shit, so we apologize for all the anger swearing you're gonna hear as we get Historically High on The Nuremberg Trials. Support the show
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2:53:40
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2:53:40
The Spanish Armada
In May of 1588 150 ships of the Spanish Armada would begin sailing for England on a mission of conquest. What occurred during that attempt would come to be known as....The Spanish Armada. Yes I know it's confusing, it refers to both the armada of the Spanish and the naval campaign against the English Navy. Ok we good now? Basically Spain was pissed because the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth I of England told the recently widowed Philip II of Spain (who was formerly the King of England through marriage to Elizabeth's dead half-sister Queen Mary who changed England from Protestant to Catholic) that she wouldn't marry him and was taking England back to the Protestant way of doing things. Philips took the news poorly and ran to the pope who gave Philip a voucher good for one free crusade. Spain and the recently Spanish acquired Portugal had the largest most powerful navy's in the world, so they totally wiped the floor with the English Navy right? Right? We guess you're just gonna have to listen to find out as we get Historically High on The Spanish Armada.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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