Weird History

These days, if you’re hungry you just DoorDash a burrito and move on. But in Victorian times? Well, let’s just say it paid to keep an eye on the guy next to you. Yes, back then, when starvation set in, the line between roommate and rib eye got blurry. And to prove we’ve got the receipts

A rainbow-clad stranger with a silver pipe saves a town from a rat infestation. But when that town stiffs him, he steals their children and vanishes into the hills, never to return. It sounds like a campfire story, but according to the people of Hamelin… it happened.

William Shakespeare’s plays have shaped the English language, defined genres, and given high-schoolers panic attacks over pop quizzes for centuries. Yet for a guy who invented, like, half the metaphors we use to flirt, we know shockingly little about his personal life.

Weird History Timeline is back! This time, we are diving way deep into the decade of the 1960s! An intense, completely transformative decade! As the 50s came to a close, a new and VERY different era dawned. A decade full of drama and progress, and everything in between. Today we delve into 1960. Strap in, 1960 is a wild start to a 10 year period!

When most people picture haunted houses, they picture creepy old buildings filled with cobwebs and shadows. What they don’t usually picture are legendary stand-up comedians, audiences who can’t stop laughing, and Pauly Shore. But that all changed at Hollywood's legendary Comedy Store.

1960 brought South Korea’s April Revolution massacre, South Africa’s Sharpeville massacre, and the most violent race riot in the history of Mississippi, everyone was hoping 1961 would be a little more chill. It wouldn’t. Come with us as we sift through some of the wildeer aspects of the year 1961!

War is hell. And World War Two was inarguably one of the worst wars in history. But what if you were at the epicenter of that trauma in a way that allowed you to witness not one… but two atomic bomb detonations… and survive? This is one incredible story of endurance!

And now we have arrived in the year 1962 - what a year it was!! Cuban Missile Crisis, the Beatles first gig, th U.S. laded a craft on the moon... So many wild events, and today Weird History breaks it all down. Welcome to the year 1962!

Sometimes fate has strange designs on the lives of mortal men. You think you’re just a wholesale grocer one day and the next? You have a front row seat to the largest domestic military conflict in American history. And that’s exactly what happened to a man named Wilmer McLean… who holds the bizarre distinction of owning the property where the Civil War began, and the property where the Civil War ended…

What was the world really like in 1963? In the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War escalated and the planet seemed divided between superpowers. Nuclear tensions were high, alliances were shifting, and global politics were changing fast. But everyday life didn’t stop. Hollywood headlines were buzzing, as Elliott Gould married superstar Barbra Streisand. On the football field, legend Jim Brown shattered the NFL single-season rushing record yet again. Meanwhile, beach culture exploded after Annette Funicello starred in the hit film 'Beach Party', helping turn the bikini into a pop-culture phenomenon. But beneath all the fun, the world was anything but calm...

The world knew Michael Jackson as the King of Pop—a once-in-a-generation performer whose music, dance moves, and videos changed pop culture forever. But behind the fame, the glittering stage performances, and the global superstardom was a childhood filled with intense pressure, strict discipline, and heartbreaking struggles. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the shocking truth about Michael Jackson’s childhood—from his rise with the The Jackson 5 to the harsh training under his father, Joe Jackson. Was the price of becoming the world’s biggest pop star simply too high?

As 1964 began, the world was still reeling from the shocking assassination of President John F. Kennedy—but history didn’t hit pause. In this episode of Weird History, we dive into the chaos, conflict, and surprising moments that defined one of the most turbulent years of the 20th century. From martial law in South Korea, explosive race riots in Harlem, to a dramatic coup in South Vietnam, 1964 was packed with events that changed the course of global history. But it wasn’t all turmoil—this was also the year Tim Horton's opened its very first location! England and France made bold plans for the Channel Tunnel, and a certain TV couple tied the knot. What really happened in 1964—and why does it still matter today?

By the early 2000s, the internet had taken over everyday life, reshaping how we communicate, shop, and entertain ourselves. While giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon rose to power, countless early tech pioneers crashed and burned. On this episode of Weird History, we're taking a look at the forgotten websites of aughts. Does Anyone remember Friendster? Did you have a Myspace Page? What about that crazy site called 'Digg'? And how many times had you gone to 'Ebaum's World'?

1964 ended with major wins for civil rights and press freedom, but 1965 would change everything. From the rapid escalation of the Vietnam War, to the assassination of Malcolm X, to the rise of Ferdinand Marcos, the world was entering a more turbulent era. Meanwhile, The Rolling Stones would record their most famous song, Canada would choose a new flag and baseball would move indoors. In this episode of Weird History, we dive into the global events, pop culture, sports, entertainment and everything else about 1965 they didn't teach you in school.

For four days in September 1971, a maximum-security prison in upstate New York stopped functioning as a prison and turned into a battleground. What followed was a tense standoff that ended in one of the deadliest single-day massacres in America since the Civil War. On this episode of Weird History, we take a look at the shocking true story of the Attica Prison uprising. Have you ever heard of the Attica uprising before? Let us know in the comments!

1965 was a year marked by major changes in the world of politics, music, sports, technology and film... and 1966 would be just as transformative. India would elect its first female prime minister, baseball legend Sandy Koufax would retire at his peak, and The Beatles would make the groundbreaking decision to stop touring. At the same time, Major League Baseball welcomed its first African-American umpire, Ursula K. Le Guin released her debut novel, and Bruce Lee would storm onto the scene as Kato in The Green Hornet.

The 1970s were a decade packed with real scientific breakthroughs; NASA launched Voyager 1, Intel revolutionized computing with the first microprocessor, and JVC introduced the VHS. At the same time, some more -- shall we say -- outside-the-box ideas also started quietly gaining traction, ideas like biorhythms. Promoted as a scientific way to predict your physical, emotional, and intellectual highs and lows, biorhythms captured the public's imagination... but were they really all that? On this episode of Weird History, we dive into one of the strangest fads of the seventies' new age movement and try to determine whether it was legit science or just pseudoscience dressed up in math.

ave you ever wondered what it was like to live in the 1960s? Timeline is the Weird History channel's prestige documentary series that examines history, decade by decade and year by year, covering the people, news, culture, sports, and entertainment that defined the past and shaped the world we live in today. In this episode we look at 1967, the year Hyundai was born, Aretha Franklin recorded Respect, and a new board game called Battleship pitted friends against each other in full-on naval warfare.

The American Dream promises safety, independence, and the pride of owning your own home. But what if your home isn’t as private as you think? In this episode of Weird History's Graveyard Shift we dive into the chilling true stories of “The Watcher” a mysterious figure stalking one family's home from the shadows. So lock your doors, close your blinds, and don’t forget… someone might already be watching.

The tragic 1999 plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette stunned the world. But how did one of the most famous men in America disappear in a matter of minutes? And could the tragedy have been prevented? In this episode of Weird History, we break down the final flight of the charismatic son of President John F. Kennedy; from the weather conditions and piloting decisions to the shocking moments before the aircraft vanished over the Atlantic and everything that happened next.

Created by Don Mancini in 1988, Child’s Play became one of the most successful movie franchises of all time and dominated horror for decades. But when two horrifying real-world murder cases were connected to the films, the backlash was massive, the media frenzy exploded, and the future of Chucky was suddenly in danger. In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we take a look at Chucky, the movies that made him famous, and the murders that made those movies infamous.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in the 1960s? Timeline is the Weird History channel's prestige documentary series that examines history, decade by decade and year by year, covering the people, news, culture, sports, and entertainment that defined the past and shaped the world we live in today. In this episode we look at 1968, the year Martin Luther King was assassinated, George Foreman won Olympic Gold, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood made its debut.

We've all heard the story... in 1938, millions of Americans tuned in to what sounded like a real breaking-news emergency: Earth was under attack by Martians. The now-infamous “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast, led by Orson Welles and inspired by H.G. Wells’s sci-fi classic, allegedly triggered nationwide panic, mass hysteria, and chaos in the streets. But how much of what we heard was actually true? Did people really flee their homes, overwhelm police stations, and believe aliens had invaded New Jersey? Or was the panic itself wildly exaggerated by newspapers looking to discredit radio? In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we uncover the truth behind one of the most legendary media events of all time and explore how a Halloween radio drama became one of the biggest hoaxes in American history.

Catch Me If You Can is one of the most beloved crime movies ever made, but was this allegedly “true story” one big con job? The Steven Spielberg directed classic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks tells the unbelievable life of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., but evidence suggests many of Abagnale’s famous scams may never have happened at all. In this episode of Weird History, we dig deep into the facts to expose the embellishments, myths and outright lies behind Catch Me If You Can... and the real story just may make you believe that the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Millions of people believe UFOs and extraterrestrials are real and have visited Earth, but why is there still no concrete evidence? Could it be because of a shadowy force tasked with concealing the truth at all costs? In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we dive into alien conspiracy theories, secret government programs, UFO cover-ups, and the mysterious agents allegedly tasked with hiding the truth from humanity.

New York City in the 1970s was a nightmare. Crime was exploding, the streets felt lawless, and terrified residents wondered if the police had lost control. Then things got worse. As fear spread across the city, one of the deadliest serial killers in American history began hunting victims from the shadows, turning New York into a real-life horror story. On this episode of Weird History we take a look at what it was like to be in New York while the Son of Sam terrorized the city.

In 1957, 19-year-old Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, embarked on one of America's most infamous killing sprees. Over two terrifying months, the teenage couple murdered ten people across Nebraska and Wyoming, leaving a trail of fear and unanswered questions. On this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we take a look at the rampage that began with the murders of Fugate's parents and young half-sister before escalating into a series of seemingly random attacks that captivated the nation and went on to inspire Quentin Tarantino's script for the movie Natural Born Killers.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in the 1960s? Timeline is the Weird History channel's prestige documentary series that examines history, decade by decade and year by year, covering the people, news, culture, sports, and entertainment that defined the past and shaped the world we live in today. In this episode we look at 1969, the year The Beatles broke up, the Manson Family started claiming victims, and mankind landed on the moon.

A young couple heads to Lovers Lane for a romantic night alone. But then a chilling radio alert interrupts their date: a dangerous escaped killer with a hook for a hand is on the loose nearby. Terrified, the teenagers rush home. Yet what they discover when they arrive is even more horrifying, a metal hook dangling from the car door handle. In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we explore the shocking history behind America's most famous urban legend, the real life crimes that mirror that legend, and the unsettling connection between teenage romance, fear, and death.

To the four young musicians from Liverpool who would become The Beatles, Elvis Presley was more than just the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, he was their hero. But the feeling was far from mutual. Behind the scenes, Elvis grew increasingly bitter toward the band he inspired and what began as mutual admiration turned into resentment, jealousy, and even outright hostility. On this episode of Weird History, we're looking at why Elvis Presley hated The Beatles and what happened when the world's biggest music icon was forced to watch a new generation take his throne. Which side of this rock n roll feud do you come down on? Let us know in the comments.

magine going on a 40-minute scuba dive in the middle of the ocean and then surfacing to discover your boat has vanished. You’ve been accidentally left behind, surrounded by endless open water with nowhere to go and no way to call for help. Panic sets in, and every minute becomes a fight for survival. On this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift we take a look at the terrifying true story of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, divers who were left stranded at sea and learned the hard way how a simple mistake can turn an ordinary scuba trip into a real-life nightmare.

Princess Diana was one of the most beloved and iconic royals in modern history. But behind the fairy-tale image, lies a far darker story. Long before the paparazzi, royal scandals, and the tragic Paris car crash that shocked the world, Diana's life was marked by loneliness, heartbreak, and immense pressure. In this episode of Weird History, we're uncovering the true story of Princess Diana, from her troubled childhood and turbulent royal marriage to the events that made her a global icon and ultimately led to one of the most tragic endings in modern history.

Alcatraz, also known as "The Rock," was a maximum-security fortress where only the most dangerous and clever criminals were sent. One of the most infamous prisons in American history, it sat alone on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay and was once considered escape-proof. But decades after the prison closed, questions still linger. Did some prisoners actually escape? What secrets remain hidden behind its crumbling walls? And could Alcatraz be a place where even death isn't enough to set you free? In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we take a look at the strange history of Alcatraz, the prison that may never let go.

On the dark battlefields of World War II, German soldiers feared an enemy they could barely see and rarely heard... until it was too late. Out of the blackness came a faint whooshing sound. Seconds later, bombs rained from the sky, buildings crumbled, and chaos erupted across the Eastern Front. On this episode of Weird History we take a look at the mysterious Night Witches: an elite squadron of all-female Soviet pilots who became one of the most feared forces of World War II. Flying outdated wooden biplanes on daring nighttime bombing missions, they terrorized German troops, earned countless military honors, and cemented their place among history's most legendary warriors.

The disturbing phenomenon of copycat killers has blurred the line between entertainment and reality for decades. In one of the most chilling true crime cases, Mark Andrew Twitchell, an aspiring serial killer from Canada, became obsessed with the hit TV series Dexter, modeling his crimes after television's infamous vigilante. On this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we take a look at the bizarre and horrifying story of how a TV antihero influenced a real-life killer, the shocking evidence investigators uncovered, and why the case became one of the most infamous examples of life imitating art.

When you think of an American Girl doll, you probably think of wholesome history lessons, inspiring role models, and childhood nostalgia. But despite their educational mission, American Girl has found itself at the center of controversy again and again. From surprising historical inaccuracies to culture wars and collector backlash, the beloved doll brand has repeatedly sparked debates no toy company ever expected. On this episode of Weird History, we dive into the doll’s history and try to figure out why the beloved line can’t stay out of trouble.

The Winchester Mystery House is one of America's most famous haunted mansions. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune, this bizarre mansion is filled with secret passageways, staircases that lead nowhere, and rooms designed to confuse both visitors and, according to legend, restless spirits. In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we explore the chilling legends and fascinating history behind the mysterious Winchester House. Was it built to escape a deadly curse? Is it truly haunted, or is there a more rational explanation behind its strange architecture?

The legendary tale of the Trojan War has captivated people for thousands of years, filled with Greek gods, epic battles, mysterious prophecies, and the famous giant wooden horse said to have brought down the city of Troy. But was the Trojan Horse real, or is it one of history's greatest myths? On this episode of Weird History, we examine the possibility that historians have misunderstood the Trojan Horse all along. Was it truly a massive wooden horse hiding Greek soldiers, or could it have been something entirely different?

From founding a new spiritual philosophy to influencing modern occultism, yoga, and pop culture, Aleister Crowley built a legacy that still sparks fascination and debate more than a century later. In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we attempt to uncover the truth behind Crowley's dark reputation as "the wickedest man in the world", his bizarre rituals, infamous scandals, and the beliefs that made him one of the most mysterious figures of the 20th century. Was he an evil mastermind, a misunderstood visionary, or something in between?

Ravaged by illness, consumed by paranoia, and fully aware that his reign was coming to an end, King Henry VIII spent his last days doing everything he could to protect his son Edward's future ascent to the throne. But as they often did with Henry... things got bloody and people got executed. LAST DAYS is Weird History’s prestige format series focusing on final chapters, deaths, downfalls and conclusions. In this premiere episode, we examine the shocking true story behind Henry VIII's last execution, the brutal politics of the Tudor dynasty, and the dark final days of one of history's most notorious monarchs.

Long before he was hanged in 1896 for murdering his business partner, Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as Dr. Henry Howard Holmes, had built a reputation for fraud, deception, and violence. He also built an infamous "Murder Castle" in Chicago, a labyrinthine building allegedly designed to lure and kill travelers attending the 1893 World's Fair. Historians have confirmed at least nine victims, but many believe the true death toll may have been far, far higher. On this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift we separate the historical record from the sensational rumors surrounding H. H. Holmes, exploring the crimes, scams, and enduring mysteries that turned him into one of history's most notorious figures.

Most people picture gangsters as powerful men in sharp suits, surrounded by cigar smoke, luxury, and violence. But one of the most feared crime bosses in history was a woman… and she was so ruthless that even Pablo Escobar was afraid of her. On this episode of Weird History, we examine the shocking true story of the infamous "Queen of Cocaine," her rise to power, her brutal empire, and the legacy that made her one of the most dangerous figures in organized crime history.

For centuries, eyewitnesses have claimed to spot a massive, mysterious beast gliding through the depths of Scotland's Loch Ness. Scientists, explorers, and monster hunters have spent decades searching for evidence, using everything from sonar scans to underwater expeditions, yet the truth remains as elusive as ever. In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we dive into the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, exploring its ancient origins, the most famous sightings, shocking investigations, alleged hoaxes, and the enduring mystery that continues to captivate millions around the world. Is Nessie a prehistoric creature lurking beneath the dark waters of the loch? Or one of history's greatest hoaxes?

New Jersey's Action Park, the world's most infamous water park, closed its doors in 1996. It eventually reopened as Mountain Creek Waterpark, but in 2014 the son of the original owner brought back the legendary Action Park name. His goal was simple: recreate the thrill that made the original park famous, just without the injuries, lawsuits, and deadly reputation. But reviving America's most dangerous amusement park proved far more complicated than anyone expected. LAST DAYS is Weird History’s prestige format series focusing on final chapters, deaths, downfalls and conclusions. In this episode, we examine the shocking true story behind Action Park's controversial comeback, the accidents that defined its legacy, and why the park's final chapter ended in failure. (Much like real history, this video was produced entirely by human beings.)

During a late-night drive through rural New Hampshire in 1961, Barney and Betty Hill reported a terrifying encounter with a UFO that would change their lives forever. Since then, their story remains one of the most famous and controversial alien abduction cases in history. From unexplained missing time and hypnotic regression to eerie eyewitness testimony, the Hills' account helped shape modern beliefs about extraterrestrials, UFO sightings, and even the mysteries surrounding Area 51. But were they telling the truth, or did something else happen that night? In this episode of Weird History Presents: Graveyard Shift, we explore the shocking details behind America's first widely publicized alien abduction case, the evidence that still fuels debate decades later, and why the Barney and Betty Hill story continues to captivate believers and skeptics alike.

The world's most successful pirate wasn't Blackbeard. In fact, it wasn't even a man. While most pirate captains struggled to command a single ship, one legendary woman built a fleet of nearly 2,000 ships and led an astonishing 80,000 sailors, creating one of the most powerful pirate empires in history. On this episode of Weird History we take a look at the life of Pirate Queen Zheng Yi Sao. How did she rise from obscurity to dominate the seas? And why have so few people heard of the pirate many historians consider the greatest pirate of all time?

In 2011, Amy Winehouse was one of the most talented and celebrated singer-songwriters in the world. With multiple awards, global fame, and a groundbreaking musical legacy already behind her, she should have been preparing for her third album and the next chapter of her career. Instead, she was publicly struggling with addiction, declining health, and the pressures of extraordinary fame. Just weeks later, her life would come to a tragic end. LAST DAYS is Weird History’s prestige format series focusing on final chapters, deaths, downfalls and conclusions. In this episode, we examine what happened to Amy Winehouse in her final days and how one of the greatest voices of her generation went from international superstardom to a heartbreaking final chapter. (Much like real history, this video was produced entirely by human beings.)

In the mid-1800s, New York City was a battleground and few places were more dangerous than the infamous Five Points where the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic Bowery Boys were locked in a brutal cycle of violence with one of the city's most feared street gangs: The Dead Rabbits If you’ve seen Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, you might recognize the Rabbits as the gang Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Amsterdam Vallon, belonged to. That character is fictitious, but the gang itself was all too real... or was it? In this episode of Weird History, we dive into the Dead Rabbits, Five Points, Gangs of New York, and the brutal history of 19th-century New York City to uncover what life was really like in one of America’s most dangerous neighborhoods and whether the most feared street gang of its era ever really existed.

In 2003, naturalist Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard were attacked and killed by a thousand pound grizzly in Alaska’s Katmai National Park. Their deaths, which became the subject of Werner Herzog's 2005 documentary Grizzly Man, were certainly tragic, but Treadwell's contempt for the rules of the park and determination to have up-close interactions with the wild animals made them far from unpredictable. LAST DAYS is Weird History’s prestige format series focusing on final chapters, deaths, downfalls and conclusions. In this episode, we examine what happened during Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard’s final days and how those events would lead to one the most disturbing and haunting incidents in the history of Katmai National Park.