The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

The Rise and Fall of Japan's National Public Railway Labor Unions

S(ubstack)-Bahn • 160 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
💾 History Labor Unions Privatization Neoliberalism Railways Japan
  1. Japan's national public railway labor unions faced a significant decline from their powerful past, with membership dropping drastically over the years.
  2. The labor unions within Japan's national railways held significant influence and power in the past, shaping the fate of the railways through radical left-wing politics and strikes.
  3. The privatization of Japan's national railways in the 1980s marked the end for the powerful labor unions, leading to mass layoffs, legal battles, and the dissolution of the unions.

At First You Don't Succeed

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 119 implied HN points • 17 Nov 22
💾 History Urban Development Architecture Engineering Photography Local history
  1. Building projects can face lots of unexpected problems, like the Montlake Cut in Seattle, which had issues with the ground underneath.
  2. Sometimes things just don't work out on the first try, as seen when workers had to build new cofferdams multiple times before finally succeeding.
  3. Patience and safety are important, especially in big projects, as rushing can lead to dangerous situations for workers.

Short story of how the first flights were made possible

First principles trivia • 19 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💾 History Inventions Aviation Entrepreneurship Technology Business
  1. The Wright brothers funded their aviation experiments largely out of their own pocket, showing dedication and perseverance.
  2. Despite receiving offers for funding, the Wright brothers chose to maintain full control over their research, emphasizing the importance of independence and vision.
  3. Through meticulous work, including building their own wind tunnel and conducting extensive test flights, the Wright brothers achieved their goal of creating a successful airplane, highlighting the value of thoroughness and persistence.
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Contraptionist History Book Club

Breaking Smart • 56 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💾 History Book Club Historical Analysis
  1. There will be a monthly book club where participants can discuss history and related themes together. This is a fun way to explore interesting books.
  2. The subscription price for the newsletter will increase, but current subscribers can keep their old rate if they stay subscribed. This is to manage costs and encourage ongoing support.
  3. There is a contest where you can share photos of your work environment and a motto for the year. Winners can get free subscription months, making it a creative way to start the year.

Titanic Connections

backstory • 242 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
💾 History Maritime Connections Tragedy
  1. The Titanic connections led to various interesting stories and events
  2. The town of St. John's is deeply rooted in maritime history beyond just the Titanic
  3. The enduring fascination with the Titanic stems from the multitude of unique stories and incidents related to the tragedy

A Journey from Trans-Baikal to the Amur Through Manchuria - Peter Kropotkin, 1865 (2/4)

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 3 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
💾 History Exploration Geography Imperialism Military History 19th century Biographies
  1. A translated 19th-century reconnaissance describes crossing the Greater Khingan Mountains while scouting a direct route between Russia’s Trans‑Baikal frontier and Blagoveshchensk on the Amur River.
  2. This is part two of a four‑part translation and includes a translator’s introduction and a link to the original source; the first part contains an introductory note and biographical material.
  3. The post features landscape photos of the Greater Khingan (Daxinganling) and is hosted on Substack, with most content behind a paywall but a free excerpt available.

The 1937 Soviet Census

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 17 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💾 History Census Soviet Union Statistics Political Repression
  1. In the early 1930s, Stalin attacked the idea of accurate data and statistics. If data showed problems, he blamed the people reporting it.
  2. Stalin's regime would punish statisticians who reported bad news, which led to fear and manipulation of information.
  3. The focus on false data meant that real issues, like famine and crop failures, were ignored or hidden, making it hard to understand the true state of the country.

The Start of Inflation As We Know It

Informer • 39 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
💾 History Economics Inflation
  1. In the 1930s, Keynes developed a new theory of inflation linked to the proletariat's impact on history.
  2. Economic laws are foundational and apply universally, impacting real-world situations.
  3. Changes in wage dynamics, influenced by trade unions and economic factors, played a key role in reshaping inflation patterns.

Something old, something new

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
💾 History London history
  1. Londonist.com has a new weekly history newsletter called Londonist: Time Machine.
  2. The newsletter offers engaging London history content that connects dots and surprises readers.
  3. Readers can get a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives of the newsletter.

What Became Of the Empire Windrush?

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💾 History Heritage Migration
  1. The Empire Windrush marks a significant part of Britain's history, representing the multicultural society that exists today.
  2. The ship was not the first to bring West Indian migrants to Britain, but it has become a powerful symbol of immigration and diversity.
  3. Despite its historical significance, the Empire Windrush is not currently accessible for public visits.

5 Historical Quirks To Spot In Holborn

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
💾 History
  1. The post discusses 5 historical quirks in Holborn, focusing on the little details that make a place unique.
  2. The author, Matt Brown, highlights the historical significance of Tudor buildings in Holborn and encourages readers to spot elements that may not be Tudor.
  3. Readers are offered a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives of Londonist: Time Machine.

5 Historical Quirks to Spot at... The Barbican

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
💾 History Historical Sites Architecture
  1. The Barbican in London has historical quirks like stained glass skyscrapers, a vertical graveyard, and a musical tree.
  2. The Barbican is a 1970s maze of concrete and cultural centers with secrets from its Blitzed past.
  3. The Londonist newsletter for paid subscribers highlights historical sights in well-known areas, offering insights and recommendations.

First letters found in new scroll

Vesuvius Challenge • 62 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
💾 History Ancient Archaeology Literature Culture Research
  1. A new scroll called PHerc. 172 has been discovered, and it was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius around 79 AD.
  2. Scientists are excited because they clearly see ink in the scroll for the first time, allowing them to start reading its Greek text.
  3. The team is looking for help to further analyze the scroll and unlock more of its content, as many words are already close to being readable.

Crisis of the 23rd Century

Nemets • 198 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💾 History Civilization Cultural Shifts Crisis Management
  1. Civilizations have risen and fallen many times throughout history, facing apocalypses like the Fall of Rome.
  2. During eras of crisis, civilizations bend but do not break, enduring wars, disease, and devastation.
  3. The Crisis of the 23rd Century brought ruin to many regions, causing shifts in climate, migrations, and conflicts that changed the course of history.

A Second Note on the Spanish Civil War Series

Fisted by Foucault • 145 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💾 History Anarchism
  1. The series will explore the events leading up to the Spanish Civil War, covering phases like pre-Civil War, the failed military coup, and the civil war itself.
  2. The author will delve into various aspects such as the different sides of the conflict, key groups, violent early months, and international involvement.
  3. Readers can expect a detailed and extensive series that will take time to unfold, providing a thorough understanding of this historical episode.

ESPionage: When the CIA Attempted Telepathy (Project Stargate)

Tripsitter • 39 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💾 History Supernatural Espionage Research Government Cold War
  1. Two scientists convinced the CIA to fund research on telepathic ability in 1973, believing it could be used for spying on other nations.
  2. The feds funded the research secretly as 'Project Stargate' for almost 20 years, with strange and unexplainable successes in the program.
  3. Former President Jimmy Carter leaked the existence of the research in 1995, leading to the end of 'Project Stargate.'

THE SCENE OF THE CRIME

Seymour Hersh • 54 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💾 History War history Vietnam War Journalism Political History
  1. The My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War involved the brutal killing of civilians, including women and children, by American soldiers who believed they were following orders. This horrific event revealed the dark side of war and highlighted how soldiers could become desensitized to violence.
  2. Many veterans left Vietnam with deep psychological scars and guilt, questioning their actions and the morality of the war. Some, like Paul Meadlo, openly expressed remorse for their involvement in the killings.
  3. The aftermath of My Lai not only fueled anti-war sentiment in the U.S. but also led to a greater awareness of the need for accountability in military actions. It served as a reminder of the atrocities committed during war and the importance of protecting civilians.

Fly the Furrow: The Cairo-Baghdad Mail Route

Terra Nullius, by Ned Donovan • 127 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💾 History World War II
  1. In the early 1920s, the Cairo-Baghdad mail route faced challenges like navigating a featureless desert with limited communication technology.
  2. Major A.L. Holt's innovative solution involved mapping a ground route using convoys and marking symbols on the ground for pilots to follow.
  3. The Cairo-Baghdad air mail route, known as 'Flying the Furrow,' was vital for reducing mail delivery time and training RAF pilots for long-distance flights.

23 Jan 2024 – Missing bombers and spy satellites

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💾 History World War II Mysteries Archaeology
  1. During WWII, Japan captured American B-17 bombers for examination, but some mysteriously disappeared after the war, sparking lingering curiosity and theories.
  2. Historical mysteries like missing planes and unexplained phenomena continue to capture the imagination and intrigue readers and researchers alike.
  3. Modern surveillance technology, like spy planes and satellites, has advanced significantly, raising privacy concerns and prompting some individuals to prefer living away from prying eyes.

16 Jan 2024 – Libyan Sands, germ warfare on the subway, and Boeing

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Warfare Experiments Aviation
  1. The book 'Libyan Sands' by Ralph Bagnold paints a poetic picture of the Libyan Desert and mentions the skeletons of camels marking certain routes.
  2. A study conducted by the US Army in 1968 on the vulnerability of subway passengers in New York City to biological agents showed how pathogens could be disseminated widely without detection.
  3. An unsettling quote from 'White Noise' by Don DeLillo offers a glimpse into the fear and chaos within an aircraft's cockpit during a crisis.

The NRC at Three Mile Island

Gordian Knot News • 161 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
💾 History Disaster Regulation Media Government Nuclear
  1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's actions at Three Mile Island turned a manageable incident into a national crisis.
  2. Despite widespread panic and media frenzy, the actual harm from Three Mile Island was significantly less than perceived.
  3. There were major errors and miscommunication by the NRC that escalated the situation, causing unnecessary fear and confusion.

Theriac: ancient miracle or modern mirage?

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💾 History Medicine Ancient Pharmacy
  1. Theriac, an ancient panacea, was once believed to be a miracle cure for various diseases, originating with Mithridates VI as a remedy for poison.
  2. Scepticism around theriac's effectiveness dates back centuries, with concerns about its elaborate recipe, potential for adverse effects, and inconsistent composition.
  3. Dr. William Heberden, an 18th-century physician, criticized theriac as ineffective and potentially dangerous, leading to its decline in popularity over time.

American Heroes, 4: Sgt. William H. Carney

Journal of Free Black Thought • 21 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
💾 History U.S. History Military History Civil Rights Black History Heroism
  1. Sgt. William H. Carney was the first black American to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War. He showed incredible courage by holding the American flag high, even when he was wounded.
  2. Carney's actions during the Battle of Fort Wagner inspired his fellow soldiers and demonstrated his commitment to freedom and duty. He believed in not letting the flag touch the ground.
  3. After the war, Carney continued to fight for civil rights and supported other veterans, showing that his dedication went beyond the battlefield.

Feud Law

David Friedman’s Substack • 179 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
💾 History Legal systems Conflict resolution
  1. Feud law relies on the threat of harm for enforcing rights and compensation.
  2. Commitment strategies like vengefulness and reputation are crucial in making feud systems work.
  3. Successful feud systems must protect both the strong and the weak, and provide mechanisms for terminating conflicts.

The History of The Mechanical Clock

Endless Explorations • 79 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
💾 History Technology Science Culture Architecture Society
  1. Mechanical clocks changed how we view and manage time. Before them, timekeeping was less precise and influenced by nature.
  2. The Black Death pandemic increased the need for time management, leading to the widespread use of clocks in towns.
  3. The escapement mechanism was a key invention that made mechanical clocks more accurate and reliable, changing daily life forever.