The hottest Historical Figures Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top History Topics

Silicon Emperor

The Generalist • 620 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Power Historical Figures Influence
  1. Elon Musk has significant economic power, with a net worth substantially higher than rivals like Jeff Bezos. His wealth may continue to grow, possibly making him the world's first trillionaire.
  2. Musk's influence goes beyond just money; he is shaping the future through technology with companies like SpaceX and Tesla. This type of power is different from historical figures who ruled through violence or sheer force.
  3. Considering figures from the past, Musk's wealth and impact can be compared, but his concentrated power may be unmatched in the modern age, showing a new kind of influence in the 21st century.

JFK & George Kennan on the Ideological Fundamentalism of the US

Glenn’s Substack • 779 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ideology Cold War International relations Historical Figures
  1. Ideological fundamentalism makes enemies out of other countries based on labels instead of their actual actions. This can lead to misunderstanding and conflict.
  2. George Kennan criticized how the U.S. viewed the Soviet Union, saying the portrayal was extreme and didn’t reflect reality. He warned that this type of thinking is dangerous for political actions.
  3. Seeing adversaries as simple 'bad guys' stops us from understanding their complexities. It's important to recognize shared challenges, rather than just focusing on conflict.

Things Worth Remembering: The Zionism of Martin Luther King

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4595 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Historical Figures Social movements
  1. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that peace and security in Israel were important for democracy. He emphasized that Israel needed a sense of safety to thrive.
  2. King was known for his powerful speeches and moral courage. His words continue to inspire people to work towards justice and equality.
  3. Despite his tragic assassination, King's vision for a better future lives on. He motivated many to strive for a promised land of freedom and justice.

"No Distinction on Account of Race and Color"

Journal of Free Black Thought • 44 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Race relations Historical Figures Social justice Equality
  1. Frederick Douglass believed that our shared humanity is more important than our race. He thought people should focus on being good people, not just their skin color.
  2. He argued that race pride can create division and that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their background. Douglass felt that the Constitution already supports equality.
  3. Douglass emphasized that one's character and actions matter more than their race. He praised those who stand up for justice and equality, no matter their skin color.

Truth in the old myths

Wrong Side of History • 408 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Archaeology Mythology Cultural Studies Historical Figures
  1. Ancient myths, like those of Troy and Agamemnon, might have some truths behind them. Archaeological discoveries are showing that these stories could be based on real events.
  2. Visiting historical sites like Mycenae can inspire strong feelings about the past. It makes you think about the legends and heroes that might have lived there.
  3. New findings in DNA and archaeology challenge our view of old myths as just stories. They suggest that some of these legendary tales might have a basis in reality.
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Who Was The German Resistance?

Castalia • 419 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
💾 History World War II Resistance Movements Historical Figures
  1. There was a German resistance against Hitler that started as early as 1938, surprising many after the war. They actively tried to kill him and faced many challenges.
  2. Key figures like Henning von Tresckow and Admiral Wilhelm Canaris played important roles in the resistance. They took great risks and attempted several assassination plots.
  3. Their failure to kill Hitler and the skepticism from the Allies about their intentions limited their impact. Despite their courage, history could have been very different if they had succeeded.

Reconstructing Spengler's Prehistory

The Oswald Spengler Project • 259 implied HN points • 16 May 24
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Historical Figures Research Analysis Cultural impact
  1. Oswald Spengler had planned a series of essays on various topics related to the history of the second millennium B.C., showcasing his unique perspectives and insights into different ancient civilizations.
  2. Despite his early death, Spengler was able to complete and publish some of the planned essays, such as 'Tartessos and Alaschia' and 'The War Chariot and its Significance in World-History.'
  3. Spengler's work focused on the significant shifts and developments in human spirit and culture during the second millennium B.C., particularly highlighting the Indo-Europeanization of Eurasia and the emergence of Greco-Roman, Indian, and Chinese cultures.

Abraham Lincoln as Messiah

Something to Consider • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Historical Figures Cultural Identity American history
  1. America is often seen as a secular nation, but it actually has deep divine roots. The founding of the nation is tied to the idea of liberty, which is seen as sacred.
  2. Abraham Lincoln is viewed as a key figure for America's redemption. He is likened to a messianic figure who freed the slaves and is remembered for his ideals of equality.
  3. The National Mall symbolizes the body politic of America, with various monuments representing different aspects of governance and justice. It illustrates the connection between the nation's legacy and its core values.

Christmas Mailbag - Questions Wanted!

Odds and Ends of History • 335 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💾 History Historical Events Cultural heritage Historical Figures Historical Analysis
  1. The author is looking for questions to include in a Christmas-themed Q&A post. People can submit their questions in the comments.
  2. There is an upcoming transport event in January, and tickets are selling quickly, so interested people should book soon.
  3. This post aims to engage the audience and encourage interaction through questions and event participation.

Dushanbe - Boris Litvinov, 1895 & Alexey Nechaev, 1914

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 6 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💾 History Cultural History Political History Historical Figures
  1. Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, has a rich history and was known as Dyushambe and later Stalinabad. It developed in a region that was once part of the Emirate of Bukhara.
  2. The population of Dushanbe mainly consists of Tajiks, who speak an Iranian language. Unlike other Central Asian groups, their appearance can be more European.
  3. Bacha dancers are a notable cultural aspect of Dushanbe, where young boys dress as girls for performances. This tradition has historical roots in the region and continues today in some areas.

December 16, 2024

Letters from an American • 19 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Historical Figures Women's Rights Government Structure
  1. Frances Perkins was the first female Cabinet secretary, and she pushed for important things like unemployment insurance and minimum wage. Her work helped shape the modern American government and support workers.
  2. Despite her success, Perkins faced opposition, especially from groups that didn't want changes that promoted equality. This opposition grew over the years, especially against women's rights.
  3. President Biden is working to honor Perkins by creating a more inclusive government and recognizing women's contributions. He emphasized that a good government should support all its people, not just property owners.

Robert Horne, the 'New Discipline', and a Democratic Revolution

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💾 History Political History Religious history Cultural History Social history Historical Figures
  1. Robert Horne was a controversial figure who argued a lot, yet he was very knowledgeable. His time as a pastor in Frankfort sparked a major change in how church authority was viewed.
  2. The conflict in the Frankfort congregation led to a significant shift where the church members gained power over their pastor. This change emphasized that the church community had a say in leadership decisions.
  3. This shift in church governance is seen as a step towards democratic practices. It influenced how churches functioned later and even laid groundwork for democracy in places like New England.

The mysterious case of the story of the attempted theft of George Washington’s skull

Something interesting • 4 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
💾 History American history Historical Figures
  1. There is an empty tomb for George Washington in the Capitol Building, which is pretty interesting trivia. It reminds us that history is filled with strange stories that often aren't taught in schools.
  2. The story of an attempted theft of Washington's skull is shrouded in mystery and confusion. Many accounts exist, but it's hard to tell what really happened and if it was just a tall tale.
  3. Researching historical claims can lead you down convoluted paths. Finding reliable sources is often challenging, as many footnotes don't lead to clear evidence or verifiable facts.

Eunice Newton Foote: A fascinating tale of feminism and climate change

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Feminism Climate Science Historical Figures
  1. Eunice Newton Foote was a pioneer in both women's rights and climate science. She showed that different amounts of carbon dioxide can affect the earth's temperature.
  2. At an important science meeting, Foote's research was read by a man because women weren't allowed to present. Her work was largely forgotten for many years.
  3. Her findings about the warming effects of gases like carbon dioxide were ahead of her time. If she had more support, she could have made an even bigger impact in science.

Not my favorite holiday

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political culture Historical Figures Democracy Civic engagement
  1. Some holidays, like Columbus Day, may not hold much cultural significance and often aren't celebrated outside of being a day off work.
  2. The author feels uncomfortable with the way we honor political figures, particularly George Washington, believing that democracy is more about the collective efforts of many people rather than individual heroism.
  3. Instead of celebrating specific leaders, the author suggests we should focus on holidays that recognize broader accomplishments, like Constitution Day or a day celebrating civil rights victories.

🧐 Ancient Beat #95: The Gravettian culture(s), unique dolmens, and Alexander the Great's fam

Ancient Beat • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💾 History Ancient Civilizations Archaeology Discovery Cultural Diversity Historical Figures
  1. Ice Age hunters in Europe were not one homogenous group, but actually comprised of multiple distinct cultures.
  2. Neanderthals and humans coexisted in Northern Europe 45,000 years ago, shifting previous knowledge about the timeline and interaction between species.
  3. Recent excavation in Sweden revealed a unique dolmen burial chamber from 3500 BCE with missing skeletal parts, hinting at possible ritualistic practices.

Hồ Chí Minh

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 22 May 15
🌍 World Politics Historical Figures Vietnam Communism Propaganda Cold War
  1. Before the resistance against the French, Ho Chi Minh was highly admired for his patriotism and dedication to achieving independence for Vietnam.
  2. Ho Chi Minh's decision to align with China for fighting against the French was a major mistake that led to division and consequences that Vietnam continues to face.
  3. It's essential to think critically and not blindly believe everything we hear or read, especially in today's society where information can be manipulated.