In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray tell the fascinating story of 10 year old Grace Bedell, the young girl who wrote a letter to Republican presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln and suggested he grow a beard. What happened next became one of the most famous image transformations in American political history.

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In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore a remarkable “what if” moment in American history. On April 14, 1865, the night President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, General Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia were invited to join the Lincolns at Ford’s Theatre. They declined. A last minute decision changed their plans and likely saved their lives. Chris and Ray examine why the Grants declined the invitation, what might have happened if they had attended, and how this choice connects to one of the most tragic nights in American history. Sometimes history turns on the smallest decisions.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray welcome Dr. Misti Harper, Assistant Professor of African American Studies at the University of North Carolina Pembroke. The conversation explores the Great Dismal Swamp and the communities that formed within it, focusing on maroons, runaway slaves, and the vital roles women played in sustaining these hidden societies. Dr. Harper sheds light on how people lived, resisted, and built lives in one of early America’s most challenging environments, offering a powerful look at resilience and survival that is too often overlooked.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Ray and Chris dive into the tragic story of the SS Pulaski disaster off the North Carolina coast in 1838. Often called the “Titanic of its time,” the Pulaski carried some of the wealthiest and most connected passengers in America until a catastrophic boiler explosion shattered the illusion of safety in a matter of seconds. From the elite lives on board to the chaos, survival, and a remarkable love story that emerged from the wreckage, this episode explores how one night at sea exposed the dangers of early steam travel and left a lasting mark on maritime history.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray uncover the dark story of Roanoke before the Lost Colony, the failed 1585 expedition led by Ralph Lane. What begins with a missing silver cup spirals into fear, violence, and the killing of Chief Wingina. This isn’t a mystery, it’s a collapse. Along the way, they explore how guns, gold, God, and even the weather helped turn England’s first colony into an early American disaster.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray examine the brief presidency and death of Zachary Taylor. They discuss the events leading to his sudden illness in 1850, the long-standing rumors that he may have been poisoned, and the 1991 exhumation of his remains to test for arsenic. The results of those medical tests, and even a photograph of Taylor’s skull, help historians better understand what likely caused the president’s death.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray sit down with Dr. Timothy Stafford for a timely and thought provoking discussion about artificial intelligence and its growing impact on our lives, especially in education.

How should teachers approach AI in the classroom? Is it a threat to academic integrity, or a powerful tool to deepen learning? What does responsible AI use actually look like for students? And beyond school, how do we make sure we’re not replaced by the very technology we’re creating?

Dr. Stafford helps us unpack the promises and pitfalls of AI, offering practical insight for educators, students, and anyone trying to navigate a rapidly changing world. Whether you’re excited, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this episode will challenge the way you think about intelligence, both human and artificial.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, we take a thoughtful look at the long and often complicated road from 1776 to today. In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore the challenges the nation has faced since its founding, political division, war, expansion, reform, and reinvention, and consider how those struggles have shaped the American story.

We also reflect on what the Semiquincentennial means for us now and look ahead to the future. What lessons from the past still matter? And what kind of nation will the next 250 years require us to build?