Hi you! Welcome to ‘This Week in History ’, where we break down one key thing that happened throughout time for each day of the week.

So what happened from August 31 - September 6?

Monday | August 31, 1888: Jack the Ripper Strikes

One of history’s most notorious criminals first strikes when the body of Mary Ann Nichols, is found in Whitechapel in London's East End.

Tuesday | September 1, 1715: The Sun King Dies

On this day in 1715, King Louis XIV of France dies after a reign of 72 years, the longest of any major European monarch. His death would start a series of events leading to the French Revolution.

Wednesday | September 2, 31BC: The Battle of Actium

On this day in 30BC, Caesar’s heir Octavian faces off against Cleopatra and Mark Antony in a decisive naval battle that effectively ends both the Roman Republic and Cleopatra’s rule. Antony and Cleopatra would take their own lives afterwards.

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Thursday | September 3, 1189: Richard the Lionheart

This is the day in 1189 that Richard the Lionheart is crowned in Westminster, after which a massacre of 30 Jews occurred. In response, Richard orders the perpetrators to be executed immediately.

Friday | September 4, 1957: The Little Rock Crisis

On this day in 1957, the Governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, calls out the National Guard to prevent nine Black students from entering Little Rock Central High School after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional (Brown v. Board of Education ).

Governor Faubus claimed he acted to prevent violence from angry white protesters, deploying soldiers to turn the students away. In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent U.S. Army troops from the 101st Airborne Division to protect the students and enforce integration.

Saturday | September 5, 1666: The Great Fire of London

Smoke and ash plague the city of London as firebreaks finally bring the Great Fire of London under control, leaving 13,200 houses destroyed and eight dead.

Sunday | September 6, 2006: New Moon

Hark ye Vamps, for on this day in 2006, ‘New Moon,’ the second book in Stephenie Meyer's ‘Twilight Saga,’ is published.

It ends up selling 5.3 million copies!

See you in the inbox next week!

-A x

Shout out to our incredible researcher Charlotte Wilkes for pulling this together, and to Inger Shiel for chatting with us.

If you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

Hi you! Welcome to ‘This Week in History ‘, where we break down one key thing that happened throughout time for each day of the week.

So what happened from August 24-30?

Monday | August 24, 2011: Steve Jobs resigns

A titan hands over the baton with Steve Jobs resigning as CEO of Apple Inc. due to his illness. He is succeeded by Tim Cook, who remains CEO to this day!

Tuesday | August 25, 1944: The Liberation of Paris

On this day in 1944, German commander Dietrich von Choltitz directly disobeys Adolf Hitler’s orders to destroy the city of Paris in its final days of Nazi occupation, instead surrendering to the Free French forces of Philippe Leclerc.

Wednesday | August 26, 2025: Taylor Swift is engaged

Rejoice Swifties, for this day last year, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce debuted the famed "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married" post, which reached 1.2 million 'likes' in under 10 minutes

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Thursday | August 27, 1883: Krakatoa goes boom

One of the most devastating natural disasters in modern history strikes on this day in 1883 when the Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 36,000 people.

Friday | August 28, 476 AD: The Western Roman Empire Falls

On this day in 476 AD, Orestes, father of Emperor Romulus Augustulus, is captured and executed by Odoacer and his followers, ending the Western Roman Empire.

Saturday | August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina

A day remembered by many still now as the second and third landfalls of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated much of the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, killing more than 1,836 people and causing over $115 billion in damage

Sunday | August 30, 1590: The beginnings of a Shōgun

Hello Shogūn fans, this is the day in 1590 when Tokugawa Ieyasu (inspo for Yoshii Toranaga) enters Edo Castle, something many at the time saw as an exile.

BUT Ieyasu made the most of it, using Edo to build an independent power base which would eventually help him become Shōgun.

See you in the inbox next week!

-A x

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Thank you so much to the Australian National Maritime Museum for making this episode of Hot History possible - head to sea.museum for 10% off your tickets to see the Galloway Hoard while it's in Sydney until October 11.

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for pulling this together, and to Inger Shiel for chatting with us.

If you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Hi you! Welcome to ‘This week in History’ where we break down one key thing that happened throughout time for each day of the week.

So what happened from August 17th-23rd?

Monday | August 17, 1939: The Wizard of Oz

Ozians rejoice! For on this very day in 1939, ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ starring Judy Garland, opens at Loew's Capitol Theatre, NYC.

It remains one of the most important films ever made thanks to its groundbreaking use of Technicolour and special effects.

Tuesday | August 18, 1920: American women’s suffrage

On this day in 1920, State Representative Harry T. Burn (24) casts the deciding vote in Tennessee's and thus, America's, ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, allowing women's suffrage.

He did so after reading a letter from his mother urging him to vote in favour.

Wednesday | August 19, 43BC: Octavian as Consul

This day in 43BC sees Octavian, later known as Augustus, compel the Roman Senate to elect him consul. This event would eventually lead to Octavian’s great power grab, which laid the foundations for the Roman Empire.

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Thursday | August 20, 480BC: Battle of Thermopylae

In one of history's most famous last stands, this is the day in 480BC that 7,000 warriors from an alliance of Greek states led by Leonidas I block the pass of Thermopylae for a week against an invading Persian army, estimated at 120,000 to 300,000 strong.

Friday | August 21, 1888: The Adding Machine

This is the day the mathematically challenged were saved, for American inventor William Seward Burroughs patents the adding machine!

Saturday | August 22, 1485: The War of the Roses ends

On this day in 1485, the last English monarch would die in battle at Bosworth Field when Henry Tudor's forces defeated English King Richard III, ending the Wars of the Roses.

This begins the Tudor dynasty.

Sunday | August 23, 79AD: Vesuvius erupts

Take cover! For this is the fateful day in 79AD that Mount Vesuvius begins to stir on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

It would later go on to swallow the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

See you in the inbox next week!

-A x

From the cold, damp streets of St Petersburg where she struggled with sickness and poverty, to the glittering stages of the world, Anna Pavlova became both the darling of Romanov High Society and the Russian Imperial Ballet Academy, going on to redefine what the term 'ballerina' meant for every single dancer who followed!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for pulling this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Hi you! Welcome to ‘This week in History’ where we break down one key thing that happened throughout time for each day of the week.

So what happened from August 10-16?

Monday | August 10, 1793: The Louvre Opens

Previously used as a royal residence, this is the day in 1793 that the Louvre Palace officially opens as the Musée Central des Arts, laying it’s foundations as the greatest modern museum on earth!

Tuesday | August 11, 1988: Al-Qaeda is formed

On this day in 1988, Al-Qaeda is formed at a meeting between Osama Bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Dr. Fadl in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Since then, the terrorist cell is responsible for approximately 15-20,000 deaths through thousands of terrorist attacks, insurgencies, and bombings. The deadliest of which was the September 11 attacks, which alone killed nearly 3,000 people.

Wednesday | August 12, 2021: #FreeBritney

This day in 2021 saw one of the biggest wins for internet and legal advocates alike with Britney Spears' father agreeing to step down as her conservator after the singer calls his conservatorship abusive amid the #FreeBritney campaign.

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Thursday | August 13, 1942: The Manhattan Project

History’s greatest (and most terrifying) scientific undertaking began on this very day in 1942 as the Manhattan Project commences under the direction of US General Leslie Groves with the aim of developing an atomic bomb.

The result would be the near instant deaths of between 110,000 and 210,000 people in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 3 years later.

Friday | August 14, 1945: Japan Surrenders

V-J Day, aka, Victory in Japan Day, saw the Empire of Japan surrender unconditionally to the Allies on this day in 1945.

This ended the bloodiest conflict in human history.

Saturday | August 15, 1620: The Mayflower sets sail

On this day in 1620 The Mayflower sets sail from Southampton, England, with 102 Pilgrims bound for the New World. After a brutal first winter where about half of the passengers & crew died, the survivors established the Plymouth Colony.

Today, the voyage is a foundational story in American history.

Sunday | August 16, 1501: David

From this stone, he shall rise! Today is the day in 1501 that Michelangelo is awarded a contract to create a statue of David at Florence Cathedral by the Overseers of the Office of Works (the Operai) of the Duomo.

Today the 17-foot marble statue is recognised as one of the greatest creations in human history.

See you in the inbox next week!

-A x

Looking at her relationship with the press, struggles with mental health, financial situation and final years, we're going to unpack Clara's impact on both culture and history. Because as it turns out, Hollywood and indeed society haven't really changed how we speak about or view women since Clara Bow!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for pulling this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠Substack⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Then come back on Monday for part 2 where we look at her relationship with the press, struggles with mental health, financial situation and how Clara Bow became the muse of one Taylor Swift!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for pulling this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Substack, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

'Til next week, Ainslie x

Hi you! Welcome to ‘This week in History’ where we break down one key thing that happened throughout time for each day of the week.

Monday | August 3, 1932: The Führer

Well fuck this day and fuck this guy, for today in 1932 Adolf Hitler merges the offices of German Chancellor and President, declaring himself "Führer" (leader).

Tuesday | August 4, 1944: Anne Frank is arrested

As a result of yesterday’s event, Anne Frank and her family are arrested in Amsterdam by German Security Police (Grüne Polizei) on this day in 1944, following a tip-off from an informer who is never identified.

The diary from her final months would go on to be one of the best selling works in history.

Wednesday | August 5, 1305: William Wallace is captured

On this day in 1305, Scottish resistance leader William Wallace is captured by the English near Glasgow and transported to London for trial and execution, transforming Wallace into an enduring martyr and igniting Robert the Bruce’s successful rebellion, which ultimately secured Scotland’s independence.

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Thursday | August 6, 1945: Hiroshima

Arguably one of the most significant days in human history this is the day in 1945 that the first atomic bomb, code-named "Little Boy", is dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, immediately killing 70,000 to 80,000 people.

Friday | August 7, 1606: Macbeth’s debut

Hi theatre folks, don’t we all wish we were around for this day in 1606 for this is possibly the first performance of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace for King James I!

Saturday | August 8, 1945: The Treaty of London

On this day in 1945, The US, USSR, Britain, and France sign the Treaty of London, which sets down procedures for the Nuremberg war trials of Nazi leaders.

Sunday | August 9, 1942: Gandhi arrested

On this day in 1942, Mahatma Gandhi and 50 others are arrested in Bombay after the passing of a "Quit India" motion and campaign by the All India Congress Committee.

This resulted of which is widespread mass protests, violent clashes, and a severe British crackdown that ultimately proved to be the point of no return for British colonial rule in India.

See you in the inbox next week!

-A x

From a tiny jewellery workshop in St Petersburg to the glittering halls of the Romanovs, this episode follows Peter Carl Fabergé's rise to become Imperial Jeweller and the creator of the most famous Easter gifts in history. We’ll also chat Tsars, Tsarinas, impeccable craftsmanship and of course, the very first Imperial Egg.

This is also the perfect little warm-up for our four-part Romanov series coming this September, which I cannot wait to share with you all.

Also as promised, here’s the ⁠Substack⁠ of my experience seeing an actual, real life Fabergé Egg with my own eyes at Christie’s last year (an experience I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over!).

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for helping to pull this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

Til next week, Ainslie x

We continue to deep dive some of the Romanovs' most extraordinary Easter gifts, uncovering the stories hidden inside each masterpiece and following the collection through revolution, exile and mystery. We'll also chat about where the eggs are today, why some are still missing, and how these tiny treasures became some of the most valuable objects in history.

Enjoy this perfect little warm-up for our four-part Romanov series coming this September, which I cannot wait to share with you all.

Also as promised, here’s the Substack of my experience seeing an actual, real life Fabergé Egg with my own eyes at Christie’s last year (an experience I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over!).

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for helping to pull this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

Til next week, Ainslie x

So naturally, when I found out last year that Christie’s London would be selling the Imperial Winter Egg (my favourite), on behalf of Qatari royal Saud bin Muhammed Al Thani, I did what I do best: Make a TikTok about it!

The video, as has so often (very fortunately) been the case with my content, landed on the right ‘for you page’. Which in this case was Evan, the social media manager at Christies London who offered me a viewing of the egg before the auction.

Another reminder to shoot your shot (after all you never know who’ll slide into the dm’s)!

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Understandably, I nearly peed my pants. Opportunities like this are rare with only 7 eggs in private collections, but there was a problem. I live on the other side of the world, and contrary to what the internet thinks, most creators don’t make bucket loads of money. So, I had to politely decline and submit to the defeat of, yet again, not waking up a gazillionaire.

However about 6 weeks later another opportunity saw me fly to London on the final day the egg would be on display. And so, as the kids say, the girls were on!

I arrived at Christie’s in the morning, choking back my excitement alongside the plate of beans I’d nervously scoffed down for breakfast.

Once inside, I was taken to a viewing room where the ‘princely collection’ was on display. From picture frames to charm necklaces, stationary sets to bell presses and even a miniature Egg with a surprise, I not only got to see these extraordinary Faberge creations, but touch them. Wear them. Film them.

Play, if you will, as the Romanovs and other members of the Russian aristocracy had.

Here, I sat between an older very distinguished Indian man with the worlds largest ruby pinky ring and a burly gent who spent the whole time whispering Russian phrases to whoever was on the other end of his iPhone.

Naturally, I struck up a conversation with Mr pinky ring who said he’d travelled from Mumbai to bid on several pieces for his Faberge collection. It turned out he was one of India’s most prolific jewellery dealers. As for the burly Russian, it turned out he, and I do quote here, “represents an interested Russian bidder” (aka. an Oligarch).

It felt straight out of a Guy Ritchie film: The Diamond Dealer, Oligarch & TikToker.

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Hi you! Ever wondered what Mickey Mouse & Emily Brontë have in common?

Well, it turns out they’re both born this week!

Monday | July 27, 2012: Queen Elizabeth x 007

Happy Anniversary to one of my fave YouTube vids of all time! For on this day in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II opens the 30th Olympic Games in London with some help from 007!

Tuesday | July 28, 1794: Robespierre meets the Guillotine

On this day in 1794, radical Jacobin leader Maximilien Robespierre and 22 other leaders of "the Terror" are guillotined to thunderous cheers in Paris.

This ultimately paved the way for the establishment of the French Directory in 1795 and Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power in 1799.

Wednesday | July 29, 1928: Mickey Mouse debuts

On this day in 1928 everyone’s favourite mouse had his first camera test as the initial test footage for Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie," featuring Mickey Mouse is made.

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Thursday | July 30, 1818: Emily Brontë is born

Rejoice fellow Brontë enthusiasts for today E.B. is born! The English writer best known for her 1847 novel Wuthering Heights, would die extremely young after writing her masterpiece.

Friday | July 31, 1914: The Kaisers Threat

On this day in 1918, German Emperor Wilhelm II threatens war and orders Russia to demobilise after the assassination of Arch duke Franz Ferdinand increases European tensions. He would declare war 24 hours later.

Saturday | August 1, 1834: Britain abolishes the slave trade

On this day in 1834 the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into effect, abolishing slavery across the British Empire.

However, slaves in the colonies (excluding areas ruled by the East India Company) were not freed until 1838, and only after slave-owners, rather than the slaves themselves, received compensation.

Sunday | August 2, 1776: Signing the Declaration of Independence

Hark ye ‘muricans! For this is the day in 1776 ( at least most commonly accepted amongst Historians) that the US Declaration of Independence was formally signed by 56 people including the stupidly large impression of John Hancock!

See you in the inbox next week!

-A x

As promised, ⁠the Hot History Substack⁠ is also now live! If you'd like to support us there, you'd be very welcome!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for helping to pull this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

Til next week, Ainslie x

So what happened from July 20-26?

Monday | July 20, 1969: Apollo 11

NASA's Apollo 11 lunar module, carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, lands on the surface of the Moon.

Seven hours later, Armstrong becomes the first person to step on the moon at 10:56 pm EDT, and Aldrin joins him shortly after.

Tuesday | July 21, 1865: The Wild West

On this day in 1865, in Springfield's market square, Missouri, Wild Bill Hickok shoots and kills Davis Tutt in what is regarded as the first true western showdown!

Wednesday | July 22, 1942: From Warsaw to Treblinka

On this day in 1942, Nazi SS and police units initiated Grossaktion Warsaw, the systematic mass deportation of over 300,000 Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto.

These overcrowded trains transported approximately 265,000 Jews over a harrowing ten-week period to the newly constructed Treblinka extermination camp.

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Thursday | July 23, 2010: One Direction

Directioners delight for today is a sacred holiday!

Marking 16 years since Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson joined together as “One Direction” during the “X Factor” talent show.

Friday | July 24, 1567: The Abdication of Mary Queen of Scots

This is also the day that Scottish nobles imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots, at Loch Leven Castle and forced her abdication in favour of her infant son, James VI.

This crisis was triggered by the murder of her second husband, Lord Darnley, and her controversial marriage to the Earl of Bothwel.

Saturday | July 25, 1943: The Fall of Mussolini

We also say bye bye (thank fuck) to Benito Mussolini today, who, after the passing of a motion of no confidence, was dismissed as Italian PM and then arrested on the authority of King Victor Emmanuel III.

Sunday | July 26, 1533: The end of the Inca

This is also the day the last Sapa Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, was killed on orders of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, despite providing him with a massive ransom of rooms filled with gold and silver.

Pizarro tried him for rebellion and idolatry, which shattered the centralised authority of the Inca state and ultimately plunged the region into centuries of colonial rule.

Have a great week, and see you in the inbox next Monday.

-A x

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I am so thrilled to officially be launching this Substack as the new home for the Hot History community.

Here you will find free & exclusive articles, notes & updates, the Hot History Podcast (still on Spotify & Apple don’t worry) and an exclusive channel for all of you to chat with me and each other - how divine!

But before we get into the specifics, I wanted to start by telling you my story.

So, as I said, my name is Ainslie Harvey, I’m 27 years old and live in Sydney, Australia. I have a very naughty West highland terrier named Governor and a very patient husband, both of whom I adore and (most importantly) are obsessed with me.

My love of history began where many other hot girls did: Ancient Egypt.

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Specifically, the sacred text that was ‘Egyptology’. From there I was enamoured with the stories of the past which, to me at least, always seemed far more fantastical than fiction. As the years passed this interest grew, as did my studies of the ancient world.

Fun Fact: I used to think modern history was so f**king boring! Hilarious to me now as the majority of my content skews here.

Anyway, as the time for me to ‘pick’ what I wanted to do for the rest of my life approached (something which I still can’t believe we expect 17 year olds to do) I reflected on the muses of my tween years. They were as follows:

Indiana Jones, Rachel Weisz in The Mummy, Nicholas Cage in National Treasure and Matthew McConaughey in Sahara

This meant I was going to be a hot librarian, hot archeologist, hot underwater archeologist or hot criminal who stole the Declaration of Independence.

Given I don’t look great in orange, Nick Cage came off the table pretty quickly, as did underwater archeology when the reality of my horrific sea sickness came to light. This left hot librarian and hot archeologist on the table which everyone in my home and school life told me were ridiculous choices.

“There’s no money in it.” “You’re a people person.” “You can’t do that in Australia.”

I heard all of these and more, something which pains me so deeply now as it’s all absurd, but I trusted them, so a marketing degree was what I picked.

And guess what? I hated it.

I was studying full time and working full time in a media agency where I learned a lot about both my self and ‘adults’, which led me to start my own agency at 20 - 1 year before COVID hit! I was then left with staff, an office and some serious overheads in a global pandemic. I had no idea what to do and worked 18+ hour days, 7 days a week, to make ends meet.

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The result was character building and rewarding from the other side, but I was to chronically ill and clinically depressed to care.

I’d never loved the work, and while I’d often think ‘what if’ I’d followed my (non criminal/sea sick) dreams, it did set me up for the life I now live, so there are no regrets BUT I was left very unwell and in extensive weekly therapy for months on end.

Which is where Hot History was born.

One day, on the fluffy, slightly mothbally blush couch of my therapist’s office, she asked me: “What do you do for fun?” I said “I go home, chop up my salad and watch documentary’s on Hitlers inner circle.”

Immediately she said “well maybe content about fascism isn’t the best thing for your mental health right now, but I’m assuming it comes from a love of history?”

I said, yes and she told me to do something with that!

So, I went home and watched 3 (non fascist) docos back to back and said to my mum “If I could watch History docos all day my life would be bliss”. She said back “Well why don’t you make them?” This felt massive, but TikTok felt manageable, so I started the @hot.history account.

Within 1 week I had 1M views on a post about the Romanovs. Within 6 months I had 100,000 followers. Within 2 years I had a book deal.

And now 3 years in I have the biggest history podcast in the world for women.

That’s not to brag (although …) but to say I’ve found my people. My place. My purpose.

And getting to share this with you all has been the greatest adventure which I’m so proud to scale here as we move towards the goal of getting some form of Hot History content to you every single day of the week.

For now though, here is what you can expect:

• Monday: ‘This week in History’ newsletter (FREE Substack)

• Wednesday: Fortnightly deep dive newsletter (PAID Substack)

• Friday: Hot History Podcast (FREE Spotify, Apple & YouTube)

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If you’d like to support us with a paid subscription then we’d be honoured, after all we are female founded, totally independent and bootstrapped, but your support for just showing up, following along and being here is what we truly value!

Anyway divas, enough about me, back to the history which will be in your inbox on Monday!

My best, as always

-Ax

As promised, the Hot History Substack is also now live! If you'd like to support us there, you'd be very welcome!

Shout out to our incredible researcher Grace McCamish for helping to pull this together, and if you're wanting more Hot History you can follow along on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and of course, right here!

Til next week, Ainslie x

Criticism over Lupita’s casting was almost immediate.

A tirade of think pieces and social posts from your average online losers to trillionaire trolls, calling both Lupita, as Helen of Troy, and Elliot Page as Achilles (which isn’t even correct) unrealistic, historically inaccurate, and just plain wrong.

All the while, the sirens, cyclops and batman esque helmet of Agamemnon seems to have passed muster.

These ‘miscastings’ as the nicer critics put it, are having such a cultural impact that YouTube dislikes and comments sections (mine included) are suggesting boycotting of the film all together. One user (see below) even went as far as to suggest this one single casting would uproot the very foundations of Western Civilisation!

So why is the internet so fucking mad about Lupita Nyong’o playing Helen of Sparta?

Read more