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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the WWW Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

The Hot Dog Santa Claus – Podcast #251

Published on December 17, 2025

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast

Throughout the 1920s, the children of Boston’s North End gathered to see if their beloved Hot Dog Santa Claus would once again arrive. Despite his vanishing fortunes and worsening health, he proved that even small gestures can leave a lasting legacy.

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Santa Gave Away Too Much (1962)

Published on December 23, 2024

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Sometimes Santa can be just a bit too generous. Take, for example, this story of a department store Santa who was fired for handing out too many gifts to the children that sat on his lap.

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Savannah’s Secret Santa (1952)

Published on December 20, 2024

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

The identity of Savannah's Mysterious Santa Claus was finally revealed with his passing in 1952. But why did he secretly give out gifts for fifty years?

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Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1939)

Published on December 17, 2024

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Tidbits

Did you know that Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer began as a cost-cutting move on the part of retailer Mongomery Ward? They assigned the task of creating the story to one of their staff members, Robert L. May.

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Christmas Retrocast – Podcast #231

Published on December 15, 2024

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast, Retrocasts

Christmas Retrocast! Includes: Tumbleweed replaces the standard Christmas tree for one family, a Santa who practically gave away the store, a policeman has a live turkey thrown at him for Christmas, and much more!

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The Man Who Would Become Uncle Sam – Podcast #220

Published on June 18, 2024

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast

Have you ever wondered why the United States government is called Uncle Sam? It can be traced back to a man named Samuel Wilson and the War of 1812. Historian Kathy Sheehan takes us on a tour around Troy, NY to explore his life.

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Christmas Retrocast – Podcast #210

Published on December 20, 2023

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast, Retrocasts

In this episode: A look at letters to Santa through the years, a judge who sentences two men to get a boy his Christmas gifts, Santa’s pants fall down, and much more!

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The Beardless Santa – Podcast #209

Published on December 14, 2023

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Money & Financial, Podcast

The heartwarming story of a man who dedicated much of his life to ensuring that Christmas became a truly special occasion for children all around the world.

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1955 – Wife Teed Off At Husband (Footnote)

Published on December 26, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations, Humor, Love & Marriage

Lew Luquire made the mistake of not getting home in time after playing a round of golf. His wife decided to get even.

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1972 – Santa Claus Exists (Footnote)

Published on December 25, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations

Just when a ten-year-old boy was starting to question the existence of Santa Claus, he confirmed that he really does exist.

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1965 – Santa Zapped By Power Line (Footnote)

Published on December 24, 2022

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations

Santa needs to be more careful in the future. Trying to land using a parachute can be quite dangerous.

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1960 – Christmas Cards Arrive 20 Years Late (Footnote)

Published on December 23, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations

Things do get lost in the mail, but the US Postal Service was unable to explain why these Christmas cards were delivered 20 years late.

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1952 – New Roof for Christmas (Footnote)

Published on December 22, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations, Money & Financial

All Mrs. Delia Hagen of Los Angeles wanted for Christmas was a new roof, but she could not afford it.

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1949 – Could Beggar Be Santa Claus? (Footnote)

Published on December 21, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations, Money & Financial

An Akron woman helped out a man who was down on his luck and he decided to pay her back for her generosity.

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Christmas Retrocast – Podcast #187

Published on December 20, 2022

Posted in: Footnotes to History, Holidays & Celebrations, Podcast, Retrocasts

A special holiday Retrocast featuring 10 true stories from Christmas past, plus a holiday song recorded in 1913.

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