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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

England’s Oldest Woman Seeks New Husband

Published on July 15, 2021

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

In 1924, 106-year-old Betsy Pennick of Tiptree, England was in search of a new husband. She was in her late teens when Victoria became Queen.

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A Blind Eye – Helen Vasco – Podcast #151

Published on June 28, 2021

Posted in: Forgotten History, Law & Order, Love & Marriage, Podcast, Science, Technology & Medicine

In 1933, Helen Vasko was diagnosed with a malignant eye tumor that threatened her life. Her parents would not consent to surgery and the case ended up in court. Find out which side won this landmark case.

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Isabel McHie – A Fortune to the Dogs – Podcast #150

Published on May 29, 2021

Posted in: Death and Murder, Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

When Isabel McHie was pulled off of a train in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1935, she confirmed to the world that she truly was eccentric. It was a reputation that continued long after she died.

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Opted to Elope

Published on May 25, 2021

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

In 1928, Mary Stier and William Harris opted to secretly wed in an effort to avoid all of the fuss of a church wedding.

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Secretly Married 12 Years

Published on May 13, 2021

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Dr. John C. Cotter was a bit of a celebrity in his home town of New Bedford. Somehow he kept his marriage a secret for twelve years.

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Married Teacher Forced to Resign

Published on May 6, 2021

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Schools & Education, Tidbits

In 1906, Miss Mana E. Hall was forced to resign from her teaching position after it was discovered that she was married.

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Robert Oppenheimer Falls Asleep on His Date

Published on September 5, 2020

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Physicist Robert Oppenheimer’s name has long been synonymous with the development of the atomic bomb, but he wasn’t always good at dating. In fact, one time he forgot about the date that he was on.

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Kissing Barred on Bavarian Trains

Published on July 10, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

A couple was observed being a bit too intimate on a Bavarian train back in 1912. After passengers complained, the railroad banned kissing on their trains.

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Married atop a Ferris Wheel

Published on July 3, 2020

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

On October 9, 1904, Estelle Clayton and Martin Good married atop the Ferris wheel at Louisiana Purchase Exhibition. Not in a car, atop the car...

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Send-A-Dame Chain Letter

Published on April 21, 2020

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Could anyone handle having 26,000 dates in one year? That is what was predicted if all those involved in this unusual dating method didn't break the chain.

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Wife’s First Husband Found Alive

Published on April 14, 2020

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Nettie A. Smith's first two husbands had died, so she married for a third time. To her surprise, her first husband, whom she hadn't seen in thirty-five years, was still alive. Which husband would she choose?

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Parachute Drops Christmas Gifts

Published on January 4, 2020

Posted in: Holidays & Celebrations, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

For Christmas 1944, Pfc. Wesley De Quinn was overseas fighting in the war. His gifts to his family were delivered in the most unusual way.

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The Snoring War – Podcast #125

Published on July 4, 2019

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Love & Marriage, Podcast

A fun story from 1964 in which Brooklyn neighbors Sam Gutwirth and Sam Scheir ended up in court due to Scheir's loud snoring.

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The First Jewish Couple Married on National TV – Podcast #121

Published on April 25, 2019

Posted in: Forgotten History, Love & Marriage, Podcast

Stan and Natalie Rubin were the first Jewish couple ever married on television in the United States, but it almost never happened because of their religion.

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The Scooter Romeo

Published on April 7, 2019

Posted in: Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Jim Owen really went the distance for love. He met 21-year-old Ximena Villareal and drove 1000's of miles on his motorscooter to see her.

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