A message from the Minister of History

The papal smoke signals.

🌫️ Black smoke = no pope yet

🧪 Made with sulfur, anthracene & potassium perchlorate

💨 White smoke = new pope elected

🧁 Fun fact: lactose helps make the white smoke

🔔 Smoke + bells = Habemus Papam!

#papalsmoke #pope #vatican #sistinechapel #conclave #historytok #funfacts #learnontiktok #churchhistory #behindthescenes #catholictok #smokesignals #religiontok #didyouknow #catholichistory #papalelection #papalconclave #rippopefrancis #popefrancis #religioushistory #whitesmoke #blacksmoke #catholicism #churchhistory #history #ministryofhistory #historyblogger #historyblog

What happens when the pope dies?

🔐 Cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope.

🗳️ Secret ballots are held until one candidate obtains a two-thirds supermajority.

⏳ If after 12 days, no candidate has received a supermajority, there is a run-off between the two most popular candidates until one of them has a two-thirds majority.

🔔 Once the pope has been elected, bells ring out and white smoke appears from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel!

#pope #vatican #conclave #sistinechapel #historyfacts #funfacts #religiontok #catholictok #churchhistory #didyouknow #smokesignals #papalconclave #tradition #papalelection #learnontiktok #religioushistory #rome #holysee #rippopefrancis #catholichistory #history #historyblogger #historyblog #newpope #collegeofcardinals stpetersbasilica #popefrancis #papalhistory

The first non-European pope in over 1,200 years

CORRECTION: Gregory was NOT the first non-European pope a he was the tenth! The first being St Peter!

🌍 Gregory III was born in Syria, making him the first pope from outside Europe.

⛪ He became pope in 731 during a turbulent time marked by tensions with the Byzantine Empire.

✝️ He strongly opposed iconoclasm, supporting the veneration of religious images in the Church.

#gregoryiii #firstnoneuropeanpope #syria #historyreel #churchhistory #vatican #popesofhistory #iconoclasm #byzantineempire #medievalhistory #didyouknow #religioushistory #funfact #historytok #reelsinstagram #viralhistory #learnhistory #edutok #ministryofhistory #history #historyblogger #historyblog #historyreels #rome #popefrancis #pope #papalhistory #noneuropean

Pope Francis (1936-2025) has died today at the age of 88, after 12 years as pope.

🙏 He was the first pope from the Jesuit order, known for its focus on education, humility, and service.

🇦🇷 Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina (to Italian parents) was the first pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.

✝️ He took the name Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his love of the poor and nature. The name reflects his mission of humility, simplicity, and care for the marginalised.

💬 He emphasised mercy, social justice, and helping those on the edges of society, often speaking out on climate change, inequality, and peace.

🕊️ He was known for promoting interfaith dialogue and trying to make the Church more welcoming and less judgmental.

#popefrancis #ripfrancis #eastermonday #vatican #argentina #history #firstjesuitpope #latinamericanpope #pope #catholicchurch #papalhistory #religioushistory #rippopefrancis #minsitryofhistory #argentinepope #buenosaires #rome #vaticancity #jorgemariobergoglio #italianargentine

The 5 presidents of Brazil`s military dictatorship (1964-1985)

1️⃣ Castelo Branco (1964–1967) – launched the dictatorship, centralised power, and rewrote the constitution.

2️⃣ Costa e Silva (1967–1969) – cracked down hard with AI-5, kicking off the harshest repression.

3️⃣ Médici (1969–1974) – peak of state repression, with brutal torture, censorship, but also a period of economic growth.

4️⃣ Geisel (1974–1979) – began a slow "abertura" (opening), while still repressing opposition.

5️⃣ Figueiredo (1979–1985) – legalised parties, faced protests, and oversaw the return to civilian rule.

#brazil #brasil #brazilmilitary #military #militar #brazilianmilitary #militarydictatorship #dictadura #history #politics #politicalhistory #repression #ai5 #castelobranco #costaesilva #medici #geisel #figueiredo #reelhistory #reelpolitics #trending #historyblog #historyblogger #historiadobrasil #brazilianhistory #riodejaneiro #imstilhere #aindaestouaqui #ministryofhistory #ditaduramilitarbrasileira

How similar is Trump to the last German Kaiser?

📢 Wilhelm, like Trump, loved the spotlight and often made bombastic public statements that alarmed allies and delighted supporters.

⚔️ Known for changing his mind every 5 minutes, Wilhelm’s unpredictable diplomacy helped spark WWI; Trump’s impulsiveness has led to chaotic foreign and domestic policies.

📸 Wilhelm posed in military uniforms constantly; Trump curated his brand like a reality show—both cared deeply about appearances.

😤 Wilhelm burned bridges with other European powers; Trump has strained long-standing alliances like NATO and ignited global trade tensions with his tariff policies.

📰 Wilhelm hated the press and blamed others such as his advisors and ministers when things went wrong; Trump does the same.

#history #worldhistory #historyreel #historicalfacts #politics #politicalhistory #uspolitics #europeanhistory #germanhistory #historybuff #learnhistory #kaiserwilhelm #wilhelmii #trump #donaldtrump #modernpolitics #historycomparison #thenandnow #historymemes #reelsinstagram #reelsoftheday #edutainment #historynerd #historyfacts #historicalcomparison #historycontent #germany #usa #historicalparallels

📍 Bona-Peiser-Weg, Kreuzberg, Berlin

📚 Bona Peiser was the first woman in Germany to work professionally as a librarian, breaking gender barriers in the field.

🏛️ She managed one of Berlin`s earliest public libraries, known as a "Bücherhalle," promoting accessible education and reading for all.

✊ Peiser was involved with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für ethische Kultur (German Society for Ethical Culture), aligning her work with progressive social values.

🏙️ Her legacy lives on in Berlin, where a street and cultural centre bear her name, serving as hubs for community engagement and cultural activities.

🎨 The Bona-Peiser-Weg in Berlin is not only a street named after her but also a location featuring notable street art, reflecting her lasting cultural impact.

#history #ministryofhistory #bringinghistorytolife #geschichtsministerium #moh #historyblogger #historybuff #historicalfacts #learnhistory #historylovers #historycontent #historynerd #historical #historypodcast #historian #historyblog #historiansofinstagram #historiansoftiktok #historiansofyoutube #bonapeiser #berlin #herstory #womeninhistory #trailblazers #berlinstreetnames #librarian #reading #literature #hiddenfigures

The Brazilian military dictatorship (part 1): How it all started

🇧🇷 By 1964, Brazilian elites and military had had enough of President João Goulart’s progressive policies including expansion of worker’s rights and land redistribution.

🪖 The military moved in, backed by conservative sectors and quietly supported by the U.S. via Operation Brother Sam.

🏃‍♂️ With little resistance, Goulart fled to Uruguay, and the military quickly seized power.

❌ Congress was purged, political rights were revoked, and the 1946 constitution was abandoned.

🇺🇸 The U.S. recognised the new regime immediately, having prepared naval forces in case support was needed.

#imstillhere #fernandatorres #brazilianmilitarydictatorship #brazildictatorship #history #brazil #golpe1964 #historyreel #dictatorship #coldwar #latinamericanhistory #communism #latinamerica #brazilianhistory #reelsbrasil #historiadobrasil #reelsviral #1964golpe #militarycoup #brasilreels #politicalhistory #aindaestouaqui #historyblogger #historyblog #ministryofhistory #1964braziliancoup #operationbrothersam

💪 Brazil`s financial and cosmopolitan powerhouse and largest city (and one of the biggest cities in the world).

✝️ São Paolo began life as a small Jesuit mission, which was founded in 1554.

☕ It`s big break came in the 19th and 20th century with the coffee boom and industrialisation. This is when the city rapidly expanded in size.

🌍 It is nowadays the most diverse city in Latin America, with large immigrant populations from Europe and the Middle East, and also the largest Japanese population outside of Japan.

🏙️ Packed with high-rises, and often called a "concrete jungle," São Paulo is buzzing with energy and has many different scenes to cater for almost anyone!

#saopaulo #saopaulocity #brazil #visitsaopaulo #spbrasil #braziltravel #explorebrazil #travelbrazil #cityvibes #concretejungle #paulista #streetartsaopaulo #becodobatman #saopaulohistory #brasilhistory #historylovers #historicalplaces #historyblogger #historygram #travelhistory #culturabrasileira #historyblog #descubrabrasil #vivasaopaulo #historiadobrasil #reelsdehistoria #ministryofhistory #brazilianhistory

WHAT IF... the “99-day emperor” had ruled for a lot longer?

👑 In March 1888, Friedrich III became the second Emperor of Germany and tenth King of Prussia (the two crowns were tied to one another).

💡 He and his British wife, Vicky—Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s eldest daughter—sought to introduce liberal reforms to Germany, inspired by Britain’s model of constitutional monarchy.

⚰️ However, by the time he came to the throne, Friedrich had advanced throat cancer and would end up dying after ruling for just 99 days.

⚔️ He was succeeded by his emotionally volatile son, Wilhelm, who pursued an aggressive foreign policy. His actions are widely believed to have contributed, at least in part, to the outbreak of WWI in 1914.

🤔 What if... Friedrich had survived and gone on to reign a lot longer than 99 days? Watch this video to find out!

#friedrichiii #princessvictoria #royalhistory #germanemperor #kaiserfriedrichiii #kaiser #geschichte #kaiserreich #alternatehistory #whatif #germany #prussia #ottovonbismarck #bismarck #wilhelmii #wilhelmi #vickyandfriedrich #germanempire #ww1 #firstworldwar #queenvictoria #princealbert #history #ministryofhistory #britain #99dayemperor #reichstag #imperialgermany #hohenzollern #germanunification

Tito`s letter to Stalin... one of history`s biggest mic drops? 🎤

👎 In 1948, Yugoslavian leader Josep Broz Tito was fed up with Soviet interference in Yugoslav politics, and decided to break with Soviet Union, becoming the first socialist state to do so.

📉 Yugoslavia was chucked out of Comecon (the alliance of socialist states) and Eastern Bloc countries stopped trading with Yugoslavia.

🕵️‍♂️ Stalin then sent multiple agents and assassins to try and dispatch Tito. All attempts failed.

✉️ Tito sent a letter to Stalin along the lines of: "Stop sending assassins. If this doesn`t stop, I`ll send one to Moscow, and I won`t need to send a second."

#tito #josepbroztito #titostalin #stalin #yugoslavia #coldwar #history #communism #sovietunion #politicalhistory #ww2 #ironcurtain #nonalignedmovement #historicalfigures #historyreel #historybuff #historicalevents #leader #dictators #assassinationattempts #worldhistory #socialisthistory #europeanhistory #20thcentury #historystuff #powerstruggle #ministryofhistory #historyblog #historyblogger #socialism

Mariannenplatz in Kreuzberg, Berlin - named after Princess Maria Anna (Marianne) of Hesse-Homburg (and of Prussia)

👑 Born in 1785, Maria Anna (Marianne) of Hesse-Homburg became a Prussian princess through her marriage to Prince Wilhelm of Prussia.

🏰 As the daughter of Frederick V of Hesse-Homburg, she was part of the broader network of European nobility during the early 19th century.

⚔️ She lived through the turbulent times of the Napoleonic Wars, from which she and her family had to flee to East Prussia in 1804.

🎭 While less well-known than some royal figures, many noblewomen of her time engaged in charitable work and cultural life.

#history #royalty #prussia #germanhistory #royalhistory #womeninhistory #europeanhistory #princess #prussianroyalty #19thcentury #napoleonicwars #queensandprincesses #germany #historicalwomen #noblewomen #hessehomburg #kreuzberg #berlin #berlinhistory #prussianhistory #berlinhistory #womenofthepast #historicaleurope #historylovers #historycommunity #historyreel #herstory #ministryofhistory #historyblog #historyblogger