A message from the
Welcome to the Ministry of History! I’m Artie, the Minister in charge, and my mission is simple: to make up for that terrible history teacher you had in school. I believe that we can’t truly know where we’re headed without understanding where we’ve come from, and that’s exactly what this Ministry is here to do. My journey with history began as a tour guide in Berlin, but I wanted to expand beyond just Germany and Europe because every corner of the world has a fascinating story to tell.
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Why not join a Ministry tour? Our mission is to help you uncover and understand the fascinating, tumultuous story of this remarkable city – what we like to call the “Capital of the Twentieth Century.
The Highlights Tour
Looking for all the highlights of Berlin but don’t have much time? This tour is perfect for you! In just two and a half hours, we’ll cover the major landmarks...2 hours
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The Full City Tour
Curious to uncover everything about this remarkable city? On The Full City Tour, you’ll experience all of Berlin’s iconic landmarks while diving deep into its rich history. From its founding...6 hours
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€450
The Nazi Germany Tour
Want to explore the most turbulent chapter in German—and perhaps world—history? Berlin, once a symbol of progress and freedom, became the capital of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. Under...3 hours
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Latest episode of the podcast
Subscribe to the Ministry of History Podcast (formerly “The History Buff”) for captivating
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deeper, co-hosted discussions on fascinating historical topics.
Minister's Questions 2: Life in Berlin and More...
In this episode of Minister’s Questions, two ministers and passionate Berlin tour guides tour guides - Artie and Tina - explore Berlin’s share what inspired them to highlight places named after women in the city in the HerStory Buff series, offer expert recommendations for must-see spots, and discuss the impact of living in Berlin.Beyond travel tips, we delve into Germany’s snap general election, debunk persistent myths about the city, and imagine Berlin as a person—what would they be like? Plus, our guests reveal the one day in Berlin’s past they’d love to experience firsthand. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a traveler, or simply curious about Germany’s capital, this episode is full of fascinating insights and engaging conversation.This episode is also available to watch as a video on YouTube.The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Podcast Update: A Pause, Not a Goodbye
A Quick Message from the Minister of History 🎙️📜Hey history buffs! Artie here with a quick update on the podcast. While the Ministry of History Podcast isn’t going anywhere, I’m shifting focus to growing our social media presence for now. That means fewer episodes for a bit—but don’t worry, I’ll still be dropping sporadic releases, including the final Tudor episodes and more on East Germany.Want to stay connected? Follow the Ministry on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (links in the description)! Stay tuned, stay curious, and keep the history love alive! 🚀📖 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Brazilian Carnival
In this episode, I’m joined by Daniel, an internationalist and passionate carnivalist, to dive deeper into the history and evolution of Carnival. We break down some common stereotypes and I share my personal experiences, recorded just before my second trip to Rio for Carnival!We take a closer look at how this incredible festival transformed from its chaotic, street-fighting origins—shaped by a mix of African, Indigenous, and European influences—into the massive global celebration we know today.A heads-up: the audio quality isn’t perfect as Daniel and I were using some basic equipment, but I promise it’s still a fun and engaging conversation. This episode isn’t strictly historical, but if you’re passionate about Carnival, you’ll love the insights and stories we share!You can get in touch with Daniel on his email at danielporcelbastos@gmail.comThis episode is also available to watch as a video on YouTube.The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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East Germany (Part 3): The 1953 June Uprising
In this third episode of the East Germany series, Artie is joined by Deputy Minister and fellow Berlin tour guide Tina to discuss East Germany’s first major crisis.By the early 1950s, West Germany was booming thanks to American subsidies, while the GDR remained in ruins, burdened by Soviet reparation payments. Living standards had declined, fuelling unrest. When the government ordered a 10% productivity increase without extra pay, anger boiled over. On 16 June 1953, workers in East Berlin went on strike. By the next day, protests had spread nationwide, turning into a full-scale uprising. Crowds stormed government buildings, tore down propaganda, and overpowered security forces. The SED was on the brink of collapse—until Soviet tanks rolled in.The uprising was brutally crushed, killing 55 people, with more subsequently executed after show trials. In response, the GDR expanded Stasi surveillance, cementing its status as one of history’s most oppressive police states.The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Tudors (Part 9): Mary I - "Bloody Mary"
Welcome back to the Ministry’s Tudor series! In this episode, Anna and Artie uncover the fascinating—and often tragic—story of Mary I, England’s first crowned queen. Ruling from 1553 to 1558, her short reign is often overshadowed by that of her formidable sister, Elizabeth I. But was Mary truly the ruthless "Bloody Mary" history remembers her as?We dive into her early life, the dramatic power struggles that shaped her rise to the throne, and the challenges she faced as queen. Was her reputation deserved, or has history been unfair to her? And did she leave behind any lasting achievements? Find out in this episode!You can also watch this episode as video on YouTube.The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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East Germany (Part 2): Politics, Power, and the SED
In this second episode of the Ministry of History's East Germany series, we’re diving into the political system, ideology, and leaders of the GDR. East Germany officially called itself a democracy—its full name was the German Democratic Republic (GDR)—and it even held elections. But were they truly democratic? The ruling Socialist Unity Party (SED) tightly controlled the state, ensuring that real political power remained in the hands of a select few. Who were those select few? Just how was the GDR's political system structured? What was contained in its constitution? What was its actual ideology - communist, socialist or something else? Listen to the episode to find out!The Ministry of History offers more than just podcast episodes! Check out our blog for engaging historical insights, access transcripts of episodes, subscribe to our newsletter for updates and early access to posts, and explore our digital content. Planning a trip to Berlin? You can even book a history tour with Artie himself! To find all this, simply head to our website. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.Artwork by Leila Mead. Check out her website and follow her on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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80 years on... a reminder that Germany was one of the countries most devastated by its own fascism.
Whole cities lay in ruins. 8 million Germans were dead. Millions more were homeless.
Nie wieder. Never again.
#niewieder #neveragain #NeverForget #BerlinHistory #WWII #WW2History #BerlinThenAndNow #HistoryReel #PostwarEurope #GermanyHistory #Vergangenheitsbewältigung #1945to2025 #BerlinReel #80YearsOn #BerlinRuins #HistoricalMemory #berlin #berlinhistory #hamburg #cologne #dresden #bombingofberlin #bombingofdresden #bombingofcologne #bombingofhamburg #bombingofgermany #germanyinruins #history #historyblog #historyblogger
Did you know there were THREE surrenders before Germany was officially defeated in May 1945?
✍️ On 4 May 1945, German forces in northwest Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands surrendered to the British (Montgomery).
🏛️ On 7 May, Germany signed an unconditional surrender to the Western Allies in Reims — effective 8 May.
🪖 But the Soviets wanted their own moment. A second, “real” surrender was signed in Berlin late on 8 May.
📜 All across Europe, smaller German forces were surrendering piece by piece — the Nazi war machine collapsing in slow motion.
#history #historyblog #historyblogger #ww2 #worldwar2 #historyreel #historicalfacts #germany1945 #victoryineuropeday #80yearsveday #80years #veday #berlinsurrender #wwiihistory #militaryhistory #learnhistory #warfacts #ww2reel #historylovers #reelhistory #onthisday #endofww2 #1945surrender #secondworldwar #keitel #jodl #nazigermany #nazisurrender #germansurrender #bernardmontgomery
African socialism
🌍 Rooted in traditional African communal values
✊🏾 Focused on equality, unity & anti-colonialism
🏛️ Promoted by leaders like Nkrumah, Nyerere & Senghor
🚫 Rejected Western capitalism & Soviet-style communism
🌾 Emphasised self-reliance & rural development
#africasocialism #panafricanism #africanhistory #blackhistory #decolonize #historyreel #socialjustice #nyerere #nkrumah #africarising #colonialism #africa #socialism #socialisthistory #africansocialism #history #ministryofhistory #anticapitalism #historyblogger #historyblog #senghor #senegal #tanzania #southafrica #ghana #kenya #historytok
The original meaning of the term "Third World," and why you shouldn`t use it today.
🌍 After WWII, "Third World" referred to countries that were not aligned with either the U.S. (First World, capitalist) or the Soviet Union (Second World, communist) during the Cold War — mostly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
🕊️ Many "Third World" nations wanted to stay neutral and independent, focusing on their own development rather than picking a side in the Cold War.
❌ Over the decades, "Third World" wrongly became a shorthand for "poor" or "underdeveloped," losing its original political meaning.
✅ It`s more respectful and accurate to say "Global South," "developing countries," or "low- and middle-income countries" depending on the context.
#history #thirdworld #globalsouth #geopolitics #coldwar #decolonization #developingworld #internationalrelations #education #knowledge #politicalhistory #globalhistory #socialjustice #learnontiktok #reelsinstagram #historyreels #edutok #informativereels #worldhistory #reelsteacher #ministryofhistory #firstworld #secondworld #colonialism #coldwarhistory #historyblogger #historyblog #globalsouthhistory
📍 Audrey-Lorde-Straße, Kreuzberg, Berlin
✊ Audre Lorde (1934–1992) was a writer, poet, activist, and fighter for civil rights.
🏳️🌈 She was a champion of intersectionality — a Black, lesbian, feminist icon.
💼 Lorde spent extended periods in Berlin between 1984 and 1992, including a visiting professorship at the Free University.
📝 She served as the State Poet of New York from 1991 to 1992.
🖤 In August 2024, Manteuffelstraße in Kreuzberg — named after conservative and reactionary Prussian prime minister Otto von Manteuffel from the 19th century — was renamed in her honour, part of a broader movement to decolonise and demilitarise Berlin’s street names.
#audrelorde #kreuzberg #berlin #streetrenaming #decoloniseberlin #blackfeminism #intersectionality #poet #activist #lgbtqhistory #history #berlinstreets #herstory #womeninhistory #feminism #poet #ministryofhistory #historyblogger #historyblog #feminists #blackfeminists #blackhistory #berlinhistory #berlinstreetnames
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
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