The “Hairy Eagle” Is A Decoration Made Partly With Abraham Lincoln’s Hair (Cool Weird Awesome 1185)

It's Abe Lincoln's birthday, and if you want to see a small bit of the man himself, you could try heading to Syracuse, New York, where there’s a bit of Abe Lincoln’s hair in a very unusual decoration known as the Hairy Eagle. 

The Time Geraldo Rivera Opened Al Capone’s Vault And Found A Whole Lot Of Nothing (Cool Weird Awesome 760)

Today in 1986, I was one of millions of people who watched Geraldo Rivera host the infamous live TV special "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault." How did it come to be, and why did it go so far off course?

The Lincoln Memorial Has A Basement (Cool Weird Awesome 715)

For Abraham Lincoln's birthday, we look at one of the most timeless memorials to the 16th president - or at least its undercroft, which has been out of public view for a long time.

By |2024-02-11T09:08:36-05:00February 11, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Grace Bedell, The Girl Who Got Abe Lincoln To Grow A Beard (Cool Weird Awesome 635)

Today in 1860, an 11 year old wrote to not-yet-president Abraham Lincoln, suggesting he grow some whiskers because "your face is so thin." Later, a bearded Abe visited the letter writer, Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, and showed off his new look. Plus: today in 1957, an unusual demonstration in Port Washington, Wisconsin: the “Power Mower of the Future”!

By |2023-12-29T17:00:11-05:00October 15, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

The Time Kate Warne, America’s First Female Detective, Saved Abraham Lincoln’s Life (Cool Weird Awesome 482)

Today in 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived in Washington, having been snuck into the city to avoid a plot against his life in Baltimore. Kate Warne, the first women detective in America, was key to getting him there safely. Plus: Alex Trebek's family has donated some of the late Jeopardy! host's suits for a very fitting cause.

By |2024-02-23T09:26:51-05:00February 23, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

When Abe Lincoln Said Thanks But No Thanks To A Herd Of Elephants (Cool Weird Awesome 229)

On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln wrote to the king of Siam, now Thailand, to say thanks, but no thanks, to the king's offer of a herd of elephants. It was a gracious letter, which was appropriate because elephants themselves have lovely manners.

By |2021-09-02T09:33:34-04:00February 3, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

Abraham Lincoln, Wedding Planner (Cool Weird Awesome 162)

Today in 1800 President John Adams moved into the White House, the first chief executive to live in what was then called the President’s Mansion. One of the house's most adorable stories - though possibly an apocryphal one - is the time in 1862 that Abraham Lincoln supposedly helped a couple elope. Plus: the New England WizardFest gets underway this weekend in Massachusetts. Mischief managed!

By |2022-03-26T10:05:08-04:00November 1, 2019|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

The Goat Mayor Of Fair Haven, Vermont (Cool Weird Awesome 7)

A leader named Lincoln is aspiring to greatness, and may yet achieve it - if, like Honest Abe, she can clean up the big mess in front of her. She's the new mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont: Lincoln the goat.

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