The “Hairy Eagle” Is A Decoration Made Partly With Abraham Lincoln’s Hair

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

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 |2024-12-02T09:17:42-05:00February 11, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Grace Bedell, The Girl Who Got Abe Lincoln To Grow A Beard

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.

By |2024-12-07T20:26:19-05:00October 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

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.

By |2024-12-07T20:25:33-05:00February 3, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |
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