Here’s one of our listeners’ most requested episodes of 2019: This famous Queen ruled Egypt during the mid-14th century, BC, over a period of immense religious upheaval. With her husband, she conspired to convert all of Egypt from the traditional polytheistic religion to the worship of a single God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Best remembered for his invention of the calendar we still use today, Pope Gregory XIII became a voice for reform in the Catholic Church by pulling the Vatican out of the dark ages and into the modern era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

This 14th Century sultan of Mali became renowned for being the richest man who ever lived. During his 25-year reign, he helped Mali become one of the wealthiest and largest nations in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

In the 1790s, Toussaint L’Ouverture emerges as a leading member of the most successful slave revolt in the Americas. This led to the formation of the country we know today as Haiti.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf married as a teenager and was a mother of four before she had a college degree. But her remarkable life was characterized by beating the odds. Despite an abusive husband, political persecution, and frequent fear for her life, she was elected President of Liberia in 2005 -- becoming the first democratically elected female head of state in all of Africa.  Sponsors! Bombas - Save 20% on your first purchase when you shop at Bombas.com/HISTORICAL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Anyone who has ever enjoyed a wine and cheese night owes their good time to Louis Pasteur. This 19th century microbiologist and chemist developed the process now called pasteurization, as well as the first vaccine for rabies. Not only was Pasteur the father of germ theory, he was also a master of disguise, often using deception to outsmart his rivals and come out on top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

In July 1981, Princess Diana became the first non-royal to marry into the British Royal family in centuries. As the Princess of Wales, she became a style icon and a humanitarian force, all while contending with the very public infidelity of her husband, Charles, heir apparent to the British Throne. Parcasters - Is there any truth behind the rumored society that protects the secrets of the Holy Grail? Learn more about the Priory of Sion on this week’s episode of Conspiracy Theories! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Today, Muhammad Ali is one of the most celebrated athletes and activists in history, but he was not always so appreciated. In 1969, Ali was stripped of his fighting license and his title after being convicted of draft evasion. A year later, he would return to the ring, and continue to speak truth to power. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Sponsors! Gabi - Take two minutes and go to Gabi.com/HISTORICAL to see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance! Grov ..read more

Johann Bach never knew it during his lifetime, but he revolutionized classical music. Centuries after his death in 1750, Bach is known as one of the main fathers of classical composition. Sponsors! Gabi - Take TWO MINUTES and Go to Gabi.com/HISTORICAL to see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance today! Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/HISTORICAL to get a FREE FIVE-PIECE Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Born in 1940 in British-occupied Kenya, Wangarĩ Muta Maathai learned at a young age how the environment and poverty were inextricably linked. As one of Africa's first women to obtain a PhD, she dedicated over forty years of her adult life fighting to teach the people of Kenya about sustainable farming and standing up against the corrupt institutions of her home country's government Sponsors! The Farmer’s Dog  -  Get 50% off your two week trial of fresh, healthy food at The Farmers Dog dot com slash HISTORICAL. Plus, you get FREE shipping!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ..read more