The History of Murder
Some murders changed history. Some happened because of it. The History of Murder puts crimes in context - using interviews with historians, actors reading the actual words of those involved, and narration that brings it together for a compelling story in each episode.
Episodes
14 episodes
St. Valentine's Day Massacre: The Story of Prohibition's Deadliest Day
The most famous event of Prohibition happened in a garage on Chicago’s North Side. We all know that Al Capone tried to kill Bugs Moran but instead killed a bunch of his guys. Except, maybe that isn’t what happened. There are lots of theories ab...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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29:11
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The Rise of the Chicago's Underworld: The Story of the Early Mob
Prohibition became law in the U.S. in January 1920. But in Chicago, it was more of a suggestion. It turned ordinary people into criminals, and criminals into superstars. Explore where true crime meets commerce in a documentary about a time when...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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32:27
Dead at Dawn: The Story of Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis is known for being half of Lewis and Clark, who in 1804 led an extraordinary expedition into the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. But having survived that harrowing journey, just five years later, Lewis was found shot to death ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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31:10
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Death of the Defense: The Story of Clement Vallandigham
His death is often cited on lists called, “Stupid Ways People Have Died” … and it was stupid. But the life of attorney and politician Clement Vallandigham was complicated. During the Civil War he was a free speech advocate and a convicted trait...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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31:51
Fire on the Prairie: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre
On August 21, 1863, the residents of Lawrence, Kansas woke up to chaos. The Civil War was raging, and this Midwestern town, far from the front lines, was at the center. 500 men rode into town, killing men and boys, burning down the homes ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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37:31
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When Lincoln Defended A Killer: The Story of Peachy Quinn Harrison
The stakes were high – and not just for the young man on trial for murder. But also for his defense attorney, Abraham Lincoln. Not only did he know both the victim and the killer, but the case marked the only time the full trial would be writte...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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40:03
When Protesters Met Bayonets: The Story of the Bonus Army
Is it true crime or military might? The President of the United States ordered the army to remove peaceful protestors from Washington DC. The army used tear gas, torches, bayonets, and tanks to get the job done. Three people died. The...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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39:29
The Night of Horrors: The Story of the Chinese Massacre
In October of 1871, a mob in Los Angeles descended upon a poor neighborhood and hunted down every Chinese man they could find. The killing spree would last four hours. There were several trials, but many of the witnesses stayed away – and on...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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27:26
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The Man Who Poisoned A Dynasty: The Story of Bennett Clark Hyde
In 1909, a major philanthropist in Missouri died. He was 81 and had a number of health issues. His death might have been natural…. Except…. In the same house a family member had died just weeks before, and another would die weeks later. Fingers...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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48:21
Murder at the Crossroads: The Story of Clara Olson
In 1926, one invention was changing lives all across America. And in rural Wisconsin it was about to change the life of a young woman who thought she was on the road to her future. When she disappeared, her father did everything to find her, bu...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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34:21
The Castle on Garland Street: The Story of Ossian Sweet
In 1925 Detroit, Michigan a Black family moved into a White neighborhood. A mob attacked their home with rocks, and one man was killed. 10 men went to trial for first-degree murder. With Clarence Darrow leading the defense, the attorne...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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44:33
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The Bride of Blood: The Story of Belle Gunness
If you want love, you might advertise. That was certainly true in 1908 La Porte, Indiana when a Norwegian immigrant went looking for a mate in the newspaper’s Lonely-Hearts section. But it didn’t lead to love, it led to murder – and lots of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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43:29
From Front Lines to Front Page: The Story of Carl Wanderer
Love the movie “His Girl Friday”? It’s tied to a 1920 murder in Chicago where two newspaper men looked behind the headlines to get the real story of a double homicide in the entryway to a home. Go to our website for more informat...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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36:50
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