Hey gang! 🎒🔥 It’s Wednesday, and that means it’s time to reflect on the crazy stories we explored last week. From the hidden fortunes of Nazi billionaires to the chaos-driven strategies of Russian warfare, last week’s episodes delivered an inside look into history and modern politics. Let’s dive into the highlights! 📜⚔️
But first, some Today In History…
Crime: On December 4, 2009, an Italian jury convicted Amanda Knox, an American exchange student, and her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, for the murder of Meredith Kercher. She was a British exchange student from the University of Leeds and shared an apartment with Knox. The police were quick to charge Knox and Sollecito for the crime. However, the identification of bloodstained fingerprints at the crime scene revealed the presence of Rudy Guede, an Ivorian migrant at the crime scene. It was a ray of hope for the imprisoned couple. After nearly four years of imprisonment, Knox and Sollecito were acquitted.
War: On December 4, 1992, President George H.W. Bush sent 28,000 American troops to Somalia, a war-torn country in East Africa, where warring warlords were impeding the delivery of humanitarian food to thousands of starving Somalis. Bush told Americans that "this operation is not open-ended" and that the soldiers will return as soon as the job is done while stating that America must act to preserve over a million Somali lives in a military mission he referred to as "God's work." Unfortunately, American humanitarian forces were drawn into the political turmoil in Somalia, and the contentious operation lasted for several months until President Bill Clinton unexpectedly ended it in 1993.
Religion: On December 4, 1619, a group of 38 colonists from Berkeley Parish in England arrived on the shores of Virginia after a long and arduous journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Upon their arrival, they gathered together to express their gratitude and gave thanks to God for their safe passage and the opportunity to spread the word of God on a new land. It is believed to be the first Thanksgiving in the Americas.
Mafia: On December 4, 1928, a bomb explosion killed “Dapper Dan” Hogan. He was an Irish mob boss who ran a saloon in St. Paul, Minnesota area. The bomb was planted in his car. After it exploded, he was immediately taken to the hospital where he stayed in Coma for a couple of hours. The doctors failed to revive him and he was declared dead by night. People from all walks of life, including law enforcement personnel were seen in front of the hospital to donate blood to Hogan who was loved by many for his amiable demeanor. Years have passed but the masterminds behind his murder are still unknown. Bank robbers and criminals used his businesses to launder their money. He was a friend to lawbreakers and a great asset to well-meaning police officers who wanted to stop Minneapolis and St. Paul from becoming as violent and dangerous as Chicago.
Nazi Billionaires: The REAL Winners of WW2 📜💰
Last week, we were joined by investigative journalist and author David de Jong for a deep dive into how German tycoons profited during the horrors of the Third Reich. Based on his book Nazi Billionaires, this episode revealed the dark histories of major brands like Porsche, BMW, and Volkswagen. These elites not only built their empires during World War II but also managed to avoid accountability afterward. If you’re curious about the intersection of wealth, power, and historical atrocities, this episode is one you can’t miss. Check it out here 🏎️
Chaos: Russia’s Strategy For Expansion ⚔️🇷🇺
Former Green Beret and author Curtis Fox joined us to unpack Russia’s military strategy, past and present. From their historical use of chaos and deception to their current goals in Ukraine, Curtis explained how unpredictability has been a key weapon in their arsenal. If you’re fascinated by global politics or want to better understand Russia’s complex military history, this episode is the one for you 🪖
If you missed this wild ride, don’t worry, now’s your chance to catch up and get ready for more Camp!
What did you think of last week’s episode? 💭Drop us a RELPY—we LOVE hearing from you! If you haven’t caught it yet, head over to the channel and check it out. Let’s GOOOOOO!!!! 🔥👊🚀
- Jaime