🌎 This Week In History - Hitler Rose To Power In 1933

Welcome back History Nerds,

It may not come as much of a surprise, but there sure was a lot of depressing stuff that happened this week in history. For that reason, we blended in some fun stuff like Janet Jackson’s nip slip during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show and the invention of legos to counteract the dark side of learning history. So, grab your morning cup of coffee or tea and gear up for a doozy!

Did You Know? In 1535, the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto introduced pigs to North America? He brought over 13 pigs from Cuba to what is now Florida, and from this small herd, the pig population exploded, eventually becoming a staple in American agriculture and diet.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl Halftime Nip Slip

• The Day Hitler Came to Power

• The Death of Charlemagne, The Ruler of The Roman Empire

• The Day Legos Were Invented

Janet Jackson’s Infamous Nip Slip

Let’s go back to 2004, on February 1 and revisit one of the most talked-about moments in Super Bowl halftime history - the Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake performance. This wasn't just any halftime show; it was "Super Bowl XXXVIII" at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, where over 89 million viewers tuned in, expecting some pop magic, but got more than they bargained for.

The show was already star-studded with appearances from none other than the baby oil king himself - P. Diddy, and also Nelly, and Kid Rock; but it was Janet Jackson's closing act with Justin Timberlake that would make history. They performed a medley of hits, climaxing with Timberlake's "Rock Your Body." At one point, Timberlake tore away part of Jackson's costume, revealing her breast to millions, which was instantly dubbed "Nipplegate." This led to a massive outcry, with the FCC receiving over 540,000 complaints.

CBS, the broadcaster, was fined (though this fine was later overturned), and the incident sparked a national debate on live television content, censorship, and the treatment of female artists. Janet Jackson faced a career setback with many somehow blaming her for the incident, while Timberlake's reputation took much less of a hit, raising questions about gender dynamics in the entertainment industry. Keep in mind, this was the golden age of TV where wild, uncensored hits from MTV, "The Howard Stern Show," and "Fear Factor" set the stage for entertainment..

Janet Jackson was eventually able to recover from Nipplegate and was even inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. Her comeback shows how you can rise again after a fall, proving that in the world of entertainment, one nip.. whoops I mean one moment doesn't define a legacy.

The Day Hitler Came To Power

On January 30, 1933, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany, unknowingly setting the stage for one of history's darkest periods. Hitler consolidated his power and transformed his position into absolute authority. This ultimately led to the invasion of Poland in 1939. This invasion marked the beginning of World War II, a conflict that would stretch until 1945, causing over 70 million deaths worldwide and leaving a lasting impact on the global stage.

Under Hitler’s brutal regime, Germany enacted horrific policies targeting Jews, Romani people, disabled individuals, and other marginalized groups. The concentration camps, including Auschwitz, became symbols of unimaginable suffering. 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, while millions more were tortured or forced into labor camps. Cities and economies across Europe were destroyed, leaving the continent in ruin.

By April 30, 1945, with the Allied forces closing in on Berlin, Hitler's reign came to an end when he committed suicide in his bunker. His death marked the crumbling of the Nazi regime. Just months earlier, on January 27, Soviet troops had liberated Auschwitz, exposing the full extent of the atrocities committed within the concentration camps and revealing the brutal reality of the Holocaust to the world. This moment of liberation was a significant turning point, reminding the world of the horrific consequences of unchecked power and ideology.

The final blow to the Nazi regime came on May 7, 1945, when Germany officially surrendered, marking the end of World War II in Europe. The surrender was a bittersweet victory, as the world was left to rebuild from the ashes of destruction. The aftermath of World War II changed the course of history, as nations rebuilt and reevaluated their values, with an unwavering commitment to preventing such horrors from ever happening again.

Trivia Time

In every issue of LOL History, we take a break from sharing historical events to bring you a quirky trivia section. You guys have been absolutely loving our trivia section so we decided to bump it up. We still have exciting historic articles and a NEW section at the end of the newsletter.

Charlemagne: The King Who Ruled, Read, and Really Loved His Beard

On January 28, 814, the world said goodbye to one of the most influential figures of the early Middle Ages—Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, who left behind a legacy that would shape Europe for centuries. Born around 742 AD in what is now modern-day Belgium, in a place called Herstal, Charlemagne was the son of Pepin the Short, the first Carolingian king. I have no idea how they came up with these names, but he born into the Frankish nobility, which was anything but ordinary, setting him on a path to become one of history's most renowned rulers.

After his father's death in 768, Charlemagne initially co-ruled with his brother Carloman. However, upon Carloman's death in 771, Charlemagne seized the opportunity to become the sole ruler of the Frankish Kingdom around the young age of just 29. His reign was marked by relentless military campaigns, expanding his empire across much of Western and Central Europe. He was not just a warrior king; Charlemagne was also a patron of learning and culture, initiating the "Carolingian Renaissance," where arts, education, and literature flourished under his patronage.

Charlemagne was also known for his towering presence, both literally (standing at around 6 feet 4 inches, a giant for his time) and metaphorically, with his love for learning, the arts, and even... his beard, which he reportedly loved so much he had it washed with gold. On the day he died, at the age of roughly 72, which was quite the feat in an era when the average lifespan was likely around 30-35 years old, he was in Aachen, where he had built his palace and the famous Aachen Cathedral. His death marked the end of an era, but his empire, the Holy Roman Empire, would continue to influence European history for centuries.

Charlemagne's legacy is a mixed bag of military might, cultural revival, and administrative reform. He was crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800 AD, a move that symbolically united Church and State in a way that would resonate through the ages. His efforts in education, legal reforms, and the spread of Christianity laid foundational stones for the modern European states.

How One Simple Brick Changed the Toy World Forever

On January 28, 1958, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen filed a Danish patent for a simple yet groundbreaking invention—the LEGO brick—forever changing the world of toys. His father, Ole Kirk Christiansen, had founded LEGO years earlier, but it was Godtfred’s revolutionary interlocking design that transformed a humble toy into a world of limitless possibilities. From towering castles to sleek spaceships—and even unidentifiable colorful blobs—LEGO unleashed creativity for kids of all ages and skill levels.

Before LEGO, most toys were one-and-done. But LEGO bricks let kids build, destroy, and rebuild to their hearts’ content. It wasn’t just a toy; it became a doorway to imagination. As a kid, LEGO Star Wars was my personal favorite. I’d spend countless hours creating epic new missions for my figures, though I’ll admit I was always a bit jealous of my friend who had a LEGO Darth Maul with the iconic double-sided lightsaber. That was more than 20 years ago, and it’s proof of how LEGO has influenced our lives and fueled our creativity in ways that still resonate today.

Today, LEGO is far more than just bricks—it's theme parks, blockbuster movies, and a powerful tool for creativity and education. Godtfred’s visionary design evolved into a cultural icon, showing that the most impactful ideas are those that inspire us to build, dream, and create without boundaries. And while parents may still wince at the pain of stepping on a stray brick, LEGO’s lasting impact on childhood is undeniable, revolutionizing play and shaping how generations of kids explore their imaginations.

Links To More Interesting Content!

• The archeology discovery that re-writes human history (YouTube)

• The lost colony of Roanoke (National Parks Blog Post)

• Cocaine found in mummified brains (Live Science)

We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the LOL History newsletter! See you next week!

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders