☄️This Week In History - A Meteor Almost Hit Russia in 2013

Welcome back History Nerds,

What’s one thing you were looking forward to more than this newsletter this week? I can’t think of a single thing myself, but I wouldn’t be disappointed to see some responses back to this email. Anyways, we’ve got some exciting things to get into this week.. like Russia getting sucker-punched by outer space and Galileo getting shafted by the Church. So, make sure you read until then end and hopefully you’ll learn something!

Did You Know? In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone—just hours before rival Elisha Gray. This invention revolutionized communication, paving the way for everything from landlines to smartphones, forever changing how we connect with the world.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• Explosive Truths and Patriotic Lies: The USS Maine

• The Day Russia Got Sucker-Punched By Space

• The Day Galileo Was Summoned To Trial

• The Heist That Made Jesse James Infamous

Explosive Truths and Patriotic Lies: The USS Maine and the Birth of American Empire

On February 15, 1898, the USS Maine met its tragic end in Havana Harbor, Cuba, sending shockwaves through history. The explosion and subsequent sinking of this American battleship left 266 sailors at the bottom of the sea, and the U.S. was quick to point fingers at Spain, blaming a mine for the disaster. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!" became the battle anthem, fueling public outrage and patriotic fervor.

But later investigations threw a wrench in this narrative, suggesting the explosion might have been from within, possibly due to an accidental fire in the coal bunkers. Yet, the truth was as murky as the waters of Havana Harbor, and the incident became the perfect excuse for the U.S. to flex its imperial muscles.

The sinking of the Maine wasn't just about a ship; it was the spark that lit the fuse for the Spanish-American War. This conflict would reshape international relations, giving birth to America's new role as a global power. It's a classic case of how a single event can change the course of history, whether by design or by accident. And let's not forget, in the world of politics, sometimes the narrative is more powerful than the truth.

The Day Russia Got Sucker-Punched By Space

On February 15, 2013, a 66-foot-wide meteor came hurtling toward Earth at 42,000 mph, turning the morning sky over Chelyabinsk, Russia, into a blinding fireball. Moments later, it exploded with the force of 30 Hiroshima bombs, sending a shockwave that shattered over a million square feet of windows and injured 1,500 people. The explosion was so powerful that it could be felt hundreds of miles away. No one had time to react—by the time they realized something was happening, the shockwave had already arrived.

The meteor didn’t actually hit the ground—it blew up about 14 miles above Earth in what’s called an airburst explosion. The blast was so powerful that it damaged over 7,000 buildings across the city. Most injuries came from broken glass after people—understandably—ran to their windows to see what was happening. This is a friendly reminder that if you ever see a giant fireball streaking across the sky, maybe don’t stand next to a window. Scientists later recovered fragments of the meteor from a nearby lake, proving that space has terrible aim but loves making an entrance.

The Chelyabinsk meteor was the largest to hit Earth in over a century, and thanks to security cameras and smartphones, it became one of the most well-documented meteors ever (watch a clip here). The event was a wake-up call for scientists—because nobody wants another surprise visit from a cosmic wrecking ball. Astronomers are already tracking a new asteroid called 2024 YR4, which has a 2.2% chance of hitting Earth on December 22, 2032. While the odds are slim, it’s a reminder that space isn’t done throwing rocks our way. Thankfully, no one died in Chelyabinsk, but it proved that Earth is a sitting target in a cosmic shooting gallery. With asteroids like 2024 YR4 on our radar, investing in asteroid deflection isn’t optional—unless we want space to decide our fate.

We Gotta Question For You!

This past weekend I’ve been obsessed with watching movies about aliens. Some of the ones I’ve watched are “Dark Skies”, “Arrival”, “Signs”, and “Contact”. We wanna know your stance on if we are alone in the universe. We don’t mean microbes, we mean intelligent life.

Galileo's Cosmic Clash: When Heresy Met Heliocentrism

On February 13, 1633, Galileo Galilei was summoned before the Roman Catholic Inquisition. His crime was advocating for the heliocentric theory, which posited that the Earth revolves around the Sun, a concept directly challenging the Church's geocentric view where Earth was the center of the universe.

But here’s the kicker.. Galileo's support for Copernicus's ideas was not just theoretical; he had backed it with observations made through his telescope, detailing the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus, which supported the notion that the Sun, not Earth, was the center of the solar system. This stance led to his accusation of heresy, as his views contradicted the scriptural interpretations of the time. Bravo to the Church for proving that when it comes to science, ignorance is bliss—unless you're Galileo, then it's just house arrest.

The trial wasn't merely about astronomy; it symbolized a broader conflict between the emerging scientific method and traditional religious dogma. And if you're wondering what that means, dogma, in this case, means, "Our ancient book says this, so we're going to stick to it, even if the stars are literally telling us otherwise." Galileo was instructed to abandon his views or face punishment.

After months of proceedings, on June 22, 1633, he was found guilty, forced to publicly recant his beliefs, and sentenced to house arrest for the rest of his life. This incident is a classic example of the "Galileo Effect," where someone or a group stubbornly clings to an established belief system despite overwhelming evidence contradicting it. Ultimately, Galileo's work laid foundational stones for the scientific revolution, showing how truth often finds its way, much like planets in their orbits.

The Heist That Made Jesse James Infamous

On February 13, 1866, Jesse James and his gang redefined boldness by committing the first recorded daylight armed bank robbery in U.S. history. Their target was the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri, a bank with Union ties—making it an appealing mark for the ex-Confederate outlaws. In broad daylight, they rode into town, guns drawn, and walked out with $15,000—a sum worth nearly $250,000 today. But they didn’t just take the money; they left behind a dead bystander and a town so shaken that it barely knew what had happened. While most criminals waited for the cover of darkness, Jesse and his gang made one thing clear—they weren’t afraid to put on a show.

This was the start of a decade-long crime spree. Jesse and his gang went on to rob at least 20 banks and trains, stealing over $200,000 (worth millions today). A former Confederate guerrilla fighter, Jesse saw banks as symbols of Union power, But while dime novels later turned him into a folk hero, there’s no real proof he ever played the role of Robin Hood. In reality, the only pockets he lined were his own—but thanks to legend and good storytelling, history still remembers him as something more than just a thief.

The Liberty bank heist launched Jesse James from small-time outlaw to legend, carving his name into Wild West history. For over a decade, he terrorized banks, trains, and lawmen, always staying one step ahead. But crime only pays for so long—in 1882, Jesse was shot in the back by his own gang member, Robert Ford, choosing a $10,000 reward over loyalty. In the end, Jesse stole hundreds of thousands from banks, but the biggest betrayal came from the man who only needed one bullet to cash in.

Links To More Interesting Content! 

• The Exploding Whale Incident (1970) (Article & Video)

• Project A119 (1950s) (BBC Article)

• The Pig War (1859) (Interesting Article)

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

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders