The Worst Christmas: Paris 1870

Stories of the suffering, and attempts to celebrate Christmas among soldiers at the front during war, including the 1914 “Christmas truce,” remind us of the blessings of Christmas even in the worst of times. But one Christmas stands out for sheer desperation.

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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

Note: Just because you can think up a reason to criticize doesn’t mean that you are obligated to do so. Pedantic is not a compliment folks.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #francoprussianwar

Dec 22, 2025 17:07

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The History Guy Podcast

Counterfactuals: The Great Sparrow Campaign

On today’s episode, we consider one of history’s greatest mistakes: The 4 pests campaign of the Great Leap Forward of Communist China, and specifically at the killing of billions of sparrows, which contributed to a one of the largest and most devastating famines in human history.

What is a counterfactual? At it’s most basic, it is a ‘what if’. It’s a way of understanding history as it is by discussing what it could have been.

Oct 6, 2026 01:00:04
fighter airplanes
Welcome Explorer!

About the History Guy

Lance Geiger is The History Guy on YouTube. Topics covered in his YouTube videos range from aviation history to forgotten battles, historical figures, and more from around the world.

Episodes are posted Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

He has also created a History Guy podcast that comes out every two weeks on various platforms.

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If you love history, this is the channel to support! Generous contributions from supporters allow The History Guy team to continue creating the snippets of forgotten history that have been seen by viewers all around the world. You’ll be supporting this record of the past that helps to inform our present. Making The History Guy takes time, effort, and equipment. It is history that deserves your help!

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