Ep 6. Reanimated History - 100 Years Ago Today

Adam Ruins Everything Season 4 Episode 6, Reanimated History - 100 Years Ago Today, takes a deep dive into the ways that our knowledge of history and the past is not always accurate or complete. In this episode, Adam Conover challenges some commonly held beliefs about the history of our country and the wider world, revealing surprising and little-known facts that shed new light on events and figures we thought we knew well.

The episode begins with a look at the history of voting in America, tracing the evolution of voting rights and the ways in which they have been restricted over the years. Adam examines the myth of the founding fathers as flawless leaders who were always on the side of democracy, revealing the ways in which they actually worked to limit voting rights to white, male property owners. He also shines a spotlight on the often-forgotten contributions of women and people of color to the fight for voting rights, challenging the idea that these struggles were waged solely by white men.

Next, Adam turns his attention to the life and legacy of Helen Keller, a beloved figure in American history known for her fierce advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities. However, Adam reveals that the popular image of Keller as a saintly, placid figure is far from accurate, and that she was in fact a passionate radical who identified as a socialist and advocated strongly for political revolution and the overthrow of the capitalist system. Through interviews with historians and scholars, Adam paints a much more complex portrait of this iconic figure, suggesting that there is much to learn from revisiting Keller's life and ideas today.

The episode also touches on the history of the oil industry and the ways in which it has shaped global politics and economics over the past century. Adam delves into the complex web of relationships between oil companies, governments, and the military, revealing how conflicts around oil have fueled wars and destabilized entire regions. He also explores the often-overlooked role of oil workers themselves, who have long been subject to dangerous and exploitative conditions on the job.

Throughout the episode, Adam employs his signature blend of humor, wit, and incisive analysis to challenge viewers' assumptions about history and its significance for the present day. By digging deeper into the stories and events that we believe we already know, he offers a fresh perspective on our collective past and paves the way for a more nuanced and informed understanding of the world around us.