“THE NIGHT WITCHES” and More True Tales! #WeirdDarkness
Digest
The podcast begins by exploring the human fascination with hidden objects, drawing parallels to childhood games, puzzle books, and the popularity of hidden object mobile games. This fascination is connected to the intrigue surrounding cryptids like Bigfoot, always lurking in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. The episode then highlights the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition" by Timothy Wayne Williams, a coffee table book featuring original paintings with hidden Sasquatch figures. It encourages listeners to find the creature in each scene and challenge others to do the same. Taking a humorous turn, the episode introduces a fictional "Cryptid Party" with a unique political platform: to stay hidden and mind their own business. It encourages listeners to vote for Bigfoot and Mothman, promising an administration that will do "absolutely nothing." The episode then promotes Bigfoot and Mothman 2024 merchandise, including campaign buttons, stickers, hats, shirts, tote bags, mugs, hoodies, giant tapestries, pillows, magnets, and even clothes for kids. It encourages listeners to show their support for the Cryptid Party. The podcast then delves into the history of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, an all-female squadron of Soviet Air Forces during World War II, nicknamed "The Night Witches." It details their bravery, stealth techniques, and the terror they instilled in Nazi troops. The episode recounts a bizarre tale of fake news in the Gilded Age, focusing on a fabricated story published in the Boston Daily Globe about Lizzie Borden being pregnant and potentially involved in her parents' murders. It explores the motivations behind the hoax and its impact on the Borden case. The episode investigates the multiple sightings of green fireballs in the skies of Los Alamos, New Mexico, in 1948, particularly around sensitive military installations. It explores various theories, including Soviet spy devices, extraterrestrial probes, and ball lightning, leaving the mystery unsolved. The episode examines the legend of the jackalope, a mythical horned rabbit, exploring its origins in folklore and its enduring popularity. It discusses the possibility of real rabbits developing horn-like growths due to a virus and the role of hoaxes and media in perpetuating the myth. Finally, the episode explores various real-life instances of weddings and other rituals involving the deceased, from bride doll nuptuels in Japan to spirit polygamy and corpse marriages in China and France. It delves into the cultural and historical context behind these practices.
Outlines
The Fascination with Hidden Objects and Cryptids
The episode explores the human fascination with finding hidden objects, drawing parallels to childhood games, puzzle books, and the popularity of hidden object mobile games. It connects this fascination to the intrigue surrounding cryptids like Bigfoot, always lurking in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
"Your Bigfoot Expedition" Book Review
The episode highlights the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition" by Timothy Wayne Williams, a coffee table book featuring original paintings with hidden Sasquatch figures. It encourages listeners to find the creature in each scene and challenge others to do the same.
The Cryptid Party's Political Platform
The episode takes a humorous turn, introducing a fictional "Cryptid Party" with a unique political platform: to stay hidden and mind their own business. It encourages listeners to vote for Bigfoot and Mothman, promising an administration that will do "absolutely nothing."
Bigfoot and Mothman 2024 Merchandise
The episode promotes Bigfoot and Mothman 2024 merchandise, including campaign buttons, stickers, hats, shirts, tote bags, mugs, hoodies, giant tapestries, pillows, magnets, and even clothes for kids. It encourages listeners to show their support for the Cryptid Party.
The Night Witches: Soviet Female Bomber Pilots
The episode delves into the history of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, an all-female squadron of Soviet Air Forces during World War II, nicknamed "The Night Witches." It details their bravery, stealth techniques, and the terror they instilled in Nazi troops.
The Lizzy Borden Newspaper Hoax and Fake News
The episode recounts a bizarre tale of fake news in the Gilded Age, focusing on a fabricated story published in the Boston Daily Globe about Lizzie Borden being pregnant and potentially involved in her parents' murders. It explores the motivations behind the hoax and its impact on the Borden case.
The Mystery of the Green Fireballs
The episode investigates the multiple sightings of green fireballs in the skies of Los Alamos, New Mexico, in 1948, particularly around sensitive military installations. It explores various theories, including Soviet spy devices, extraterrestrial probes, and ball lightning, leaving the mystery unsolved.
The Jackalope: Myth or Reality?
The episode examines the legend of the jackalope, a mythical horned rabbit, exploring its origins in folklore and its enduring popularity. It discusses the possibility of real rabbits developing horn-like growths due to a virus and the role of hoaxes and media in perpetuating the myth.
Beyond the Grave: Nuptials of the Deceased
The episode explores various real-life instances of weddings and other rituals involving the deceased, from bride doll nuptuels in Japan to spirit polygamy and corpse marriages in China and France. It delves into the cultural and historical context behind these practices.
Keywords
Cryptids
Cryptids are creatures whose existence is unconfirmed by science but are often the subject of folklore, legends, and eyewitness accounts. Examples include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Yeti.
Night Witches
The 588th Night Bomber Regiment, an all-female squadron of Soviet Air Forces during World War II, known for their stealth bombing techniques and the terror they instilled in Nazi troops.
Fake News
False or misleading information presented as news, often with the intention to deceive or manipulate. The Lizzy Borden newspaper hoax is a prime example of fake news in the Gilded Age.
Green Fireballs
Unexplained sightings of green balls of fire in the skies of Los Alamos, New Mexico, in 1948, particularly around sensitive military installations. Theories range from Soviet spy devices to extraterrestrial probes and ball lightning.
Jackalope
A mythical horned rabbit, often depicted with antelope horns, popular in American folklore. While the jackalope itself is a hoax, real rabbits can develop horn-like growths due to a virus called papillomatosis.
Corpse Bride
A bride who is deceased, often featured in folklore, art, and literature. The episode explores real-life instances of weddings and rituals involving the deceased, including bride doll nuptuels, spirit polygamy, and corpse marriages.
Hidden Objects
The podcast explores the human fascination with finding hidden objects, drawing parallels to childhood games, puzzle books, and the popularity of hidden object mobile games.
Bigfoot
A large, hairy, bipedal humanoid creature said to inhabit the forests of North America. The podcast explores the fascination with Bigfoot as a cryptid and its role in popular culture.
Mothman
A winged humanoid creature said to have been sighted in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the 1960s. The podcast uses Mothman as a fictional political candidate for the "Cryptid Party."
Q&A
What is the "Cryptid Party" and what is their political platform?
The "Cryptid Party" is a fictional political party introduced in the episode, with a humorous platform of staying hidden and minding their own business. They advocate for Bigfoot and Mothman as presidential candidates, promising an administration that will do "absolutely nothing."
What is the story behind the Lizzy Borden newspaper hoax?
A private detective, seeking revenge on a reporter, fabricated a story about Lizzie Borden being pregnant and potentially involved in her parents' murders. The story was published in the Boston Daily Globe, but quickly retracted after being proven false.
What are the various theories surrounding the green fireballs sighted in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in 1948?
Theories range from Soviet spy devices to extraterrestrial probes and ball lightning. While the mystery remains unsolved, the sightings highlight the enduring fascination with unidentified aerial phenomena.
What is the jackalope and why do so many people claim to have seen it?
The jackalope is a mythical horned rabbit, often depicted with antelope horns. While the jackalope itself is a hoax, real rabbits can develop horn-like growths due to a virus called papillomatosis. The myth has been perpetuated by hoaxes and media attention.
What are some real-life examples of weddings and rituals involving the deceased?
The episode explores various practices, including bride doll nuptuels in Japan, spirit polygamy, corpse marriages in China and France, and the Jewish tradition of levirate marriage. These practices highlight the diverse cultural beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife.
What is the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition" about?
The book features original paintings with hidden Sasquatch figures, encouraging readers to find the creature in each scene.
What is the significance of the Night Witches?
The Night Witches were an all-female squadron of Soviet Air Forces during World War II, known for their bravery, stealth bombing techniques, and the terror they instilled in Nazi troops.
What is the connection between hidden objects and cryptids?
The podcast suggests that the human fascination with finding hidden objects is connected to the intrigue surrounding cryptids, which are often described as elusive and hidden creatures.
What is the purpose of the Cryptid Party's political platform?
The Cryptid Party's platform is a humorous commentary on political apathy and the desire for a government that does not interfere in people's lives.
Show Notes
IN THIS EPISODE: During World War II, a squadron of crop duster-style planes flown by Soviet female pilots were used as bombers to terrorize Nazi troops. They were so terrifying to the enemy they earned the nickname “Night Witches.” (The Night Witches) *** The jackalope is a mythical animal – so why do so many people claim to have seen it, even in modern times? (Horned Hares) *** There are places all over the world even today where, during a wedding ceremony, you might hear the reverend say the words, “Do you take this corpse to be your lawfully wedded husband?” (Beyond the Grave Nuptials) *** An old grudge between a detective and a reporter led to one of the strangest—and most damning—fake news stories of all-time. A story that nearly ruined Lizzie Borden. (The Lizzy Borden Newspaper Hoax) *** In 1948, sightings of mysterious green lights in the skies of Los Alamos, New Mexico and the Sandia atomic-weapons laboratories and other sensitive military installations had the U.S. Government extremely worried. That means they the green balls of fire weren’t from America – so what were they? (UFO’s and Green Fireballs)
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00 .000 = Cold Open and Show Intro
00:03:53 .734 = The Night Witches
00:16:53 .729 = The Lizzie Borden Newspaper Hoax
00:29:18 .298 = UFOs And Green Fireballs
00:40:09 .514 = Horned Hares
00:46:15 .822 = Beyond The Grave Nuptials
00:54:55 .063 = Show Outro
SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“The Lizzy Borden Newspaper Hoax” by Dean Jobb for Crime Reads: https://tinyurl.com/yd9fvzes
“Horned Hares” by Ellen Lloyd for Ancient Pages: https://tinyurl.com/ycarwu4d
“The Night Witches” from Bugged Space: https://tinyurl.com/ybthkflf
“Beyond the Grave Nuptials” by Lisa A. Flowers for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/y7bevukf
“UFO’s and Green Fireballs” by Darryn King for History: https://tinyurl.com/y9eht7bk
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
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WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.
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Originally aired: June 10, 2020
CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/NightWitches
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