Podbit · The Rest Is History
The Dutch Revolt began with ragtag Protestant pirates taking on the most powerful empire in the world, and ended with a state that invented modern capitalism, stock markets, and religious tolerance. The Dutch Republic was per capita the richest country on the planet in the 17th century.
Where this was said
At 5:32 · chapter starts 4:05
Opening with a recording of the Wilhelmus, Dominic Sandbrook notes that while the Dutch anthem was only officially adopted in 1932, it has functioned as the great song of Dutch patriotism for 4.5 centuries — making it the oldest song in the world to become a national anthem. [1] — Tom Holland "Oldest national anthem song: The Wilhelmus is the oldest song in the world to have become a national anthem, with its melody and lyrics dat…" 05:04 Tom Holland, drawing on the Dutch Royal House's own website, explains that the melody originated during the 1568 siege of Chartres and the first known lyrics date from 1572. [2] — Tom Holland "Wilhelmus melody dates to 1568 siege of Chartres: According to the Dutch Royal House website, the melody of the Wilhelmus originated during…" 05:18 These dates are not coincidental: they bracket a key turning point in the Dutch Revolt, the 80-year war between Dutch rebels and Spain that Holland describes as one of history's absolutely top revolts — a genuine David and Goliath story that begins with Protestant pirates taking on the greatest empire on earth.
The Wilhelmus is the oldest song in the world to have become a national anthem, with its melody and lyrics dating from 1568–1572.
According to the Dutch Royal House website, the melody of the Wilhelmus originated during the siege of the French city of Chartres in 1568 — making it originally a Catholic melody.
The Dutch Revolt precipitated an 80-year war between Dutch rebels and the Spanish Empire, making it one of the longest sustained independence struggles in European history.
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Lebanese terrorists backed by Iran were holding American hostages throughout the Reagan presidency. Reagan had loudly campaigned against negotiating with terrorists — putting him in an impossible position that his team quietly decided to ignore.
During the Iran-Iraq War, the US openly supplied Iraq with weapons, training, and intelligence. At the same time, Oliver North was secretly funneling missiles to Iran. The US was playing both sides of a shooting war.
Oliver North traveled to Iran under the alias 'William P. Goode' with a fake passport. CIA Director William Casey allegedly gave him cyanide pills so he could kill himself rather than be tortured if captured. He returned safely and the deal moved forward.
The Pentagon sold missiles to the CIA for $3,700 each. The CIA sold them to Richard Secord at cost. Secord sold them to Iranian middleman Ghorbanifar for $10,000 each. Ghorbanifar charged Iran even more. The profit — including $3 million in interest in one Swiss account — was diverted directly to fund the Nicaraguan Contras.
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The CIA supply operation used a front company called Southern Air Transport, widely known to be a CIA cover. Crew members of the downed plane carried their Southern Air Transport employee IDs in their wallets. One also had a business card directly linking him to Oliver North's office in Washington.
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