2015 Through the Lens of the Unseen: A Story Told by Forgotten Moments

Some years shout through headlines — others whisper in the margins. 2015 was the latter, and History By Zim spent the year tuning in to those quieter voices. Month by month, the blog unearthed curious facts, brave individuals, and eerie images that collectively told a story both strange and stirring.

January: A King and a Soldier

The year began with reflections on monarchy and military life. Henry V of Wales, known for his transformation from reckless prince to victorious warrior, reminded readers that historical greatness often emerges from flawed beginnings. At the same time, a lost letter from Abraham Lincoln revealed his deep compassion during the Civil War — not just as a leader, but as a grieving father and moral compass. That personal side was further explored in Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the Skeleton Crew.

February–March: Silent Warriors and Forgotten Cameras

Léo Major, the one-eyed Canadian soldier who liberated an entire city alone, returned to public memory. His incredible feats — once overlooked — became symbols of resilience and grit. Meanwhile, the strange artillery of the past was revisited through devices like the Seacoast Mortar “Dictator”, revealing the raw mechanics of war. In parallel, the discovery of Vivian Maier’s photographs reminded us that even the most unassuming people can capture the soul of an era, camera in hand and fame far behind them. February also brought humor and political oddities like the post on President Coolidge’s unexpected poker bluff. In March, Chernobyl resurfaced — not as a nuclear disaster, but through the bravery of the Chernobyl Liquidators who risked everything to contain the fallout.

Spring: A Christmas Echo in April

Spring saw the publication of A Sherman’s Christmas Story, blending seasonal warmth with Civil War hardship — a reminder that war doesn’t pause for holidays. In May, we met Barney Flaherty, America’s first newsie, offering a window into child labor and media in the 19th century.

June–July: Patriotic Symbols and Criminal Relics

Patriotic curiosity peaked with a lighthearted post: 14 Fun Facts About the American Flag. But the tone soon shifted to the macabre as readers encountered the death mask of John Dillinger, gangster and media icon, his legacy suspended between folklore and fear.

Fall and Winter: Shadows and Seances

In the later months, History By Zim explored darker corridors. The CIA’s infamous Project MK-Ultra sparked debate over government secrecy and psychological ethics. The holidays brought a ghostly chill, with a look at Harry Houdini’s final attempt to reach beyond the veil — a séance that failed. On a lighter note, the Christmas Truce soccer ball resurfaced as a fragile symbol of peace amid the bloodshed of World War I.

Voices That Echo

Throughout the year, readers also met women who defied roles. Elizabeth Cady Stanton celebrated her 200th birthday as a pioneer of women’s rights, and Helen Longstreet, a Confederate widow, appeared in an unexpected role — working as a WWII riveter. These posts showed that history is not a straight line, but a looping path full of contradiction and courage.

Conclusion: A Tapestry of the Overlooked

2015’s archive is more than a collection — it’s a tapestry of eccentric inventions, unsung figures, and silent sacrifices. It doesn’t retell history as it was taught, but as it was lived: unpredictable, uneven, and undeniably human.

2015 Through the Lens of the Unseen: A Story Told by Forgotten Moments
Follow a chronological journey through 2015’s hidden histories — from war heroes and ghostly legends to strange inventions and social milestones.