Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

linkedin.com/in/samantha-v-franco

Articles by Samantha Franco:

Being a Medieval Executioner Was a Family Profession – And Not By Choice

Still from 'The Tudors'

We’ve all seen medieval executioners in movies and cartoons: the oversized man carrying a large axe, masked with a hood, who brought death to the…

The Battle of Khasham Was the ‘First Deadly Clash’ Between Americans and Russians Since the Cold War

Soldiers standing around in the Syrian desert while another and a military vehicle fire their weapons

In the early years of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the US coalition forces engaged in conflict with Syrian pro-government militia and Russian private military contractors…

With the Type 93 Torpedo, the Allies Didn’t Know What Hit Them… Literally

Type 93 torpedo on display

The Type 93 torpedo was developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the interwar period and became the most advanced and superior torpedo of…

History of Malbork Castle: From the Teutonic Knights to the Second World War

Exterior of Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle has a long and rich history that makes it deserving of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 13th-century castle is…

The True Story Behind the Court-Martial Scene in ‘Band of Brothers’

David Schwimmer as Capt. Herbert Sobel in 'Band of Brothers' + Damian Lewis as Maj. Richard Winters in 'Band of Brothers'

Fact and fiction are blended seamlessly in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (2001), which can sometimes make it hard to determine what really happened and…

Why Albert Einstein Wasn’t Involved In the Manhattan Project

Nuclear explosion from the Trinity Test + Portrait of Albert Einstein

One of the brightest minds of the 20th century, you’d think Albert Einstein would have been among those to join the Manhattan Project and help…

Why Can’t the Public Visit J. Robert Oppenheimer’s Grave?

Portrait of J. Robert Oppenheimer

The release of Oppenheimer in 2023 has increased the public’s interest in the life of the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” However, one thing no…

‘The Hurt Locker’ Was a Box Office Flop, Despite Being a Critically-Acclaimed Film

Jeremy Renner as Sgt. First Class William James in 'The Hurt Locker'

Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker (2008) saw Jeremy Renner portray a character serving in the Iraq War. While the film did poorly upon its debut in…

Niš Incident: The Top-Secret Military Confrontation Between the US and the Soviet Union

Lockheed P-38 Lightnings in flight

During the Second World War, the United States teamed up with the Soviet Union to fight the German threat. That’s why, in late 1944, it…

Before Starring Alongside Andy Griffith, Don Knotts Served In the US Army Special Services

Don Knotts as Barney Fife in 'The Andy Griffith Show'

Before Don Knotts became a household name for his roles on television and film, he scored some of his first comedy gigs serving in the…

Errol Flynn’s Son Disappeared While Serving As a Photojournalist In Vietnam

Sean Flynn holding up a weapon and sitting cross-legged in a hut

In 1970, Sean Flynn, son of Vintage Hollywood legend, Errol Flynn, disappeared in Cambodia while covering the Vietnam War. At 28 years old, he’d already…

Fictional Military Leaders We’d Follow Into Battle

Still from 'Apocalypse Now' + Bruce Willis as Lt. A.K. Waters in 'Tears of the Sun' + Clint Eastwood as Gunnery Sgt. Tom "Gunny" Highway in 'Heartbreak Ridge'

When it comes to military movies, directors can get a little carried away with the heroism of leaders. This list of fictional military leaders showcases…