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- [00:00]
Lindsey Graham
There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts@intohristory.com it's spring of 1932 at a warehouse in Detroit, Michigan. 19 year old worker James Riddle Hoffa, better known as Jimmy, carries a heavy crate of strawberries from a truck to a refrigerated car. He sets the crate down and then wipes sweat from his brow. His back aches, his hands are calloused, and he wears a permanent scowl on his face as if he's ready to fight at any moment. Today he is. When Jimmy walks back to the truck where the strawberries are being unloaded, he gives a signal and at once all of the workers set their crates down, no matter where they are. With hundreds of pounds of strawberries now sitting on the ground, the clock is ticking. If they aren't put in the refrigerated truck soon, they'll spoil, costing these workers bosses plenty of money and giving the employees the leverage they need to renegotiate their contracts. When he hears that work has stopped, the night manager bursts in to see what's happening. He orders the men to get back to work, but they don't budge. The only one who moves is Jimmy, who walks right up to the manager and hands him a list of grievances demanding better pay and better working conditions. The manager scowls, but he knows he's in trouble if the workers don't finish unloading those strawberries, so he promises to set up a meeting with management the very next day. The workers cheer and whistle. Their show of collective strength seems to have paid off, and over the next few days, Jimmy and his fellow organizers negotiate a new contract, which includes a raise. This is Jimmy Hoffa's first big victory as a labor organizer, but it won't be his last. In the wake of the Great Depression, unions will be on the rise in America, and by the 50s, they will hit their peak. And at the head of the labor movement will be Jimmy Hoffa. After working as a warehouseman in Detroit, Jimmy will become a full fledged labor leader, rising through the ranks of a union of truck drivers and warehousemen known as the Teamsters. With Jimmy's help, this organization will attract over a million members, becoming the largest union in America and turning Jimmy into one of the most influential men in the country. But Jimmy's ascendance will come at A cost as he becomes tied to organized crime. The shady relationships Jimmy built to get to the top will precipitate his downfall, eventually leading to his disappearance and which will be officially reported on July 31, 1975.
- [02:57]
Justin Jefferson
Hear that? That's the sound of Cinnamon Toast Crunch telling us it's crunch time as we gear up for another year of cereal training camp. Last year, a dynamic brother duo competed and won the right to make their very own cereal. And they named it the Kelce Mix. This summer, the energy is being brought straight from the end zone to the breakfast aisle with three cereal loving wide receivers, Justin Jefferson, Amon Ra St Brown and Ja' Marr Chase. You can find these football stars on limited edition cereal boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios and Reese's Puff Cereal starting in August. And don't miss out on Justin Jefferson's Jetta's mix, a fruity fusion of Frosted Lemon Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Strawberry. For a limited time only. Be sure to score them all where every bite tastes like a touchdown.
- [03:52]
Travis Kelce
Travis fell in love with the perfect woman. Beautiful understanding available 24 7. There was just one catch. She wasn't human. Binge all episodes of Flesh and Code early and ad free right now on Wonder Plus.
- [04:13]
Lindsey Graham
From Noser in Airship, I'm Lindsey Graham and this is history. Daily history is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is July 31, 1975. The disappearance of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. It's March 4, 1964 at a courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee, more than three decades after labor leader Jimmy Hoffa's first organizing victory. The courtroom is packed with reporters and plenty of supporters here, here to rally behind Jimmy and his co defendants. The 51 year old head of the Teamsters union waits in his seat nonchalantly. It's hard to tell he's a man facing serious jail time for jury tampering. But Jimmy didn't get to where he is by being squeamish. From the early years of his Teamsters work, Jimmy has been involved with organized crime, developing relationships with mob bosses to help the union grow and prosper. These alliances have proved fruitful. Lobsters, once hired by businesses to forcefully break up strikes, started leaving the Teamsters picket lines alone and even helped the union trump its competitors, giving them muscle, financial support and business connections. In return, Jimmy used his growing power to help enrich his friends and the mob, allowing them the use of the union's pension fund as their personal bank and believing it better for workers and for himself to keep them as friends rather than enemies. Jimmy's calculations paid off. Steadily, the Teamsters became the country's largest labor union. Meanwhile, Jimmy rose to the role of Teamsters vice president and then, in 1957, its president. But his cozy relationship with the mob and criminal tactics have cast a long shadow over his efforts, bringing him many legal battles. Today, Jimmy finds himself at the courthouse yet again, waiting on the decision of a jury who will decide whether he's guilty of bribing another juror during a previous trial or one in which he was accused of accepting illegal payments from an employer. As the jury enters the courtroom, Jimmy turns around and flashes a grin at his son and daughter behind him. The prosecution may have laid out a damning array of evidence, but as usual, Jimmy is brimming with confidence. This is his fifth criminal trial in seven years, and each time he's found a way to sell himself as a champion of the working man under attack and has escaped jail. And it looks like today is no different. When the jurors deliver a not guilty verdict for Jimmy's co defendants, his body relaxes. Once he's done with this trial, he can get back to Washington D.C. and fighting for the union. He leans forward onto the table where he's sitting restlessly, waiting to hear the words not guilty again. He stares at the back of the jurors who are facing the judge. His eyes drill into them as if willing them to make him a free man. But when the judge asks the jury to deliver their decision for Jimmy, they announce a guilty verdict. Jimmy is in shock. His shoulders slump for a second, but he quickly catches himself, refusing to show any sign of weakness. Outside the courthouse, Jimmy remains defiant, surrounded by reporters clamoring for his reaction. He doesn't show the slightest amount of remorse or doubt as he calls the whole trial a railroad job and a farce of American justice. A week later, the judge sentences Jimmy to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Jimmy remains determined to fight the decision. He and his lawyers appeal the decision, but in July, Jimmy is convicted in a separate case. This time, he's found guilty of misusing union pension fund money for personal gain. For this, he's sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy and mail fraud. Jimmy also appeals these convictions and takes them all the way to the Supreme Court. But he ultimately loses the battle. In March 1967, Jimmy begins serving his 13 year sentence at a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania. Inside prison, Jimmy tries to maintain control of the teamsters he's been forced to give up his title, but Jimmy hopes he can count on his longtime friend, Frank Fitzsimmons, who is now the Teamsters acting president. He and Frank have a long history, dating back to their early organizing days in Detroit in the 40s. Jimmy feels confident he can keep running the union in prison through Frank. But Frank has his own plans. Before long, the two men fall out as Frank fails to be the obedient ally that Jimmy hoped for. With his grip on the Teamster slipping, Jimmy knows that if he wants to regain his dominance, he has to get out of prison. So he uses his powerful connections and infamous bargaining skills to try to win his freedom. Though he may be losing allies to Frank, Jimmy still has plenty of friends at high places. And in 1971, President Richard Nixon commutes Jimmy's sentence. Jimmy is thrilled to leave prison before his 13 year stint is even halfway over. But his commutation comes at a price. Under the terms of his deal with the government, Jimmy cannot assume any union leadership for almost a decade. Desperate to get out of jail, Jimmy will agree. But as soon as he's free, he will begin plotting to retake the Teamsters. To succeed, he will have to take on the US Government and his own former allies. It's a dangerous and improbable effort, but Jimmy will stop at nothing to reclaim his union.
- [09:50]
Nick
Hey, Jack, I got some trivia for you. You ready?
- [09:52]
Jack
Nice.
- [09:52]
Nick
Which company's iconic fleece jacket was inspired by a toilet seat cover? Gotta be Patagonia. What's next? Okay, which sneaker was banned by the NBA but then became the most iconic basketball in history? Air Jordans. Come on, give me something hard. All right. What energy drink used to plant empty cans in nightclubs to fake its own popularity? That was Red Bull. Legendary move by a legendary brand. Instant classic. This is Nick and this is Jack. We're best friends, ex finance guys and resident 90s cultural experts. And every week on our podcast, the best idea yet, we explore the untold origin stories behind the products you're obsessed with. And the boulder is taken. Who made them go viral? From the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the iPhone to the most powerful force in business, Costco's Kirkland brand. Follow the best idea yet on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad free right now by joining Wondery. And if this podcast lasts longer than 45 minutes, call your doctor.
- [10:50]
Chico Felitti
How hard is it to kill a planet? Maybe all it takes is a little drilling, some mining, and a whole lot of carbon pumped into the atmosphere. When you see what's left, it starts to look like a crime scene.
- [11:02]
Lindsey Graham
Are we really safe?
- [11:03]
Josephine Hoffa
Is our water safe?
- [11:05]
Lindsey Graham
You destroyed our tap.
- [11:06]
Chico Felitti
And crimes like that, they don't just happen.
- [11:09]
Justin Jefferson
We call things accidents.
- [11:10]
Lindsey Graham
There is no accident. This was 100% preventable.
- [11:15]
Chico Felitti
They're the result of choices by people. Ruthless oil tycoons, corrupt politicians, even organized crime. These are the streets stories we need to be telling about our changing planet. Stories of scams, murders and cover ups that are about us and the things we're doing to either protect the earth or destroy it. Follow Lawless Planet on the Wondry app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes of Lawless Planet early and ad free right now by joining Wondry plus in the Wondry app, Apple Podcasts or spot.
- [11:58]
Lindsey Graham
It'S spring 1975 at Jimmy Hoffa's home in Michigan, almost four years after the labor leader was released from prison. The former Teamsters boss sits back in his chair, relaxed and confident as ever as he talks with the reporter. Ever since his release, Jimmy has been fighting to reclaim the Teamster's presidency from Frank Fitzsimmons. The conditions of his release bar him from any Union leadership until 1980, but Jimmy is appealing that agreement in court, and in the meantime he's been working to take control of his old local union, Detroit299. Jimmy plans to use it as a stepping stone to a nomination for the Teamsters presidency, but Jimmy knows Frank and his old allies don't want to see him in charge again. This is especially true for Jimmy's old friends in the Mafia, who have gotten even richer under Frank's leadership. But Jimmy isn't willing to give up. It's just the latest battle in a lifetime of brawling for power and control, and Jimmy is determined to win. But to do so, he knows he'll have to keep up his formidable reputation and stay in the spotlight as much as possible. That's why he's speaking today with a reporter working on a story for Playboy magazine. Jimmy is famous for stonewalling some of the toughest prosecutors, but today he's ready to open up. As the interviewer asks him about his relationship with Frank Fitzsimmons, Jimmy leans forward, his blood rising and voice raising as he talks about his old friend. Frank was once one of Jimmy's most trusted comrades, but today he despises the man. He tells the journalist that Frank is a gutless double crosser and claims that he's destroying the Teamsters union Then Jimmy pauses for a moment. He looks the reporter steadily in the eye and straightens his back, putting on a show of strength. Jimmy admits that, sure, there are a lot of forces against him, but he will not be intimidated by anyone. He fully plans to be president of the Teamsters once again. And when he is, there will be consequences for anyone who got in his way. The reporter, Jimmy says, should tell the rats to get off the ship because I'm coming back. As Jimmy wraps up his interview, he feels light. He's always been a fighter. In some ways, he feels most comfortable when he's backed into a corner. And he's sure it's only a matter of time before he's back at the top and wants everyone to know his comeback is inevitable. That's why Playboy's not the only media outlet Jimmy's been talking to. It's just the latest in a series of interviews. And each time he's made the same points. Attacking Frank's leadership and deeming him both inept and corrupt, and promising that when he's president again, Jimmy will reveal the forces of criminality that have consumed the Teamsters. It's this threat that quickly catches the attention of his old allies in the Mafia. They were already fighting to keep Jimmy out of power, but his promise to blow the lid on their dealings with the Teamsters brings a new gravity to their situation. For weeks, Jimmy's old friends in the mob cajole him to stand down. When he resigned as Teamsters president, Jimmy got a $1.75 million payment from the Teamsters. Now they ask him what else he could possibly need. But Jimmy isn't just after money. He sees some big fights on the horizon for the Teamsters, and he believes he's the best man to lead them. While Frank may be well liked, Frank just doesn't have Jimmy's skill or experience. Jimmy's won some of the Teamsters biggest contract fights and he doesn't think Frank can handle what's coming. But eventually, Jimmy does agree to a sit down with two members of the Mafia. A meeting is scheduled for Jimmy Anthony Tony Jack Giacalone of the Detroit Mobile and Anthony Tony Pro Provenzano, Teamsters leader and New Jersey mobster. On July 30, 1975, Jimmy drives to the Red Fox restaurant in a Detroit suburb to meet with Tony Jack and Tony Pro. But when he gets there, the mob bosses are nowhere to be found. He sits waiting, but Tony Jack and Tony Pro never arrive. Believing he's been stood up, he calls his wife from the restaurant. To see if there are any messages for him him at home, but she tells him no. So Jimmy informs her that he plans to wait a little longer, but not too long, and assures her that he'll be home in time to grill steaks for dinner. But Jimmy will never make it home. In fact, he will never be seen or heard from again. His case will confound authorities who hit many a dead end in their search for the uni boss who will seem to have disappeared without a trace.
- [16:24]
Jack
Everyone has that friend who seems kind of perfect for Patty. That friend was Desiree. Until one day I texted her and.
- [16:33]
Josephine Hoffa
She was not getting the text. So I went to Instagram. She has no Instagram anymore. And Facebook. No Facebook anymore.
- [16:40]
Jack
Desiree was gone and there was one person who knew the answer.
- [16:45]
Lindsey Graham
I am a spiritual person, magical person.
- [16:49]
Jack
Which a gorgeous Brazilian influencer called Cat Torres, but who was hiding a secret from Wondery. Based on my smash hit podcast from Brazil comes a new series, Don't Cross Cat, about a search that led me to a mystery in a Texas suburb.
- [17:07]
Lindsey Graham
I'm calling to check on the two missing Brazilian girls, maybe get some undercover crew there. The family are freaking out.
- [17:14]
Jack
They are lost. I'm Chico Felitti. You can listen to Don't Cross Cat on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [17:24]
Unknown
Before the Internet ruled our lives, AOL brought America Online with email and Instant messenger. By 2000, AOL was so powerful it bought media giant Time Warner. This was a deal that was supposed to bring us into the future, revolutionize media. But instead, it became one of the messiest corporate disasters in history. So what went wrong? The dot com crash? Culture clashes? Or something deeper? Business wars gives you a front row seat to the biggest moments in business and how they shape our world. Because when your flight perks disappear, your favorite restaurant chain goes bankrupt, or new tech threatens to reshape everything overnight, you can bet there's a deeper story behind the headlines. Make sure to follow Business wars on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. And you can binge all episodes of Business the AOL Time Warner Disaster, early and ad free right now on Wondery.
- [18:31]
Lindsey Graham
It's the morning of July 31, 1975, at Jimmy Hoffa's home in Lake Orion, Michigan. Josephine Hoffa, Jimmy's wife, paces nervously in the kitchen. She barely slept last night, staying up all night waiting for the phone to ring or to hear a key turn in the front door. The last time Josephine spoke with her husband was yesterday afternoon. He was supposed to meet with two colleagues. But he called her, complaining they may have stood him up. And that was the last she heard from him. It's not like her husband to go this long without contact. As the minutes tick by with still no sign of Jimmy, she begins to fear the worst. But as Josephine hears a car pull up, she fills with hope. She runs to the front door, but it's not her husband waiting outside. It's her son, Jimmy Jr. When Jimmy didn't show up last night, she called her son in a panic when he heard the news. Jimmy Jr. Caught the first flight home to be with his mother. Now Josephine throws her arms around her son and thanks him for coming. With her son's support, Josephine calls the authorities and lets them know that Jimmy Hoffa is missing. The police search the area and find Jimmy's car in the parking lot at the Red Fox restaurant. But there's no sign of Jimmy, nor any indication of a struggle. As the police grow stumped, Jimmy Jr. Makes calls to every one of his father's associates. But nobody seems to know where Jimmy could be. As the hours drag on, Jimmy Jr. And Josephine's hopes dim. The search for Jimmy Hoffa will stretch on for decades. Several theories will emerge about what happened, and multiple people will even claim credit for the union boss murder. But despite decades of investigations by law enforcement agencies, no conclusive evidence will be found. What is certain is that Jimmy angered many formidable people in his lifetime, many of whom knew how to make a body disappear. For years, authorities have looked for Jimmy's body in fields, construction sites and landfills across the country. But despite one of the biggest searches in US History, no one has been able to find any trace of Jimmy Hoffa ever since he was reported missing on July 31, 1975. Next on History Daily August 1, 1981. A new era in pop music begins when MTV begins broadcasting with the music video for Video Killed the Radio star from Noiser and Airship. This is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shahzeeb Sound design by Molly Bach Music by Lindsey Graham this episode is written and researched by Ruben Abrams Brosby. Executive producers are Alexandra Curry Buckner for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.