The History of Presidential Debates

The History of Presidential Debates

Transcript Every four years, citizens of the United States sit down for one or more nights to watch something which is called the Presidential Debates.  The debates have become a centerpiece of US Presidential elections, but it wasn’t always that way.  Learn more about the history of presidential debates, or the lack thereof, on this …

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Pyrrhic Victory

Pyrrhic Victory

Transcript In a previous episode, I talked about how you can win by not losing. That is called the Fabian Strategy named after Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus. However, the opposite is true as well. You can lose by winning. Here too, ancient history has examples for us, this time in the case of King …

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The Election of 1876

The Election of 1876

Transcript If you think the current American political climate is contentious, then you need to take a step back and take a close look at American history.  The most controversial, divisive, and probably corrupt election in US history was the election of 1876. It’s an event that has been largely forgotten by most Americans today.  …

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The Purchase of Alaska

The Purchase of Alaska

Transcript In 1867, United States Secretary of State William Seward signed a treaty with the Empire of Russia to purchase the territory of what would be called Alaska. The United States purchased it for 2 cents an acre.  At the time it was called one of the worst deals in American History. Today, it is …

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This Week in Travel – Episode 268

This Week in Travel - Episode 268

This Week’s News The parts of America cut off by the pandemic More Destinations Start Offering Free Medical Coverage to Attract Travelers: Will It Bring Them Back? Travellers With Ebola “Moon Suits” Remains 2020’s Most Bizarre Airport Trend The bizarre change we could see to Heathrow and Gatwick planes to stop coronavirus Tourist returns stolen …

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Operation Mincemeat

Operation Mincemeat

Transcript On April 30, 1943, a Spanish fisherman came across the floating body of Major William Martin of the Royal Marines. Handcuffed to the corpse was a satchel with top-secret plans for the Allied invasions of Greece and Sardinia.  With the information gathered from this intelligence, the Germans moved their troops into position to counter …

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The Curious Case of Kaspar Hauser

The Curious Case of Kaspar Hauser

Transcript On May 28, 1828, a 16-year-old boy mysteriously appeared in Nuremberg, Bavaria. He had a letter in his hand and could only speak a few words. No one knew where he came from, who his parents were, or why he was there. Five years later, just as mysteriously as he appeared, he was found …

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The History of Ketchup

The History of Ketchup

Transcript It the one of the world’s most commonly used condiments. Even though it is most often associated with the United States, it has a pedigree that is extremely ancient and global.  I am of course talking about ketchup.  Learn more about this common condiment, and its extremely ancient and interesting history, on this episode …

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Number One at Being Number Two: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa

Number One at Being Number Two: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa

Transcript History remembers the rulers and the leaders. We know of Napoleon, Caesar, Elizabeth, Ghengis Khan, and Captain Picard. However, for every one of the people I just listed, their success was due in large part to the people who worked underneath them. The ones who carried out their orders and made sure things got …

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