The Julian and Gregorian Calendars

The Julian and Gregorian Calendars

Transcript What is today’s date?  If you answer that question, most likely you are giving an answer based on a calendar that goes all the way back to one put in place by Julius Caesar.  Caesar’s calendar, aka the Julian Calendar, was pretty good, but it developed problems over time, so it was modified in …

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Atlantropa: The Most Ridiculous Idea Ever

Atlantropa: The Most Ridiculous Idea Ever

Transcript In the aftermath of the horrors of WWI, many people in Europe wanted to find a better future going forward. A future of peace and prosperity, where energy, food, and jobs would be available for everyone. One man from Germany named Herman Sörgel had a VERY ambitious idea. An idea which would literally change …

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When Did Canada Become Independent?

When Did Canada Become Independent?

Transcript In a previous episode of the podcast, I touched on how it was difficult to pin down the date in which the United States actually became independent.  In the case of the United States, it was a matter of pinning down when we wanted to define independence. Was it at the start of the …

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Neil Armstrong’s First Time in Space

Neil Armstrong’s First Time in Space

Transcript Everyone knows who Neil Armstrong is and why he is famous.  Being the first person to set foot on the moon has placed him in a unique position in world history, and he is a name that people will probably remember for thousands of years. But Apollo 11 was not his first spaceflight.  His …

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The Biggest Blowouts of All Time

The Biggest Blowouts of All Time

Transcript In the world of sports, most people enjoy very close fought, exciting games that go down to the wire. If you were to take a poll on what the best games or matches in history were in any given sport, it would probably involve a close score with a last-second victory to put one …

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The British Line of Succession

The British Line of Succession

Transcript The British Crown is unquestionably the best-known monarchy in the world. As with all monarchies, there is a strict line of succession featuring many names you’ve probably heard of: Prince Charles, Prince William, and little Prince George.  However, the rules regarding succession are more elaborate than most people realize, and the number of people …

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The Six Star General

The Six Star General

Transcript If you look at the list of officer ranks in the United States armed forces, there are 10 ranks listed which are held today They go from Second Lieutenant all the way up to the rank of General, which is the four-star variant of the rank.  There is a rank above general, a five-star …

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The 1960 Popular Vote

The 1960 Popular Vote

Transcript There have been 5 acknowledged presidential elections in US history where the winner of the popular vote did not win in the electoral college.  However, there is a very good argument to be made that there is a sixth election that should be added to that list.  The conventional wisdom holds that John F. …

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Jesse Owens vs Usain Bolt: Who Would Win

Jesse Owens vs Usain Bolt: Who Would Win

Transcript Jessie Ownes was the world record holder in the men’s 100m dash and won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics. He is famous for winning 4 gold medals in one Olympics and foiling Hitler’s plans for the Berlin games. His 100m world record stood longer than anyone else’s in the event.  Usain Bolt …

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