Juan Sebastián Elcano

Juan Sebastián Elcano

Transcript When I was growing up I was taught like so many people that Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to circumnavigate the Earth. The problem with this, is that is it isn’t true. In fact, Magellan never circumnavigated the Earth at all.  Who should get credit then?  Learn more about Juan Sebastián Elcano, and …

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A History of Mother’s Day

A History of Mother's Day

Transcript Every year, on the second Sunday in May, 96 countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day. Dozens of other countries celebrate the same thing on different days throughout the year.  Mother’s Day wasn’t always a thing, however. Its creation was due to a small number of very determined people…and of course greeting card companies.  …

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The USS William D. Porter: The Unluckiest Ship in WWII

The USS William D. Porter: The Unluckiest Ship in WWII

Transcript During World War II, the United States had a fleet of over 1,200 combat ships. Each of them had a unique story and service record. With so many ships, there would be many stories of heroism, stories of tragedy, and some stories of total incompetence.  One ship, in particular, was so bad, it became …

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The History of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent

The History of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent

Transcript Historically, in the aftermath of a battle, there was nothing formal in place to take care of injured or captured combatants. There was nothing formally or informally that dictated how such people should be treated.  One man in the 19th century, having seen the horror of war, decided to do something about it. It …

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All About EGOT

All About EGOT

Transcript In the United States, there are awards given in many fields of entertainment. For Broadway productions, they have the Tony Awards. Television has the Emmy Awards. Music has the Grammy Awards, and Movies have the Oscars.  To win one award is a lifetime accomplishment for most.  However, a rare few have won one of …

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Transcript In 1173, the Italian city of Pisa was on top of the world. They were a significant commercial power in Italy, commanded a sizable Mediterranean fleet, and wanted to demonstrate their power to the world.  It had built a marvelous cathedral, and comparable baptistry and they decided to complete the complex by building a …

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Genie: The Feral Child

Genie: The Feral Child

Transcript In October 1970, a blind woman accidentally entered into a Los Angeles County welfare office with a child in tow.  The staff in the office immediately noticed the odd girl with the woman. She walked funny, was emaciated, drooling, didn’t make a sound, and when asked, the woman mentioned that the girl was 13.  …

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Queen Isabella

Queen Isabella

Transcript She was never intended to be a queen. She wasn’t the firstborn and the rules of the time didn’t support her as a woman. Yet through cunning and guile, she managed to take power.  As a queen, she was at the center of many of the most significant and notorious events in European history, …

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The Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae

Transcript In the year 480 BC, one of the most famous battles in history took place on the shore of the Malian Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Several thousand Greeks held back several hundred thousand Persians, in a battle which is still remembered 2,500 years later.  While the Greeks lost the battle, they did ultimately …

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