Podcast Transcript Early in the morning of August 21, 1986, in a valley near Lake Nyos, Cameroon, something horrible happened. 1,746 people were killed, as were over 3,500 cattle and almost every other animal that breathed air. There were no signs of violence or destruction. Everyone and everything seemed to have simply died. They were …
Podcast Transcript In September 1944, despite over half a year still remaining in World War II, the Allies began preparing for an eventual post-war world. One of the biggest questions being discussed was what to do with Germany. After two world wars with Germany in just a quarter century, no one wanted a third. One …
Podcast Transcript Every form of life which has ever been discovered, regardless of its size or how it metabolizes energy, has one thing in common. They are based on the element carbon. Carbon is the most important building block for life. It holds a unique place on the periodic table, and it can combine with …
Podcast Transcript The United States Congres is divided into two houses. The larger of the two houses, the House of Representatives, is led by a single representative known as the Speaker of the House. The duties and powers of the Speaker of the House have changed since the office was established in 1789 as they …
Podcast Transcript Sometime about 3,200 years ago, one of the most famous wars in ancient history took place. Maybe. It has been the subject of some of the greatest works of western literature, and it has given us some of the most enduring cultural references. It was also the subject of one of the greatest …
Podcast Transcript What if I told you there is a place within the borders of the United States where, theoretically, you could get away with murder scot-free? No matter what you did, a jury of your peer wouldn’t convict you because you could never convene a jury. According to at least one legal scholar, such …
When airplanes were developed in the early 20th century, the technology developed rapidly. Within a matter of a couple of decades, aviation had become a norm for transporting people and delivering mail. As flight technology kept improving, people assumed that it would keep improving to the point where everyone would own their own personal airplanes. …
Podcast Transcript Every year, people around the world ring in the New Year. How they do this, however, can differ radically from place to place. New Year’s traditions tend to be even more varied than Christmas celebrations. As with Christmas, traditions involve drinks, food, and rituals, but usually with a lot more noise and staying …
