Al Andalus: Moorish Spain

Al Andalus: Moorish Spain

Transcript If you think of Spain, you probably think of a predominantly catholic country with major cathedrals and churches in every village. However, most of the Iberian peninsula for almost 800 years was under Muslim control. The legacy of the Moorish occupation can still be seen in the names of places and some of Spain’s …

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The United State’s Name

The United State's Name

Transcript In 1776, 13 British colonies in North America declared their independence.  If you got a brand new country with that new country smell, what’s the first thing you need to do? Well, you need to come up with a name for the country.  Believe it or not, The United States of America wasn’t everyone’s …

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Why Does Vatican City Exist?

Why Does Vatican City Exist?

Transcript Located in the middle of Rome, the capital of Italy, is what many people consider to be the smallest country in the world: Vatican City.  However, Vatican City isn’t like other countries.  At all.  It is different in almost every respect to any other country, so much so, that it is reasonable to ask …

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Charles Cunningham Boycott

Charles Cunningham Boycott

Transcript Charles Cunningham Boycott was not a well-liked person amongst his neighbors in Ireland. No one would talk to him, no one would sell to him, and no one would work for him. He was so disliked that his very name became synonymous with refusing to do business with someone.  Learn more about Charles Cunningham …

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The Languages of Spain

The Languages of Spain

Transcript Most people think that languages and countries usually coincide. Germans speak German, the French speak French, and the Spanish speak Spanish. While this is largely true, it isn’t totally true. There are a host of small, regional languages which are only spoken by a few people. These languages are often ignored because they aren’t …

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Elizabeth Swaney and the Power of Just Showing Up

Elizabeth Swaney and the Power of Just Showing Up

Transcript Elizabeth Swaney was born in 1984 in Oakland, California. She attended the University of California Berkley where her only athletic accomplishment consisted of serving as the coxswain of the men’s rowing team.  Elizabeth, however, desperately wanted to be an olympian. The only thing standing in her way was a complete lack of athletic ability.  …

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Who Was the 5th Beatle?

Who Was the 5th Beatle?

Transcript In 1964, New York City disc jockey “Murry the K” humorously dubbed himself the fifth Beatle due to his early promotion of the Beatles on his radio program. Since then, almost two dozen other people have been dubbed the 5th Beatle due to their contributions to the band.  Some people dubbed the 5th Beatle …

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Sobrino de Botín

Sobrino de Botín

Transcript Running a restaurant is a very difficult business. Most restaurants barely make a profit, and it isn’t unheard of for a series of restaurants to shuffle through the same building as one goes out of business after the other. Longevity in the restaurant game is very difficult. Even if you manage to make your …

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The Tallest Structures Throughout History

The Tallest Structures Throughout History

Transcript Standing next to an extremely tall structure can be an exhilarating experience. Something which was no less exhilarating to early humans. Ever since humans created the first pile of rocks, we have been trying to build ever-larger piles of rocks. These piles of rocks eventually evolved into structures hundreds of meters tall.  Learn more …

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