The United Countries of America

The United Countries of America

Transcript Each of the 50 states in the United States has a unique history. 13 of them were originally British Colonies. Some of them were former Spanish or French territory. Most of them were officially US territories before they became states. A few however, were actually independent countries before they joined the Union…..or at least …

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Lis Hartel: A Remarkable Olympian

Lis Hartel: A Remarkable Olympian

Transcript Lis Hartel was a Danish equestrian competitor in the 1940s and 1950s. She competed in the 1952 Olympics and the 1956 Olympics and she won medals at both. However, her Olympic medals are just the starting point of her fascinating and inspirational story. Learn more about Lis Hartel and her remarkable accomplishments on this …

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European vs North American Sports

European vs North American Sports

Transcript North America and Europe have much which separates them culturally as well as geographically. One of the biggest differences is in the area of sports. Not just which sports we play, but in how sports are organized. Many people on either side of the Atlantic have no clue how sports are organized on the …

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Cursus Honorum

Cursus Honorum

Transcript In the Roman Republic, men of senatorial rank could compete for political offices which were placed in a set order and had to be earned sequentially.   This hierarchy was known as the Cursus Honorum.  The Cursus Honorum was the basis of political and social life in ancient Rome, and the fortunes of entire families …

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Why Doesn’t the US Use The Metric System?

Why Doesn't the US Use Metric System?

Transcript Of the 193 countries in the United Nations, exactly three haven’t adopted the widespread use of the metric system: Myanmar, Liberia, and the United States of America. Of those three, the US is the country that really stands out. It has the biggest economy in the world, does an incredible amount of international trade, …

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Happy Birthday To You: The Most Famous Song in the World

Happy Birthday To You: The Most Famous Song in the World

Transcript If there is one song almost everyone knows it is Happy Birthday to You (yes, that is the actual title of the song, even though everyone just calls it Happy Birthday). Not only has the song been sung at countless children’s birthday parties, but it has also been mentioned in Supreme Court decisions and …

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Potpourri Volume II: The Frozen Four

Potpourri Volume II: The Frozen Four

Transcript Once again it is time to investigate the stories which are interesting, but not big enough to justify their own show. It is time for another potpourri episode.  This time the common theme is cold, ice, and frozen temperatures. These stories may seem unbelievable but are true. As true as the Stark Family motto …

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Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Transcript In 2002 the BBC did a poll where they named the top 100 Britons in history. It had many people you have probably heard of, including Isaac Newton, Princess Diana, John Lenon, and Queen Victoria. The person who was ranked #2, however, is someone that many people outside of the UK might not have …

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The Secret of Greek Fire

The Secret of Greek Fire

Transcript There are many things which have been called ancient mysteries. These are products or techniques which were used in the past which have since been forgotten or lost. Most of these things have been rediscovered, and usually in a way that was better than what originally came before it. There is one thing which …

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