The History of Madrid

The History of Madrid

Podcast Transcript Every major city in the world has its own unique story. Some cities have an ancient history, and others have a more recent founding. Madrid, the capital city of Spain, has a history that is unlike any other.  It went from nothing to being the capital of the world’s largest empire and today …

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The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Podcast Transcript On the evening of April 14, 1865, the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was shot while attending a play in Washington DC. The assassination wasn’t a random act. It had been planned, multiple people were involved in the conspiracy, and the scope of the plot was much larger than just …

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The History of Encyclopedias

The History of Encyclopedias

Podcast Transcript Ever since humans began writing down information, there has been a desire to compile all known knowledge into one single source.  For over two thousand years, people have been trying to amass all the knowledge of their era and civilization.  Some of these attempts were little more than lists, and others were mind-bogglingly …

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Potpourri: Incredible Coincidences

Potpourri: Incredible Coincidences

Podcast Transcript The dictionary defines a coincidence as “A sequence of events that, although accidental, seems to have been planned or arranged.” We have probably all experienced coincidences of some type or another. However, there are coincidences, and then there are coincidences. There are cases that are so mind-bogglingly improbable that it would seem that …

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All About Copper

All About Copper

Podcast Transcript When humans first learned how to work with metal, the very first metal they used was copper.  Copper was easy to shape, easy to find, and relatively abundant.  Since those early humans began using copper, usage of the metal hasn’t diminished. It’s just that its modern usage is for purposes that the ancient …

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Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great

Podcast Transcript In the year 356 BC, a son was born to the King of Macedon, Philip II, and his wife, Queen Olympias. While no one could have known it at the time, that boy would grow up to fundamentally change the map of the ancient world. Multiple ancient kingdoms and empires would fall to …

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Cracking the Enigma Code

Cracking the Enigma Code

Podcast Transcript During the Second World War, the Germans used what they thought to be an uncrackable encryption system.  It was a really good encryption system, and for the longest time, the Allies had a difficult time cracking the code.  However, thanks to brilliant code breakers, a powerful computing machine, and German mistakes, the Allies …

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The Quasi-War

The Quasi-War

Podcast Transcript In the big scheme of things, the United States is a rather young country. Yet, during its history, it has managed to declare war on a shockingly large number of European countries, including Britain, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.  Yet, through all the turmoil, there is one country the US …

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The History of Hanukkah

The History of Hanukkah

Podcast Transcript Sometime every December, members of the Jewish faith celebrate the festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is one of the best-known Jewish holidays and is associated with various popular symbols and objects. However, most people don’t know the story behind why the holiday exists or the background beyond the many items associated with it.  Learn …

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