The History of the Taj Mahal

The History of the Taj Mahal

Podcast Transcript Located in the city of Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh sits the most iconic building in India, the Taj Mahal. In many ways, the Taj Mahal has become a symbol of India. You will find its image and name on Indian-owned restaurants and businesses around the world.  But how did this …

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The History of Canada Day

The History of Canada Day

Podcast Transcript Every July 1, the people of Canada celebrate their national holiday of Canada Day.  The day dates back over 150 years, and despite what many people think, the day isn’t exactly Canadian Independence Day. Also, for most of the time the day has been celebrated, it wasn’t even called Canada Day, which can …

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The Origin of Words and Phrases: Shakespeare

The Origin of Words and Phrases: Shakespeare

Podcast Transcript Of all the billions of people who have spoken English, one person has probably impacted the language more than any other.  The person who is considered the greatest playwright in the language is also responsible for adding more words and phrases than anyone else. His impact on the language is due not only …

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Why Tau Should Replace Pi

Why Tau Should Replace Pi

Podcast Transcript For the last 250 years, there has been a problem in the world of mathematics.  There is a good argument to be made that we have been doing it wrong.  We have been teaching it in a way that has been unnecessarily confusing and complicated, and we have been causing generations of students …

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Operation Fork and Iceland in WWII

Operation Fork and Iceland in WWII

Podcast Transcript Most people probably don’t think of Iceland when they think of the Second World War.  They wouldn’t be wrong for doing so because Iceland wasn’t a belligerent country.  However, that doesn’t mean Iceland didn’t have a role to play. The location of the island gave it strategic importance that made it important to …

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The Toba Eruption

The Toba Catastrophe

Podcast Transcript 74,000 years ago, the Earth suffered the greatest natural disaster that it has seen in the last several million years.  A supervolcano erupted in what is today the country of Indonesia.  In addition to completely changing the Earth’s climate for years, it may have pushed a species known as Homo Sapiens to the …

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The Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider

Podcast Transcript Straddling the border of Switzerland and France is the largest scientific instrument ever created.  It sits in a tunnel 27 kilometers or 17 miles long, at points, it rests 174 meters or 574 feet below the surface, and it cost a whopping €7.5 billion. It consists of thousands of powerful magnets, one of …

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The Persian Empire(s)

The Persian Empire(s)

Podcast Transcript Located roughly in the territory of the modern-day nation of Iran is the ancient land known as Persia.  Persia sat at the strategic crossroad between South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and Asia Minor. It was not only influenced by all of the great civilizations around it, but it …

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The Anarchy of 12th Century England

The Anarchy of 12th Century England

Podcast Transcript In the mid-12th century, England was in chaos.  The king of England, Henry I, died without an heir. The country was divided between forces loyal to his daughter, Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen.  For almost two decades, armed conflicts resulted in a breakdown of law and order and central authority. Learn more about …

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