Podcast Transcript From the years 59 to 53 BC, three high-ranking Romans conspired to control the Roman political system for their own benefit. They called this system a triumvirate. A decade later, Rome found itself under the control of three more men and yet another triumvirate. This one was very different than than the first. …
Podcast Transcript Before 1976, the California wine industry wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Most Americans didn’t even know that wine was produced in California. Everyone in the knew, without any doubt, that the greatest wines in the world were all produced in France. In particular, from regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy. However, in just one …
Podcast Transcript Several thousand years ago, astronomers in the Middle East studying the night sky divided it into 12 equal regions. Each region was given a name, was associated with an animal and a constellation. These divisions became the basis for the nascent disciplines of astronomy and astrology. Today, the system created by those ancient …
Podcast Transcript Since humans began to adopt writing systems, they also created systems for passing along written messages. For thousands of years, it would have been possible to get messages to distant parts of whatever empire or kingdom you happened to live in, provided you found the right courier and had enough money. Today, the …
Podcast Transcript King Arthur is one of the most popular and widely known characters in literary history around the world. Tales have been told about him for almost a 1,000 years. However, many people have wondered if King Arthur was a real person or if he at least was based on a real person or …
Podcast Transcript On December 14, 1972, the last human beings left the moon’s surface. In the half-century that has passed, we have never returned. After many setbacks and delays, NASA is again ready to return to the moon. This time, the goal is much more ambitious and long-term than the Apollo program ever was. Learn …
Podcast Transcript Located in the heart of the African continent is one of the world’s largest rivers: the Congo. The Congo basin covers much of Central Africa, winds through some of the world’s largest rainforests, and carries more water than any other river, save for the Amazon. It also has the distinction of being the …
Podcast Transcript Sandwiched between the nations of Germany, Belgium, and France is one of the smallest countries in the world. Given its location, it is a blend of cultures and languages. Likewise, its history has been defined by its neighbors. Yet despite being surrounded by other countries for a thousand years, it has managed to …
Podcast Transcript The quest to conquer space had many problems and many unknowns that had to be overcome. Simple, basic things on Earth can be quite difficult in the zero gravity conditions of outer space. In 1965, two American astronauts found this out and learned the hard way why they have special foods for use …