The History of the Circus

The History of the Circus

Podcast Transcript For generations, families all over the world have attended circuses.  Circuses were a collection of animals, acrobats, clowns, and other exotic oddities.  In an era before television and the internet, circuses were a major form of entertainment for many people.  Over time, however, circuses have changed and evolved into something very different in …

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The Origin of Words and Phrases: Food

The Origin of Words and Phrases: Food

Podcast Transcript We all eat every day. We use English words for the foods and meals we eat without even thinking about it.  But where did those words come from, and what did they originally mean? What is the difference between dinner and supper?  Were the modern distinctions we have between fruits and vegetables always …

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The Year 1500

The Year 1500

Podcast Transcript A little over 500 years ago, the world underwent massive change.  Empires were growing, religious and political institutions were changing, science was advancing, and art was undergoing a revolution.  It was the start of what many historians called the Early Modern period. A period that began the slow and painful transition to what …

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Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots

Podcast Transcript One of the most significant figures in 16th-century Britain was Mary Stuart, aka Mary, Queen of Scots.  Mary’s life was one of the most fascinating of the period. Depending on which historian you consult, she was a schemer, a traitor, a pawn, or a victim. According to some, she was all of these …

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All About Gemstones

All About Gemstones

Podcast Transcript For thousands of years, humans all around the world have coveted gemstones.  Gemstones have been used as symbols of authority by kings, queens, and emperors, have been central to religious ceremonies, and have served as adornments for the wealthy.  While you may have heard of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, what exactly are …

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The Battle of Fort Sumter

The Battle of Fort Sumter

Podcast Transcript On April 12, 1861, the United States Civil War began when Confederate forces began a bombardment of the Union held Fort Sumter at the mouth of the harbor in Charleston, South Carolina. The battle was not itself a great battle, and the number of casualties was shockingly small, but what it began totally …

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Who Are The GOATs in Every Sport?

Who Are The GOATs in Every Sport?

Podcast Transcript In any sport, there is always one debate that comes up. It comes up year after year, and it has been around for as long as sport has existed.  The debate is about who is the greatest of all time, or in common parlance, who is the GOAT? Every sport has its own …

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The Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project

Podcast Transcript During the Second World War, the United States embarked on one of the greatest science and engineering projects the world had ever seen.  Over 125,000 people took part in the program, the vast majority of which had no clue what it was for, and the total cost of the program was over a …

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The History of Data Storage

The History of Data Storage

Podcast Transcript If you have used a computer, which I’m assuming is almost everyone listening to this, you have probably had to store your data somewhere.  You might have used a USB drive, a hard drive, or if you are old enough, maybe even a floppy drive. These types of data storage are just the …

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