The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War

Podcast Transcript After several years of rising tensions, on May 13, 1846, the United States Congress declared war on the nation of Mexico.  The war lasted only two years, and the conduct of the war was decidedly one-sided.  The conclusion of the war resulted in changes to both countries, which can be seen on the …

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The Domestication of Sheep

The Domestication of Sheep

Podcast Transcript Sometime around 9,000 to 11,000 years ago, somewhere in the Middle East or Central Asia, someone figured out how they could keep wild sheep and breed them.  This simple act had enormous consequences for humanity. It improved food production, revolutionized the production of clothing, and even influenced the development of writing.  Fast forward …

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Andalusia

All About Andulasia

Podcast Transcript Located at the southern end of the Iberian peninsula is the largest autonomous community in Spain by population and the second largest by area: Andalusia.  Andalusia is different from the other regions of Spain for a host of reasons. It has a unique history, a unique geography, and a unique culture.  Moreover, many …

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The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument

Podcast Transcript Almost immediately after the death of George Washington in 1799, the United States began to think of ways to commemorate and honor the father of the country.  The process of creating a monument took decades. There were multiple aborted designs and one idea that was built but never fully implemented.  What ended up …

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King Leopold and the Congo Free State

King Leopold and the Congo Free State

Podcast transcript In the late 19th century, during the scramble for Africa, King Leopold II of Belgium seized a large landmass in Central Africa.  By doing this, he created the Congo Free State, but this name was a misnomer as it was anything but free.  King Leopold’s rule over the Congo Free State was defined …

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The Kingdom of Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan

Podcast Transcript Bhutan is a small country nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. Best known for its stunning location and its practice of Tibetan Buddhism, Bhutan was one of the most isolated and undeveloped countries in the world.  However, over the last 30 years, it has experienced rapid development and has taken steps to …

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Top Level Domains

Top Level Domains

Podcast Transcript Every day, everyone who uses the internet uses the Domain Name System. The key to the domain name system lies in the highest level of the system, the top-level domains. These are the domains such as .com, .org, and .net. While you are probably very familiar with a few of these, there are …

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The Six Cradles of Civilization

The Six Cradles of Civilization

Podcast Transcript The rise of civilization is one of the most remarkable and important events in human history.  However, it didn’t happen one time in one place. It occurred multiple times in multiple locations.   Historians and archaeologists have identified six distinct civilizations that developed independently of one another, all of which have, in one way …

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The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase

Podcast Transport In 1803, one of the most important real estate transactions in world history occurred.  France, under Napoleon Bonepart, sold approximately 530 million acres of territory in the middle of North America to the newly founded United States. The reasons for France’s selling and the United States’ buying were varied, and they attracted considerable …

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