Ignaz Semmelweis and the Simple Idea that Saved Millions of Lives

Ignaz Semmelweis and the Simple Idea that Saved Millions of Lives

Podcast Transcript In the mid-19th century, a Hungarian physician advocated for an incredibly simple technique that would go on to save millions of lives.  However, when he first proposed it, his idea wasn’t just ignored, it was vehemently rejected by the very people who could have used it to save lives. Not only was the …

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The Korean Axe Murder Incident

The Korean Axe Murder Incident

Podcast Transcript Ever since the cease-fire which ended the Korean war, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea has been a tense stand-off. Standing only a few meters from each other, soldiers from North Korea stand on one side with soldiers from South Korea and the United States on the other.  On August 18, …

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The Sibylline Books

The Sibylline Books

Podcast Transcript What do you do when you are facing a crisis? Perhaps you might consult a friend, or maybe some sort of expert? Well, the ancient Romans had a go-to source for advice whenever they a major problem.  And the advice they got was……different.  Learn more about The Sibylline Books, and how they gave …

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Apollo–Soyuz: The End of the Space Race

Apollo–Soyuz: The End of the Space Race

Transcript The space race officially began on October 4, 1957, at 7:28 PM Moscow Time. That was when Sputnik was launched into orbit as the first artificial satellite, and from that moment, it was on. But when did the space race end? That is a much trickier question and there is no formal answer.  However, …

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The Immortal Henrietta Lacks

The Immortal Henrietta Lacks

Transcript Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five who died of cervical cancer in 1951 at the age of 31.  Before she passed, a tissue sample of her cancer cells was taken. Those cells have been the basis for decades of cancer and biological research, and have also been at the center of one of …

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The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Podcast Transcript On March 25, 1911, one of the deadliest industrial disasters in American history took place.  In the middle of Manhattan, a fire broke out in a garment factory that killed 146 people.  Most of the deaths were totally preventable, and the legacy of that incident had repercussions that still exist today. Learn more …

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The Legend of Saint Nicholas

The Legend of Saint Nicholas

Podcast Transcript On December 6 every year, countries all across Europe celebrate Saint Nicholas Day.  The way they celebrate can vary dramatically from place to place, but what they all have in common is honoring a man with a long white beard who gives presents to children. If all that sounds familiar, it should. Learn …

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Shibboleths

Shibboleths

Podcast Transcript Have you ever met someone who couldn’t pronounce the name nearby town, or they just spoke different enough that you could tell that they were from somewhere else? If so, you have probably learned about shibboleths without even knowing it. These differences in speech have been used to identify people for centuries. Learn …

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The Vestal Virgins

The Vestal Virgins

Podcast Transcript One of the most important gods in the Roman pantheon was the goddess Vesta.  Vesta was the goddess of the hearth and home, and her temple was one of the most important in ancient Rome. It was attended by six women who were some of the most important in all of Roman society. …

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