The AK-47
In 1946, a former Soviet tank mechanic who had formal training in engineering or manufacturing submitted a design for a new gun in a competition. His design was selected, and it became the new rifle...
23 Jul 202516min
The Lisbon Regicide
On February 1, 1908, the political fortunes of Portugal changed forever. The royal family was returning to Lisbon, traveling in an open horse-drawn carriage. While they were traveling, in broad da...
22 Jul 202514min
Holy Relics
Some of the most venerated objects in many different religions are holy relics. Relics offer a tangible connection to significant figures in various religious traditions, and they are often highly p...
21 Jul 202514min
Air Conditioning (Encore)
One of the biggest problems that humanity has faced for thousands of years is heat. Excessive heat made it difficult to work in the middle of the day. Heat was especially problematic in the tropics,...
20 Jul 202514min
The Sinking of the Mignonette and Justified Cannibalism
On May 19, 1884, a small yacht containing four men set sail from England to Australia. On July 5th, the ship was hit by a massive wave and capsized. The crew escaped the shipwreck on a lifeboat, b...
19 Jul 202516min
The Battle of Cajamarca (Encore)
Some of the most important battles in history, the ones that changed the course of civilizations, are often very small battles. In 1532, a battle, really just a skirmish, took place, which completel...
18 Jul 202513min
Australian Wildlife
Australia is unique among the countries in the world. It is a continent, a country, and an island all wrapped up into one. Australia is also home to some of the most bizarre species in the world, m...
17 Jul 202515min
Costa Rica
Located in the heart of Central America is the Republic of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is situated between Panama and Nicaragua and shares a similar colonial history with other countries in Central Ameri...
16 Jul 202514min
