The Origin of Words and Phrases: Food
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 differenc...
15 Aug 202414min
The Year 1500
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. ...
14 Aug 202413min
The Anarchy (Encore)
In the mid-12th century, England was in chaos. The king of England, Henry I, died without an heir. The country was divided between forces loyal to his daughter, Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen. For...
13 Aug 202412min
The Origins of the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was perhaps the most significant event that took place in the last half of the 20th century. It had profound impacts on the American military and foreign policy as well as on its cult...
12 Aug 202415min
Mary, Queen of Scots
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 cons...
11 Aug 202414min
Gemstones
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,...
10 Aug 202414min
Fingerprints (Encore)
Located on the tips of our fingers are features known as friction ridges. We evolved them to get a better grip on objects. It just so happens that those friction ridges are unique to every person. T...
9 Aug 202412min
The Battle of Fort Sumter
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 ...
8 Aug 202413min
