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During World War II, we often hear about great battles, heroic victories, and famous generals. But what was the experience of everyday people? In this episode, learn about a tragic moment of World War II’s history called the Siege of Leningrad. The siege affected everyday people living in the city by cutting them off from supplies like food, medicine, and water. It's a difficult story, and it is important to understand...

Eighty years ago, everyone knew his name. He was a Hollywood filmmaker, an airplane engineer, a wealthy businessman, and a daring pilot. Newspapers and film screens were filled with tales of his next exciting project. He funded expensive movies with dangerous stunts and built machines only he would dare to build. With each new project, he pushed the boundarie...

Have you heard of the legendary warrior, Mulan? As the story goes, she disguised herself as a man to go to war in place of her father. You might know her from the movie about her life. It’s the one with a talking dragon named Mushu and a lucky cricket. But did you know Mulan’s story has a very old history? As a matter of fact, her story is over 1,000 years old! In this episode, we're going to uncover the real history b...

What do you think of when you hear the word “Balloonomania”? You probably think it has something to do with balloons, and you’d be right. But not the type of balloons you see at birthday parties. In this episode, we’re going to be talking about the kind of balloons that take people up into the sky—hot-air balloons. One aeronaut made history as the first woman to take to the skies all by herself. She was so famous that ...

Get ready to sink your teeth into one of the world's most delicious sandwiches—the bánh mì. With its unique blend of flavors and textures, the bánh mì has quickly become a popular street food all around the world. But do you know the history of this fascinating and tasty creation? Originating in Vietnam, this delectable sandwich is a fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine. Join us on a culinary adventure as we explore...

It’s time to learn about one of the most brilliant scientists to ever live, Nikola Tesla. Through his powerful imagination and skill, Tesla developed alternating current and helped usher in a new era of electricity. From his laboratory in Colorado, he worked on wireless electricity and wowed the public with his fantastic displays of electrical energy using giant coils. Yet, despite his prowess for engineering and inven...

Let's journey back in time to the captivating world of Hatshepsut, the Queen of Egypt who ruled over three thousand years ago. Known for her remarkable reign and unprecedented rise to power, Hatshepsut's legacy has fascinated historians for centuries. In recent years, archaeologists made an extraordinary find when they uncovered a well-preserved temple dedicated to Hatshepsut. Inside, they found a treasure trove of art...

Do you love to eat? Who doesn’t? Let’s head back to the intriguing world of Pompeii's thermopolium, a type of fast food restaurant that existed over two thousand years ago. These bustling eateries were the social hub of Pompeii and served up piping hot food to the city's residents and travelers. In 2019, a team of archaeologists made an incredible discovery when they uncovered a well-preserved thermopolium in the city'...

Do you love digging for buried treasure? It’s time to explore the incredible story of a real-life treasure hunter. Her name was Mary Anning and she is best known for discovering an Ichthyosaur fossil—an animal that many people today would call a sea monster! The most amazing part? She was just a kid when she found this amazing treasure. As Mary grew up, she challenged the conventional understanding of prehistoric life ...

It’s difficult to imagine being born to an enslaved African mother in 18th century France and then growing up to be one of the most celebrated composers and swordsmen in the whole country. Any one of these circumstances would be difficult on their own, but Joseph Bologne fought against the challenges to play violin at private parties for the queen and live with the famous composer, Mozart. He even led troops into battl...

For thirty years of her life, Elizabeth Keckley dreamed of freedom. Born into slavery in 1818, she used her tenacity, perseverance, and inventiveness to become a free woman—and the dressmaker and friend to the First Lady of the United States. Elizabeth created the most elegant dresses in Washington D.C., but her path to the White House was incredibly difficult. This is the story of her journey, with experiences shared ...

Years before the Nazi party’s rise to power, a man named Franz Werfel tried to tell the world about a similar tragedy. He wrote a book about the story of brave Armenians struggling under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. He knew that if people didn’t hear about this story, then history could repeat itself. Unfortunately, his prediction came true during the Jewish Holocaust. Yet, his book inspired count...

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is nothing new—yet in the 1930s, the crimes committed by Russia and Stalin were not as publicized as the conflict today. After all, this was a time before the age of the internet and social media. Yet, because of one man’s heroic actions, the truth about Russia’s crimes under Stalin’s rule eventually became widely known. Join us for an important story about Gar...

What comes to mind when you think of the Wild West? It might be stories of bank robbers, stagecoach heists, shootouts, and saloons. And usually, these mental images can be attributed to Hollywood’s love of embellishing the past. Yet, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. David S. Terry was Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court during the nineteenth century and his story is one of the most...