Exploring History
Exploring History with Ray Notgrass offers background on what you hear in the news, shares stories from history that will enlighten and inspire you, and provides encouragement about homeschooling, family life, and your walk with God.
Episodes
Ronald Reagan was a man of faith: faith in God, and faith in the strength of our country. In the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass looks at the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan, focusing especially on his faith in God and his approach to the Soviet Union that changed the dynamics of the Cold War and helped lead to the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Hot enough for you? We can be thankful that we can do something about it, but it hasn't always been this way. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass traces the history of attempts to produce conditioned air, from awnings to fans blowing over ice to the invention of systems that really provided cooler air to homes, businesses, and cars. We hope you enjoy this really cool presentation.
Read the transcript and find links to addit...
Richard Nixon resigned the office of president of the United States fifty years ago, on August 9, 1974. This was the result of the Watergate scandal and other failings of the Nixon administration. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass surveys what the scandal involved and how the Nixon presidency unraveled after achieving unprecedented political success.
Read the transcript and find additional resources:
As the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, take place this year, we hearken back one hundred years to another Paris Olympics, and the accomplishments of a man of faith, Eric Liddell, both in the Olympics and in his later life. Ray Notgrass shares the remarkable story of this man of Christian conscience who won the race of serving God.
Read the transcript, see photos, and find resources for further study:
https://shop.notgrass.com/...
It’s time for that quadrennial exercise in American democracy, when thousands of people spend millions of dollars and take several days to make a decision that’s already been made. Of course I’m talking about our national political party presidential nominating conventions. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass discusses the history of conventions and how they work today.
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Fred Vinson's life went from being born in a jailer's house in Eastern Kentucky to serving as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a key player in American government during and after World War II. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass tells Vinson's life story and shows how it encourages all of us to take part in the great story of America.
Read the episode transcript, see photos, and find links to more ...
On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved persons were free. Slavery was ended. On the latest episode of the Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells how slavery ended in the United States and how people began to celebrate Juneteenth (June 19th) as America's second Independence Day.
Visit our website for a transcript, photos, and links to more resources rel...
June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass explains the causes of World War II, gives a brief history of the war including the significance of D-Day, and tells how the world changed as a result of the war.
Visit our website for a transcript and a link to resources for further study and explorat...
In 1938, as war clouds built in Europe, the popular American singer Kate Smith debuted a song written by the successful songwriter Irving Berlin. That song was "God Bless America," which has become an American classic. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass surveys Berlin's life and tells how the song has encouraged generations of Americans, especially during difficult times.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 short story "The Great Stone Face" is the fictional account of how the geological formation of the Old Man of the Mountain in New Hampshire inspired a boy to pursue the worthy and noble things of life. In the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells how the story is also a reminder to Christians to "fix our eyes on Jesus," and he reads the story for the listeners to en...
During World War II, over a million soldiers trained for combat in Europe by taking part in maneuvers in Tennessee. In his latest podcast, Ray Notgrass discusses how the maneuvers took place and what they meant for the soldiers and for the residents of the counties and towns of Tennessee where they happened.
Read a transcript and get links to more resources on our website:
https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-histo...
Following World War II, the nations of Europe lay devastated. The threat of Communist invasion was real. Just as the United States came to the aid of Europe during World War II, the U.S. provided assistance to the Europeans after the war to help them rebuild and maintain their freedom. In the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass describes how the Marshall Plan benefited Europe and the U.S. and opened a pathway for coopera...
God places a beautiful young woman in a position of influence. She risks her own life to save her entire people group from merciless execution. The book of Esther in the Old Testament gives the background for the Jewish feast of Purim, which takes place later this month. In this Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells the story of Esther and reminds us that we have been called to live for God in such a time as this.
In a time and place where racial tensions were high, one woman followed her faith in Jesus and made a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of people. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass tells about this woman and how she impacted his life and how her legacy continues to change people's lives.
Read the transcript and explore more resources:
https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/a-powerful-chr...
On December 1, 1955, the courageous act by a simple, quiet, private citizen changed America. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells the story of Rosa Parks, including many details you might not have heard before. Listen to learn about the person many have called the mother of the modern civil rights movement.
Read the transcript and explore more resources:
https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-h...
Congress is the branch of the federal government that enacts the laws of our land. The House and the Senate follow Constitutional guidelines, laws that Congress itself has passed, and rules and traditions that have developed over many years. On this 50th Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass discusses the inner workings of our national legislature.
Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/
The relationship between Christians and the secular government has been filled with tension since the early days of the church. In the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass examines Paul's teaching in Romans 13 to see what Scripture says about the issue.
Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/
Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory....
The story of the birth of Jesus that the Bible tells is a story of God's plan, His intervention in our world, and the lives of those involved who, like us, were forever changed. In this episode, Ray Notgrass considers the meaning of the birth of Christ, how it impacted those who were directly affected by it, and how it continues to impact the world today.
Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.c...
In an election, voters are deluged with candidates' biographies and their positions on multiple issues. But one characteristic stands out as more important than any of that. In this episode, Ray Notgrass shares some Biblical principles about character that should influence whom we support in next year's election.
Find more resources at Homeschool History:
https://notgrass.com/EHP047
The Thanksgiving holiday encourages us to pause and reflect on the blessings in our lives. In his latest podcast, Ray Notgrass shares his personal story about his health challenges this year and why he is especially thankful at Thanksgiving.
Explore More Resources
https://notgrass.com/EHP046
Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/
Supplemental videos, field trips, and other ...
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