15-Minute History

Join us as we discuss the most decorated ship in the history of the US Navy, the USS Enterprise. 

The name “Enterprise” is not exclusive to fictional starships or the space shuttle; in fact, nineteen ships of the British Royal Navy and nine of the United States Navy have born the name (spelled either with an S or a Z). Undoubtedly, the most famous USS Enterprise is the World War Two-era aircraft carrier, which fought in more battles in the Pacific War than any other vessel, earned twenty battle stars, and is today the most decorated ship in American naval history. “The Big E,” (first of her many nicknames) was commissioned in May 1938 and attached to the Atlantic fleet for her first year of service. As tensions rose with Japan and the Navy Department realized the importance of aircraft carriers in the Pacific, the Enterprise was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and based first at San Diego and then at Pearl Harbor. Join us as we teach you about the most decorated ship in the history of the US Navy, the USS Enterprise. We talk about her history, engagements, and why she was called, The Grey Ghost. When it comes to the United States Navy, names carry with them the legends of those ships which came before, and history will surely not forget the name Enterprise. 

Join us for our interview with the author, historian, and Emeritus Law Professor, Norman S. Poser about his book, "From the Battlefield to the Stage | The Many Lives of General John Burgoyne". In this special discussion, Professor Poser explains the origins of the book, discusses the character traits of General John Burgoyne, his many interests and assignments all over the world, and his impact on our world today (beyond the defeat at Saratoga).  "Burgoyne is remembered today as the man who 'lost' America. His other roles - dashing cavalry colonel of the Seven Years War, satirical London playwright, reformer Member of Parliament, a gambler in the clubs on St. Jame's Street, conversationalist who graced London society for over thirty years - have been largely forgotten. A century after his death, George Bernard Shaw tried to correct the narrow legacy that history gave him. Recognizing Burgoyne's 'talent, artistic, satirical, rather histrionic, and his fastidious delicacy of sentiment, his fine spirit and humanity.' Shaw gave him...the nickname of 'Gentleman Johnny', which has stuck." - Norman S. Poser Norman S. Poser's previous historical books are Lord Mansfield: Justice in the Age of Reason and The Birth of Modern Theater: Rivalry, Riots, and Romance in the Age of Garrick. An Emeritus Law Professor at Brooklyn Law Schook, he lives with his wife in New York. Before retiring and becoming a full-time author passionate about the Georgina era on both sides of the Atlantic, he was an internationally respected academic for many years. Prior to this, he was Chief of the Office of Regulation and an Assistant Director at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He was also a consultant to the World Bank in Central America, the Central Bank of Brazil, and the Ministry of Finance in India. He graduated Class of '49 at Harvard College, and from Harvard Law School in 1958. 

Join us as we discuss Horatio Nelson, his life, achievements, and why he is considered one of the greatest heroes in British (and world) history.

He was on the quarterdeck when he realized it. The smoke was thick between the two ships and it was hard to make any sense of the melee. His men pushed forward against the other crew as grenades and musket fire came from the masts. The sun was low on the horizon and the impending dark blended into a sea of undefined movement. The world was noise. One of the enemy sailors slashed at him. He parried the blow and drove the man’s sword into the deck of the ship. Turning the blade upward, he cut across the man’s gut and kicked him aside as he focused on the fight in front of him. The chaos slowed and his senses focused, giving him almost perfect clarity. He immediately turned to his second in command and ordered them to keep engaging. He jumped onto the railing of his ship to bypass the hordes of men and ran across it before jumping back to his deck and going into his quarters. He burst into the main room and peered out the window to the other ship, gauged the distance, and then broke the windows of the cabin until all the shards were gone. He backed up, took a deep breath, and ran to the window. Jumping through it, he crashed through the glass of the enemy’s captain’s quarters. Immediately after hitting the carpet, he did a forward roll, sprang to his feet, and surveyed the room. After a moment, he saw the other man standing in the corner, his eyes wide, his sword drawn. He drew his own sword and pointed the tip at the man in the corner. “You sir, are a coward.” Not another word was spoken. And when he left the cabin and entered into the wider battle, he left nothing behind. Join us as we teach you about Horatio Nelson, his life, achievements, and why he is considered one of the greatest heroes in British (and world) history.

Join us as we discuss the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both.

The factory worker's back ached as he sat with his wife and daughter eating a meager breakfast. No enemy raids last night, so the family had actually slept well. His son entered the kitchen with the morning's mail in his small hands. His father took the stack from his boy, passed a letter to his wife from her mother—God protect her, he thought—and then opened the first envelope. His eyes widened as he read the words and then flickered to the door; he half expected Gestapo agents to burst through it. "Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be ‘governed’ by an irresponsible clique that has yielded to base instinct. It is certain that today every honest German is ashamed of his government." The man folded the paper and put it back in the envelope, then tucked it into his waistcoat pocket. But that night, in a candlelit cellar, he read every word. It spoke of German history, of morality and ethics, and cursed the Führer's regime to the hell from which it had emerged. His eyes were wet with tears as he read its final words, lines of poetry from the great German writer Goethe: "Now I find my good men | Are gathered in the night, | To wait in silence, not to sleep. | And the glorious word of liberty, they whisper and murmur, | Till in unaccustomed strangeness, | On the steps of our temple | Once again they cry in delight | Freedom! Freedom!" Join us as we teach you about the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both. 

Join us as we discuss the good and bad movies from the episode, What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III.

Back by popular demand - mostly Jon’s - is our “What to Watch” in historical movies series. This time, Joe got to review the good ones, while Jon suffered through the bad ones. The team also recorded this one together, so expect some words of affirmation, and maybe, disgust.

Join us as we discuss (with two very special guests) St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season. Let us know if you would like our two special guests to return!

As the holidays approach and young children start writing their letters (or sending emails, tweets, and Tik Toks) to Santa, we here at 15-Minute History thought it would be fun to look back at the man who inspired generations to give gifts to friends and loved ones each Christmas. Parents, don't worry if you're listening to this with the kids--there won't be any spoilers.  Join us as we teach you about St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season. 

Join us as we discuss the history of social media, the reason for its popularity, and some ways to use social to influence the word around us in a positive way. 

In this REDUX episode from our first season, we show you the history of social media from its inception to today, the reason for its popularity, and its possible impact on our society today.   The first attempt at what would later be defined as “social media” took place in the fall of 1969. The United States military was conducting tests using the first proto-internet, called ARPANET, which was used to create connections between computer stations. This pre-internet attempt spawned the famous communication – or lack of communication – which occurred in October of 1969 from the campus of UCLA. An attempt was made to send the word Login between two computers on campus, but a computer crash resulted in the letters LO being received. This first miscommunication did not stop the developers from continuing their work and successfully sending the message a month later. This achievement, both the failed communication and the successful one, would have a lasting effect on social media, whether those developers intended it or not.

Join us as we discuss Fredrick Douglas, his early life, his escape to freedom, and his profound effect on ending slavery in the United States.

"I once knew a little boy whose mother and father died when he was six years old. He was a slave and had no one to care for him. He slept on a dirt floor in a hovel, and in cold weather would crawl into a meal bag head foremost and leave his feet in the ashes to keep them warm. Often he would roast an ear of corn and eat it to satisfy his hunger, and many times has he crawled under the barn or stable and secured eggs, which he would roast in the fire and eat. That boy did not wear pants like you do, but a tow linen shirt. Schools were unknown to him, and he learned to spell from an old Webster's spelling-book and to read and write from posters on cellar and barn doors, while boys and men would help him. He would then preach and speak, and soon became well known. He became Presidential Elector, United States Marshal, United States Recorder, United States diplomat, and accumulated some wealth. He wore broadcloth and didn't have to divide crumbs with the dogs under the table. That boy was Frederick Douglas." Join us as we teach you about Fredrick Douglas, his early life, his escape to freedom, and his profound effect on ending slavery in the United States.     

Join us as we discuss the history of civil rights in America through the bench of the Supreme Court, the lasting effect of Brown vs. Board of Education, and how such rulings have shaped our society today.

In early 1865, the Union and Confederate armies were locked in mortal combat around the city of Petersburg, VA, and in the humid forests of Georgia. The American Civil War's end was near, and the Lincoln Administration now faced the question of how to restore the Union and end slavery once and for all. The legal framework for equality between the races came with the passage of the three anti-slavery amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and each Confederate state would have to ratify them before they could rejoin the Union. Abraham Lincoln's message to the American people in his second inaugural address was clear: "With malice toward none, with charity toward all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." Join us in this redux episode as we share the history of civil rights in America through the bench of the Supreme Court, the lasting effect of Brown vs. Board of Education, and how such rulings have shaped our society today. 

Join us as we speak with James D. Richardson about his new book, "The Abolisitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family". In the book, Mr. Richardson details the findings from the journal of his ancestor, George Richardson, an abolitionist, before and after the fall of slavery in America. From this primary historical source, James Richardson is able to construct a picture of the man who fought his entire life for the freedom and equality of African Americans. "The Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family", is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold.  James D. Richardson is a former senior writer with The Sacramento Bee and a retired Episcopal priest. He is the author of Willie Brown: A Biography. His articles on state politics have appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The San Fransico Chronicle. He lives in Sacramento, California, with his wife, Lori. 

Join us as we discuss heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. Listen also as we answer your questions about Tolkien, his writing, his influences, and the Rings of Power. 

Familiar to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien believed that myths used stories of heroes to inspire generations of readers. He began his writing career with a children’s book, and when his publisher asked for a sequel, Tolkien had to give it some thought. For much of his life, he had lamented the fact that much of English mythology had been destroyed by invading armies or imported from abroad. (For example, the most famous English myth, that of King Arthur, was a blend of Scottish and French stories.) On putting pen to paper for the first time on his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien began to craft an alternate mythology for his homeland that would tell heroic tales that, he believed, were lacking in modern Britain. Join us as we teach you about heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. 

Join us as we discuss the three short stories of heroes and learn what you can expect this season as we show you the people, places, and events in history that have contributed to the good we see in our world today. 

Welcome to season six of 15-Minute History! Listen as we tell you three short stories of heroes. This season is about the people, places, and events in history that have contributed to the good we see in our world today. It is about showing the progression of the lives of those who came before and gaining insight into their motivations for taking action for the good of us all. It is about those who became a light in the dark, those who felt fear but still acted, and those who pushed past the confines of the moment to do that which we can take strength from today. It is about the person who might seem particularly ordinary, who, put into a situation where conviction trumps convenience, decides that action takes priority over words. This season is about heroes. 

We are pleased and excited to welcome back Dr. Dominic Selwood to discuss the passing of Queen Elizabeth, her legacy, and the probable changes to the monarchy as a result. Dr. Selwood also provides historical context for the ceremony, the coming coronation of King Charles III, and explains the true power of the crown in Great Britain. We hope you enjoy every moment as Dr. Selwood provides his authoritative take on this monumental current event.  Read more about British history through Dr. Selwood's new book, "Anatomy of a Nation:  A History of British Identity in 50 Documents", where he conducts a lively study of, and musings around, 50 documents – spanning 950,000 years of British history – which reads almost like a thriller as we follow the twists and turns of the country’s tumultuous fate. "Anatomy of a Nation" is available wherever books are sold.  Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. 

In this redux episode, we detail the rich history of the English royal family, the House of Windsor.

The 15-Minute History team remembers Queen Elizabeth II. 

Join us for part two of our interview with Ray Boomhower about his book, Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam. In this special discussion, Mr. Boomhower explains why Tregaskis felt compelled to go to the front, the reasons he felt the burden to tell the story of the soldier in combat, how he saw reporting change during Korea and Vietnam, and more. Ray E. Boomhower is a senior editor at the Indiana Historical Society Press, where he edits the popular history magazine Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. A former newspaper reporter, Boomhower has written extensively on World War II media history, including biographies of such noted war correspondents as Scripps-Howard columnist Ernie Pyle and Time magazine reporter Robert L. Sherrod. Boomhower has also published biographies of fighter ace Alex Vraciu, war photographer John A. Bushemi, Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom, long-form journalist, and political speechwriter John Bartlow Martin. Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam is available wherever books are sold.

Join us for part one of our interview with Ray Boomhower about his book, Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam. In this special discussion, Mr. Boomhower explains why Tregaskis is considered one of the bravest war correspondents of all time, what compelled him to take the dangerous assignments, breaks down what drove him to go back to the front lines after being severely injured, and more.  Ray E. Boomhower is a senior editor at the Indiana Historical Society Press, where he edits the popular history magazine Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History. A former newspaper reporter, Boomhower has written extensively on World War II media history, including biographies of such noted war correspondents as Scripps-Howard columnist Ernie Pyle and Time magazine reporter Robert L. Sherrod. Boomhower has also published biographies of fighter ace Alex Vraciu, war photographer John A. Bushemi, Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom, long-form journalist, and political speechwriter John Bartlow Martin. Richard Tregaskis: Reporting under Fire from Guadalcanal to Vietnam is available wherever books are sold. 

Join us for part two of our interview with James Philips to discuss his book, Two Revolutions and the Constitution | How the English and American Revolutions Produced the American Constitution. In this discussion, we talk about taxation without representation, what it means to put principles ahead of prosperity, the Articles of Confederation...and more. James D.R. Philips studied at the Universities of Oxford and Sydney and holds degrees in liberal arts and in law. He has been a successful mergers and acquisitions attorney for more than thirty years and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Sydney's Law School. He held leadership positions at two law firms and is now a non-executive director of several organizations, including a leading Australian public-policy-research institute. Philips first read the American Constitution in school and began reading about the English revolutionary and American colonial periods in 2005.

Join us for part one of our interview with James Philips to discuss his book, Two Revolutions and the Constitution | How the English and American Revolutions Produced the American Constitution. In this special discussion, we talk about the origins of the book, the links between the US and British constitutions, the power of personality within history...and more. James D.R. Philips studied at the Universities of Oxford and Sydney and holds degrees in liberal arts and in law. He has been a successful mergers and acquisitions attorney for more than thirty years and is a visiting lecturer at the University of Sydney's Law School. He held leadership positions at two law firms and is now a non-executive director of several organizations, including a leading Australian public-policy-research institute. Philips first read the American Constitution in school and began reading about the English revolutionary and American colonial periods in 2005.

Join us for part two of our interview with the eminent British historian, Dr. Dominic Selwood about his book, Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents. In this special discussion, Dr. Selwood continues explaining specific historical moments in British history, the importance of not looking for the simple answer to complex problems (historical and current), and tells us why everyone should be a student of history.  Dr. Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist, and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio, and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. https://www.dominicselwood.com/ Twitter: @DominicSelwood.

Join us for part one of our interview with the eminent British historian, Dr. Dominic Selwood about his book, Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents. In this special discussion, Dr. Selwood explains the origins of the book, the power of story in history, and answers some of our questions about the different documents he covers.  Dr. Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist, and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio, and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. https://www.dominicselwood.com/ Twitter: @DominicSelwood. 

Join us for our final episode of Season Five as we discuss the questions we missed, share some very exciting news, and gear up for interviews and special episodes during the summer. We will being our sixth season on Monday, September 5. 

Join us as we discuss Jack London, his life, his adventures, and his writings.

"Then the man drowsed off into what seemed to him the most comfortable and satisfying sleep he had ever known. The dog sat facing him and waiting. The brief day drew to a close in a long, slow twilight. There were no signs of a fire to be made, and, besides, never in the dog's experience had it known a man to sit like that in the snow and make no fire. As the twilight drew on, it’s eager yearning for the fire mastered it, and with a great lifting and shifting of forefeet, it whined softly, then flattened its ears down in anticipation of being chidden by the man. But the man remained silent. Later the dog whined loudly. And still, later it crept close to the man and caught the scent of death. This made the animal bristle and back away. A little longer it delayed, howling under the stars that leaped and danced and shone brightly in the cold sky. Then it turned and trotted up the trail in the direction of the camp it knew, where were the other food providers and fire providers." (an excerpt from, To Build a Fire) Join us as we teach you about Jack London, his life, his adventures, and his writings. 

Join us as we discuss Gene Roddenberry, his life, his influence on science fiction and pop culture, Star Trek, and his vision for humanity.

Eugene Wesley Roddenberry was a legend of Hollywood in his day. He grew up reading science fiction serials and adventure novels like C.S. Forester’s “Horatio Hornblower,” and they inspired him to become a writer. After a career in the US Army Air Force, as a commercial pilot, and as a Los Angeles police officer, he started writing television scripts and shopping them around Hollywood. His antics in the office and in his personal life earned him respect and disdain in equal measure, and his stories reflected both the events of his life and the beliefs he held. The tales he told showed audiences a vision of humanity that was beyond greed, beyond war, beyond poverty, and largely beyond our reach even today. Join us as we teach you about Gene Roddenberry, his life, his influence on science fiction and pop culture, and his vision for humanity. 

Join us as we discuss Adam Smith and three of his ideas: Self-Interest, Division of Labor, and the “The Invisible Hand".

This season we have been covering individuals who have had a direct effect on history, in a positive or negative way. Adam Smith is one of those. He is called the “father of modern economics” and “the creator of capitalism”. Rather than walk you through a summary of his life, we will attempt to summarize the possible influences that formed three major concepts which exist in his later and final work, the Wealth of Nations, namely the appropriation of Self-Interest, Division of Labor, and the “The Invisible Hand”, thereby showing the linear deduction of each, and how that logic reflects in Adam Smith’s moral philosophy. With the presentation of these three ideas, it's our hope that you will make your own deductions regarding what kind of man he was and whether his effect on history was a positive one.

Join us as we look at the war in Ukraine through a historical lens, attempt to answer questions on possible outcomes, and gauge the long-term effects on the world now and in the future. 

Join us as we discuss Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling, and John Browning. We talk about their work, their impact on history, and how their names are culturally relevant - beyond the brand - in our world today.

Samuel Colt’s name is forever linked to the company he founded and the revolver he called the “Peacemaker.” Born in Connecticut in 1814, he was steeped in America’s gun culture from an early age. His grandfather had served in George Washington’s army, and Samuel inherited an old flintlock pistol from the family hero when he was only six. At the age of fifteen, while working in his father’s textile plant, he built a galvanic cell (basically an early battery) and used it to set off explosives beneath the surface of a nearby pond during the Fourth of July. He continued to experiment with chemicals and combustion—as many young men do—and became fascinated by inventors’ work to create a firearm that could shoot more than bullets before needing to reload. Join us as we teach you about Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling, and John Browning. In this episode you'll learn about their work, their impact on history, and how their names are culturally relevant - beyond the brand - in our world today. 

Join us as we discuss Che Guevara, his life, beliefs, and impact on our world today. 

Join us as we teach you about Che Guevara, his influence, actions, and the effects of his Marxist beliefs. 

Join us in this special episode as we discuss six famous generals, their lives, their methods, and what we can learn from them. 

Join us as we discuss Joseph Stalin, his life, rise to power, effect on world history, and his insanity. 

The great revolutionary's body lay in a red coffin as it wound its way through the streets of Moscow toward the House of Trade Unions. Six men carried it, surrounded by a phalanx of guards, through the gathered throng of mourners—some genuine, others paid. Each hoped to succeed Vladimir Lenin as leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but only one could, and did. The mustachioed man known to his friends as "Koba" who had spent decades fighting to bring communism to his homeland was now General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and he held in his hands the keys to ultimate power in the world's largest state. His rivals, especially Lenin's closest ally Leon Trotsky, were already plotting against him, but the general secretary controlled the Party's political apparatus and had the support of leaders across the country. When Lenin was laid to rest, three men formed an uneasy alliance, a troika, to rule collectively, but Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was determined to rule alone. Join us as we teach you about Joseph Stalin, his life, rise to power, and his lasting effect on our world today. 

Join us as we discuss Alexander the Great and how he became the ruler of the known world (with some Star Trek references).

He looked out across the field and then back at his formations. The wind was coming in from the west, throwing dust clouds up into the air on his left side. The brown of the dust blended with the armor of the enemy for a moment, blurring them into a single mass that blanketed the horizon. Alexander turned to confirm the calvary on his left were holding their position and was satisfied to see that they were. The other army advanced on the flank. He looked at his enemies’ centerline, made some mental calculations, and steadied himself. The moment brought a memory of watching the molding of armor when he was a boy. During his education, he was made to watch the metal mold under the pressure of the maker’s will. Violence would bend the metal and countless strikes, one after the other, would force the metal to give way. He looked at his phalanxes. They had met the enemy on his right and left. The left was reeling back and he ordered a small formation to reinforce them. He raised his sword to signal his cavalry and charged straight into the center of the opposing line. ____ Join us as we teach you about Alexander the Great and how he became the ruler of the known world. 

Join us as we discuss Clive Staples Lewis, his life, his writing, and his lasting legacy.

Three men walked along a tree-covered path in the early hours of a Sunday morning. Their conversation mixed with the sound of water flowing over rocks in a small river and the crunch of leaves beneath their booted feet. The words they spoke were steeped in deep knowledge of literature and philosophy as they wrestled with the nature of the universe and man’s place in it. The two Englishmen believed that God had created the world and sent His Son to die for mankind’s sins, while their Irish friend was a skeptic who did not believe in anything beyond this life. Then, as their talk turned to myths and the great stories of humanity’s past, a strong autumn wind came up suddenly and sent leaves scattering across the path. The sheer power of the gust filled their hearts with wonder, and they stopped and stood in its midst, as one of them put it, “appreciating the ecstasy of such a moment.” Join us as we teach you about Clive Staples Lewis, his life, his writing, and his lasting legacy. 

Join us and our special guest Father Dominic Verner, Ph.D. candidate, for a discussion on the life and times of Bartolome de Las Casas and his effect on world history. 

Bartolomé de Las Casas was born in Spain in 1484 into a wealthy merchant family. At the age of eighteen, he emigrated with his father Pedro to the new Spanish colony on Hispaniola (the island that is today divided between the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Pedro de Las Casas obtained a large farm, or hacienda, from the governor along with dozens of slaves. As landowners, the family participated in terrible slave raids across the West Indies to bring thousands of poor souls to the colonies. Bartolomé was disturbed by what he saw, and the horrors set him on a path toward vocal opposition to his government’s inhuman policies toward Native Americans. Join us as we teach you about Bartolomé de Las Casas and his lifelong pursuit of ending the mistreatment and enslavement of indigenous peoples. 

Five months into the First World War, as the European powers were hurling their young men into barbed wire and machine-gun fire, Pope Benedict XV issued a plea "that the guns may fall silent at least upon the night the angels sang." The governments of the warring nations ignored the pontiff's call, and generals ordered their men to continue to fight while the rest of the Christian world celebrated the birth of Jesus. But as midnight approached on Christmas Eve in multiple sectors along the Western and Eastern fronts, officers spoke in hushed tones in English, German, French, and Russian about giving the soldiers under their command a break from the terrors of war. Artillery that had fired constantly since the late summer fell silent, and when the new day began, all was quiet. Join us as we teach you about the Christmas Truce of 1914. From all of us here at 15-Minute History, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. See you in 2022!

Join us as we discuss Jordan Peterson, his influences, his writings, and his effect on society today. 

Join Jon and Dan as they each discuss three historical figures and their effect on world history. 

Join us as we teach you about Jordan Peterson, the effect of his philosophy on today's society, and the means by which he affects change (for the good or bad) across the globe. 

Join us as we share three stories about Thanksgiving and explore the art of being thankful. This episode originally ran in 2019. 

Join us as we discuss Fyodor Dostoyevsky, his life, his influences, and his genius.

He looked up at the white sky. The flakes did come into view until they came through the holes in the roof. A breeze blew through the building. Men around him huddled close together. He didn’t smell the stink anymore. It was all the same smell.  Among the flakes now contrasting with the dark of the roof, he centered on one that moved slowly down to him. It went to and fro, back and forth, until it seemed to hover, suspended and clean, uncorrupted by the world and the filth and the pain that it was falling into. Then it fell. And when it touched his arm he watched it absorb the dirt and blood and suddenly it looked like rot. He turned back to the sky and repented. His voice was the only one he could hear. Join us as we teach you about Fyodor Dostoyevsky, his influences, his style, and his impact on our world today. 

Join us as we discuss Ceasear Augustus, his life, and how his actions directed the rise of one of the largest empires in the history of the world.

The old man lay in his bed surrounded by courtiers and family members. He had traveled from Rome to visit the place where his father had died many years ago, and now his own life was nearing its end. History records his last words as, “Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit.” Caesar Augustus, the first citizen of Rome and the founder of an empire that outlasted him by over fourteen hundred years, departed this life peacefully. But his rise and reign had been anything but peaceful. Join us as we teach you about Ceasear Augustus, his life, and how his actions directed the rise of one of the largest empires in the history of the world. 

Join us as we answer your questions and discuss Joan of Arc. 

Arrows filled the sky above the battlefield and rained down on the French knights as they slogged through the mud in heavy armor. Their effect was devastating, and hundreds of France’s noblest men fell screaming as the English longbowmen poured fire into their ranks. The French commander urged his men forward, while at the other end of the field the King of England, Henry V, watched the battle with a smile on his scarred face. Soon, the English celebrated their great triumph at Agincourt on St. Crispin’s Day. It was perhaps the high-point in the long war between the two countries that had begun nearly a hundred years earlier over who would sit on the throne of France. England stood on the threshold of victory, and as its soldiers tended the wounded and drank to their fallen, no one in Henry’s army could know that a three-year-old girl living far to the southeast would one day turn the tide of war against them. Join us as we teach you about Joan of Arc and how she changed the course of history forever. Be sure to send us your questions for our discussion segment next week and if you feel so inclined, support the show by going to https://anchor.fm/15minutehistory/support. 

Join us as we discuss Mark Twain, his writings, his life, what we can learn from him, and his effect on history. 

The steamboat passed the port and he looked out at the brown, muddy water. The heat was failing and the humidity began to soak his clothes. Soon it would be twilight and the lighting bugs would begin to flash on the shoreline. As the boat moved downriver, he saw an old wooden raft hitched to a tree near the shore. It had a battered steering rudder, and the logs that were tied together looked so beaten he would have guessed it impossible to serve any function other than kindling. He watched the water move the raft back and forth and smiled to himself, thinking about the hands that made it and what possible experiences someone might have on a craft like that. He turned to the north in the direction they were heading and wondered how a craft like that could get up the river without capsizing. He wondered what would have happened if he had a craft like that. It didn’t make sense now, but it would have been wonderful for his youth. He wondered how he might have used it. He wondered, and he dreamed. Join us as we teach you about Mark Twain, his life, and his contribution to the literary world. 

In August 2019, The New York Times commemorated the four hundred-year anniversary of the first black Africans arriving in the New World by launching a long-form journalism project called the 1619 Project. Developed by Nikole Hannah-Jones, the project was designed to shift the focus of American history away from the American Revolution and hone in on the experiences of black Americans both before and after the Civil War. The 1619 Project immediately attracted both praise and criticism from historians and pundits alike and became another partisan football in the ongoing culture war that rages in the United States. There isn't time to address the many controversies that arose from the project in this episode, though I expect Joe will ask me about several in our discussion. Instead, for this final "what if" bonus episode, I want to look at how American history might be changed if what the 1619 Project's authors believe was factually true—what our country might have done differently if, as Nikole Hannah-Jones and others believe, the United States of America was actually founded to protect slavery and promote white supremacy.   What if, as the authors of the 1619 Project suggest, the United States was founded on oppression and slavery? Join us for our final episode in the "What if?" series as we explore this question.   Season Five of 15-Minute History will begin on Monday, October 4. 

Join us as we discuss the final episode in our "What if?" series, "The 1619 Project". 

From 1531-1532, Pizzaro and his group conquered and destroyed the Inca Civilization. Climbing the Andes Mountains, they probably never questioned the ability of the Inca Empire to feed itself in the absence of cattle and wheat. That was, by most estimations, the farthest thing from the mind of the conqueror. Amongst the riches they stole and the mining they conducted, a resource emerged that McNeill believes would have altered history had it not been discovered and transplanted throughout the world. That discovery was the potato.   What if Pizzaro hadn't brought the potato to Europe?    Join us as we continue asking "What if", discuss what might have happened if the conquistador had left the potato behind in the ruins of his conquest, and how such a decision would have changed the world we know today.    

Join us as we discuss, "What if" | Pizzaro and the Potato.

"Cortés and his men leapt across the breach in the causeway to pursue the fleeing Aztecs, only to see them turn and attack. Drawn into the trap, Cortés and sixty-eight other Spaniards were captured and dragged off, leaving scores of others dead on the road. Ten captives were killed immediately, and…the remaining fifty-eight were taken to the towering Great Temple, which could plainly be seen from the Spaniards' camp, made to dance before the statue of the Aztec god of war, Huitzilopochtli, and then, on by one, they were sacrificed…Cortés escaped this fate only through the intervention of Cristóbal de Olea, who sprang to his defense, killed the four Aztecs who were dragging him off, and freed his leader at the cost of his own life. The very conquest of Mexico hung on this single act." — Ross Hassig, "The Immolation of Hernán Cortés    What if Cortés had died on the causeway or at any other point in his dangerous career? Join us as we continue asking "What if", speak to what might have happened if the conquistador had met his end at the hands of those he sought to conquer, and how our world might be different today. 

Join us as we discuss What If? | The Immolation of Hernán Cortés.

General Marshall had arrived early in 1946 with orders from Harry Truman to build a coalition government that included both Communists and Nationalists in China. Mao Tse Tung eagerly accepted Marshall’s intervention, continuing his public relations campaign to depict the Chinese Communist Party as kinder and gentler than its Stalinist counterpart in Moscow. But Chiang, who had chafed at having to accept help from the Americans during the war with Japan, rejected Marshall’s interference and refused to compromise with Mao.    Frustrated by the Nationalists’ intransigence, General Marshall delivered an ultimatum in June 1946: agree to a ceasefire in Manchuria and open negotiations with Mao, or the United States would cut off all military aid to Chiang’s forces in the field. The proud Nationalist leader accepted these terms at first, and when talks broke down he tried to resume the advance. But it was too late. America kept its word and ended military aid to Chiang’s government, and Mao had used the brief respite to rearm his men with Soviet weapons. Within two years, Chiang Kai-Shek’s forces had been driven off the mainland onto the island of Formosa, where they formed the Republic of China, while Mao Tse Tung ruled the victorious People’s Republic of China from Beijing.   What if Chiang had ignored Marshall’s ultimatum entirely, taken the Harbin stronghold, and then negotiated directly with Mao from a position of strength?  Join us as we continue asking "What if", examine the effects of what might of happened, and wonder what our world might be like today. 

Join us as we discuss What If? | Victory at Harbin.

The raft floated in the midst of the River Niemen. On it were two beautiful pavilions, one for the Emperor of the French and the other for the Czar and Autocrat of All the Russias. In the French tent, Napoleon Bonaparte argued with his foreign minister, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, over how harsh the peace terms with the defeated Russians should be. Talleyrand, a servant of every revolutionary government since 1789, was a snake in silk stockings, but he knew foreign policy better than anyone else in the emperor’s entourage. He begged the emperor to treat Russia gently and put an end to fifteen years of war. But Napoleon, flush with the victory at Friedland earlier that year, was determined to humiliate Alexander I, and Talleyrand, ever the obedient servant in public, fell silent. What if Napoleon had heeded Talleyrand’s advice in 1807 and treated the Russians with more respect? What would our world look like today if history had taken a different course? In this series of bonus episodes on “15-Minute History,” Joe and I will be sharing some of our favorite “What If?” scenarios from this series with you. Building on the theme of Season Four, learning from history, we hope to provide some lessons on how individuals shape the destinies of large groups and entire nations.

Join us as we discuss, What if? | The Lasting Peace at Tilst.

Join us as we discuss Season Four of the 15-Minute History Podcast, ask each other questions we neglected throughout the season, and talk about Season Five and the bonus episodes you can expect during the break. 

Twenty-one men sat in the dock awaiting their fate. Once the leaders of Europe's mightiest nation who had strutted proudly across the world stage arrogantly proclaiming the supremacy of the Aryan race, their faces remained defiant as their empire lay in ruins outside. Some showed open contempt for the victors who now sat in judgment over them. Others sat quietly, their faces frozen and their eyes fixed forward. Some even looked surprised at having been charged with crimes against humanity, since they were "just following orders." Their leader, now dead, had commanded them to murder millions, and as good Germans, they had done just that. Now, with the world's most terrible war at an end, they would face justice. Join us as we teach you about the Nuremberg Trials, the monsters who faced justice, and the radicalism that corrupted an entire nation.  

Join us as we discuss the Nuremberg Trials, the monsters who faced justice, and the radicalism that corrupted an entire nation.  

The last landing was unique. It was a 100-foot cliff facing the English Channel, situated between Utah and Omaha beach. At the top of the cliff were 155mm guns with a range of 3.5 miles that could fire on both Utah and Omaha beaches and cause maximum casualties. The challenges facing these men were obvious, with the sheer rock face and no cover, and they would be easy targets for the Germans. In addition, the choppy sea and possible equipment and mechanical failures added to the dangers of combat. All factors, from combat conditions to topographical obstacles, made the objective almost impossible. The Germans believed that whatever the invasion would be, it couldn’t include Pointe Du Hoc. Join us as we teach you about the impossible landing at Pointe du Hoc, its role in Operation Overlord, and the story of the heroic Rangers who scaled and took the hill under direct enemy fire. 

Join us as we discuss the impossible landing at Pointe du Hoc, its role in Operation Overlord, and the story of the heroic Rangers who scaled and took the hill under direct enemy fire. 

In Great Britain calls for negotiations with Hitler were on the rise, with some leaders in the House of Commons outright promoting it. Churchill wouldn’t hear of it. “I have thought carefully in these last days whether it was part of my duty to consider entering into negotiations with That Man,” he said in an informal meeting with his Cabinet. “I am convinced that every man of you would rise up and tear me down from my place if I were for one moment to contemplate parley or surrender. If this long island story of ours is to end at last, let it end only when each of us lies choking in his own blood upon the ground.” Churchill would reiterate such sentiments in one of the most famous speeches in his career, given to the House of Commons after the evacuation of Dunkirk on June 6th. “Even though huge tracts of Europe and many old and famous states have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets. We shall never surrender.” Join us for part two of the life of Winston Churchill, from his taking of the Premiership to the leading of the English people through one of the darkest periods in history.  

Join us as we discuss part two of the life of Winston Churchill, from his taking of the Premiership to the leading of the English people through one of the darkest periods in history.  

As stated by Andrew Roberts in his book, Churchill: Walking with Destiny, "Before the new MP had even taken his seat, he had fought in four wars, published five books, written 215 newspaper and magazine articles, participated in the greatest cavalry charge in a half a century and made a spectacular escape from prison. ‘At twenty-five, he had fought in more continents than any soldier in his tour save Napoleon,’ a contemporary profile of him was to proclaim, ‘and seen as many campaigns as any living general.’”   Join us for part one of two episodes on the life of Winston Churchill, from his childhood to becoming the Prime Minister of Great Britain. 

Join us for part one of two discussions on the life of Winston Churchill, from his childhood to becoming the Prime Minister of Great Britain. 

In 1814, as the empire of Napoleon Bonaparte crumbled from the onslaught of the Sixth Coalition powers, the people of Paris felt the ground shudder as cannon shells burst outside the city walls. A year later, the returned emperor's defeat at Waterloo had brought the Germans back to their beloved "City of Lights." In 1870, Paris was besieged by the armies of Kaiser Wilhelm I, and twice during the First World War, it seemed as though the jewel of France might fall into the hands of the great enemy across the Rhine. Each time, the guns of the Prussian armies made their way to the front from the great ironworks of Essen owned by the Krupps, the most powerful family in the German-speaking world after the royal House of Hohenzollern. The Krupp dynasty wielded its power not through the might of armies but the output of its industry. Joined at the hip with the rulers in Berlin, the arms of Krupp built the modern German state and empowered it to liberate a continent from French hegemony and then plunge the world into not one but two world wars. Join us as we teach you about the destructive history of the Krupp family, their empire, and the dangers of corporatism. 

Join us as we teach you about the destructive history of the Krupp family, their empire, and the dangers of corporatism. 

Around him lay the carnage of battle, men killed or nursing wounds. Smoke filled the air and burned the colonel's lungs. His depleted regiment had already repelled three attacks by rebels charging up the hill and was nearing the end of their strength. And yet the grey-coats kept coming. His superior's orders rang in his ears, "You must hold the line." Looking around, he thought to himself, "What more can we do?" Then it came to him, an order not often given in these days of modern war. Standing tall, he gave instructions to his battalion and company commanders, and then shouted a single word to those men still standing—"Bayonets!" Join us as we teach you about the end of the American Civil War, the failings of Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of this conflict on our nation's history. 

Join us as we discuss the end of the American Civil War, the failings of Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of this conflict on our nation's history. 

The streets of Washington buzzed with the news. Now seven states had seceded from the Union, and the country stood on the brink. The White House saw streams of officials entering and leaving as the president summoned the Cabinet and members of Congress to find a solution to the country's plight. Most believed that his inaction the previous December had led to this moment, while others pointed to the results of the election as the breaking point. Regardless of who was to blame, something had to be done. Federal troops in Fort Sumter were in a precarious position and calling for aid. A ship had been dispatched to resupply them but could not land its cargo because of fire from rebel batteries. As he sat in his office on the second floor of the White House, the President of the United States knew that he could not reunite the country. His term would end at noon the following day. His successor, whose election had precipitated the great crisis of the Union, would now have to solve it. Join us in the first of a two-part episode where we teach you about the American Civil War and its effect on our history.    Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. 

Join us as we discuss the beginnings of the American Civil War, the vile and evil institution of slavery, and the beginning of the bloody process by which it was finally brought to an end. 

The concept of moving water from one place to the other has been on the minds of humans since their creation. Conversely, the desire to move soiled water away automatically has – at times – been considered equally important. The means by which this could be done has evolved as civilizations have come and gone. In all of them, a basic pattern emerged in plumbing conception and construction: the path, the pipe, and the seal. Join us as we teach you a brief history of plumbing, its evolution through the ages, and the influence of Thomas Crapper on plumbing technology and sanitation practices.  Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. 

Join us as we discuss the history of plumbing, the influence of Thomas Crapper, and the legacy of the pipe, the path, and the seal.  

It is very common throughout history to see periods of great innovation and artistic expression follow times of great turmoil and death. The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) were some of the worst years in the history of Europe, and in their wake, many artists, writers, philosophers, and common people took stock of what they had just endured.   Join us as we teach you about the age of Romanticism and its effect on culture, art, and the sciences.    Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. 

Join us as we discuss the age of Romanticism and its effect on culture, art, and the sciences. 

"At the turn of the 18th century, the greatest nations in Europe, separated by only 21 miles of water, offered two distinct ideologies that would shape the new century. In England, there was democratic, constitutional monarchy; in France, the cataclysm of revolution had dragged the absolute King from the throne and replaced him with the Mob. Out of the maelstrom emerged a military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, commander of the revolutionary army, who went on to conquer Italy and Egypt before returning to Paris to proclaim himself Emperor. As Napoleon gained power in France, the world stood on the brink of total war. For out of the furnace of the Napoleonic Wars, the modern world was born." — Robert Harvey, The War of Wars, 2006 — Join us as we teach you about the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, his effect on France and Europe, and the enduring legacy of his reign and influence. Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. It really does help! 

Join us as we discuss the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, his effect on France and Europe, and the enduring legacy of his reign and influence. 

Join us as we teach you about the French Revolution, why it happened, how it transpired, and its effects on the world at the time and history as a whole.    Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org. Please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. It really does help!

Join us as we discuss the French Revolution, why it happened, how it transpired, and its effects on the world at the time and history as a whole. 

Join us as we teach you about the first vaccines, two examples from recent history, how they work, and the impact they have had on the practice of medicine. 

Join us as we discuss the first vaccines, two examples from recent history, how they work, and the impact they have had on the practice of medicine and society as a whole. 

Join us as we teach you about Elizabeth I, the history behind her ascendency to the throne, and her leadership in repelling the Spanish Armada. 

Join us as we discuss Elizabeth I, the history behind her ascendency to the throne, and her leadership in repelling the Spanish Armada. 

Join us for this special Thanksgiving episode as we teach you about several events that happened this week in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, his timeless works of art, and the legacy he left behind. 

Join us as we discuss the genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, his timeless works of art, and the legacy he left behind.  

Join us as we teach you about Renaissance Humanism and how the world emerged from the Middle Ages into a new age. 

Join us as we discuss Renaissance Humanism and how the world emerged from the Middle Ages. 

Join us as we once again teach you about the good and bad of history in film. 

Join us as we once again discuss the good and bad of history in film. 

Join us as we teach you the rich history of Mont St Michel, the role it served in European history, how it inspired Peter Jackson for the Lord of The Rings, and what it's like to experience it for the first time.

Join us as we discuss the rich history of Mont St Michel, the role it served in European history, how it inspired Peter Jackson for the Lord of The Rings, and what it's like to experience it for the first time.

Join us as we teach you about the great plague and how it almost broke the known world. 

Join us as we discuss the great plague that almost broke the known world. 

Join us as we teach you about the daily life, culture, and politics of the Middle Ages and why it was also called, The Dark Ages. 

Join us as we discuss the daily life, culture, and politics of the Middle Ages. 

Join us as we teach you about the magic of Paris from the book, The Seven Ages of Paris, by Alistair Horne. Learn how this book influenced one of Jon's many experiences in the City of Lights. 

Join us as we discuss the magic of Paris from the book, The Seven Ages of Paris, by Alistair Horne. Learn more about how this book influenced one of Jon's many experiences in the City of Lights. 

Join us as we teach you about Epaminondas, his victories, and his way of life.   

Join us as we discuss Epaminondas, his victories, and his way of life.  

Join us as we teach you about anacyclosis and its importance in how we understand history. 

Join us as we discuss anacyclosis and its importance in how we understand history. 

Join us in the first podcast of Season #4 where we discuss three events in history that can better help us understand our world today. Season #4 is about the importance of learning history and the perspective it offers. By looking at the past, we may better be able to understand our future. 

Join us as we discuss the first podcast of Season #4 and the many important topics covered in the episode. 

Join us for the fourth and final episode of a four-part series on rational economics. In this episode, Jon discusses the concept of profit and how this concept will be the key to recovery in an economic crisis. 

Join us for the third of a four-part series on rational economics. In this episode, Jon discusses how supply and demand are affected in an economic crisis and the effects of both on the stock market in the short- and long-term. 

Join us for the second of a four-part series on rational economics. In this episode, Jon discusses the costs incurred during an economic crisis.

Join us for the first of a four-part series on rational economics. In this episode, Jon discusses the effects of fear during an economic crisis.   

Join us in the last episode of the season as we teach you about the events of 2016, and why they were turning points in history. 

Join us as we discuss the events of 2016 and why those events were turning points in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the end of the Cold War and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the end of the Cold War and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the Russian Revolution and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the Russian Revolution and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you colonialism on the African continent, the quest for empire, and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the colonialism on the African continent and quest for empire. 

Join us as we teach you about the discovery of germ theory and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the discovery of germ theory, and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about Alexander Fleming, the discovery of penicillin, and why the discovery of antibiotics was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin. 

Join us for this BONUS episode where we discuss and rate the movie, 1917. 

Join us as teach you about the American and French Revolutions, the difference between the two, and why each was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the American and French Revolutions, the difference between them, and why each was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about The German Peasants' War and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the German Peasants War and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the fall of Constantinople and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the fall of Constantinople and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us for this special, combined episode of the Storm of War, The History of World War II from Season One of 15-Minute History. This is the episode that started it all. 

Join us as we teach you about Christopher Columbus and why his voyages were a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss Christopher Columbus and why his voyages were a turning point in history. 

Join us as we share three stories about Thanksgiving and the art of being thankful. 

Join us as we teach you about Marco Polo and why his actions during his life were a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the life of Marco Polo and why his actions were a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the Mongol Golden Horde, how they established the largest empire in history, and why their march across the known world was a turning point. 

Join us as we discuss the Mongol Golden Horde, their conquest across the known world, and why their rule was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the First Crusade, and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss Urban II, the First Crusade, and the many turning points it caused in history. 

Join us as we teach you about the Battle of Hastings and why it was a turning point in English history. 

Join us as we discuss the Battle of Hastings and why it was a turning point in English history. 

Join us as we teach you about Charles Martel and how he changed history forever. 

Join us as we discuss Charles Martel and how he changed history forever. 

Join us as we teach you about the Nicene Creed and why it was a turning in history. 

Join us as we discuss the Nicene Creed and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we teach you about why (or why not) the death and life of Jesus Christ was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss the death and life of Christ and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss The Second Punic War, its effect on the Roman Empire and why it was a turning point in history. 

Join us as we discuss Philip of Macedonia and his impact on his son's empire. 

Join us as we teach you about Philip of Macedonia and his impact on his son's empire.

Join us as we discuss the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis and their impact.

Join us as we teach you about the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

Join as we teach you three stories that changed - or could have changed - history. Season Three is about turning points in the past, and we hope you will join us as we discuss this concept.

Join as we teach you three stories that changed - or could have changed - history. Season Three is about turning points in the past, and we hope you will join us throughout this season as we teach you about the times that history was changed forever. 

Join us as we wrap up Season Two of 15-Minute History. Season Three will begin on Monday, September 2, 2019. If you enjoyed this season, please share the show with your friends, family, and co-workers and leave us a "Like" on iTunes. It really does help.

Join us in our final discussion in season two as we discuss three stories that follow a common theme—crossing the Atlantic Ocean and traveling to Europe.

Join us as we share three stories that follow a common theme—crossing the Atlantic Ocean and traveling to Europe.

Join us as we discuss the Vietnam War. 

Join us as we teach you about the Vietnam War. 

Join us as we discuss the amazing history of the space race. 

Join us as we teach you about the amazing history of The Space Race. 

Join us as we discuss Civil Rights and the Supreme Court. 

Join us as we teach you about Civil Rights and the Supreme Court. 

Join us as we discuss the USS Enterprise, known as the "The Grey Ghost". 

Join us as we teach you about "The Grey Ghost", the USS Enterprise. 

Join us as we discuss William F. Buckley, Jr. and American Conservatism. 

Join us as we teach you about William F. Buckley, Jr. and the foundation of American Conservatism.

Join us as we discuss the “New Deal” and the transformation of American politics.

Join us as we teach you about the “New Deal”, the Great Depression, and the transformation of American politics.

Join us as we discuss the life and times of Wyatt Earp. 

Join us as we teach you about the life and times of Wyatt Earp.

Join us as we discuss the good and the bad of historical movies. 

Join us as we teach you about the best and worst of historical movies. 

Join us as we discuss William Tecumseh Sherman.

Join us as we teach you about William Tecumseh Sherman.

Join us as we discuss the War of 1812.

Join us as we teach you about the War of 1812.

Join us as we discuss the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Join us as we teach you about the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

Join us as we discuss the person, history, and prominence of George Washington.

Join us as we teach you about the person, history, and prominence of George Washington.

Join us as we discuss the French and Indian War and its role in American history.

Join us as we teach you about the French and Indian War and its role in American history.

Join us as we discuss Zheng He and the theory that he may have been the first to discover the new world.

Join us as we teach you about Zheng He and the theory that he may have been the first to discover the new world. 

Join us as we discuss a survey of American history.

Join us as we provide an overview of American history, the themes therein, and an outlook for the future. 

In this special episode, we review the WWI documentary, "They Shall Not Grow Old", by Peter Jackson. 

Join us as we discuss the history of the Declaration of Independence.

In this episode, we teach you the history of the Declaration of Independence. 

Join us as we teach you about the rich history of the Palace of Versailles. 

Join us as we discuss the rich history of the Palace of Versailles.

In this episode, we explain the history of social media, the reason for its rise in popularity, and its possible effects on society. 

Join us as we discuss the history of social media, the reasons for its rise in popularity, and its possible effects on society. 

Join us as we discuss the devastation and horror of World War I, its long-term effects on the European continent, and its effect on the rest of the world.

In this episode, we explain the devastation and horror of World War I, its long-term effects on the European continent, and its effect on the rest of the world.

Join us as we discuss the lead-up and start of World War I.

In this episode, we explain the lead-up and evolution of the Great War, World War I.

In this episode, we discuss the rich history of the English royal family, the House of Windsor.

In this episode, we detail the rich history of the English royal family, the House of Windsor.

In this discussion, we discuss the ongoing events of WWII and the different factors that lead to its conclusion.

In this episode, we explain the ongoing events of WWII and the different factors that lead to its conclusion.

Join us as we discuss the lead-up and start of WW II.

In this episode, we explain the lead-up and evolution of history's greatest military conflict, World War II.

Welcome to 15-Minute History! Learn about the creators of 15-Minute history, and how it got started.