Horatio Nelson | Britannia’s God of War
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.
13 Helmi 202316min
The German Resistance | A Discussion on Standing Alone
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.
6 Helmi 202333min
The German Resistance | Standing Alone
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.
30 Tammi 202315min
What to Watch | A Discussion on History in Movies, Part III
Join us as we discuss the good and bad movies from the episode, What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III.
23 Tammi 202345min
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.
16 Tammi 202323min
St. Nicholas | A Discussion (w/ two special guests)
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!
24 Joulu 202218min
St. Nicholas | A Historical Perspective
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.
19 Joulu 20228min
The History of Social Media | A Discussion
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.
12 Joulu 202222min
