Category: Yesterday

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Decline of the Crusaders Episode 9 “The Growing Empire of Saladin”

In this episode, we hear how Saladin continued to build his empire by taking Aleppo in 1183, which he added to his control of Damascus, so that he ruled a state stretching from Egypt to the borders of modern Turkey, completely encircling the Crusaders. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Empire had faded after its defeat by the Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Myriokephalon in 1076, and the Crusaders themselves suffered from the lack of a capable leader, and were increasingly dominated by the irresponsible and self-seeking Reynald of Châtillon.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Curious City - A Most Unusual School Year: Part II

In Part II of our special series on education during COVID-19, reporters Susie An and Kate McGee share stories of two high school juniors going through the college application process during remote learning and several college freshmen experiencing a strange first semester. Some of those college students are studying remotely from the homes where they grew up while others packed up and headed off to campus, only to face a quarantine.

Then, we hear from Curious City question askers and experts about what they’re thankful for this year.

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Curious City - A Most Unusual School Year: Part II

In Part II of our special series on education during COVID-19, reporters Susie An and Kate McGee share stories of two high school juniors going through the college application process during remote learning and several college freshmen experiencing a strange first semester. Some of those college students are studying remotely from the homes where they grew up while others packed up and headed off to campus, only to face a quarantine.

Then, we hear from Curious City question askers and experts about what they’re thankful for this year.

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Decline of the Crusaders Episode 8 “The Defeat of Byzantium”

In this episode, we'll hear how things got worse for both the Byzantines and the Crusaders when Byzantium suffered a great defeat at the hands of the Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Myriokephalon in 1176. This battle wasn't the game changer that the Battle of Manzikert had been for Byzantium since it had already lost its great power status. But it reduced Byzantium to a third rate power, making the Crusaders even more isolated in the Middle-East.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Curious City - A Most Unusual School Year: Part I

We’ve spent the last couple of months reimagining the Curious City podcast and trying out some new ways to answer your questions. And now, the wait is over. We’re ready to let you hear what we’ve been up to. We’re still going to be answering your questions, but in this episode, we’re collaborating with our audience a little differently. Two WBEZ education reporters share how a family and a teacher are coping with remote learning.

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Curious City - A Most Unusual School Year: Part I

We’ve spent the last couple of months reimagining the Curious City podcast and trying out some new ways to answer your questions. And now, the wait is over. We’re ready to let you hear what we’ve been up to. We’re still going to be answering your questions, but in this episode, we’re collaborating with our audience a little differently. Two WBEZ education reporters share how a family and a teacher are coping with remote learning.

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Curious City - Where Does Your Poop Go?

In 2015, Satchel Lang was a curious five-year-old Chicagoan who didn’t want poop’s destiny to remain such a mystery. Now 11-years-old, we catch back up with Satchel and revisit the answer to Satchel’s question that reveals how poop and pee in the Chicago area get processed by an agency called the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

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Curious City - Where Does Your Poop Go?

In 2015, Satchel Lang was a curious five-year-old Chicagoan who didn’t want poop’s destiny to remain such a mystery. Now 11-years-old, we catch back up with Satchel and revisit the answer to Satchel’s question that reveals how poop and pee in the Chicago area get processed by an agency called the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Decline of the Crusaders Episode 7 “The Rise of Saladin”

In this episode, we'll hear how Saladin saw a golden opportunity to create an Islamic empire that could challenge the Crusaders when his rival Nur ad-Din, the Zengid ruler, and the capable Crusader King of Jerusalem, Amalric, both died unexpectedly. However, the new young King of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV, although himself a leper, would prove to be a brave and courageous leader.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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The Right to Drink - The Surprising History of Moonshine

There’s a funny thing about alcohol. Every time the government makes it hard to get, the greater the lengths humans go to get it. Throughout human history we’ve found mind-bendingly creative ways to obtain our precious hooch, and the higher the government barriers the larger the black market. But moonshining isn’t just an American Prohibition era story, it’s a modern day--and global--phenomenon. So grab your jug and listen along as we compare moonshine myths and lore with modern day reality.