Cloaked in secrecy, discussed by even the most hardened criminals as a place of terror, US Penitentiary Alcatraz is the most feared institution in the American penal system. From 1934 to 1963 more than 1500 prisoners pass through its gates, including Machine-Gun Kelly and Scarface himself, Alphonse Capone. But how did this island rock capture the public imag ... Show More
Jul 12
The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
In 1986, seven astronauts boarded Space Shuttle Challenger for what was meant to be a routine tenth flight of the orbiter. Seventy-three seconds after lift-off, the shuttle broke apart in front of millions of viewers, in what remains one of the worst disasters in the history of h ... Show More
52m 45s
Feb 2023
The Escape from Alcatraz Prison
Locked cells, surrounded by an impenetrable concrete fortress, surrounded by high barbed wire fences, surrounded by water, on an island in San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz was considered the most 'inescapable' prison in the world. The worst of the worst were sent there. So how, in 196 ... Show More
52m 14s
Oct 2023
The Great Escape: The True Story of Three Alcatraz Inmates
Though the prison has been closed for decades, Alcatraz has earned its place in infamy. In its heyday, “The Rock” was considered impenetrable. At least 36 prisoners attempted to escape the island – all were captured, shot, or swallowed by the sea. All of that changed one fateful ... Show More
34m 11s
Sep 2021
107 - Expression: The Coast is Clear / The Great Escape from Alcatraz
In today's episode, you'll learn how to use the common expression: The Coast Is Clear. You'll get to practice pronunciation and hear a joke as well. The fun fact in this episode is all about Alcatraz, an island or prison, I should say - former prison - off the coast of San Franci ... Show More
33m 23s