Catherine the Great's son, Paul I, idolized his deceased father Peter III and resented his powerful mother. Unfortunately for him, when he finally became Tsar, he would learn that wielding power isn't as easy as it looks.
Jan 24
The Disastrous Arctic Balloon Mission of 1897
In 1897, a Swedish engineer set out to reach the North Pole ... by balloon. With two companions, a crate of champagne, and the faith of a nation, he rose into the Arctic fog — and vanished. Decades later, their frozen journals and undeveloped film emerged from the ice, revealing ... Show More
53m 29s
Jan 20
The Missing Diamond in Case XIII
The Florentine Diamond was one of the crown jewels (sorry) of the Habsburgs—a 137-carat diamond that had come from the court of the Duke of Tuscany. But after World War I, when the Austrian Empire collapsed, the royal family fled to Switzerland, taking the diamond with them. From ... Show More
19m 59s
Sep 2021
EP65: A Father's Note to His "Timeless" Daughter, The Corrupt City Council, and A Father's Secret
On this episode of Our American Stories, talk radio host Jeff Katz shares a note that his daughter won't ever read, but will surely impact your life for the better; Erica Brewer shares how the city council of her own community worked to silence her; and Skip Reeves tells the stor ... Show More
38m 17s
Oct 2021
Ada Lovelace, Part One: How Lord Byron’s Daughter Became a Tech Visionary
<p>Today Ada Lovelace is hailed as one of the most important figures in the early history of computing -- but, during her childhood, her mother was worried she might take after her father, the famous poet (and infamous philanderer) Lord Byron. Learn more about Ada's childhood in ... Show More
34m 26s
Jan 2015
The Glamorous Strongwoman
<p>From an early age, Katie Sandwina wowed crowds, first as a wrestling act and then exclusively as professional strongwoman. During a time when women's suffrage was a hot button issue, she cultivated an image of a perfectly feminine powerhouse.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ... Show More
28m 52s