History Talk, the history podcast from Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective

Mar 10 2025 239 ep. 25 mins 590

History Talk, the history podcast from Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective artwork

Smart conversations about today’s most interesting topics - a history podcast for everyone, produced by Origins from Ohio State's Department of History

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10 Great World War II Films

Mar 10 2025 16 mins

Narrator Nicholas Breyfogle gives voice to author Stephen M. Norris' top ten World War II films. Video production by Laura Seeger and Nicholas Breyfogle. A textual version of this video is available at https://origins.osu.edu/connecting-history/top-ten-origins-world-war-ii-films. This is a production of Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective at the Goldberg Center in

Haile Selassie I and an Independent Ethiopia

Feb 09 2025 6 mins

Haile Selassie’s triumphant return to Ethiopia on May 5, 1941, signaled the re‐establishment of the Solomonic Dynasty and a sovereign Ethiopia. Written by Andrew Carlson. Narration by Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. Production by Laura Seeger and Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. Video and written versions of this podcase are available at https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/may-2016-emper

Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon

Feb 05 2025 7 mins

According to the traditional narrative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was visited on September 21, 1823 by an angel who told him of an ancient record buried nearby his farm in western New York. Written by Benjamin E. Park. Narration by Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. A textual version of this podcast is available at https://origins.osu.edu/read/joseph-

The Berlin Airlift

Jan 20 2025 6 mins

The Berlin Airlift began on June 26, 1948, only two days after the Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin. Written by Ian Gammon. Narration by Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. A textual version is available at https://origins.osu.edu/read/berlin-airlift. Production by Laura Seeger and Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. Additional resources: To Save a City: The Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949 (http

The Founding of the People's Republic of China

Dec 10 2024 8 mins

On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong (1893-1976) stood on the rostrum of Tian’anmen (The Gate of Heavenly Peace) and announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in his strong Hunanese accent. This momentous announcement marked the end of China’s chaotic era of foreign domination since the mid-18th century and of frequent governmental upheavals after 1911.

The Story of Poinsettia Day and U.S.-Mexico Relations

Dec 03 2024 6 mins

Since 2002, December 12 has been known as Poinsettia Day, created by Congress to honor the passing of Paul Ecke, Jr., who helped commercialize the plant in the United States in the middle of the twentieth century. Written by Lindsay Schakenbach Regele. Narration by Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. Video and audio production by Laura Seeger and Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. Textual and vide

Remembering Bhopal: The World's Worst Industrial Disaster

Nov 30 2024 59 mins

This presentation commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Disaster (2-3 December, 1984 in Bhopal, India), the world’s worst industrial disaster. Dr. Madhumita Dutta, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at The Ohio State University discusses the disaster, the immediate and ongoing health repercussions for the people of Bhopal, and their global legal and

What was Wrong with the Judges at the Salem Witch Trials?

Nov 22 2024 59 mins

While most of the books written about the Salem witch trials concern those who were accused of witchcraft and their accusers, Matt Goldish's new book, "Science and Specters" at Salem, turns the spotlight on the judges. They were, after all, the men who decided to accept these accusations and move the trials forward. Historians have long wondered why the judges accepted evidence bas

Our Top 10 Historical Musicals

Nov 17 2024 20 mins

Musicals have sought to bring history to life onstage, with varying degrees of creative license. These are our top ten musicals based on real-life people and events that have shaped the theatre. Written by Lauren Henry. Narrated by Nicholas Breyfogle. Video production by Laura Seeger and Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle. A textual version of this podcast is available at https://origins.o

Postwar Decolonization and its Discontents

Nov 14 2024 59 mins

Presented by Lydia Walker, Provost Scholar Assistant Professor, Seth Andre Myers Chair in Global Military History, in the Department of History at The Ohio State University. After the Second World War, national self-determination became a recognized international norm, yet it only extended to former colonies. Groups within postcolonial states that made alternative sovereign claims