Throughline

Explore the fall of Tenochtitlán from multiple perspectives, challenging the dominant European narrative. Learn about the vibrant civilization of Tenochtitlán, the brutal massacre during the conquest, and the devastating impact of infectious diseases. Discover the importance of revising history and understanding the consequences of European imperialism.

In the year 1258, the Mongol Army destroyed the great Islamic city of Baghdad. They continued to push West, conquering Muslim cities until there was just one left in their way: Cairo. The Battle of Ayn Jalut was a monumental battle that decided the fate of the Islamic world. This battle is as important to world history as D-Day or Gettysburg. The podcast explores the rise of Genghis Khan, the challenges faced by the Mongols in conquering Cairo, and the fierce battle between the Mamluks and the Mongols in 1260.

Explore the contrasting experiences of Red Lake and Leech Lake Native American communities in Minnesota and the gradual erosion of their land and independence. Learn about the history and migration of the Ojibwe people and the impact of the allotment act of 1887. Discover the negotiations at Red Lake in 1889 and the efforts of Red Lake leaders to preserve their unallotted reservation land. Delve into the conflicts over fishing rights, the concept of tribal sovereignty, and the importance of preserving the Ojibwe language and culture through the Indagini-Tawi-Ging School.

Explore Taiwan's journey from a quiet agrarian island to a global tech powerhouse, with a focus on its role as the leader in semiconductor production and its economic miracle. Learn about the challenges faced by companies like Nintendo due to the global chip shortage and the complex political situation between China and Taiwan. Follow the stories of Taiwanese engineering graduates and their impact on Taiwan's transformation, as well as the determination and risk involved in starting a company. Discover how Taiwan became a key dealer for high-tech parts and established its own Silicon Valley.

South Korea's rise to becoming a global exporter of pop culture is explored in this episode. Topics include the impact of the Korean War on Korean culture, the intentional investment in soft power by the South Korean government, the economic transformation of Korea under Park Chung-hee, the unintended consequences of globalization, and the rise of Korean cultural products globally.

Discover the inspiring story of Wong Kim Ark's fight for recognition as a citizen and the landmark Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship. Explore the controversy surrounding birthright citizenship in the US. Follow Wong Kim Ark's journey from China to San Francisco and his struggle with legal challenges. Learn about the arguments made regarding the 14th Amendment and its implications for birthright citizenship. Explore the lasting impact of Wong Kim Ark's battle for citizenship and the significance of birthright citizenship in the United States.

Explore the fight to preserve Chinese language and culture, the efforts to simplify and standardize Chinese, and the role of key figures in modernization. Discover the struggle to make Mandarin the national standard, preserve Chinese cultural heritage, and adapt the writing system. Follow Mao Zedong's journey from a library worker to revolutionary leader and his thoughts on modernizing the Chinese language.

One day in late April 1958, a young economist named Madeleine Tress was approached by two men in suits at her office at the U.S. Department of Commerce. They took her to a private room, turned on a tape recorder, and demanded she respond to allegations that she was an "admitted homosexual." Two weeks later, she resigned. Madeleine was one of thousands of victims of a purge of gay and lesbian people ordered at the highest levels of the U.S. government: a program spurred by a panic that destroyed careers and lives and lasted more than forty years. Today, it's known as the "Lavender Scare." In a moment when LGBTQ+ rights are again in the public crosshairs, we tell the story of the Lavender Scare: its victims, its proponents, and a man who fought for decades to end it.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

American schools have always been more than where we go to learn the ABCs: They're places where socialization happens and cultural norms are developed. And arguments over what those norms are and how they're communicated tend to flare up during moments of cultural anxiety — like the one we're in now.When it premiered in 1969, the kids' TV show Sesame Street was part of a larger movement to reach lower-income, less privileged and more "urban" children. It was part of LBJ's Great Society agenda. And though it was funded in part by taxpayer dollars, Sesame Street is a TV show, not a classroom, and it set out to answer the question of what it means to educate kids. Today: how a television show made to represent Harlem and the Bronx reached children across a divided country, and how the conversations on the street have changed alongside usLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How does a country go from its leader winning the Nobel Peace Prize to all-out war in just one year? That's the question surrounding Ethiopia, which has become embroiled in one of the deadliest wars of the 21st century. The U.S. has called it an ethnic cleansing campaign against Tigrayans, a minority group in the country; some human rights organizations have called it a genocide. But many people outside Ethiopia and its diaspora had no idea it was happening. In U.S. media, it's hardly discussed, even as violence has intensified throughout the country. In this episode, we tell the story of Ethiopia — the oldest independent country in Africa — and the political, cultural and religious factors that led to this war.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy