15-Minute History

Why do so many large corporations, especially the tech giants, seem to avoid federal antitrust legislation?Join us every Thursday for pop quizzes and Sketches in History episodes, and leave a comment below if you have questions or ideas about topics we should cover!

A frail, asthmatic boy who forged himself into a force of nature. Tragedy drove a retreat to the Dakota Badlands and a return as a reformer and war leader. Trust-busting, labor intervention, and building a canal reshaped the nation. A conservation crusade protected vast wilderness. A shot in the chest did not stop a famous speech.

The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story; it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to 1907 to witness one of humanity's greatest engineering challenges: the construction of the Panama Canal. Standing alongside Chief Engineer John Stevens in the sweltering jungle heat, Lottie watches as 75,000 workers from 97 countries battle tropical diseases, devastating landslides, and a mountain that seems determined not to be moved. In this episode, your kids will learn about resilience, discover how the impossible became possible, and witness the moment when thousands of determined workers proved that together, they really could move mountains!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

In this week's discussion, we cover more detail about the building of the canal and the herculean medical and engineering feats American and Panamanian workers achieved. (Joe even gets to put on his doctor's hat and tell us about yellow fever.) We then get into some of the current-day events and what the future might hold for America and its southern neighbors.Join us every Monday for discussions and episodes as well as our Thursday pop quizzes and Sketches in History. Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

With events in Iran moving hour by hour, Joe asked about the Iranian Revolution of 1979, how that regime could hold onto the country for so long, and why we are now seeing a possible change in government in the coming weeks (or perhaps even days).Join us each Thursday for pop quizzes and Sketches in History, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Over a century ago, the United States blasted its way through a continent in one of the largest engineering projects in world history. The Panama Canal's construction brought with it decades of American involvement in Latin America--the effects of which are still felt today.Join us every Monday as we explore topics in American history leading to our 250th birthday in July and for pop quizzes and "Sketches in History" episodes every Thursday. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Dive into the contrasts of communism and fascism! Discover Marx's vision of equality and the variations seen in Soviet and Chinese models. Explore examples like the Paris Commune and learn about the key role of state in fascism, marked by its ties to big business and militarism. Unpack the authoritarian traits shared by both ideologies, while debating what makes Nazism distinct. Tune in for a thought-provoking comparison that will have you questioning the power dynamics in both systems!

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 27, 2025. New episodes starting next week!___The Battle of Agincourt, though small by modern standards, stands as a turning point in European history by bringing democracy to the battlefield. Joe takes us through the battle in all its detail and asks whether Henry V's actions proved to be a good idea or a bad one.

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 5, 2025.___In this double pop quiz, Jon answers a question from an audience member and then discusses the Overton Window and how the range of "acceptable" political discourse changes over time.Join us every other week for these pop quizzes during the summer, and comment below with any topics you'd like us to cover!

Delve into the fascinating roots of early American society! Explore how four groups of English settlers—Puritans, Quakers, Cavaliers, and backcountry folk—shaped the nation’s cultural identity. Discover the Puritans' strict moral order and the Quakers' community focus. Unpack the contradictions of the Southern economy intertwined with slavery. Learn how these diverse folkways continue to influence modern American society. Each group's unique ideals, both good and bad, have left a lasting imprint on today's political and cultural landscape.