15-Minute History

Join us as we discuss the history of civil rights in America through the bench of the Supreme Court, the lasting effect of Brown vs. Board of Education, and how such rulings have shaped our society today.

In early 1865, the Union and Confederate armies were locked in mortal combat around the city of Petersburg, VA, and in the humid forests of Georgia. The American Civil War's end was near, and the Lincoln Administration now faced the question of how to restore the Union and end slavery once and for all. The legal framework for equality between the races came with the passage of the three anti-slavery amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and each Confederate state would have to ratify them before they could rejoin the Union. Abraham Lincoln's message to the American people in his second inaugural address was clear: "With malice toward none, with charity toward all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Join us in this redux episode as we share the history of civil rights in America through the bench of the Supreme Court, the lasting effect of Brown vs. Board of Education, and how such rulings have shaped our society today. 

Join us as we speak with James D. Richardson about his new book, "The Abolisitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family". In the book, Mr. Richardson details the findings from the journal of his ancestor, George Richardson, an abolitionist, before and after the fall of slavery in America. From this primary historical source, James Richardson is able to construct a picture of the man who fought his entire life for the freedom and equality of African Americans. "The Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family", is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. 

James D. Richardson is a former senior writer with The Sacramento Bee and a retired Episcopal priest. He is the author of Willie Brown: A Biography. His articles on state politics have appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The San Fransico Chronicle. He lives in Sacramento, California, with his wife, Lori. 

Join us as we discuss heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. Listen also as we answer your questions about Tolkien, his writing, his influences, and the Rings of Power. 

Familiar to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien believed that myths used stories of heroes to inspire generations of readers. He began his writing career with a children’s book, and when his publisher asked for a sequel, Tolkien had to give it some thought. For much of his life, he had lamented the fact that much of English mythology had been destroyed by invading armies or imported from abroad. (For example, the most famous English myth, that of King Arthur, was a blend of Scottish and French stories.) On putting pen to paper for the first time on his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien began to craft an alternate mythology for his homeland that would tell heroic tales that, he believed, were lacking in modern Britain.

Join us as we teach you about heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. 

Join us as we discuss the three short stories of heroes and learn what you can expect this season as we show you the people, places, and events in history that have contributed to the good we see in our world today. 

Welcome to season six of 15-Minute History! Listen as we tell you three short stories of heroes. This season is about the people, places, and events in history that have contributed to the good we see in our world today. It is about showing the progression of the lives of those who came before and gaining insight into their motivations for taking action for the good of us all. It is about those who became a light in the dark, those who felt fear but still acted, and those who pushed past the confines of the moment to do that which we can take strength from today. It is about the person who might seem particularly ordinary, who, put into a situation where conviction trumps convenience, decides that action takes priority over words.

This season is about heroes. 

We are pleased and excited to welcome back Dr. Dominic Selwood to discuss the passing of Queen Elizabeth, her legacy, and the probable changes to the monarchy as a result. Dr. Selwood also provides historical context for the ceremony, the coming coronation of King Charles III, and explains the true power of the crown in Great Britain. We hope you enjoy every moment as Dr. Selwood provides his authoritative take on this monumental current event. 

Read more about British history through Dr. Selwood's new book, "Anatomy of a Nation:  A History of British Identity in 50 Documents", where he conducts a lively study of, and musings around, 50 documents – spanning 950,000 years of British history – which reads almost like a thriller as we follow the twists and turns of the country’s tumultuous fate. "Anatomy of a Nation" is available wherever books are sold. 

Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist and barrister. He is a bestselling author and novelist, and a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a masters from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family. 

In this redux episode, we detail the rich history of the English royal family, the House of Windsor.

The 15-Minute History team remembers Queen Elizabeth II.