15-Minute History

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 [email protected], 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.

During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on December 14, 2023. New episodes starting this Monday, January 12.
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Have an idea for a topic? Want to try and stump Jon? Send it to us at [email protected] or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org. We promise not to give him any hints.