Historic Voices: Global History and Culture
277 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 19 ratingsHistoric Voices Podcast brings voices from the past that make history come alive through their personal accounts and public speeches. Some episodes bring the voices of political and military leaders, common citizens who lived during extraordinary times, and entertainers who helped Americans live through difficult events. The podcast host provides a short introduction and afterward shares historical context. This podcast is part of the LifePodcast Network composed of other family-friendly podcasts that bring a positive message of hope and inspiration. Check out the LifePodcast Network, http://lifepodcast.net.
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Episodes
(Bonus PDF) Story of Apollo 11 Mission to Place a Man on the Moon
July 24, 2017 05:00 - 1.63 MB application/pdfApollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed the first two humans on the Moon. Mission commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin, both American, landed the lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface six hours later on July 21 at 02:56:15 UTC; Aldrin joined him about 20 minutes later. They spent about two and a quarter hours together outside the spacecraft, and collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material to bring back ...
(Bonus PDF) Neil Armstrong's Life Story
July 24, 2017 04:30 - 63.5 KB application/pdfNeil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut, engineer, and the first person to walk on the Moon. He was also an aerospace engineer, naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor. Before becoming an astronaut, Armstrong was an officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War. After the war, he earned his bachelor's degree at Purdue University and served as a test pilot at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) High-Speed Flight...
(S01-E31) HV Aviation Leader Series - Neil Armstrong - Speaking from the Moon - July 20, 1969
July 24, 2017 04:00 - 5 minutes - 7.5 MBWith this podcast episode, we are in the middle of a three-part series on aviation leaders. We will listen to the conversation between NASA and Neil Armstrong in the lunar lander as he prepares to be the first human to walk on the surface of the moon. In addition to this audio episode, I also provide two PDF documents: first, a short overview of his life, and finally, the story of Apollo 11 mission to place Armstrong on the moon’s surface. This podcast is part of the LifePodcast Network ...
(Bonus PDF) Mercury Seven Pioneer Astronauts
July 19, 2017 01:58 - 626 KB application/pdfThe Mercury Seven were the group of seven Mercury astronauts announced by NASA on April 9, 1959. They are also referred to as the Original Seven or Astronaut Group 1. They piloted the manned spaceflights of the Mercury program from May 1961 to May 1963. These seven original American astronauts were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. Members of the group flew on all classes of NASA manned orbital spacecraft of the 20th c...
(Bonus PDF) Life Story of John Glenn
July 19, 2017 01:55 - 1.11 MB application/pdfJohn Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18,1921 – December 8, 2016) was a United States Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, and United States Senator from Ohio. In 1962 he was the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times. Before joining NASA, Glenn was a distinguished fighter pilot in World War II and Korea with six Distinguished Flying Crosses and eighteen Air Medals. He was one of the Mercury Seven, military test pilots selected in 1959 by NASA as the United States' first...
(S01-E30) HV Aviation Leaders Series - Colonial John Glenn - First U.S. Astronaut in Space
July 19, 2017 01:50 - 4 minutes - 6.48 MBWith this podcast episode, we begin a three-part series on aviation leaders. John Glenn shares remarks as the first American to travel into space. They follow his ticker tape parade in New York City after his return. In addition to this audio episode, I also provide two PDF documents: first, a short overview of his life, and finally, the story of the Mercury Seven pioneer astronauts of which John Glenn was a member. This podcast is part of the LifePodcast Network which is a group of fami...
(Bonus PDF) Life Story of Jimmy Carter's Personal and Political Journey
July 12, 2017 02:48 - 1.87 MB application/pdfThis PDF document provides an overview of Jimmy Carter's personal and political life. He recognized for his many accomplishments after he lelt political office with his work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA.
(PDF) Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act
July 12, 2017 02:44 - 237 KB application/pdfThis PDF document provides an example of President Carter's larger National Energy Act which was one of his priorities as president.
(PDF Transcript) President Jimmy Carter - Crisis of Confidence TV Speech to the Nation
July 12, 2017 02:42 - 201 KB application/pdfThis PDF transcript is of President Jimmy Carter and his “Energy and the National Goals” speech. It is often called the “Crisis of Confidence” speech. A major priority of President Carter was the U.S. policy of energy consumption. The nation was suffering from rising oil costs due to OPEC which resulted in gas rationing, long gas lines, and energy shortages just to name a few. Before the formal part of this energy policy speech, President Carter explored reasons for lack of action by Congr...
(S01-E29) HV President Jimmy Carter - "Crisis of Confidence" TV Speech to the Nation- July 15, 1979
July 12, 2017 02:37 - 36 minutes - 50.3 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature President Jimmy Carter and his “Energy and the National Goals” speech. It is often called the “Crisis of Confidence” speech. A major priority of President Carter was the U.S. policy of energy consumption. The nation was suffering from rising oil costs due to OPEC which resulted in gas rationing, long gas lines, and energy shortages just to name a few. Before the formal part of this energy policy speech, President Carter explored reasons for lack of actio...
(Bonus PDF) Backstory of Creation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence
July 03, 2017 03:44 - 1.23 MB application/pdfThe sources and interpretation of the Declaration have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances against King George III, and by asserting certain natural and legal rights, including a right of revolution. Having served its original purpose in announcing independence, references to the text of the Declaration were few in the following years. Abraham Lincoln made it the centerpiece of his rhetori...
(Bonus PDF) Founding Fathers of the United States
July 03, 2017 03:36 - 890 KB application/pdfThe Founding Fathers of the United States are those individuals of the Thirteen Colonies in North America who led the American Revolution against the authority of the British Crown in word and deed and contributed to the establishment of the United States of America. The term Founding Fathers is sometimes used to refer to the Signers of the embossed version of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It is not to be confused with the term Framers; the Framers are defined by the National A...
(Bonus PDF) Text of the U.S. Declaration of Independence
July 03, 2017 03:27 - 958 KB application/pdfThis PDF document provides the text of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
(S01-E28) HV Paul Harvey - Independence Day Special - "The Pledge of America's First Citizens"
July 03, 2017 03:25 - 11 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this podcast episode, we provide a speech by Paul Harvey which is called “The pledge of America’s first citizens.” Mr. Harvey gave this speech annually about the price paid by many of the Founding Fathers for their involvement in the American Revolutionary War. As Mr. Harvey states, some people go to war since they have nothing to lose, in this case, the Founding Fathers had everything to lose since they were already men of influence, power, and wealth. They risked it all for the rest of ...
(PDF) Overview of The Six Shooter radio show staring Mr. Jimmy Stewart
June 26, 2017 11:14 - 187 KB application/pdfThe Six Shooter was a weekly oldtime radio program in the United States. It was created by Frank Burt, who also wrote many of the episodes, and lasted only one season of 39 episodes on NBC (Sept. 20, 1953 through June 24, 1954). James Stewart starred as Britt Ponset, a drifting cowboy in the final years of thewild west. Episodes ranged from straight western drama to whimsical comedy. A trademark of the show was Stewart's use of whispered narration during tense scenes that created a heigh...
(Bonus PDF) Short Life Story of Mr. Jimmy Stewart
June 26, 2017 11:08 - 1.05 MB application/pdfThis PDF document provides a short history of the life of Mr. Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Stewart was a prominent movie and radio star. He also was a distinguished aviator flying bombers against Germany and continued his military service after the war as a reservist. He is one of my favorite actors both for what he did on the movie screen but also for his service to the country through the armed forces.
(S01-E27) HV Jimmy Stewart - "The Capture of Stacy Gault" Episode - The Six Shooter Radio Show - 1953
June 26, 2017 11:04 - 30 minutes - 43.1 MBIn this podcast episode, we take a change of pace and feature a famous American movie actor performing on a 1950s weekly radio show named “The Six Shooter”. The main character is Jimmy Stewart as Britt Ponset, a drifting cowboy in the final years of the wild American west. In addition to this audio episode, I also provide two PDF documents: first, a short life story of Mr. Stewart, and finally, the backstory on this NBC radio show, The Six Shooter. Let us now tune our radio dial to Novem...
(Bonus PDF) The "Industrial Military Complex"
June 19, 2017 06:00 - 285 KB application/pdfOne of the topics in President Eisenhower's farewell address was warning of the potential negative consequences of the U.S. "industrial military complex", the convergence of industrial companies manufacturing weapons of war, the U.S. military who wanted more sophisticated weapons, and the congressional members who supported the weapons industry due to their campaign contributions and creation of jobs in the home districts of the U.S. congresspeople. The article also talks about the backstory...
(Bonus PDF) Life Story of Dwight D. Eisenhower, General of the Army and President of the U.S.
June 19, 2017 05:30 - 2.04 MB application/pdfThis short history of Dwight D. Eisenhower traces his remarkable personal life and that while Supreme Commander of Allied Forces and President of the United States.
(Bonus PDF Transcript) President Eisenhower - Farewell to the Nation
June 19, 2017 05:00 - 118 KB application/pdfThe President’s speech is typical for many of the recent U.S. presidents. He began with a quick review of the past and especially the world wars the U.S. has been engaged and the role of the country as peacemaker to help build a better future. Then, he turns to the new challenges which are domestic rather than international. Eisenhower expresses his worry that the U.S. has embraced a permanent armaments industry with the export of weapons around the world. This was a radical change in the ...
(S01-E26) HV President Eisenhower - "Farewell to the Nation" TV Speech - January 17, 1961
June 19, 2017 04:30 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBThe President’s speech is typical for many of the recent U.S. presidents. He began with a quick review of the past and especially the world wars the U.S. has been engaged and the role of the country as peacemaker to help build a better future. Then, he turns to the new challenges which are domestic rather than international. Eisenhower expresses his worry that the U.S. has embraced a permanent armaments industry with the export of weapons around the world. This was a radical change in the ...
(Bonus PDF) Short Overview of Operation Quicksilver to Deceive the Germans on D-Day
June 12, 2017 06:00 - 263 KB application/pdfThis PDF document provides a short overview of Operation Quicksilver which was to deceive the Germans on D-Day. It was an elaborate hoax led by General Patton of the real target for the invasion would occur on a different location on the French coastline. The movie "Patton" does a good job explaining how General Patton was assigned to this task rather than leading allied forces on D-Day.
(Bonus PDF) Overview of the WWII D-Day Landing on the Normandy Beaches
June 12, 2017 05:30 - 1.34 MB application/pdfThis PDF document provides a short overview of the D-Day invasion by the allied forces during World War Two. The invasion was the largest military engagement in history and was one of the major turning points of the war against Germany.
(Bonus PDF Transcript) General Eisenhower Addresses the D-Day Invasion Troops on June 6, 1944
June 12, 2017 05:00 - 215 KB application/pdfThis is a PDF transcript of a short speech by General Dwight D. Eisenhower to the allied troops who were to land on the Normandy beaches during D-Day.
(S01-E25) HV General Eisenhower - "Order of the Day" Speech to D-Day Troops - June 6, 1944
June 12, 2017 04:30 - 4 minutes - 6.31 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature a short speech by General Dwight D. Eisenhower to the allied troops who were to land on the Normandy beaches during D-Day in just a few hours. Nearly 10,000 of these brave troops will lose their lives during the invasion against fierce German resistance. Separately, I provide several PDF documents: first, a transcript of this speech, secondly an overview of the D-Day invasion, and finally, the diversion plan headed by General Patton to shift German atte...
(Bonus Video) WWII D-Day Invasion - Archival Film Newsreel - June 6, 1944
June 08, 2017 03:17 - 3 minutes - 18.9 MB VideoI thought you would enjoy a short archival film newsreel of the D-Day landing. I was preparing some upcoming history lessons for my students and ran across this public domain item. It fits our purpose for historic voices, in this case it is the voice of the narrator recorded at that time with the film footage. I will include these newsreel items when I can find appropriate public domain items that relate to the topic of the previous speech episode. Let me know what you think of these occas...
(Bonus PDF) Life of Former President Ronald Reagan
June 06, 2017 11:23 - 2.1 MB application/pdfThis short article from Wikipedia provides an overview of former President Ronald Reagan's life.
(Bonus PDF Transcript) President Ronald Reagan - D-Day 40th Anniversary Speech
June 06, 2017 11:22 - 211 KB application/pdfIn this podcast episode, we feature a speech by President Ronald Reagan on the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on D-Day during World War Two. The speech was given on the cliffs above the Normandy beach where the U.S. Rangers successfully scaled the wall despite heavy German fire. More than half the Rangers lost their lives during the assault. This short speech is considered by many historians as one of Reagan’s best.
(S01-E24) HV President Ronald Reagan - "D-Day 40th Anniversary Speech" - June 6, 1984
June 06, 2017 11:19 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature a speech by President Ronald Reagan on the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on D-Day during World War Two. The speech was given on the cliffs above the Normandy beach where the U.S. Rangers successfully scaled the wall despite heavy German fire. More than half the Rangers lost their lives during the assault. This short speech is considered by many historians as one of Reagan’s best. Separately, I provide two PDF documents: first a transcript of ...
(Bonus PDF) Backstory on Firing of General Douglass MacArthur by President Truman
May 29, 2017 23:44 - 675 KB application/pdfPresident Harry Truman made a number of controversial decisions as president. One was dropping of the atomic bombs to end World War Two. Another was the unpopular firing of General Douglass MacArthur as commander of the United Nations forces during the Korean War. This document provides part of the backstory for the president's difficult decision. Many historians cite this event as a turning point for avoiding the use of nuclear weapons that would have started World War Three between the U...
(Bonus PDF) Life of General Douglass MacArthur, General of the U.S. Army
May 29, 2017 23:40 - 1.56 MB application/pdfThis PDF document provides a short history of the personal life and military career of one of America's great military leaders, General Douglass MacArthur
(Bonus PDF Transcript) General Douglass MacArthur - "Farewell to Congress" - April 19, 1951
May 29, 2017 23:37 - 231 KB application/pdfThis is a transcript of a speech by General Douglass MacArthur to Congress and the American people. The date was April 19, 1951. The dramatic timing of the speech was that President Harry Truman had relieved General MacArthur of military command of the United Nations forces during the Korean War the previous week. MacArthur explained in the speech his concerns about the Chinese and a retrospective of a lifetime of service to the nation as a member of the military. This seemed to me an approp...
(S01-E23) HV General Douglass MacArthur - "Farewell to Congress" Speech - April 19, 1951
May 29, 2017 23:34 - 40 minutes - 56.2 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature a speech by General Douglass MacArthur to Congress and the American people. The date was April 19, 1951. The dramatic timing of the speech was that President Harry Truman had relieved General MacArthur of military command of the United Nations forces during the Korean War the previous week. MacArthur explained in the speech his concerns about the Chinese and a retrospective of a lifetime of service to the nation as a member of the military. This seemed to ...
(Bonus PDF) Short Life History of Barbara Bush
May 29, 2017 18:45 - 524 KB application/pdfThis PDF provides a short overview of the life of Barbara Bush, wife of former president, George W. Bush, Sr.
(Bonus PDF Transcript) Barbara Bush - Commencement Address at Wesley College June 1, 1990
May 22, 2017 05:00 - 174 KB application/pdfIn this episode we feature Barbara Bush, Former First Lady of the U.S., deliver the commencement address at Wesley College on June 1, 1990.
(S01-E22) HV Barbara Bush - "Commencement Address Wesley College" - June 1, 1990
May 22, 2017 04:30 - 13 minutes - 19.4 MBIn this episode we feature Barbara Bush, Former First Lady of the U.S., deliver the commencement address at Wesley College on June 1, 1990. Accompanying this podcast are PDF transcripts of the speech and also a short life story.
(Bonus PDF) Background on the Iron Curtain Dividing Eastern and Western Europe During the Cold War
May 15, 2017 05:30 - 2.09 MB application/pdfThis PDF document provides additional information about one of Mr. Churchill's most famous speeches delivered in Fulton, Missouri on March 5, 1946. It was the first public speech that used the expression, “The Iron Curtain”. This speech, officially named the Sinews of Peace or more often referred to as the Iron Curtain speech, announced that the Cold War had already begun with the aggressions by the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe. Churchill sought to alert leaders in the U.S. and the world ...
(Bonus PDF Transcript) Sir. Winston Churchill - The Sinews of Peace (Iron Curtain) Speech
May 15, 2017 05:00 - 247 KB application/pdfThis is a PDF transcript of a rebroadcast of a radio speech by Sir Winston Churchill on March 5, 1946. The dramatic timing of the speech was that the Soviet Union was increasing its control of Eastern Europe following World War Two. It was also the first public speech that used the expression, “The Iron Curtain”. This speech is part two of a two-part series featuring Mr. Churchill speaking about the beginning of war. The last episode featured him speaking of the beginning of World War Two ...
(S01-E21) HV Sir. Winston Churchill - "Sinews of Peace (Iron Curtain) Speech" - March 5, 1946
May 15, 2017 04:30 - 48 minutes - 67.4 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature a rebroadcast of a radio speech by Sir Winston Churchill on March 5, 1946. The dramatic timing of the speech was that the Soviet Union was increasing its control of Eastern Europe following World War Two. It was also the first public speech that used the expression, “The Iron Curtain”. This speech is part two of a two-part series featuring Mr. Churchill speaking about the beginning of war. The last episode featured him speaking of the beginning of World ...
(Bonus PDF) Backstory on Churchill's "Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat" Speech
May 08, 2017 14:03 - 241 KB application/pdfThis is a PDF of the backstory concerning a radio speech by Sir Winston Churchill on May 13, 1940. The dramatic timing of the speech was that it was Churchill’s first speech to the British people since being named Prime Minister during early World War II. Germany had been rampaging throughout Europe during early World War Two, conquering one nation another another. The United States would not enter the war for another 18 months and were not providing sufficient support for the British due...
(Bonus PDF Transcript) Sir. Winston Churchill - "Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat" Speech
May 08, 2017 14:00 - 173 KB application/pdfThis is a transcript of a radio speech by Sir Winston Churchill on May 13, 1940. The dramatic timing of the speech was that it was Churchill’s first speech to the British people since being named Prime Minister during early World War II. Germany had been rampaging throughout Europe during early World War Two, conquering one nation another another. The United States would not enter the war for another 18 months and were not providing sufficient support for the British due to their isolatio...
(S01-E20) HV Sir. Winston Churchill - "Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat Speech" - May 13, 1940
May 08, 2017 13:56 - 8 minutes - 12.8 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature a rebroadcast of a radio speech by Sir Winston Churchill on May 13, 1940. The dramatic timing of the speech was that it was Churchill’s first speech to the British people since being named Prime Minister during early World War II. This speech is part one of a two-part series featuring Mr. Churchill. The next episode will be his famous “Iron Curtain” speech that announced that the Cold War had already begun with the aggressions by the Soviet Union. German...
(Bonus PDF) Walter Winchell: King of Gossip News
May 01, 2017 23:08 - 330 KB application/pdfMr. Walter Winchell was an American broadcast journalist who focused on often exploitive celebrity news and his interpretation of the day’s news. His rapid-fire delivery of the news was mesmerizing. He separated the short news stories from each other by pressing a telegraph key to create urgency and importance as if to communicate he was reading breaking news stories coming across the news wires. Winchell is recognized as the first successful gossip columnist that drew fifty million reader...
(S01-E19) HV Walter Winchell - "Radio News Broadcast by Walter Winchell" - Influential Journalist Who Specialized in Gossip News
May 01, 2017 04:30 - 16 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this final episode in this two-part series, we feature Mr. Walter Winchell, an American broadcast journalist who focused on often exploitive celebrity news and his interpretation of the day’s news. His rapid-fire delivery of the news was mesmerizing. He separated the short news stories from each other by pressing a telegraph key to create urgency and importance as if to communicate he was reading breaking news stories coming across the news wires. Winchell is recognized as the first suc...
(Bonus PDF Transcript) Edward R. Murrow - Eyewitness account to WWII bombing raid over Berlin
April 24, 2017 05:00 - 205 KB application/pdfDuring his career for CBS radio, Edward R Murrow was appointed as director of CBS’s European operations during the 1930s and 1940s. While he was based in London, he traveled throughout Europe and reported on the beginning of German and Italian aggression against neighboring countries. Through his broadcasts before the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Murrow brought World War Two to the American public who were still isolationist regarding their lack of interest in the aggr...
(Bonus PDF) Life of Edward R. Murrow: The Dean of Broadcast Journalists
April 24, 2017 05:00 - 412 KB application/pdfMr. Edward R. Murrow was a well-respected American broadcast journalist. He was a pioneer in radio and television news broadcasting. Murrow was recognized by the public and his peers for his honesty and setting the standard for integrity in delivering the news. During his career for CBS radio, he was appointed as director of CBS’s European operations during the 1930s and 1940s. While he was based in London, he traveled throughout Europe and reported on the beginning of German and Italian a...
(S01-E18) HV Edward R. Murrow - "Orchestrated Hell Radio Report" - Eyewitness account of WWII bombing raid over Berlin - December 3, 1943
April 24, 2017 04:30 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBIn the podcast episode in this two-part series, we feature Mr. Edward R. Murrow, a well-respected American broadcast journalist. He was a pioneer in radio and television news broadcasting. Murrow was recognized by the public and his peers for his honesty and setting the standard for integrity in delivering the news. During his career for CBS radio, Murrow was appointed as director of CBS’s European operations during the 1930s and 1940s. While he was based in London, he traveled throughout ...
(Bonus PDF) Life of Dr. Billy Graham
April 16, 2017 14:38 - 530 KB application/pdfHere is just a little bit of information about him. He was an active preacher and author for six decades. Dr. Graham sought to relate the Bible to contemporary social issues. He preached jointly with Dr. Martin Luther King at some crusades in the 1950s. Graham provided some of the bail money to release Dr. King when he was arrested after a civil rights demonstration. It is estimated the total audience at revival meetings, listeners on radio, and viewers on television of Dr. Graham’s messages...
(S01-E17) HV Dr. Rev. Billy Graham - "He is Risen" Easter Special - 1960
April 16, 2017 14:35 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBIn this podcast episode, we feature Reverend Billy Graham sharing a five-minute, low-key talk about importance of the Easter Story that he recorded in 1960 while on location in Jerusalem. There is a video of the same speech is available through YouTube. Dr. Graham has retired from active preaching and lives in an assisted medical care facility. His wife passed a few years ago. I attended one of his revival meetings in a crowded Royals baseball stadium in Kansas City many years ago. It was ...
(Bonus PDF) Life of Alexandr Solzhenitsyn
April 11, 2017 17:01 - 595 KB application/pdfTo provide context for Mr. Solzhenitsyn and part of the back story to the Harvard University speech "A World Split Apart", this is a PDF taken from Wikipedia that provides his life story and struggle. It is an even-handed and comprehensive overview of his life and significance.