HISTORY This Week

February 3, 1870. The 15th Amendment is ratified, which establishes the right to vote for black men in America. While Jim Crow laws would grip the south by 1877, there was a brief, seven-year window of opportunity. Half a million black voters turned out at the polls, and 2,000 black officials are estimated to have been elected during this time. What did this moment of progress look like? And how do those votes still impact our lives 150 years later?Special thanks to our guest, historian and professor Yohuru Williams.To our listeners, thank you for subscribing to History This Week. We want to hear your feedback: https://bit.ly/3a4FGqJ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reflecting on the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945, the discussions delve into the harrowing stories of survivors, showcasing their resilience despite unimaginable trauma. The podcast underscores the importance of remembering this dark chapter of history while exploring America’s complex ties to Nazi sympathizers. It highlights how survivors navigated post-war challenges and the evolving narratives around the Holocaust. Personal tales and lessons from resilience emphasize the need for continued awareness and education about this critical historical period.

Join historian Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of the "Making the Macintosh" digital archive, as he explores the 1984 Super Bowl ad that revolutionized tech advertising. He delves into how this groundbreaking commercial captured the spirit of rebellion and individuality while launching the Macintosh, which fundamentally shifted computing to user-friendly interfaces. Pang discusses the powerful friendship between Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and how their vision transformed the market and consumer perceptions, making technology accessible and desirable.

On January 15, 1919, a wave of molasses flooded Boston's North End, causing chaos and nationwide attention. The podcast dives into the bizarre origins and catastrophic events surrounding this unique disaster. It features gripping firsthand accounts and highlights the groundbreaking class action lawsuit that followed. Furthermore, the discussion reveals how this incident reshaped construction standards, leading to greater accountability in engineering practices. It's a tale of history, community resilience, and lasting impacts.

In this discussion with Boris Lushniak, former acting U.S. Surgeon General, listeners dive into the shocking revelations from the 1964 report that officially linked smoking to severe health risks. Lushniak reflects on the slow acceptance of these findings amid a culture that glamorized smoking and highlights how advertising influenced public perception. The conversation also tackles the modern challenges posed by e-cigarettes and the ongoing fight against nicotine addiction, emphasizing the legacy of public health advocacy in America.

Dive into the profound impact of language on history and human connections. Discover how the Rosetta Stone revolutionized communication, shaping empires and cultures. Reflect on personal experiences with language that highlight its power in our lives. The discussion showcases how words can define relationships and alter the course of events in our world.