During the Civil War, a young soldier named William Scott was court-martialed for falling asleep at his post. However, President Abraham Lincoln intervened and commuted Scott's sentence, sparing his life. This act of mercy had a profound impact on the nation and cemented Lincoln's reputation as a compassionate leader. [... more]

Alonzo Cushing, a Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. His bravery and dedication to his duty are a testament to the sacrifices made by American soldiers. [... more]

The story of John Lincoln Clem, a 9-year-old boy who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, is a testament to his bravery and determination. Despite being captured by Confederate forces, Clem went on to become a hero of the war, earning the respect of General Ulysses S. Grant and rising through the ranks to become a major general. Meanwhile, a new audio course explores the importance of the gut microbiome, and the consequences of neglecting it. Additionally, the water crisis on the Navajo Reservation is highlighted, with many homes lacking access to clean running water. [... more]

Dan Sickles, a colorful and impulsive general, defied description with his scandalous life, marked by graft, politics, and a passionate side for the ladies. He shot and killed his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key, and was acquitted due to temporary insanity. Despite his questionable actions, Sickles became a hero during the Civil War, raising a brigade and fighting at Gettysburg, where he was wounded and lost a leg. He later preserved the battlefield and had a monument built in his honor. [... more]

Colonel Robert Gould Shaw led the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of the first black regiments to serve during the American Civil War. Shaw's principles, courage, and sense of duty were forged in his early days, and he became a fervent abolitionist, fighting for the equality of black soldiers and ultimately sacrificing his life in the Battle of Fort Wagner. [... more]

John Lincoln Clem, a 9-year-old boy, enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and became the youngest noncommissioned officer in Army history. He fought in several battles, including Shiloh and Chickamauga, and was captured by the Confederates. After the war, Clem went on to become a major general and was honored for his bravery and service. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, a complex and beloved general, made a series of decisions that would alter the course of his life and history. He rejected command of the Union Army and resigned from the military, citing his inability to raise his sword against his native state of Virginia. However, Lee's motivations were more nuanced, and he was driven by a desire to preserve his family's property and protect his relatives in Virginia. As the war progressed, Lee became a key figure in the Confederate Army, leading his troops in a series of battles, including the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg. Despite his military successes, Lee's ultimate defeat at Gettysburg marked a turning point in the war, and the Confederacy's fortunes began to decline. [... more]

Alonzo Cushing, a Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. His bravery and sacrifice are finally being recognized for their significance in American history. [... more]

During the Civil War, a young soldier named William Scott was court-martialed for falling asleep at his post. However, President Lincoln intervened and commuted his sentence, showing mercy and justice. Scott's story became a powerful morality tale, teaching soldiers to do their duty and showcasing Lincoln's kindness and compassion. [... more]

The story of Nicholas Biddle, a black man who may have been born enslaved, and his role as the first person to shed blood in the Civil War, is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the first defenders of the Union. As the first volunteers from Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, arrived in Baltimore to defend the nation's capital, they were met with violence and hostility from a mob of Confederate sympathizers. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Pennsylvanians persevered, and their bravery was recognized by President Abraham Lincoln himself. The story of Nicholas Biddle and the first defenders is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds. [... more]

Alonzo Cushing, a 22-year-old Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic deeds during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. Cushing's bravery and dedication to his duty were evident as he refused to leave his guns, even after being grievously wounded, and fought until his death. His valor was finally recognized 151 years after the fact, making it the longest gap between the awarding of a Medal of Honor and the act of valor for which the medal was given. [... more]

The story of John Lincoln Clem, a 12-year-old drummer boy who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, and his remarkable journey of bravery and patriotism. [... more]

Alonzo Cushing, a 22-year-old Union Artillery Officer, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, where he led his battery in a decisive moment in the Civil War. [... more]

Robert Todd Lincoln, the firstborn son of Abraham Lincoln, lived a life of great accomplishment and tragedy. He narrowly missed his father's assassination, witnessed James A. Garfield's assassination, and was present when President William McKinley was shot. Despite his proximity to power, Lincoln went on to become a successful lawyer, politician, and businessman, serving as Secretary of War and Minister to the United Kingdom. [... more]

The July 9th, 1864 Battle of Monocacy is one of the most important little-known battles of the Civil War, known as the battle that saved Washington DC. Union General Jubal Early's Confederate troops marched 70 miles due west to Charlottesville, then got on rickety trains and arrived at the Battle of Lynchburg, where Union generals fled. Early then marched on to the Battle of Monocacy, where Union General Lou Wallace, with 1,500 troops, put up a full-day fight against Early's 14,000 troops, but was eventually forced to retreat. The battle had a significant impact on the 1864 presidential election, as it prevented the Confederates from invading Washington DC and potentially harming Lincoln's chances of re-election. [... more]

The story of Private William Scott, a young soldier from Vermont who fell asleep at his post during the Civil War, and the mercy shown to him by President Abraham Lincoln, who commuted his sentence and later honored his sacrifice. [... more]

The story of John Lincoln Clem, a 9-year-old boy who enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, is a testament to the bravery and determination of young people. Despite being rejected by his captain, Clem managed to join the army and became a drummer boy, fighting in several battles and earning recognition for his heroism. [... more]

The story of the six Littleton brothers who all enlisted to fight in the Civil War, one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history, is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served. From the battles of Prairie Grove and Vicksburg to the horrors of Andersonville prison, the Littleton brothers' story is a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who fought for the Union. [... more]

The story of Alonzo Cushing, a Union Artillery Officer who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 151 years after his heroic deeds on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, where he led his battery in a decisive moment in the Civil War. [... more]

John Lincoln Clem, a 9-year-old boy, enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and became a drummer boy, fighting in several battles and earning recognition for his bravery. He went on to become a major general and was the oldest active Civil War veteran. Clem's story is an inspiration to young people and a reminder of the importance of following one's purpose. [... more]