(S01-E13) Eleanor Roosevelt - Universal Declaraton of Human Rights

In this podcast episode, we feature Eleanor Roosevelt delivering a speech about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights shortly after World War Two. With the rampant disregard for human life and dignity leading up to and during World War Two, world leaders agreed to clearly affirm the rights of individuals wherever they lived. In April 1946, Eleanor Roosevelt became the first chairperson of the preliminary United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Roosevelt remained chairperson when the Commission was established on a permanent basis in January 1947. She played an instrumental role, along with others, in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Eleanor spoke in favor of the Declaration, calling it "the international Magna Carta of all men everywhere" in a speech on the night of September 28, 1948. The Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly on December 10, 1948.

(S01-E11) Orson Wells as Prof. Moriarity on Sherlock Holmes, "The Final Problem" Episode

In this podcast episode, we feature the voices of two great British Shakespearean actors, Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson, and the great radio and movie actor, director, producer, and writer, Mr. Orson Wells. Sir Gielgud appeared in many great Hollywood films including Gandhi, Elizabeth, Chariots of Fire, and The Elephant Man. Mr. Wells is best known for the film Citizen Kane and 1938-radio show, War of the Worlds. The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes was an old-time radio show which aired in the USA from October 2, 1939 to July 7, 1947. The radio stories were action packed, filled with atmosphere, and featured great music by Lou Kosloff, as well as excellent sound effects. Originally, the show starred Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. Together, they starred in 220 episodes. In 1955, NBC re-ran the BBC series with the great British actors Sir John Gielgud as Holmes, and Sir Ralph Richardson as Watson, and in "The Final Problem," Orson Wells is the voice of Holmes’ greatest nemesis, Dr. Moriarty. That is the subject for this podcast episode.

(S01-E10) Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. - Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence

In this podcast episode, we feature Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King’sA Time to Break Silence speech on April 4, 1967 in New York City. While many have listened to Dr. King’s I Have a Dreamspeech, fewer have considered his words in A Time to Break Silence. He embraced his concern for both the welfare of the African-American soldiers who most often were on the front lines of battle, but also for the poor in Vietnam. Dr. King was one of the few national leaders who correctly understood the struggle in Vietnam was not between Communism and democracy, rather a long battle against French imperialism that had dominated the region for hundreds of years. The fear of the Cold War between the U.S. and Russia had spilled into Southeast Asia where it did not belong. Dr. King saw how the Vietnam conflict was both destroying our own country as well as that of the poor in Vietnam. This was not a universally popular speech among the American people. Time has revealed the wisdom of Dr. King who not only spoke of advancing civil rights in America, but also serving as peacemakers here on earth with all people.

(S01-E06) Sir Winston Churchill Christmas Eve Greeting 1941

In this podcast episode, we feature a rebroadcast of a radio speech by Sir Winston Churchill on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1941. The dramatic timing of the speech was that it was aired live just two weeks after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. As I record this podcast episode a few days before Christmas Eve, I am mindful of the recent terrorist attacks using cars, minivans, and trucks against civilians around the world. A few weeks ago, a terrorist college student drove a vehicle into a crowd of students at Ohio State University killing nearly ten. A few days ago, a terrorist stole a semi-trailer truck and drove into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin, killing and injuring more than 50. A day or two later another terrorist drove a van filled with explosive gas bottles into an Australian Christmas lobby office. Four have just died when a minivan crashed into a farmer’s market in Beijing. And who can forget the ongoing genocide at the hands of ISIL and others with the civilians in Syria. It can be difficult to think about Christmas with widespread death occurring around the world at the hands of terrorists who are often targeting Christians at this time of the year. Perhaps words from Sir Winston Churchill can help us understand how we can pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ even as mayhem is occurring around the world. Click this link for a PDF transcript of Mr. Churchill's speech.

(S01-E05) Bob Hope 1948 USO Christmas Show West Berlin

In this podcast episode, we feature a rebroadcast of a USO Show led by Bob Hope for our U.S. soldiers on station in West Berlin in December 1948. The dramatic timing of this event was that West Berlin was under siege by the East German and Russian troops. Food, medicine, and the basics for life were being stalled by the Soviet troops at the road crossing points into West Berlin. This Cold War event is better known as the “Berlin Airlift” that saved the lives of hundreds of thousands and was the first time the U.S., Great Britain, and France stood up to the first act of aggression by the Soviets against the NATO alliance of nations. As I record this podcast episode a few days before Christmas Eve, I remember listening to the Bob Hope Christmas USO shows that he led to our troops in the most dangerous war zones around the world. I will feature other holiday shows in upcoming podcast episodes. You can view edited versions of these shows on video through YouTube and other online websites. Click this link for an article about Bob Hope and his work with the USO over the years.

(S01-E04) We Hold These Truths Radio Show - Celebrating the Bill of Rights

In this podcast episode, we feature a rebroadcast of a radio show that celebrated the 150th anniversary of the original Bill of Rights approved by Congress and ratified by the states. The dramatic timing of the show was that it was aired live on December 15, 1941, just one week after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. At the end of the radio show, President Roosevelt addressed the nation and stated why war was needed against Japan to guarantee our constitutional rights as free people. That speech was shared during the previous episode of this podcast series. A special thanks to Dennis Humphreys of the Journey’s Into American History Podcast for granting permission to use this historic recording. His podcast can be subscribed through iTunes and other podcast services. In this portion of the radio show, you will hear the voices of famous Hollywood actors portraying average Americans in the late 1700s who debated reasons for passage of the Bill of Rights, its importance to average Americans, and why war might be needed to protect its freedoms. One of the voices you will hear will be Corporal Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Stewart enlisted in the military like many other actors at that time. He did so in early 1941. The first time he attempted to join the military, he was turned away since he was too thin. In the following months, Mr. Stewart worked with a strength coach at the movie studio to build up his weight and muscle mass. By March 1941, he built up enough weight that he was accepted into the military. By the end of the war, Mr. Stewart was piloting bombing raids over Germany. He would eventually retire from the United States Air Force Reserves with the rank of Brigadier General, the highest-ranking actor in military history. Click on this link for a PDF copy of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Ratified Amendments.

S01-E03) President Roosevelt on the 150th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights

In this podcast episode, we feature a short speech by President Roosevelt regarding why war against Japan was needed to defend our freedoms as Americans as expressed through the Bill of Rights. The President delivered this short speech at the end of a one-hour radio program celebrating the 150th anniversary of the original Bill of Rights approved by Congress and ratified by the states. While many of us have probably heard the other speeches by the President on the days following the attack, this may be one that you have not heard before. A special thanks to Dennis Humphreys of the Journey’s Into American History Podcast for granting permission to use this historic recording. His podcast can be subscribed through iTunes and other podcast services. This radio program was performed live on December 15, 1941, just one week after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

(S01-E01) Historic Voices Podcast Introduction

Welcome to the first episode in the podcast series, Historic Voices: Global History and Culture. Each podcast will feature voices of important people from the past. Some episodes will bring the voices of political leaders, common citizens who living during extraordinary times, and occasional entertainers who helped Americans live through difficult times. All the voices are authentic and come from open resources. I will provide a short introduction to the program and then another at the end to provide more historical context for the audio recording. Historic Voices Podcast brings the voices from the past that make history alive through their personal accounts and public speeches. 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 by clicking on this link, http://lifepodcast.net. Send email to me at arendale@umn.edu