Exploring History

Ray Notgrass

Exploring History with Ray Notgrass offers background on what you hear in the news, shares stories from history that will enlighten and inspire you, and offers encouragement about homeschooling, family life, and your walk with God.

  • 10 minutes 2 seconds
    Fighting Two Wars at Once: The Tuskegee Airmen

    During World War II, the American military and American society were marked by segregation and prejudice. Many Americans believed that black persons were not capable of flying airplanes. But a training program at Tuskegee Institute showed that black persons were fully capable of flying airplanes and performing skillfully and courageously in battle. In his latest podcast, Ray Notgrass tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen.


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    12 February 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 12 minutes 17 seconds
    The Hiss Case

    Seventy-five years ago, Whittaker Chambers accused highly respected U.S. government official Alger Hiss of being a Communist. Hiss denied the accusation. Who was telling the truth? In his latest podcast, Ray Notgrass examines the controversy, the court trial that resulted, and the impact that the controversy had on American politics.


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    30 January 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 5 minutes 42 seconds
    The Overcomer: The Story of Mabel Fairbanks

    Mabel Fairbanks was an African American ice skater who overcame poverty, prejudice, and a host of other hardships to become an international skating star. In his latest podcast, Ray Notgrass tells Mabel's story to inspire us all to overcome the hardships we all endure to make a contribution to the world in which we live.

    Visit our website for a transcript and links to additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-overcomer-307


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    14 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 12 minutes 8 seconds
    The Music of Christmas

    One of the special aspects of Christmas is hearing and singing the same songs, even though we have heard them year after year. Perhaps it is the memories that these songs bring to mind, or the beautiful music these songs contain, or perhaps it is the thrilling message these songs convey. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells the background stories of some of our favorite Christmas hymns, and then you can hear performances of those hymns from different parts of the world.

    “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht,” by the Clare College Singers
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p97sxREC00

    “Silent Night,” by Bing Crosby
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moHobaO9TlM

    “Joy to the World” by ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=necamum8MNw


    “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Chris Tomlin
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH7asSGxAxA

    “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by Harpa Dei
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INyKdKCNryI

    “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by Nosa and the Lagos Community Gospel Choir
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjFqXhstjlw

    “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Take 6
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ESDqU_3bOg

    “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by The Living Stones Quartet
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5hHUPwjTQQ

    “Mary, Did You Know?” by the U.S. Army Orchestra, featuring Sgt. Major Christal Rheams
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHFoT4-tI8g

    “Once in Royal David’s City” by the King’s College Chapel Choir, Cambridge University
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtiCLJvyePw


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    10 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 6 minutes 51 seconds
    Thankful for Our Country

    On the Exploring History podcast for Thanksgiving, Ray Notgrass tells the true story of a man who escaped Poland in 1938, came to the United States, and lived with gratitude for the country that gave him freedom and opportunity.

    Read the transcript, see photos, and find additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/thankful-for-our-country-302


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    26 November 2024, 6:00 am
  • 13 minutes 53 seconds
    The Little Rock Nine

    In 1957 nine brave teenagers showed remarkable courage and conviction as they integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. On his latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass shares the story of this remarkable group and how they overcame often violent opposition to achieve a milestone in America's civil rights movement.

    See photos, read a transcript, and find links to additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-little-rock-nine-300


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    12 November 2024, 6:00 am
  • 23 minutes 38 seconds
    The Great War and Its Greatest Hero

    World War I brought unprecedented loss of life and destruction. But it also provided stories of amazing heroism. In the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass examines the causes of the war, how the war progressed to a bitter end, and tells stories of American heroes in the war.

    Read the transcript, see photos, and explore additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-great-war-and-its-greatest-hero-299


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    22 October 2024, 5:00 am
  • 12 minutes 10 seconds
    What Can You Learn from History?

    Why should anyone, especially our students, bother to learn history? In his latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass offers six specific things we can gain from a study of history that can enrich our lives and help us make a positive contribution to the world around us.

    Read a transcript and find additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/what-can-you-learn-from-history-298


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    8 October 2024, 5:00 am
  • 18 minutes 10 seconds
    The Faith of a President

    Ronald Reagan was a man of faith: faith in God, and faith in the strength of our country. In the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass looks at the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan, focusing especially on his faith in God and his approach to the Soviet Union that changed the dynamics of the Cold War and helped lead to the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

    Read a transcript, see photos, and find links to additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-faith-of-a-president-297


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    24 September 2024, 5:00 am
  • 16 minutes 46 seconds
    The Cool History of Air Conditioning

    Hot enough for you? We can be thankful that we can do something about it, but it hasn't always been this way. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass traces the history of attempts to produce conditioned air, from awnings to fans blowing over ice to the invention of systems that really provided cooler air to homes, businesses, and cars. We hope you enjoy this really cool presentation.

    Read the transcript and find links to additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-cool-history-of-air-conditioning-287


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    27 August 2024, 5:00 am
  • 26 minutes 1 second
    And the Fall of That House Was Great: Richard Nixon and Watergate

    Richard Nixon resigned the office of president of the United States fifty years ago, on August 9, 1974. This was the result of the Watergate scandal and other failings of the Nixon administration. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass surveys what the scandal involved and how the Nixon presidency unraveled after achieving unprecedented political success.

    Read the transcript and find additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/and-the-fall-of-that-house-was-great-richard-nixon-and-watergate-279


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

    15 August 2024, 7:00 pm
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