Dates That Made History

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April 21 -753 - The Foundation of Rome
Episode overview

April 21, 753 BC: The Roman world was certain of its foundation date for more than 1000 years. The mythical tale, Ab Urbe Condita, formalized by Titus Livius, was based on the struggle .. show full overview

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-52 - The Siege of Alesia
Episode overview

The defeat of Alesia, in 52 BC, marked the end of the well-known “Gallic War”, immortalized by its winner, Julius Caesar. Year zero of our French national history, Alesia became the .. show full overview

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315 - The Donation of Constantine
Episode overview

In the middle of the 8th century, the chancellery of the bishops of Rome was on the verge of becoming a spiritual heir to the Western emperors. That was when it committed the most important forgery in the history of the West.

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May 29 1453 - The Fall of Constantinople
Episode overview

The fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire – a power descending from none other than ancient Rome. Its symbolism has long since transcended its actual significance.

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-18000 - The Lascaux Cave
Episode overview

Despite its worldwide fame, Lascaux is no longer considered to be the “Palace of Versailles” or the “Sistine Chapel” of prehistory, and is no longer considered to be the place of .. show full overview

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1911 - The Conquest of the South Pole
Episode overview

In 1911, the expedition led by the Norwegian Amundsen reached the South Pole, beating the British Scott to the punch. The story of the conquest of the poles is the last chapter of a long .. show full overview

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May 14 1610 - The Assassination of King Henry IV of France
Episode overview

The assassination of Henri IV, peacemaking and reformist king, is as much a canonical scene in the History of France as it is a decisive break in political modernity. And first of all .. show full overview

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-399 - The Trial of Socrates
Episode overview

Why was Socrates condemned by the city of Athens? Was the figure of the master thinker, who could subvert the youth, really a danger to a Greek democracy that was more idealized than it was understood?

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August 25 1270 - King Louis IX Dies in Carthage
Episode overview

On 25 August 1270 Louis IX died on the hill above Carthage. He was the only king in the history of France to die outside of national borders; even worse, on non-Christian soil. This day .. show full overview

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Episode 10
Episode overview