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A History Minute with David Rubenstein

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Season 1

Why did America build three secret cities?

Located in plain sight but with a secret mission. Why did the US government build three brand new cities in the 1940s? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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20. Why did America build three secret cities?

Located in plain sight but with a secret mission. Why did the US government build three brand new cities in the 1940s? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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Why is the Pentagon a pentagon?

It’s the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. But why is the Pentagon shaped like a pentagon? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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19. Why is the Pentagon a pentagon?

It’s the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and one of the most recognisable buildings in the world. But why is the Pentagon shaped like a pentagon? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What are the origins of the rainbow flag?

Today, the Rainbow Flag is synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, representing acceptance, inclusivity and freedom for people of all sexual and gender identities. But what is its origin story? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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18. What are the origins of the rainbow flag?

Today, the Rainbow Flag is synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, representing acceptance, inclusivity and freedom for people of all sexual and gender identities. But what is its origin story? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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Why was one of the greatest athletes of all time stripped of his Olympic medals?

Jim Thorpe was a Native-American athlete who achieved Gold glory at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. So why was he stripped of his medals? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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17. Why was one of the greatest athletes of all time stripped of his Olympic medals?

Jim Thorpe was a Native-American athlete who achieved Gold glory at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. So why was he stripped of his medals? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What were the Zoot Suit Riots?

At the height of the Second World War, racial tensions in the United States exploded in LA. So what were the Zoot Suit Riots and how did they impact society? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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16. What were the Zoot Suit Riots?

At the height of the Second World War, racial tensions in the United States exploded in LA. So what were the Zoot Suit Riots and how did they impact society? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What did kitchens have to do with the Cold War?

In the midst of the Cold War, things got heated, when, in 1959, US Vice President Richard Nixon engaged in a very public spat with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. So how did a kitchen bring two world leaders to loggerheads? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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15. What did kitchens have to do with the Cold War?

In the midst of the Cold War, things got heated, when, in 1959, US Vice President Richard Nixon engaged in a very public spat with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev. So how did a kitchen bring two world leaders to loggerheads? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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Who were the Navajo code talkers of the Second World War?

Most secret codes developed during the Second World War used letters and numbers to convey hidden messages. So how did Navajo code talkers use their language to outwit the Nazis? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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14. Who were the Navajo code talkers of the Second World War?

Most secret codes developed during the Second World War used letters and numbers to convey hidden messages. So how did Navajo code talkers use their language to outwit the Nazis? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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How did the United States buy Alaska?

Now a picture perfect US state, Alaska was once owned by Russia. So how did the United States buy this huge tract of land in the 1800s? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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13. How did the United States buy Alaska?

Now a picture perfect US state, Alaska was once owned by Russia. So how did the United States buy this huge tract of land in the 1800s? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What are the mysteries of the Washington Monument?

Towering above the National Mall is the Washington Monument. But what are the secrets behind the building of this 100,000 ton testament to the life and achievements of George Washington? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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12. What are the mysteries of the Washington Monument?

Towering above the National Mall is the Washington Monument. But what are the secrets behind the building of this 100,000 ton testament to the life and achievements of George Washington? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?

During the 1800s, thousands of Chinese immigrants moved to the United States in search of a better way of life. They contributed greatly to US expansion. So how did a controversial law stop them in their tracks? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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11. What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?

During the 1800s, thousands of Chinese immigrants moved to the United States in search of a better way of life. They contributed greatly to US expansion. So how did a controversial law stop them in their tracks? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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Who was the first woman to run for president?

How did prominent 19th century suffragette Victoria Woodhull break the glass ceiling by becoming the first female to run for President? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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10. Who was the first woman to run for president?

How did prominent 19th century suffragette Victoria Woodhull break the glass ceiling by becoming the first female to run for President? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What was the Edenton tea party?

The Boston Tea Party is remembered as one of the key moments that sparked the American Revolution. But it was lesser known protests like the female-led Edenton tea party that kept the flames burning. David Rubenstein tells the story in a fact-filled history minute.

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9. What was the Edenton tea party?

The Boston Tea Party is remembered as one of the key moments that sparked the American Revolution. But it was lesser known protests like the female-led Edenton tea party that kept the flames burning. David Rubenstein tells the story in a fact-filled history minute.

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What was one of America's first fairy tales?

Fairy tales are children’s stories set in magical places that teach us about the world. So how did L. Frank's Baum's children's story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, come to be considered the United States’ first fairytale? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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8. What was one of America's first fairy tales?

Fairy tales are children’s stories set in magical places that teach us about the world. So how did L. Frank's Baum's children's story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, come to be considered the United States’ first fairytale? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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How did a tennis match change the world?

In the 1970s, tennis player Billie Jean King threw down the gauntlet for gender equality in an epic tennis match against self-proclaimed chauvinist Bobby Riggs, hailed as the Battle of the Sexes. So how did one tennis match change the world? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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7. How did a tennis match change the world?

In the 1970s, tennis player Billie Jean King threw down the gauntlet for gender equality in an epic tennis match against self-proclaimed chauvinist Bobby Riggs, hailed as the Battle of the Sexes. So how did one tennis match change the world? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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How did one woman's beauty empire change America?

In the early 20th century, most hair products on the market were designed for caucasian hair. So how did one Black female entrepreneur, Madam C.J. Walker show America how business could be done? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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6. How did one woman's beauty empire change America?

In the early 20th century, most hair products on the market were designed for caucasian hair. So how did one Black female entrepreneur, Madam C.J. Walker show America how business could be done? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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Whose portrait went viral in the 1800s?

In the 1800s, abolitionist Frederick Douglass made it his mission to become the most photographed man in America. So how did his image change the country? David Rubenstein investigates in a fact-filled history minute.

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5. Whose portrait went viral in the 1800s?

In the 1800s, abolitionist Frederick Douglass made it his mission to become the most photographed man in America. So how did his image change the country? David Rubenstein investigates in a fact-filled history minute.

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How did silence make a statement in 1917?

We typically think of protests as loud events with chants, speeches and songs. But sometimes silence can be just as powerful. So how did a silent protest in New York aid the fight for Civil Rights? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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4. How did silence make a statement in 1917?

We typically think of protests as loud events with chants, speeches and songs. But sometimes silence can be just as powerful. So how did a silent protest in New York aid the fight for Civil Rights? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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How did a statue help win the fight for independence?

It was erected in New York as a symbol of English King George III’s grip on the North American colonies. So how did a metal statue help American Patriots win the Revolutionary War? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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3. How did a statue help win the fight for independence?

It was erected in New York as a symbol of English King George III’s grip on the North American colonies. So how did a metal statue help American Patriots win the Revolutionary War? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What invisible enemy did George Washington help defeat?

The American Revolution wasn’t just a fight against the British but also a much smaller and more deadly foe: smallpox. So how did Continental Army Commander George Washington help defeat it? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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2. What invisible enemy did George Washington help defeat?

The American Revolution wasn’t just a fight against the British but also a much smaller and more deadly foe: smallpox. So how did Continental Army Commander George Washington help defeat it? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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What’s hidden at the foot of the Statue of Liberty?

A gift from France to the United States, the Statue of Liberty is bursting with symbolism. But why are there chains at Lady Liberty’s feet? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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1. What’s hidden at the foot of the Statue of Liberty?

A gift from France to the United States, the Statue of Liberty is bursting with symbolism. But why are there chains at Lady Liberty’s feet? David Rubenstein answers that question in a fact-filled history minute.

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