A Moment in History: Recent Episodes
FISM TV
A Moment in History is a TV series and podcast hosted by Seth Udinski. The series includes short episodes and full-length documentaries ranging from ancient times to the modern world. Passionate about the importance of learning from our history rather than revising it, Seth shares the often forgotten or unknown truths about the people and events of biblical history, American history, world history, warfare, politics, geography, sports, and culture. With masterful storytelling, A Moment in History is a series for everyone, about the heroes, legends, events, and everyday people who have shaped our world as we know it.
In January of 1959, a group of 10 Russian college students set out on a hike in the Ural Mountains in Siberia on a journey of some 700 miles. One student, suffering health problems, had to turn back and end his hike early. But that proved to save his life because an unexplained tragedy occurred in which all nine remaining hikers were killed in potentially brutal and purposeful passion. The cause of death remains a mystery as historians have wondered for more than 60 years: what happened at Dyatlov Pass?
The Western Hemisphere was, in many ways, the last frontier of exploration during the end of the medieval world and into the Age of Exploration of the 1500s. For many, the Western Hemisphere at that time was not what we know today due to the belief that the nearest landmass to the Atlantic coast of Europe was the Pacific coast of Asia. But when Christopher Columbus and other European explorers who followed him discovered a new continent between Western Europe and East Asia, they also discovered many ancient pagan tribes. One of these – perhaps the most famous of pre-European America – was the dominant force in Central America. These were the Aztecs.
The 5th Century AD is one of the more bizarre times in human history. Do we still call it the Roman Empire, even though the Western Empire is dead by this point? Is the known world Christian, even though Christianity had only spread the distance of the Eastern and Western empires? Have we reached the Middle Ages yet? What do we make of the bloodshed and barbarism of this century? All of these questions relate to one of the most famous warlords in history. Known in the Christian world as the “Scourge of God,” that figure is Attila the Hun.
Secret organizations seem to pop up at almost every turn on the pages of history, but there is one that is not-so-secret and has been on the American conscience since the end of the Civil War. This organization has existed under the same name under several different iterations, with each permutation carrying the same spirit of racial terrorism as its driving force. This insidious group, which has existed in some form since late 1865, is known as the Ku Klux Klan.
Fenway Park stands out as the oldest baseball park currently in operation. When it first opened its doors in 1912 William Howard Taft sat in the White House, the Ottoman Empire was on its last legs in the Middle East, and the Titanic had only sunk days earlier.
In today’s world, the most popular weapon of choice in warfare is the firearm. But for the majority of human history, guns were not the main weapon. In fact, throughout the history of war, one weapon has traversed the scope of battle and permeated virtually all cultures. It is even used today in some combat situations. It’s known as the “King of Weapons” in warfare: the sword.
Historians sometimes like to enter into the “What if?” zone of study. Let’s embark on such a query as we explore the shadowy history of one of the most important physical pieces of history in the Biblical Age. This item was of utmost importance in the story of Israel, and it housed the very tablets that God inscribed with what are now known as the Ten Commandments. It has since been lost to history, so the question remains: Where is the Ark of the Covenant?
In the early 16th Century, German monk Martin Luther went on a quest to answer the following question: How could a sinner like himself obtain salvation? He grew up in the medieval Roman Catholic understanding of justification by works, and he came to realize the problem: there was no guarantee that mankind could ever be good enough to get to God. Eventually, in the year 1519, he found the answer to his question in Romans 1:16-17.
Angels are strange creatures. They often appear in our Christmas celebrations as cute, winged figurines but the reality is much different. Every time they appear in Scripture, their first word is always “Do not be afraid!” A good choice, since angels are likely terrifying creatures. We only meet a few angels by name, one of whom is a famous Archangel who was sent by God to foretell the birth of Christ to the Jewish girl Mary some 2000 years ago; the angel Gabriel.
One of the most beloved staples of the Christmas traditions is lights! But why do we put up lights at Christmastime? Where did this beloved tradition come from and who started it? As is usually the case with these questions, the answer may be far older than you think!
The birth of Jesus Christ is a true story with all of the elements of an epic classic. It contains scandal and cataclysmic proportions full of ancient prophesies finally fulfilled, but it’s also a tale of deep political intrigue. When the King of the Jews was born on Christmas morning, another king reigned over Judea and saw Jesus as a threat to his rule. This was the same king who resurrected the physical temple of the ancient capital city of Jerusalem: Herod the Tetrarch.
At the turn of the 20th Century, we were engaged in what was known as the “War on Christmas.” This was when many people tried to secularize the holiday by removing any mention of Christ. The term “Xmas” was well known at this time, and many believed it to be a part of that secularization effort. However, the term carries a deep historical meaning that revolves around the survival and flourishing of the early church. It is not a secular softening of the word “Christmas.” In some ways, it is actually the opposite.
At the turn of the first century A.D., the Roman Empire was making a comeback following several decades of relative chaos. Five rulers that came to be known as the “Five Good Emperors” brought back stability and order to the Empire while also expanding its reach. The second of these was a man who would rule for nearly 20 years. He was hand-picked by his elderly predecessor to take the throne. This was the 13th Emperor of Rome and the first to rule in the second century: Trajan.
Every first Tuesday of November, the United States holds its governmental elections. Depending on the year, there may be lower elections in cities or townships or votes with national implications that shape the future of our country. But every four years, the most important and impactful election takes place: the presidential election. Let’s jump back to answer how the American Election Day came to be.
In the early 16th Century, the Christian church was in turmoil. Despite growing to be the dominant force in Europe, it was rife with numerous theological errors. The doctrine of indulgence sales was particularly erroneous and proved to be the main catalyst for Martin Luther to present the 95 Theses. The main propagator of indulgence sales was one of the most infamous villains in the history of the church. He was a Dominican friar and church charlatan known as Johann Tetzel.
Church historians tend to split the 2,000 years of Christian history into three categories: ancient, medieval, and modern. For many Protestants, we tend to celebrate heroes of the ancient church such as the apostles, Augustan, or Athanasius. And we also jump to modern heroes like John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, and C. S. Lewis. We often erroneously skip over the Medieval Church, which existed during a dark period of church history. The light of the Gospel thankfully broke through with the Reformation of the 16th Century, but there were still titans during the down period, and one of them was a 13th Century Italian Dominican friar who would be remembered as the preeminent Christian thinker of the Dark Ages: St. Thomas Aquinas.
- In world history, there are few characters that are so sinister that their name literally denotes a specific type of sin or vice. In this case, the vice is greed and the sin is betrayal. The man was one of the closest friends the Lord Jesus Christ had on Earth, but he is remembered throughout history as a vile wretch who sold his Lord to be executed for a mere 30 pieces of silver. Despite the years that he walked with Jesus, learned from Jesus, and witnessed the miracles of Jesus, Judas Iscariot still betrayed Jesus in the end.
hroughout the course of the American Revolution, the United States Army tended to suffer defeat after defeat. But one of the brilliant aspects of Commander-in-Chief George Washington was his ability to take punches and keep on moving. While the Brits continually battered the American army year after year, they could never deal a knockout blow. One of the especially brutal skirmishes came in the Fall of 1777 in the fields of Southeastern Pennsylvania, in what would be known as the Battle of the Brandywine.
In the Old Testament, the people of God would mark holy days with remembrance and feasts. One of these days would be rightly described as the “most holy” of such days – for it was when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and stand before God to make payment for the sins of the people. This once-a-year sacrifice would be a foreshadowing of the long-foretold sacrifice of the Messiah. But long before He came, the people of God observed this day known as the Day of Atonement.
The year 2009 was pivotal in American history. The nation was in the midst of a disastrous economic recession and looking to rebound just as the age of technology was taking off with the rise of the smartphone. Concurrently, a historic figure entered the White House, and he brought with him no small amount of controversy. He swung the balance of power back toward the left, and perhaps farther to the left than the country ever had been before. He would also become the first African-American President of the United States. He was the 44th Commander-in-Chief, Barack Obama.
Most people aren’t too fond of inflation in the American news cycle. The expert definition of inflation is too many dollars chasing too few goods, and we see inflation as a prime cause for a rise in the cost for goods and service. But where did inflation come from? How did we get to the point of today’s rising prices? Did other cultures in other time periods experience inflation, or is it an American phenomenon?
At the start of the final decade of the 20th Century, the world was rapidly changing. The Cold War was about to end; technology and computers were on the rise; and there was growing tension in the Middle East. Presiding over this pivotal time in American history was a determined, former baseball star and World War II hero looking to lead the country in the footsteps of his predecessor for whom he had served as Vice President. He was the 41st President of the United States: George H. W. Bush.
Jerusalem is arguably the most important city in the history of the world. With over 3,000 years of history and the location where the Lord of the universe was crucified and rose again, there’s little debate to that statement. Add that to the fact that the city is claimed as the cream of the crop for Christianity, Judaism, and even Islam. Speaking of Islam, the most holy site in the religion is housed on the foundations of the Jewish Temple Mount – the place where Muslims claim that the prophet Muhammad ascended into Heaven. It is one of, if not the oldest, site in Islam – the Dome of the Rock.
In the election of 1976, Americans were looking for a remake from the Watergate scandal and the rough Vietnam years that dominated national news for the more than a decade. The nation elected a man who was seen initially as a pioneer to lead the country to a new level of prosperity. He would end up as one of the most controversial presidents in the nation’s history. Under his leadership, the United States was cast into financial chaos and faced a series of foreign conflicts that grew seemingly out of control under his watch. He was the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.
In the mid-1970’s, America was in a time of crisis. The nation was coming to terms with the fact that it couldn’t secure a win with the war in Vietnam; it was divided back home between conservatives and a newly-birthed radical liberal contingent; and it was coming off a decade of public assassinations as well as a troubling scandal that forced a promising president out of the Oval Office. Coming out of this chaos was a relatively calm and steady leader who served as the 38th President of the United States: Gerald Ford.
Controversial characters of history are some of the most fascinating to explore because they really do come as a mixed bag. So, the story of America has several of these, especially in the 20th century. One of the most memorable was the golden boy of a 20th century American Dynasty. He is the infamous, 35th President of The United States John F. Kennedy.
In the United States, there are many geographical landmarks that provide boundary markers for states and regions. One of these is a massive mountain range that runs like a backbone north to south through the eastern section of the nation. It played a critical role in the development of American state boundaries in the first 100 years of the nation’s existence. Running from the state of Maine through the Deep South, these are the Appalachian Mountains.
In the Cold War, tensions between the two world Superpowers of the United States and Soviet Union had never been higher. Yet, during the 40-plus years of conflict, not a single shot was fired between these two foes. The moment most historians believe started the Cold War was the Berlin Airlift in 1948.
In a place as chaotic and eerie as the sea, many legends have come about throughout the ages of sailing. Perhaps the most famous from the Golden Age of pirating is a terrifying tale about a ghost ship that would allegedly appear as a harbinger of doom and death to sailors on dark waters. It was known as The Flying Dutchman.
In marine legends, there are certain places in the world that strike fear in the hearts of sailors and travelers. One of the most famous is a portion of water that covers a large footprint in the North Atlantic Ocean, roughly 500,000 square miles, and straddles the Sargasso Sea and parts of the Caribbean Islands. Legend says it is a place where ships have been lost at sea, radar connections have been unexplainedly disrupted or fractured altogether, and planes have mysteriously gone down without explanation. This place of legend is known as the Bermuda Triangle.
The only man in United States history who served the nation as President for more than 2 terms. He led the nation through the Great Depression and almost through all of World War II, serving for a record 12 years. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of the most influential and controversial American leaders.
The ocean is an unsettling place, and humans have often turned to mythological stories as a way to make sense out of the turbulence of the sea. While many of those tales are little more than folklore, some legends are based on aspects of truth. One of the most terrifying of these is the beast of the waters that was said to crush whole ships in its grip. Known in ancient days as the Kraken, it is known today by another name.
Have you ever thought about how armies in the pre-Modern world fired artillery at their opponents? Gunpowder didn’t come about until the 15th Century, so how did the Ancient Romans or Persians or Medieval Crusaders bombard cities when they attacked?
There were many Ancient Roman villains, but there is perhaps no villain quite as notorious as the last emperor of the inaugural Julio-Claudian dynasty. He is forever remembered for his mental instability, a fire that destroyed most of the city during his reign, and the ruthless targeting of Christians.
A calm, calculated man who governed the nation during the raucous and pompous Roaring 20’s era. Perhaps his cool, quiet demeanor was the check and balance the nation needed during such a time. He was the 30th U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge.
The American legacy of the Great War is intertwined with the legacy of the man who led the nation during its involvement in this war. A complicated fellow, respected by some and berated by others, that man was the 28th President Woodrow Wilson.
Let’s explore the story of perhaps the most influential people group in world history. This culture is at the center of human history, with origins going back to the early ancient world, and it was through this nation that the most important Man to ever live, Jesus Christ, would come. Tonight, let’s explore the history of the people of Israel.
These men were more than just a military fraternity – they were an entire societal class, and they dominated the fabric of Japanese society for hundreds of years. They were, in many ways, the Far East counterpart to the European Medieval Knights. Let’s explore the famous Japanese warrior class – the Samurai.
Garfield, a Civil War veteran, assumed the presidency in 1881. He was already a celebrated politician and a successful military commander for the Union army. He had potential, but only served less than a year before being killed in office.
One of the Presidents tasked with the difficult challenge in reunifying the nation after the Civil War. Hayes presided over the country during the end of the Reconstruction Period, leading into the Second Industrial Revolution.
At the start of the last decade before the Civil War, the last president to serve on the Whig ticket took office, a controversial fellow whose controversy may have made him a man fit for the times. Let’s explore the 13th president of the United States – Millard Fillmore.
In the 20th century, several men stand out as heroes of the church, among whom are names like CS Lewis and Martin Lloyd Jones, but in America, one man stands tall, the man who would become known as “America’s pastor” – Billy Graham.
The 15th President was a Pennsylvanian who holds the title of the only bachelor to serve in the White House. He is most well-known for serving right before Abraham Lincoln.
A man who served as the 11th President of the United States, as well as the last President of that first-era Democratic Party of ideals aligned with that of Andrew Jackson.
In American history, only a handful of presidents have followed in their father’s footsteps to the presidency. The first which to do so happened early on in the nation’s history. Let’s explore the narrative of the sixth president of the United States, from the state of Massachusetts and son of the nation’s second president John Adams, John Quincy Adams.
The man who would serve as the 7th president of the United States. A controversial figure – he was a tough, brilliant military man and unflinching leader, whose efforts would earn him a place on our $20 bill. Some simultaneously accuse him, though, of radical racism.
He earned the title of last Founding Father to serve as President, and his administration would carry influence over the foundations that would be laid for the growth of American power later in the 19th century. He was James Monroe, the last of the Founding Fathers to preside over the nation.
This man was a minister, a civil rights activist, and a political figure who instituted some of the most important societal changes in the history of the nation. He was Martin Luther King Jr., the prominent Civil Rights activist of 20th century America.
In today’s episode, we journey back to the spring of 1865. The American Civil War had ravaged the United States for four years; thousands of men and boys had died in this brutal war between brothers, a war to ultimately save the Union and finally end the horrid practice of racial slavery in the nation. And on April 9, 1865, the United States was saved from destruction, as the Confederate Army formally surrendered to the Union in Appomattox, Virginia.
We explore the man who, many historians say, single-handedly saved the United States of America during its darkest period. He guided the nation through a bloody Civil War and led the nation away from the vile practice of slavery. On March 4, 1861, he began his first term as US president, and 4 years later on the same day, he began his second. He was Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.
This moment in history answers the all-important question, “Where did all this come from?” How did we get here, and what is our purpose? Let’s go all the way back to the beginning of human history and explore The Creation of the World.
As you may know, Christmas is more than just a time of generosity or gift-giving, a time for family and relaxation. Christmas is all about Christ. It is the wonderfully true story of the greatest act of redemption in human history. Let’s discover this all important moment in human history – the Birth of Jesus.
In December of 1914, the world was at war. Many called it the “war to end all wars” for its massive casualty count and worldwide scope. The two sides, mainly led by Germany and Great Britain, respectively, remained deadlocked in a brutal stalemate on the trenches of Western Europe. But in a moment unmatched in history before or possibly since, the fighting stopped. It was only for one day, but it was the appropriate day in the world for enemies to come together in peace – Christmas Day, the celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. On Christmas Day in 1914, World War I stopped. This is the Christmas Truce.
In our journey through history, let’s dive into a figure who is beloved by many in the West as a legendary figure of gift-giving, merriment, and goodwill. Santa Claus, or St. Nicolas as he is known, is one of the most well-known, and in some cases controversial, characters of the Christmas season. Many, myself included, can recall the day as children when we found out that the jolly old elf who gives gifts to all the good little boys and girls on Christmas Eve is merely a fairy tale. Or was he? While we can all agree that there is no world-traveling gift giver who magically bestows Christmas presents all in one night, there was a real St. Nicolas, and he was a titanic figure of the Christian faith. Let’s discover the Christian hero and servant of Jesus behind the legend Santa Claus – St. Nicholas of Myra.
Oddly enough, this hymn is partially based on a tradition that has arisen out of the Christmas story, equally so to the biblical account we see in the gospel of Matthew. Although it is based as much in legend as it is in fact, the truth of the gospel rings loudly in this familiar tune. Let’s explore a beloved hymn of Christmas – We Three Kings.
In today’s segment, we travel back to the year 1861, just before the most tumultuous period in American history, the Civil War. On February 9, 1861, Senator Jefferson Davis of Kentucky was elected as the first and only president of the fledgling Confederate States of America.
Some call him a trailblazing hero and crusader, while others decry him a notorious, genocidal scoundrel. Let’s attempt to make sense of one of the most influential, and controversial, men in history – Christopher Columbus.
When we think of the war that saved the Union, we often go to the titanic figures such as Lincoln, Grant, and Lee. But for the Union, there was another man whose military genius and, in some cases brutality, is the stuff of legend. Let’s discover the brilliant Union general, William Tecumseh Sherman.
Have you ever wondered why we change our clocks twice a year? How did it come about, and why do we still use it? In this Moment in History, let’s discover the history of Daylight Saving Time.
This man was a champion of conservative values and morality, spearheading American exceptionalism and setting a new standard for pro-life, pro-family, and pro-America leadership in the Oval Office. Let’s discover the 40th president of the United States – Ronald Reagan. To watch the video of this episode click here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-ronald-reagan/
Let’s travel back to the Medieval world and age of Crusading. The Crusades were some of the most epic battles in world history, pitting Christians and Muslims against one another for ultimate supremacy over the Holy Lands in Israel. Out of these bloody battles, a legendary military order would arise. The order was powerful yet also pious. It became one of the wealthiest institutions in medieval Europe yet collapsed suddenly and swiftly. Let’s discover the epic story of the Knights of the Temple of Solomon, also known as the Knights Templar. To watch the video of this episode click here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-knights-templar/
Let’s take a journey back into American history and explore one of the more baffling and quite unpopular presidents in the United States. This man was tasked with the difficult responsibility of rebuilding, or more appropriately, “reconstructing,” the United States in the years following the devastating American Civil War. He was Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States. You can watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-andrew-johnson/
Let’s go back over a century and explore one of the most complex figures in Western History. He was at the same time a gifted writer, an English gentleman, and a stern military man; he was born into a noble lineage, but it was his life’s work that earned him a knighthood; he was hated by some as a brash and pompous elitist, but lauded by most as a hero of democracy and a champion of the free world. This complex man is Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during the Second World War. To watch the video of this episode click here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-winston-churchill/
In today’s segment, we explore one of the most shocking national crimes in the history of the 20th century. If you ask any American born before the year 1960, they will likely be able to remember the exact moment when they found out that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade parade in Dallas on November 22, 1963. History tells us that the prime suspect in this murder investigation was Lee Harvey Oswald, an embittered ex-Marine and an expert marksman. But we may never know for sure if he was the president’s murderer, because of the actions of a Dallas nightclub owner named Jack Ruby, on November 24, 1963. You can watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-jack-ruby-and-the-jfk-assassination/
On April 20, 1999, hundreds of high school students arrived at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, for what they expected to be a normal day. It would become a tragic and horrific day for these students and teachers, as 13 members of Columbine High School were murdered in cold blood by two shooters in one of the worst mass school shootings in American history: the Columbine Massacre.
This landmark is one of the oldest in the world, and it stands in much the same way as it has done for thousands of years. Historians have argued and been subsequently baffled by this strange collection of rocks in Wiltshire, England. Let’s go back thousands of years and explore the circle of stones in England known as Stonehenge. Go here to watch this episode https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-stonehenge/
In our last segment, we looked at the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11, orchestrated by Islamic terrorists and causing the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The Twin Towers had collapsed, and hundreds of thousands of New York citizens, many in need of medical attention, were stranded on Manhattan Island as int became engulfed in smoke and ash. All bridges and tunnels were closed, and the only way off the island was by boat. Here, in the face of great tragedy, hundreds of ordinary American heroes stepped in to help rescue these stranded souls in the 9/11 Boat Rescue. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-9-11-boat-rescue-pt-2/
Every American born before the late 1990s likely remembers the moment they found out that Islamic terrorists had orchestrated a horrific attack against innocent civilians on September 11, 2001. This attack, though horrible, also brought out the very best in American citizens. One of the most under appreciated rescues in American history happened because of ordinary people caring for one another in this extraordinary way. In this special two-part September 11 memorial of A Moment in History, let’s explore the inspiring story of the 9/11 Boat Rescue. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-9-11-boat-rescue-pt-1/
On September 11, 2001 two planes were taken over by Islamic terrorists and flown into the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York, and a third crashed into the side of the Pentagon in Washington, DC. There was a 4th plane hijacked that day, and many believe these hijackers had another Washington DC target in mind, such as the Capitol building or even the White House. But thanks to the sacrifice of several brave civilians on board, the plane crashed into a field in western Pennsylvania. Let’s explore the heroic takeover of United Flight 93. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-united-flight-93/
One of the most important forces that brought a Union victory was the usage of Black Soldiers, who not only were allowed to serve in the war but also had every reason to want to. Let’s look today at the vital role Black American soldiers played in the Union victory during the Civil War. https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-black-soldiers-of-the-civil-war/
Over the years in American History, there have been many events that have led to the creation of the American holiday called Labor Day. Follow Seth Udinski as he speaks about the steps that America took to create a day of rest for the worker called Labor Day.
This man rose from slavery to freedom and eventually national prominence and was one of the first nationally-known African American statesmen in the country. Let’s explore the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-frederick-douglass/
This man came from a hard upbringing to stardom in Major League Baseball. He was a complex figure – he dealt with drunkenness and failed marriage, and at the same time had a soft spot in his heart for children, beloved universally for his childish personality and superstar fame. Let’s explore the story of George Herman Ruth, known in history as Babe Ruth Watch this episode about Babe Ruth here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-babe-ruth/
A bold political maneuver from one of the most notorious dictators and mass murderers in world history. On February 2, 1933, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler formally dissolved the German Parliament. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-hitler-dissolves-german-parliament-2/
The United States Supreme Court was created at the foundation of the nation with the intention of being the last and most powerful defense of justice in the land. In this moment in history, let’s explore the history of the Supreme Court of the United States. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-supreme-court/
Many would agree that this food comes in at the top of their favorite cuisines. It originated in Europe and has become synonymous with the American experience. Let’s explore the history of one of the most beloved food groups in the United States. Watch this episode about pizza here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-creation-of-pizza/
On January 28, 1986, the spacecraft Challenger lifted off the ground at approximately 11:30 AM Eastern time above the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Just over a minute into the flight, one of the ship’s internal fuel tanks imploded, causing the entire spaceship to break apart in a fiery explosion. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-challenger-disaster/
On February 4, 1789, George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, was elected as the first president of the young United States. He would become perhaps the most influential man in American history. Watch this history story about George Washington here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-george-washington/
The sports that took place in this stadium, though, were vastly different from baseball or football. They were life-and-death battles, killing for sport and for entertainment for the Roman aristocracy. Let’s explore the 2000-year-history of the mighty Colosseum in Rome. Go to FISM TV to watch this episode https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-roman-colosseum/
By the early 17th century, the traditional concept of medieval warfare was all but a thing of the past, though it should be noted that many of the tactics of medieval warfare, such as the cavalry charge, claiming high ground, siege warfare, and hand to hand combat, would remain for centuries after, with some tactics even surviving to this day. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-what-happened-to-medieval-warfare/
We know much about the legends of Arthur: his retrieval of the sword Excalibur from a stone, his relationship with the magician Merlin and his true love Guenivere, and his famous knights of the round table. Whether the legends are true or not, the legends were most likely based on a real king who lived at the end of the Roman Empire in Britain. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-historical-king-arthur/
For thousands of years, the transaction of written letters was the most effective and quick way to send and receive messages over great distances. At the dawn of the United States, the nationwide postal service did just that, and even with the advent of the telegram, the telephone, and eventually electronic instant messaging, mail delivery is still a vital part of the American experience. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-united-states-postal-service/
During the middle ages in Europe, there arose three powerful military religious orders of knights. But unlike the Templars and the Teutons, this order was not merely a fighting force: it was also in charge of a network of medieval medical practices. Let’s explore one of the lesser-known orders of the Crusader era – the Knights Hospitaller. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-knights-hospitaller/
This event has become known as a national day of celebration in England, a story of intrigue and conspiracy as a group of English insurrectionists attempted to explode the English Parliament building at Westminster Palace on November 5, 1605. “Remember remember the 5th of November” has become as meaningful a phrase in England as “Give me liberty or give me death” might be for you and me. Let’s explore that thrilling tale now, known in history as the Gunpowder Plot.
In this Christmas special titled “Why Do We Sing That?,” you and I will take a journey through some of the great hymns of worship in the Christian faith. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/why-do-we-sing-that-amih-christmas-special/
The first Thanksgiving is a moment of great irony in world history. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-the-first-thanksgiving/
Let’s continue in our journey through Redemptive History and discover the victory of the saints won by Jesus Christ, a victory that enables us to withstand fierce trials of many kinds. The Church will indeed prevail because her Savior first prevailed. Watch this episode here https://fism.tv/a-moment-in-history-redemptive-history-part-2/
History is God’s story. It is one big, amazing, true story of a God who created and loves His people, but those people rebelled against God and became His enemies. God, the hero of the story, still loves His people and is constantly saving them until finally He performs the ultimate act of redemption: living among them, becoming one of them, and giving His life that they might be free.
The cause of freedom was at the center of the American Revolution, a cause for which many lived and others died. The American war for independence is a classic underdog story, and the focus of this special Moment in History with Seth Udinski.
The 250 year story of this country is full of individuals who exemplified courage in the face of danger, who stood up for what was right even when it was difficult, and who put their own lives on the line to save others.