WRITTEN TRANSCRIPTION OF THE PODCAST:

Hello and welcome back to My Life and Other Funny Stories. I’m Dagmar Tomášková, your host, and today we’re diving into another part of American history. As always, you can find the transcript and vocabulary list in the podcast notes. If you have time, I would advise you to check out the transcription for this episode because there will be more advanced vocabulary.

Last week we discussed some events taking place before the 20th century so today we will look at more modern history – I am curious how much you know! Now, let’s jump right in.

In the early 20th century, there was a significant event that changed the way people travel and connect across long distances. Can you guess what it was?

a) Invention of the automobile
b) First successful airplane flight
c) Introduction of the transatlantic telegraph cable

The correct answer is b) First successful airplane flight. In 1903, the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, achieved the first flight of a powered aircraft in North Carolina. This event marked the beginning of modern aviation and opened up new possibilities for transportation. Aviation  is a name for the area of design,  development, production, operation, and use of a plane. 

Imagine the excitement and disbelief of witnessing a flying machine for the first time! To witness something means that you see it with your own eyes. For example, when there is a crime and someone sees it, they are called a witness. People must have thought the Wright brothers were either geniuses or a little bit crazy. I mean, the flight was 12 seconds long and was about 35 meters long. So they could just run this distance and would probably be faster but still, it was really something.

Let’s move into the topic of the second world war. By the way, the First and Second World Wars are my favorite topics when it comes to history. I love learning about it more and more. My grandfather fought in the Second World War…anyway, I am going off the topic now. Back to the USA.

This is quite a known fact so …Do you know what event led to the United States entering World War II? 

a) Bombing of Pearl Harbor
b) Invasion of Normandy
c) Signing of the Treaty of Versailles

The correct answer is a) Bombing of Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. A naval base is a place where a navy operates. And navy is the part of the army operating on ships. This means that they attacked the place where Americans had their ships and soldiers. That really made Americans angry. This attack made the United States join the Allied forces in World War II, changing the course of history. The course of something is a synonym to “the direction of something” so it changed the direction in which the history was going.

Can you imagine waking up to the sound of bombs and planes overhead? It must have been a terrifying and chaotic experience for the people at Pearl Harbor.

Now, let’s talk about a significant movement that shaped the social and political landscape of the 20th century. What was the name of the movement that fought for equal rights for African Americans?

a) Suffrage Movement
b) Civil Rights Movement
c) Women’s Liberation Movement

The correct answer is b) Civil Rights Movement. By the way, if you don’t know what a “suffrage movement” is, it was a movement that was focused on elections and voting. Back to the Civil Rights Movement. Led by influential figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, the Civil Rights Movement aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. Segregation is an act of separating people based on the color of their skin. 

For example, black people always had to be at the back of a bus and if a white person came to the bus, they had to stand up and leave the seat to them. Or there were separate bathrooms for white people and black people in the US. Isn’t it crazy? I can’t even imagine how terrible it must have been. If you are more interested in this topic, I recommend a movie called “The Green Book” and I will talk about this in some future episodes.

Think about the bravery and determination of those who protested and risked their lives to demand equality and justice. It was a very important period of American history.

And now, let’s explore technological progress in the late 20th century. What invention allowed people to access information and connect with others from their own homes?

a) Television
b) Personal computer
c) Internet

The correct answer is c) Internet. Have you heard about the Internet? Maybe it is a novelty for you, it is quite an unknown thing. I know I found out about it yesterday.

Okay, now seriously. The internet has transformed the way we communicate, work, shop, and entertain ourselves. From email and social media to online streaming services, the internet has become an integral part of modern life. Integral means like “main” or “very important” part.

It is so strange that just a few decades ago life was so different. Nowadays, you can just text everyone and talk with your friends from other countries every day if you want to. I remember it was so exciting for me to use the internet for the first time when I was a teenager. We had the internet and a computer even before I was a teenager but I had two brothers so you can imagine that it wasn’t very easy for me to actually get to the computer and use it myself.

Alright, let’s wrap up with one last question. To wrap something up means to finish something. 

During the second half of the 20th century, the most pronounced conflict was the Cold War between the US and Russia. I guess every one of you has heard about it, right?  When I was learning about American history, it was truly unbelievable how close they were to a complete nuclear war. Once it was just down to one person who refused to listen to his orders when he was ordered to launch the nuclear missiles. Because that would start the war. God bless him for that.

Anyway, jumping to the end of this conflict, what event marked the end of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union?

a) Fall of the Berlin Wall
b) Cuban Missile Crisis
c) Vietnam War

The correct answer is a) Fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1989, the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin for nearly three decades, was finally torn down. Finally torn down means it was destroyed. This symbolic act represented the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe and the beginning of a new era of global politics. It was a big victory for the United States. 

Well, how did you do? I hope you enjoyed testing your knowledge of 20th-century American history! Don’t forget to let me know your thoughts and feedback. If there were a lot of new words for you, go to the notes of the podcast and check out the transcription, I always include a vocabulary list with translation which can help you understand. Until next time, take care.

Thank you for listening, and be sure to leave a five-star rating if you enjoyed this episode. Bye for now!