The Russian aristocrat Sergei Diaghilev brings Russian art to the Western world, and becomes a hugely influential figure in the world of art.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor
Composed in 1892 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Public domain.
Performed by the University of Washington Symphony Orchestra, Neal O’Doan, piano. Recording used pursuant to a Creative Commons license. Details.

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Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

In his final years as President, Theodore Roosevelt continues to pursue an aggressive foreign policy, while at home, racial tensions, an earthquake, and a stock market panic roil American politics.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

“El Himno de Bayamo”
Composed in 1867 by Perucho Figueredo. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.

“Jacob’s Ladder”
Traditional. Arranged by Mark Painter.

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Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

Theodore Roosevelt is re-elected in 1904, breaking the Vice Presidents’ curse. William Howard Taft emerges as Roosevelt’s most trusted advisor and spokesperson, and Roosevelt begins to speak of Taft as his preferred successor. 1906 proves to be Roosevelt’s best year yet, as he gets much of his legislative agenda through Congress.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

“The Cascades”
Composed in 1904 by Scott Joplin. Public domain.
Public domain recording. Source. Thanks to Ragnar Hellspong.

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Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

In 1906, the Royal Navy launched HMS Dreadnought, a revolutionary new design of battleship. The following year, British and Russian diplomats negotiated an Anglo-Russian entente, along the lines of the earlier Anglo-French entente.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

“Cançáo do Exército”
Composed by Teófilo de Magalhães. Public domain.
Performed by The United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.

“Jack Tar March”
Composed in 1903 by John Philip Sousa. Public domain.
Performed by The United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.

Prelude from Das Rheingold
Composed in 18693 by Richard Wagner. Public domain.
Performed by The United States Marine Band. Public domain recording. Source.

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Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

In 1905, Germany precipitates an international crisis over French intervention in Morocco, hoping to drive a wedge between France and Britain.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

“Arabesca” from 12 danzas españolas, arranged for guitar.
Composed in 1880 by Enrique Granados Campiña. Public domain.
Performed by William Riley. Public domain recording. Source.

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

The Entente Cordiale had been a tremendous diplomatic success for Britain. Now, the British government hopes to come to a similar understanding with Russia, and possibly with Germany as well. But Russia, losing a war with Britain’s ally, Japan, is not feeling much love for the United Kingdom. And Germany’s naval buildup is a major bone of contention between her and Britain.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

“Rule, Britannia!”
Composed in 1740 by Thomas Arne. Public domain.

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Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

By 1905, the Conservatives had controlled the British government for nearly twenty years. But they could not control the forces that were transforming British society. The Liberals are poised to take power, but the rise of the Labour Party poses the question, are even the Liberals out of touch with modern Britain?

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

Fanfare-Rondeau
Composed in 1729 by Jean-Joseph Mouret. Public domain.

“Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (“Yes, We Love This Country”)
Composed in 1864 by Rikard Nordraak. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Navy Band. Public domain recording. Source.

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

Today is the 240th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. So, there will be no new episode this week, but we will be back next week!

In 1905, the hitherto unknown Albert Einstein publishes four papers on the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, relativity, and mass/energy equivalence, that revolutionize modern physics.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

Violin Sonata No. 26 in B♭
Composed in 1781 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Public domain.
Performed by Corey Cerovsek, violin, and Jeremy Denk, piano, and used pursuant to a Creative Commons license. Details.

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.

This week, we conclude our series on the Russo-Japanese War by pondering the meaning of the war, and what lessons people of the time could or should have taken from it.

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Fanfare

Opening Theme

Closing Theme

Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.