World History   

During World War II, espionage involved covert operations by all major powers, including Germany, Japan, and the Allied nations, Britain, France, and the U.S. This collection of spies acted on behalf of their countries through hatred of the Third Reich, revenge for the killing of a loved one, love of their country or a habitual way of life. But all served faithfully until the crisis ended, or they did.

 

The Italian Renaissance gave the world breathtaking masterpieces, but behind the beauty lay ambition, rivalry, and ruthless power plays. In this gripping course, Prof. Didier pulls back the curtain on the real story of the Renaissance. Through 70 vivid images and unforgettable historical anecdotes, uncover what truly fueled this explosive era, who set it in motion, and how Rome rose to dominate the 1400s.

This isn’t a tour of pretty paintings. It is a journey into the plots, power struggles, betrayals, and even murders that shaped the most magnificent (and dangerous) cultural revolution in history.

Why did the Japanese attack? Why was the U.S. caught by surprise? On the 85th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, this course will examine the reasons for the attack and the almost unbelievable process, the back and forth, that led to the approval of the attack in Japan. This almost torturous process also sheds light on why the U.S. was caught off guard.

Malta, an island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea, is a strategically important group of islands. Through its long and turbulent history, the archipelago has played a vital role in the struggles of a succession of powers. Learn about this jewel from a Maltese citizen who will go into the history, culture, travel opportunities and many other facets of the island.

This program traces the development of Secret Writing from Byzantium to Al-Qaeda, and reveals the chemicals used to both produce the vanishing writing and then to the retrieval of the messages. The techniques were used for centuries by government officials, royalty, politicians, the military, lovers, and spies. See German Formula documents so advanced that they were held from the public for almost 100 years. How Royal heads were lost because of compromised messages written in invisible ink. See unique variations used by Greeks, Persians, Russians, French, Germans and the Confederacy. See what a Secret Writing Detection Station today uses to detect the presence of Secret Writing.   

Step into a city of gleaming white marble where history, faith, and legend meet. Walk the streets once home to the Evangelist John and, according to tradition, Mary the mother of Jesus. Marvel at the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and uncover what daily life was really like in this extraordinary ancient city. From sacred rituals to bustling marketplaces, discover the beliefs, customs, and vibrant rhythms of a world long gone, but far from forgotten.

This unique, little known program contains revelations about one of the greatest inventors of the 20th Century, two musical prodigies, a 70+ year love affair, a cutting-edge spy device that baffled the United States for eight years, and the invention of a musical instrument that is played without ever touching it, and has been used in movies and hit songs in America and around the world. You may even get to play it if you wish, many have already.

 

Step into the enchanting world of French châteaux, where history, romance, and fascinating treasures come to life. Explore magnificent castles, uncover the stories behind rare antiques, and why not? spend the night in a beautiful, privately owned B&B château nestled in the French countryside.

Our virtual tours take you beyond the private estates and into some of France’s most legendary state-owned treasures, including the breathtaking Château de Chenonceau and the spectacular Palace of Versailles. It’s a journey through centuries of history with a little French château magic along the way!

Explore the colorful and surprising history of Baja California with Prof. Didier, from the exploits of Conquistador Hernán Cortés to the vibrant peninsula of today. Participants will discover how the pursuit of gold, God, and glory shaped the region through stories of adventure, faith, ambition, treasure, and the people who transformed a rugged frontier into modern Baja California.

Discover the remarkable evolution of U.S. military small arms during the First and Second World Wars. This course will explore how the United States became the "Arsenal of Democracy," supplying not only its own forces but also those of its allies through industrial innovation and mass production.

You'll learn about the design, function, and history of the weapons that helped shape the modern battlefield—from bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic pistols to revolvers and carbines. Topics include:

 

• Weapon types and their intended battlefield roles
• Caliber, dimensions, and technical specifications
• Manufacturing origins, including production years and facilities
• Distribution to various military branches and theaters of war
• Total production numbers and historical context

The instructor will present a curated selection of original U.S. small arms from the era. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have the unique opportunity to view—and carefully handle—some of these authentic historical artifacts.

Whether you're a military history enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, this course offers an unforgettable hands-on journey through America's wartime armament legacy.

Explore a fascinating historical mystery inspired by Gavin Menzies’ controversial bestseller, 1421: The Year China Discovered the World. Participants will examine evidence and competing arguments surrounding the theory that Chinese fleets may have reached the Americas decades before Columbus. Through history, mystery, and maritime detective work, they will consider the possibilities and draw their own conclusions.

Participants will travel back to a time when France claimed more than half of North America. Through stories of explorers, fur traders, battles, and bold ambitions, they will discover how France built a vast New World empire and ultimately lost nearly all of it. This fascinating journey explores power, adventure, and the important role one remarkable city played in French North American history.

 

Now that you know what it's all about, here are more examples of how, when and where this espionage activity took place. There will be cases detailed, in living color, of people from a well-known scientist, the diplomatic corps, both American and Russian, embassy staff and the political arena. Because love, romance and sex are never out of style, "Honey Trap" operations will continue to be used to gain crucial intelligence.

 

 

Malta, an island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea, is a strategically important group of islands. Through its long and turbulent history, the archipelago has played a vital role in the struggles of a succession of powers. Learn about this jewel from a Maltese citizen who will go into the history, culture, travel opportunities and many other facets of the island.

For much of the Twentieth Century, China experienced a tumultuous, often devastating transition from an old empire to Communist party-state. This course examines key events from the rise of Communism, the Chinese Civil War, Cultural Revolution to the eventual opening that paved the way for China's emergence as a world power.  We will focus on the unresolved questions around the contradictory roles of Mao Zedong and his lingering influence.

 

Participants will step into the fascinating world of Japan's past, where elegant geisha, fearless samurai, mysterious ninja, and powerful shoguns shaped a remarkable culture. They will discover the traditions, rituals, codes of honor, and intriguing stories behind these legendary figures while exploring the performances, secret missions, and epic battles that make Japan's history so captivating.

Once the capital of a mighty empire, Copenhagen has long captured the imagination of travelers.  This class will examine the city, from its famous gardens to the storybook settings of Hans Christian Andersen and its modern status as one of the world's most environmentally friendly cities, as well as presenting helpful travel tips.

Three boat-building brothers from Long Island, all raised as Quakers, came of age during the Second World War.

John Seaman, the eldest, would be a conscientious objector. First assigned to building PT boats in a local shipyard, he protested the assignment. Eventually he would be transferred to making bandages and medical packs.

Fred Seaman, the middle brother, would be drafted and serve in the Army Air Corps piloting a C-47 cargo plane between China and India, over "The Hump," the treacherous Himalayas.

Bert Seaman, the youngest brother, would enlist in the Army Air Corps, learning to fly in Ocala, then serving as a pilot trainer in Georgia before opting for combat duty to expedite his term of service. He became a Captain at 22 years old, piloting a B-24 for over 20 combat missions from Italy to targets into Central Europe and southern Germany from the Fall of 1944 to the end of the war.

That youngest brother was my father. He kept a diary starting from the beginning of his combat tour as he left muggy summertime Georgia in 1944 on a B-24, flying first to Long Island, then Gander, Newfoundland, then the Azores, then Marrakech, Morocco, before arriving at their home base at the heel of Italy near Foggia.

Accounts of Dad's piloting antics are not exactly recounted in the diary. Details have been filled in by a crew member's daughter who eventually connected with my sister. Dad never talked much about the war, but this crew member - the nose gunner, I believe - loved to talk about my dad and what they did during the war. It turns out that my dad - MY dad! - was quite a hot dog pilot.

Great stories!

 

As Samuel Johnson famously put it, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." In this short course, we shall explore the history of this global city, from ancient origins to the seat of Empire to a global center of arts and finance. Discover the ever-changing culture of this great city and see how it has continually re-invented itself through the ages to be perhaps the greatest city on Earth.

 

The islands of the Azores began with volcanoes, with their power to destroy and their power to create. Was Plato right in claiming that the lost City of Atlantis was in the Azores? Take a visual tour of all 9 islands and discover the history, culture, and the traditions of the islands in the middle of nowhere.

This unique, little known program contains revelations about one of the greatest inventors of the 20th Century, two musical prodigies, a 70+ year love affair, a cutting-edge spy device that baffled the United States for eight years, and the invention of a musical instrument that is played without ever touching it, and has been used in movies and hit songs in America and around the world. You may even get to play it if you wish, many have already.

 

During World War II, espionage involved covert operations by all major powers, including Germany, Japan, and the Allied nations, Britain, France, and the U.S. This collection of spies acted on behalf of their countries through hatred of the Third Reich, revenge for the killing of a loved one, love of their country or a habitual way of life. But all served faithfully until the crisis ended, or they did.

 

Using more than 90 images and historical facts/anecdotes, Prof. Didier explains early Russian history from the first princes, kings and tsars to the last tsar. Along the way, discover the truth about if Ivan really was 'the Terrible' and if Empress Catherine deserved the title 'Great' and many other naughty secrets of the Rurik & Romanov Royal Houses of Imperial Russia.