It’s time for that quadrennial exercise in American democracy, when thousands of people spend millions of dollars and take several days to make a decision that’s already been made. Of course I’m talking about our national political party presidential nominating conventions. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass discusses the history of conventions and how they work today.

Read the transcript and find links to more resources:
https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/national-political-nominating-conventions-276

Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

Fred Vinson's life went from being born in a jailer's house in Eastern Kentucky to serving as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a key player in American government during and after World War II. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass tells Vinson's life story and shows how it encourages all of us to take part in the great story of America.

Read the episode transcript, see photos, and find links to more resources about Fred Vinson and the Supreme Court:
https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/from-jail-to-the-supreme-court-the-career-and-citizenship-of-fred-m-vinson-275

Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved persons were free. Slavery was ended. On the latest episode of the Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells how slavery ended in the United States and how people began to celebrate Juneteenth (June 19th) as America's second Independence Day.

Visit our website for a transcript, photos, and links to more resources related to Juneteenth:
https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/juneteenth-america-s-second-independence-day-274

Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/