In episode 1 of season 21 of the 5 Minute Biographies podcast, we explore the remarkable reign of Isabella I of Castile, whose marriage to Ferdinand II of Aragon helped create the foundations of a united Spain. From the final victory in the Reconquista to the launch of the Age of Exploration with Columbus’s voyage, Isabella’s rule reshaped both Spain and the wider world. We also look at the controversial policies of religious uniformity that continue to spark debate centuries later.

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In the tenth and final episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we examine the remarkable yet brief presidency of James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States. Rising from poverty to national leadership, Garfield championed reform and fought against corruption. His assassination after just a few months in office stunned the nation and helped bring about long-overdue changes in American politics.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/james-a-garfield/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

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In the ninth episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we explore the story of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States. Rising from Civil War service to the presidency, Hayes won one of the most disputed elections in American history. His compromise to gain office brought stability but ended Reconstruction, paving the way for Jim Crow laws in the South. Though admired for his integrity and support of reform, his legacy is tied to one of America’s most controversial turning points.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/rutherford-b-hayes/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

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In the eighth episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we examine the life and legacy of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general turned 18th president of the United States. Rising from obscurity, Grant led Union forces to victory, ensuring the survival of the nation. As president, he championed civil rights and supported the 15th Amendment, but his administration was overshadowed by corruption scandals. Grant’s story is one of triumph, perseverance, and complexity, with a legacy that historians continue to reassess today.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/ulysses-s-grant-2/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

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In the seventh episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we examine the life and presidency of Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States. Thrust into office after Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Johnson faced the monumental challenge of Reconstruction. His opposition to granting full rights to freed slaves and his constant clashes with Congress made his presidency one of the most divisive in American history. Ultimately impeached but not removed from office, Johnson’s legacy remains controversial, marked by questions of leadership, race, and the balance of power between branches of government.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/andrew-johnson/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

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In the sixth episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we look at Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. From his humble beginnings in a frontier log cabin to his leadership during the Civil War, Lincoln steered the nation through its greatest test, preserved the Union, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation that redefined freedom. His eloquence, determination, and tragic assassination in 1865 left an indelible mark on American history and the global struggle for democracy.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/abraham-lincoln-2/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

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In the fifth episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we look at James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States. A seasoned statesman with decades of experience, Buchanan entered the White House as the nation teetered on the edge of crisis—and left it on the brink of civil war. His passive leadership, controversial support for the Dred Scott decision, and failure to confront secession have led many to rank him among the worst presidents in U.S. history. In this episode, we explore Buchanan’s life, his inaction in the face of disunion, and the legacy of a presidency defined by missed opportunities.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/james-buchanan/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

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In the fourth episode of our second 10-part special season on U.S. Presidents, we look at Franklin Pierce, the 14th president of the United States. Handsome, charming, and a decorated war veteran, Pierce seemed destined for success, but his presidency quickly descended into controversy and division. His support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act inflamed tensions over slavery and pushed the nation closer to civil war. In this episode, we delve into the life of a man whose personal tragedies and political missteps defined one of the most turbulent presidencies in American history.

An article supporting this episode can be found on the website at: https://5minutebiographies.com/franklin-pierce/ or why not take a look at our YouTube channel at https://5minutehistory.com/youtube/

Please consider supporting the show by subscribing. If you would like to support me more directly by, say, buying me a coffee, please head on over to http://www.5minutebiographies.com/coffee to see how.

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