Wonder | Tales of Wonder and Curiosity InJustOneDay

The Wonder show is about the people, places and events that shape our daily lives. Often those events are entirely out of our control, our destiny is shaped not only by our own actions and often inaction but also those of others and of circumstance.
 
This idea is shaped beautifully by Mark Twain in an essay that he wrote, called “The turning point of my life”.
 
For today’s show, I am going to read that essay taken from a collection of Mark Twain’s essays by Samuel Clemens (who of course is better known as "Mark Twain!"), called “What is Man? – and other essays”. The collection is on the public domain and available for free via Project Gutenberg.
 
To leave a message or ask a question about this or any of the content, visit www.injustoneday.com/sayhello
 
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In Northern India there lies a city, believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and the spiritual home of India.
 
Thousands flock here each day, to bathe in the waters of the Ganges, to cremate their loved ones, to pray in their many temples and/or to commune and to learn.
 
This city has a strong heritage in music, literature, arts and craft, the most cherished being the art of silk weaving, known the world over for the beautiful and prized Banarasi sarees.
 
It is also a city of legends, with myths and tales of curiosity across its narrow alleyways and in its many ruins.
 
It is a vibrant city of contrasts, a much loved and revered Holy city, a commercial city, a seat of learning and all wrapped up in its daily bustle, noise and pollution; it is a land of silk and dreams.
 
This is the story of Varanasi.
 
For more information, links and sources visit www.injustoneday.com/varanasi.
To leave a comment, ask a question or provide feedback, visit www.injustoneday.com/sayhello
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California, the sunshine state of America, was gleaming for another reason back in 1848.
 
On a farm in Sacramento, near the town of Caloma in January 1848, whilst working on John Sutter’s ranch, building a saw mill, John Marshall found gold.
 
The two men tried to keep the find quiet, but word soon got out and before long people were coming from all around in search of fame and fortune.
 
The Gold Rush brought tens of thousands of people to the area from all over the world and with it the need for supplies, tools and workwear.
 
One man, recognizing the business potential this brought, arrived from New York to San Francisco to set up a branch of the family wholesale dry goods and garment business. His business grew quickly as did his reputation for quality.
 
Then one day an opportunity arose that he could not refuse, that opportunity was to change his life and the lives of many others and would start a 150 year success story that continues to thrive to this day.
 
This is the story of Levi's Jeans.
 
For the show notes links and sources for this episode visit injustoneday.com/levis.
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The beginning of the 16th century was a time of exploration, of discovery and of curiosity.
Columbus had recently discovered the New World, Europe was expanding rapidly with trade routes being opened up with the East. These brought a wealth of exotic spices, plants and animals back from places such as India and China, to satisfy curiosity but also to display wealth and stature.
Any self-respecting gentleman, nobleman or King wanted to display his wealth with a show of the unusual, the exotic and often the macabre.
The natural world was becoming a focus of scientific and cultural interest as these explorers and travellers were returning with examples and illustrations of new species.
One man recognised that his was a time of opportunity, of curiosity and wonder and he capitalised on it.
 
To this day one of his creations, despite its inaccuracies lives in the annals of science and of art as a true masterpiece.
This is the story of Durer’s Rhinoceros.
Thanks for listening
 
For more information, links and sources please head over to www.injustoneday.com/rhino
 
Finally, I would like to hear from you, if you have any things you are curious about and would like to hear about on the show then you can let me know at www.injustoneday.com/getintouch/sayhello
 
There are some instructions on how you can do that there or you can email me at hello@injustoneday.com.
 
But until next time, thanks for being here and Have a great day.
 

Lying off the Northwest Coast of Scotland is a group of Islands known collectively as the Hebrides. They are Harris and Lewis, North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra.
 
These ancient and remote islands are as mysterious as they are beautiful, with the competing forces of the strong Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, nature is unforgiving.
 
Yet, this brings with it unique opportunities and habitats for birds, mammals, marine animals and fauna not seen elsewhere.
The Isle of Lewis, is 680 sq miles and is the northern most Island, it has a population of approx. 19000 people the majority of whom are concentrated in the town of Stornaway.
It was previously inhabited by the Picts was under Norse rule from the 9th century when the Vikings settled there. Following the Treaty of Perth in 1266 Lewis and the other Islands became part of Scotland once again. The Isle of Lewis
Almost 6 centuries later, on a day in April 1831, a farmer was out grazing his cattle when one of his animals unearthed what would become one of the most important archaeological and historically important finds to this day.
 
This is the story of the Lewis Chessmen.
For more information, links and sources visit www.injustoneday.com/chessmen.

Welcome to Season 3 of the Wonder Show!
 
A new year and a new season – it feels great to be back.
The feedback I’ve had to the first two seasons has been great and I appreciate all the good wishes you’ve given me, thank you.
I have so many great tales of wonder and of curiosity to share with you and so I’ve decided that from Season 3, I’ll be extending the Season from 8 to 12 weeks, so you will have a total of 12 episodes per season to enjoy. 
For more information visit www.injustoneday.com
You can pick up the next season of Wonder from all your usual places on Wednesday 31 January 2018.
Oh, and the Wonder Show has been accepted by Spotify now too which is great news, so you can find it there.
See you next week.
 
Until then have a great day