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It’s December 24th. Today, we look at a number of puzzle-related stories from the WWII era. This is when the New York Times finally got in the crossword game, codebreakers used puzzles to recruit great minds, and more.
Jody, NIki, and Kellie are joined by author and podcast host A.J. Jacobs to discuss what that first crossword looked like, why it was such a hit, and how puzzling can help explain the world.
A.J. is the author of “The Puzzler” and also host of the new daily puzzle podcast of the same name — which is produced by our own Jody Avirgan and Brittani Brown! Learn more at thepuzzler.com
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Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Follow us on social @thisdaypod
Our team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia
What Do We Call The President? w/ A.J. Jacobs
The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
A Deep Dive Into The Cultural Cold War (1960) w/ Benjamen Walker
Pepsi Trades Soda For Soviet Warships (1989)
The Columbia Protests (1968)
Veepstakes Week: JFK Picks LBJ (1960)
Veepstakes Week: The Legend Of The Sarah Palin Cruise Ship (2007)
Veepstakes Week: Does A VP Pick Matter?
The Great San Francisco Earthquake (1906)
Walter Cronkite's America (1962)
George W. Bush Meets With Gay Voters (2000) w/ Neil J. Young
Democrats Seize Power In South Carolina (1877)
Marian Anderson Sings On The Steps Of The Lincoln Memorial (1939)
Wisconsin Tries To Recall Scott Walker (2012)
Why William Henry Harrison Really Died (1841)
The Richmond Bread Riots (1863)
Truman Says He Won't Seek Re-Election (1952)
The Slaveowner Executed for Killing His Slave (1839)
DC Plants The Cherry Blossoms (1912)
Lincoln's Avenger And The Aftermath Of Assassination (1894) [[Archive Episode]]
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