Not Trivial

S3 Preview Who knows if you've been bad or good?

We’ve all heard of Santa Claus. And some of us have heard of Rudolph, the Grinch, even Sinterklaas and St Nick. But have you heard of the darker, more gritty Christmas figures from around the world? Do you know who knows if you’ve been bad or good?

S2 Ep10 Which Mexican holiday remembers the death of an Austrian Emperor?

We’ve all heard of national holidays, perhaps even independence day celebrations, depending on the country. Some of us know the dates on the calendar; July 4th in the USA, May 17th in Norway, February 11th in Iran. And even lesser known important dates for countries, like Ohi Day on October 28th in Greece. Of course, there are also days of remembrance, such as November 11th in the US, France, and UK. But what about holidays that only parts of countries celebrate?

S2 Ep9 Which culture can claim to be one of the world’s oldest still in existence?

We’ve all heard of the long-reigning cultures of the Chinese, the Mayan, or the Vikings. And some of us have heard of the Abyssinians in east Africa, or the Pandyan of the ancient state of Tamil in South India. But did you know there’s another culture, still in existence, that outlasts all these cultures combined?

S2 Ep8 Which language is one of the oldest in the world, and has its own alphabet?

We’ve all heard of languages like Latin or Greek, that provide the basis for well-known language families. And some of us have heard that languages like Icelandic and Tamil have been in use for centuries with little alteration. But do you know about a language that uses its own alphabet that is different from any other in the world, and is just as old as Celtic?

S2 Ep7 Which African ruler is known for being one of the most prolific builders of the ancient world?

We’ve all heard of the wonders of the ancient world; the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Library of Alexandria, or the Great Pyramids of Egypt. At least that one’s still with us. And some of us have heard of historic African rulers like King Tut or Pharaoh Ramses the Great. But do you know who was actually the most prolific builder in ancient Africa?