Hi, I’m Sen, and welcome to another episode of Today in History!

As usual, you’ll hear today’s historical events twice. So, remember, don’t worry too much about focusing on the meaning the first time around. That’s what the second listen is for, when you can try and understand even more of what is said.

Let’s begin. So, what happened today in history?

On July 3, 1888, Japanese painter Kagaku Murakami was born. He was known for his paintings on Buddhism, and his use of traditional Japanese techniques and materials.

On the same day in 1941, Indian filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan was born. He is one of India’s most famous filmmakers, and is known for starting the new wave movement in Malayalam cinema with his first film Swayamvaram in 1972. Swayamvaram was different from traditional films because it had a more realistic style and didn’t include theatrical dances or funny scenes. Adoor Gopalakrishnan has directed over 35 films, including full-length films, short films, and documentaries.

On July 3, 1988, the Second Bosphorus Bridge was completed in Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul. At the time, it provided the second connection between Europe and Asia, and was the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world.

Ok, and now for the second listen. See how many of the historical facts you can understand this time.

On July 3, 1888, Japanese painter Kagaku Murakami was born. He was known for his paintings on Buddhism, and his use of traditional Japanese techniques and materials.

On the same day in 1941, Indian filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan was born. He is one of India’s most famous filmmakers, and is known for starting the new wave movement in Malayalam cinema with his first film Swayamvaram in 1972. Swayamvaram was different from traditional films because it had a more realistic style and didn’t include theatrical dances or funny scenes. Adoor Gopalakrishnan has directed over 35 films, including full-length films, short films, and documentaries.

On July 3, 1988, the Second Bosphorus Bridge was completed in Turkey’s biggest city, Istanbul. At the time, it provided the second connection between Europe and Asia, and was the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world.

Which words stood out for you? In this context, the word ‘technique’ refers to how something is done, especially in art. You also heard the word ‘traditional’ a couple times. Could you figure out what it means? It describes something that a group of people or society has done or believed for a long time without changing. You might have guessed from the context what ‘suspension’ means. Here it’s used to describe a type of bridge where the road is ‘suspended’, or ‘hanging’, from two towers. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is probably the most famous example of this.

Remember, you can always rewind and listen to these words again, as many times as you want!

For now though, that’s all. For more historical facts, be sure to join me tomorrow for another episode of Today in History!

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Episode notes:

technique: the way of doing a particular task, especially in art
traditional: something that a group or people or society have done or believed for a long time without changing
suspension bridge: a type of bridge where the road is ‘suspended’, or ‘hanging’, from two towers