The Spanish Origins of the Dollar

Brian's Spain Domain
Brian's Spain Domain
The Spanish Origins of the Dollar
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The dollar is an unquestionable symbol of the United States, its economy and even money itself. Still the most influential global currency around, this unit of money gets its roots from another currency which, in its day, was the most important in the world and is considered by many to be the first true global medium of exchange: the Spanish peso, or the Spanish dollar, also known as the piece of eight.  Listen and learn more about how the U.S. dollar was heavily influenced by this amazing silver coin. Enjoy!

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

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Let’s Open a Bottle 16: A tribute to Garnacha

Brian's Spain Domain
Brian's Spain Domain
Let's Open a Bottle 16: A tribute to Garnacha
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The traditional grape variety Garnacha rarely got the recognition it deserved until recently when regions such as D.O. Campo de Borja and Calatayud (both in Aragon) started making quality and making the difference. Long known for their run-of-the-mill red wine sold in bulk to other countries, these two regions are now at the forefront of a new wave of Spanish red wine featuring an often overlooked grape variety. Garnacha made from old vines now stands on its own two feet and the world is taking note. Listen and enjoy. 

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

Let’s Open a Bottle 16: A tribute to Garnacha

The traditional grape variety Garnacha rarely got the recognition it deserved until recently when regions such as D.O. Campo de Borja and Calatayud (both in Aragon) started making quality and making the difference. Long known for their run-of-the-mill red wine sold in bulk to other countries, these two regions are now at the forefront of a new wave of Spanish red wine featuring an often overlooked grape variety. Garnacha made from old vines now stands on its own two feet and the world is taking note. Listen and enjoy. 

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

Spanish History 101, Ep. 30: The War of Spanish Succession

Brian's Spain Domain
Brian's Spain Domain
Spanish History 101, Ep. 30: The War of Spanish Succession
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The death of King Carlos II in 1700 left Spain without an heir, but Carlos’ chosen successor, the Frenchman Philip of Anjou, would find taking control of the country a tougher challenge than he originally expected, as geopolitics, dynastic ambitions and the interests of the different kingdoms and regions of Spain got in the way. As well as a handful of nations who got involved to ensure no one would tilt the balance of power in Western Europe too much in anyone’s favor. Philip (or Felipe V) would creat the Crown of Spain and centralize much of the administrative sectors of the country, much to several regions’ frustration. The unification of Spain was now pretty much complete. Listen and enjoy.

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

The Balmis Expedition: The world’s first international healthcare mission

Brian's Spain Domain
Brian's Spain Domain
The Balmis Expedition: The world’s first international healthcare mission
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Back in 1803, Spain organized a mission to inoculate the inhabitants of its vast empire from the deadly disease smallpox. It was officially known as the Royal Philanthropic Vaccine Expedition, or simply the Balmis Expedition, after the doctor who led the medical team. An ambitious project, it employed children to “carry” the vaccine during the lengthy voyage across the Atlantic and then the Pacific. It was ingenious while at the same time questionable from an ethical standpoint. But the system was a success and hundreds of thousands were vaccinated as a result. As an organized international healthcare rescue operation, this mission was way ahead of its time and has received the admiration of experts both then and today. Listen and learn more. Enjoy!

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

The Balmis Expedition: The world’s first international healthcare mission

Back in 1803, Spain organized a mission to inoculate the inhabitants of its vast empire from the deadly disease smallpox. It was officially known as the Royal Philanthropic Vaccine Expedition, or simply the Balmis Expedition, after the doctor who led the medical team. An ambitious project, it employed children to “carry” the vaccine during the lengthy voyage across the Atlantic and then the Pacific. It was ingenious while at the same time questionable from an ethical standpoint. But the system was a success and hundreds of thousands were vaccinated as a result. As an organized international healthcare rescue operation, this mission was way ahead of its time and has received the admiration of experts both then and today. Listen and learn more. Enjoy!

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

Let’s Open a Bottle, 15: D.O.Ca. Priorat

Brian's Spain Domain
Brian's Spain Domain
Let’s Open a Bottle, 15: D.O.Ca. Priorat
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Today we look at a region that was a virtual no-name just a few years ago and is now one the world’s most highly regarded wine regions. D.O.Ca. Priorat, a tiny producer in the hills of southern Catalonia, makes outstanding red wines. They are special, there’s no doubt. So listen and learn a little more about why that is. Enjoy!

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

Let’s Open a Bottle, 15: D.O.Ca. Priorat

(Image: Wine Enthusiast)

Today we look at a region that was a virtual no-name just a few years ago and is now one the world’s most highly regarded wine regions. D.O.Ca. Priorat, a tiny producer in the hills of southern Catalonia, makes outstanding red wines. They are special, there’s no doubt. So listen and learn a little more about why that is. Enjoy!

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

The Latest From Spain 6 (AUG 31)

Brian's Spain Domain
Brian's Spain Domain
The Latest From Spain 6 (AUG 31)
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Today’s episode looks at the current politcal situation in Spain as they different groups try to pool together enough votes to form a government. So far, there is little on the horizon. We provide an end-of-summer heat weather summary. Then we devote most of the episode to the historic Women’s World Cup victory by Spain’s national team, and historic controversy surrounding the “kiss” by Luis Rubiales and the ensuing debate raging in the country and even around the world.

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain

THE LATEST FROM SPAIN 6 (AUG 31)

Today’s episode looks at the current politcal situation in Spain as they different groups try to pool together enough votes to form a government. So far, there is little on the horizon. We provide an end-of-summer heat weather summary. Then we devote most of the episode to the historic Women’s World Cup victory by Spain’s national team, and historic controversy surrounding the “kiss” by Luis Rubiales and the ensuing debate raging in the country and even around the world.

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and Castos. Or if you wish to support Brian’s Spain Domain, click on our PayPal donate button or check us out at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/briansspaindomain

Also, visit our YouTube channel and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BriansSpainDomain