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From the Mayflower to the Moon (and Back Again)

From the Mayflower to the Moon (and Back Again): Vitus Bering and the Bering Strait

Vitus Bering and the Bering Strait

BBC Radio 4 - From the Mayflower to the Moon (and Back Again), Vitus Bering and the Bering Strait

How to cross the gap between the world's two greatest landmasses.

Joe Queenan on a 400-year journey into the creation of the United States.

In 1867 the United States of America purchased Alaska from Russia. The history of Russian involvement on the American mainland dates back to the arrival of trappers, who came as far south as California looking for sea otter. But the key explorer of the gap between Asia and the Americas was a Dane - Vitus Bering. He led two of the greatest explorations in history before dying of scurvy on what was later called Bering Island. This is his story. 

With contributions from Merete Boge Pedersen from Bering's Danish hometown of Horsens.

The presenter is Joe Queenan. 

The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde.

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A 400-year journey into the creation of the United States with the writer Joe Queenan.

Ten journeys that built the United States between the landing of the Mayflower in 1620 and the men who went to the Moon.

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Vitus Bering and the Bering Strait

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