Planet money episode 553, The Dollar At The Center Of The World, covers an interesting moment in economic history:
As World War 2 was ending, world leaders realized they had a problem. Countries no longer knew how to trade with each other. Their economies were devastated. So representatives from 44 nations gathered in the small town of Bretton Woods, New Hampshire to come up with the solution.
Fascinating story. You really need to listen all the way to the end, there is an unexpected twist to Harry White’s story.