Episodes
Saturday Matinee: American History Tellers
On today’s Saturday Matinee, we examine the Scopes Monkey Trial- the 1925 legal case that put a spotlight on the controversy of teaching evolution in US public schools. Link to American History Tellers : https://wondery.com/s...
Yagan: The Death of a Freedom Fighter
July 11, 1833. Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan, is murdered by colonists, after leading a war of resistance against the British settlers.This episode originally aired in 2022.
Telstar Reaches Orbit
July 10, 1962. The world’s first active communications satellite is launched into space.
The First Wimbledon Tennis Tournament
July 9, 1877. Spectators gather at the All England Club for the first Wimbledon Championship, marking the beginning of an annual sporting tradition.
Con Man Soapy Smith is Shot Dead
July 8, 1898. Notorious confidence man Jefferson “Soapy” Smith is killed in a gunfight with a vigilante in the Alaskan boomtown of Skagway. This episode originally aired in 2024.
News of the World Shuts Down
July 7, 2011. A phone hacking scandal forces the closure of Rupert Murdoch’s long-running News of the World . This episode originally aired in 2023.
Saturday Matinee: Famous & Gravy
On today’s Saturday Matinee, we put on our aprons and open our cookbooks to learn about one of the best culinary personalities in recent history: Julia Child. Link to Famous & Gravy : https://www.famousandgravy.com/ Support t...
Lewis Carroll Imagines Wonderland
July 4, 1862. An Oxford professor takes a boat ride and tells a fantastical story that he’ll eventually publish under his pen name, Lewis Carroll. This episode originally aired in 2024.
The Downing of Iran Air Flight 655
July 3, 1988. The US Navy shoots down Iran Air Flight 655 after mistaking it for a military aircraft, killing all 290 people on board.
The Assassination of President Garfield
July 2, 1881. President James A. Garfield is fatally wounded in a shooting at a Washington train station.
The Battle of Gettysburg Begins
July 1, 1863. Confederate troops engage with Union troops outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, setting off one of the bloodiest and most important battles of the American Civil War. This episode originally aired in 2022.
The Tunguska Event
June 30, 1908. A massive and mysterious explosion occurs near the Tunguska River in Siberia, Russia that will puzzle scientists and researchers for over a century. This episode originally aired in 2023.
Saturday Matinee: History Dispatches
On today’s Saturday Matinee, we spotlight Bessie Coleman- a pioneer in aviation who persevered during an era of racial prejudice and violence. Link to History Dispatches : https://historydispatches.com/ Support the show! Join...
Boxing’s First Black World Champion
June 27, 1890. Boxer George Dixon becomes the first Black athlete to win a world sporting championship.
Elvis’s Final Show
June 26, 1977 . Elvis delivers an emotional final public performance at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis.
The Korean War Begins
June 25, 1950. The Korean War begins as North Korea sends troops below the 38th parallel invading South Korea. This episode originally aired in 2024.
Australia’s First Woman Prime Minister
June 24, 2010. After an internal party struggle, Labor politician Julia Gillard becomes the first woman to be Prime Minister of Australia. This episode originally aired in 2022.
The Brexit Referendum
June 23, 2016. The United Kingdom votes to withdraw from the European Union, the first time a country has decided to leave the organization. This episode originally aired in 2023.
Saturday Matinee: American Criminal
On today’s Saturday Matinee, we cover the political assassinations of San Francisco Mayor, George Moscone, and Harvey Milk who would go on to become a martyr in the LGBTQ+ community. Link to American Criminal : https://www.am...
Jaws Hits U.S. Movie Theaters
June 20, 1975. Steven Spielberg's thriller Jaws is released in theaters and becomes the highest grossing movie of all time, essentially creating the genre of the “summer blockbuster”. This episode originally aired in 2022.
Juneteenth
June 19, 1865. Over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved people in Texas are officially informed of their freedom.
The Mysterious Death of “God’s Banker”
June 18, 1982. The body of Italian banker and convicted fraudster Roberto Calvi is discovered hanging from a bridge in London, England. This episode originally aired in 2024.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act
June 17, 1930. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act takes effect in the US, raising most tariffs by 20% and damaging the world’s already suffering economy.
The First Woman In Space
June 16, 1963. After months of rigorous training, Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space, orbiting the Earth for just under three days. This episode originally aired in 2022.