This Day in History Class
Bite-size daily history older kids and adults will eat up.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this podcast.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that This Day in History Class covers a wide range of world events, many of them kid-friendly like "The World Speed Record for Steam Locomotives" and "War of the Worlds Broadcast." Others may be less so, like "The Amityville Murders Trial" or "Lizzie Borden's Parents Were Murdered." Provocative episodes like "Philadelphia MOVE Bombing" or ones that cover atrocities, such as "The Tuskegee Syphilis Study," may call for some post-episode discussion. But above all, stories of courageous historical figures from diverse backgrounds can inspire listeners and instill compassion. Given its large scope of over a thousand episodes and counting, this podcast offers the valuable opportunity to build awareness around inequities -- and triumphs -- that affect people around the world, reminding us that we're more connected than we may initially think.
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What’s It About?
THIS DAY IN HISTORY CLASS takes notable events from the past and explains them in a quick and simple way. Each day an episode releases is correlated with history that happened on or around that day years, decades, or even centuries ago, which makes it's approach of history fun and unique. While it covers some major occurrences, what separates this podcast from the others (and from the classroom) is that many of the featured stories are bound to be brand new to the listener. Podcast host Gabe Luzier doesn't sugarcoat the past, and through its diverse selection of events that affect a wide variety of communities, it's likely the listener will come away with new insights into historical events from cultures other than their own.
Is It Any Good?
This podcast goes beyond the pages of our classroom history books, but it could go further. This Day in History Class hardly ignores the checkered past of so many countries and regimes, including that of the United States, and it does provide a more honest look at ourselves than may be found in mainstream media. However, episodes still tread carefully and have yet to tackle hot-button events, such as the ongoing murders of Black Americans or any critique of our nation's more recent military aggressions, such as the invasion of Iraq. That said, one can only pack so much into less than 15 minutes of airtime, and within these constraints, This Day in History Class rises above its peers. Although the format is unique, there's not much to engage or immerse the listener other than the host talking about the topic at hand. No music or sound effects are used to enhance the story, so it can feel a bit monotonous and dry at times.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the events in This Day in History Class. Are there other angles that producers could've chosen to take on various subject matters? Do you agree or disagree with how the historical events have been covered? Why?
Do you think there is a certain country, race, or culture whose history is focused on more than others? What specific history would you like to learn more about?
Whose perspectives or stories do you think are being left out in the retelling of these events?
Do you think learning about tragic events in history can build compassion in modern listeners? If so, why might this be a great character strength to hone?
Podcast Details
- Release date: July 1, 2018
- Genre: History
- Average Run Time: 10 minutes
- Hosts: Yves Jeffcoat, Gabe Luzier
- Publishers: iHeart Podcast Network, HowStuffWorks
- Pricing structure: Free
- Topics: Activism, History
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- Last updated: May 31, 2022
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