This Day in History Class
By John Lachine,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Bite-size daily history older kids and adults will eat up.
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What you will—and won't—find in this podcast.
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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
- Production Companies and Networks: iHeart Podcast Network , HowStuffWorks
- Pricing structure: Free
- Topics: Activism , History
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- Last updated: May 31, 2022
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Where to Listen
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