This Day in History Class
1,999 episodes — Page 1 of 40
A laugh track is used in a TV show for the first time - September 9th, 1950
On this day in 1950, the laugh track made its TV debut on “The Hank McCune Show.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carnation processes its first cans of evaporated milk - September 6th, 1899
On this day in 1899, Carnation evaporated milk was produced for the first time in Kent, Washington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AIDS activists wrap a giant condom over Senator Jesse Helms’ house - September 5th, 1991
On this day in 1991, a group of AIDS activists draped a giant, inflatable condom over the home of North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Barney Flaherty becomes America's first paperboy - September 4th, 1833
On this day in 1833, a 10-year-old boy named Barney Flaherty took a job as America’s first newsboy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - September 3rd
Please enjoy these September 3rd flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you soon for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - September 2nd
Please enjoy these September 2nd flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you soon for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Moscow-Washington hotline is established - August 30th, 1963
On this day in 1963, the first message was sent on the Moscow-to-Washington hotline.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
British women join the war effort - August 29th, 1914
On this day in 1914, the Women’s Defense Relief Corps was established in Britain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The "Tom Thumb" locomotive races a horse-drawn railroad car - August 28th, 1830
On this day in 1830, American engineer Peter Cooper raced his "Tom Thumb” locomotive against a horse-drawn railroad car. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"The Guinness Book of Records” is published - August 27th, 1955
On this day in 1955, the first copies of “The Guinness Book of Records” were printed and distributed for free in pubs across England and Ireland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Major League baseball game is televised for the first time - August 26th, 1939
On this day in 1939, the first televised professional baseball game was broadcast from an experimental TV station in New York City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The state of Franklin declares independence - August 23rd, 1784
On this day in 1784, four counties in western North Carolina declared their independence as the State of Franklin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Walt Disney's "The Skeleton Dance" premieres in theaters - August 22nd, 1929
On this day in 1929, the animated short “The Skeleton Dance” held its official premiere at the Roxy Theatre in New York City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An F5 tornado strikes Rochester, Minnesota - August 21st, 1883
On this day in 1883, three powerful tornadoes wreaked havoc in southeast Minnesota.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NASA launches the Voyager 2 spacecraft - August 20th, 1977
On this day in 1977, a NASA rocket launched the Voyager 2 space probe from Cape Canaveral, Florida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Benjamin Banneker writes to Thomas Jefferson in support of abolition - August 19th, 1791
On this day in 1791, American author and astronomer Benjamin Banneker wrote a 1,400-word letter to Thomas Jefferson, challenging his views on slavery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - August 16th
Please enjoy these August 16th flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you soon for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tivoli Gardens opens in Copenhagen, Denmark - August 15th, 1843
On this day in 1843, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park opened its gates for the first time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ethel Lois Payne is born - August 14th, 1911
On this day in 1911, pioneering Black journalist Ethel Lois Payne was born in Chicago, Illinois.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
German acrobat Otto Witte is allegedly crowned King of Albania - August 13th, 1913
On this day in 1913, according to German legend, a circus performer named Otto Witte conned his way onto the Albanian throne.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joseph Lister performs the first antiseptic surgery - August 12th, 1865
On this day in 1865, British surgeon Joseph Lister introduced a new technique to help prevent surgical infections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" is published - August 9th, 1854
On this day in 1854, Henry David Thoreau’s classic book “Walden, or, A Life in the Woods” was published for the first time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brian Hyland’s “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” tops the Billboard Hot 100 - August 8th, 1960
On this day in 1960, the novelty song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” hit No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alice Ramsey becomes the first woman to drive across the United States - August 7th, 1909
On this day in 1909, New Jersey homemaker Alice Ramsey completed her historic cross-country road trip. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
William Kemmler is executed by electric chair - August 6th, 1890
On this day in 1890, convicted killer William Kemmler became the first person to be executed by electrocution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ronald Reagan fires more than 11,000 air traffic controllers - August 5th, 1981
On this day in 1981, President Ronald Reagan fired more than 11,000 air traffic controllers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee wins her second gold medal in the heptathlon - August 2nd, 1992
On this day in 1992, American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first woman to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the heptathlon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir becomes president of Iceland - August 1st, 1980
On this day in 1980, Icelandic politician Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became the first woman in the world to be elected president.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
MGM’s Leo the Lion roars for the first time - July 31st, 1928
On this day in 1928, MGM Studios’ mascot Leo the Lion roared for the first time on the big screen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The USS Indianapolis is torpedoed by a Japanese submarine - July 30th, 1945
On this day in 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - July 29th
Please enjoy these July 28th and July 29th flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you soon for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grasshoppers devastate Midwestern crops - July 26th, 1931
On this day in 1931, massive swarms of grasshoppers created chaos for Midwestern farmers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bob Dylan goes electric at the Newport Folk Festival - July 25th, 1965
On this day in 1965, singer-songwriter Bob Dylan created controversy by using an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first all-star baseball team plays the Addie Joss Benefit Game - July 24th, 1911
On this day in 1911, an all-star baseball team played a benefit game for the family of fallen pitcher Addie Joss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comet Hale-Bopp is discovered - July 23rd, 1995
On this day in 1995, amateur astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp independently and simultaneously discovered a comet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Duke of Wellington defeats “40,000 Frenchmen in 40 minutes” - July 22nd, 1812
On this day in 1812, the Duke of Wellington’s British forces defeated the French at the Battle of Salamanca in Spain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Rosetta Stone is found in Egypt - July 19th, 1799
On this day in 1799, French soldiers discovered a stone slab inscribed with ancient writing near the town of Rosetta, Egypt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nadia Comăneci scores a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games - July 18th, 1976
On this day in 1976, Romanian athlete Nadia Comăneci became the first female gymnast in Olympic history to score a 10 for her performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan flies across the Atlantic - July 17th, 1938
On this day in 1938, American aviator Douglas Corrigan began his “wrong way” flight from New York to Ireland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world’s first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City - July 16th, 1935
On this day in 1935, the first mechanical parking meters were installed in downtown Oklahoma City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The platypus makes its U.S. debut - July 15th, 1922
On this day in 1922, the duck-billed platypus was exhibited for the first time in the U.S. at the Bronx Zoo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Family Feud" premieres on ABC - July 12th, 1976
On this day in 1976, the long-running TV game show “Family Feud” aired for the first time on ABC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Skylab space station crashes over Australia - July 11th, 1979
On this day in 1979, the burning wreckage of America’s first space station crashed into the Indian Ocean and across Western Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nils Bohlin patents the three-point seatbelt - July 10th, 1962
On this day in 1962, Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin patented the V-shaped three-point safety belt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A statue of King George III is pulled down in New York City - July 9th, 1776
On this day in 1776, the New York Sons of Liberty tore down a statue of British monarch George III.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ed Berners allegedly invents the ice cream sundae - July 8th, 1881
On this day in 1881, according to culinary legend, the first ice cream sundae was made at Ed Berners’ soda fountain in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - July 5th
Please enjoy these July 5th flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you soon for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashback episode - July 4th
Please enjoy these July 4th flashbacks from the TDIHC vault, and we will see you soon for a brand new episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Great Auk goes extinct - July 3rd, 1844
On this day in 1844, Icelandic fishermen killed the last remaining pair of great auk seabirds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Lawnchair Larry" takes flight in a homemade airship - July 2nd, 1982
On this day in 1982, amateur pilot Larry Walters launched himself skyward using a lawn chair and several dozen weather balloons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.