History Happened Today
History Happened Today is your daily five-minute journey into the moments that shaped our world. Each morning, we uncover a fascinating event that occurred on this exact date, sometimes famous, sometimes forgotten, always worth knowing. From breakthroughs and battles to inventions, discoveries, and the stories behind the people who made them, you’ll get a quick, engaging snapshot of history’s most interesting moments.
Perfect for your commute, your coffee break, or your daily dose of curiosity.
Listen on:
Episodes
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
Saturday Dec 13, 2025
On December 13, 2003, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured after months in hiding. This episode explores the dramatic manhunt, the moment of capture, and why it marked the true end of his regime.
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
On December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transatlantic wireless signal, proving that radio waves could travel across oceans. This episode explores the experiment, the skepticism, and the breakthrough that paved the way for modern communication.
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
A king, a love affair, and an impossible choice. On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated, altering the future of the British royal family. Here’s how and why it happened.
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
On December 10, 1901, the very first Nobel Prizes were awarded, honoring breakthroughs in science, literature, and peace. This episode explores Alfred Nobel’s surprising motivations and how his legacy shaped one of the world’s most respected awards.
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
On December 9, 1965, a fiery object streaked across the sky and crashed into the woods of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. Locals reported strange symbols and a military retrieval, but officials claimed it was just a meteor. This episode unpacks one of the most enduring UFO mysteries in American history.
Monday Dec 08, 2025
Monday Dec 08, 2025
On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York apartment. This episode of History Happened Today takes you through the events of that night and reflects on the global impact of losing one of music’s most influential voices.
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
On December 7, 1941, a quiet Sunday morning in Hawaii turned into one of the most defining moments of the 20th century. This episode of History Happened Today walks through the shock, the destruction, and the heroism of the Pearl Harbor attack and how it thrust America into World War II.
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
Saturday Dec 06, 2025
On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbor, sparking one of the largest explosions in human history. This episode of History Happened Today tells the dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the Halifax Explosion — a blast that flattened a city and forever changed maritime safety.
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
On December 5, 1872, the merchant ship Mary Celeste was discovered drifting near the Azores with its cargo intact and no crew aboard. In this episode of History Happened Today, we explore one of the greatest maritime mysteries of all time, a silent ship, vanished sailors, and theories that still can’t explain what happened.
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
On December 4, 1971, a fan fired a flare gun inside the Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa concert and burned the venue to the ground. In this episode of History Happened Today, hear how that terrifying night on Lake Geneva inspired Deep Purple to write “Smoke on the Water” and turned disaster into one of rock’s most legendary riffs.