Episodes

On today’s Saturday Matinee, examine the human voice to learn what it can reveal about history, identity and expression across time. Link to Curiosity Meets The Past: https://smitinathan.com/podcast Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.

December 26, 1606. The first performance of a new play in front of King James I caps an extraordinary year for William Shakespeare.

December 25, 1941. Irving Berlin’s classic song “White Christmas” is premiered by Bing Crosby on his weekly radio show. This episode originally aired in 2024.

December 24, 1923. U.S. President Calvin Coolidge inaugurates a new holiday tradition by putting up a Christmas tree outside the White House.

December 23, 1688. King James II of England abandons the throne and flees abroad after a coup forces him from power. This episode originally aired in 2021.

December 22, 1849. Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky is saved from execution by a last-minute reprieve, an event that shapes the writer’s greatest works. This episode originally aired in 2022.

On today’s Saturday Matinee, we unwrap the ancient holiday tradition rooted deep in medieval folklore know as "wassailing". Link to Gone Medieval: https://pod.link/1564113746 Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser. Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

December 19, 1843. Readers are introduced to grumpy miser Ebenezer Scrooge with the publication of Charles Dickens’ most famous festive tale. This episode originally aired in 2024.

December 18, 1944. In a controversial judgment, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the racist treatment of Japanese Americans during World War Two.

December 17, 1398. The mighty nomadic warlord Timur captures and sacks the Indian city of Delhi, causing the deaths of 100,000 people. This episode originally aired in 2024.

December 16, 1773. Frustrated at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation”, American colonists dump 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This episode originally aired in 2021.

December 15, 1939. The epic Civil War drama Gone With the Wind receives its premiere in Atlanta, Georgia.

On today’s Saturday Matinee, we're told one of the most famous ghost stories of all time- one that also happens to be about Christmas. Link to Charles Dickens Ghost Stories: https://www.noiser.com/charles-dickens-ghost-stories Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser. Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

December 12, 1939. The Battle of Tolvajärvi breaks out, bringing Finland its first major victory in the Winter War. This episode originally aired in 2023.

December 11, 1963. Three days after being abducted at gunpoint, 19-year-old Frank Sinatra Jr. is freed by his captors.

December 10, 1690. A failed attack on Quebec, Canada leads to Massachusetts Colony creating the first paper currency in the Western Hemisphere. This episode originally aired in 2024.

December 9, 1967. During a concert in New Haven, Connecticut, The Doors’ frontman Jim Morrison is hauled off stage mid-performance, in the first-ever on-stage arrest of a rock star. This episode originally aired in 2022.

December 8, 1864. The Clifton Suspension Bridge opens in Bristol, England, five years after the death of its legendary designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

History Daily is no longer a part of Wondery+, but you can still listen ad-free at: Into History Noiser Plus Thanks for listening, and come visit us at HistoryDaily.com.

On today’s Saturday Matinee, we hear the story of how thousands of families saved up for Christmas through a company called Farepak, until the savings club itself went bust. Link to Cautionary Tales: https://lnk.to/CTHistoryDaily Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser. Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

December 5, 1945. Five Navy bombers mysteriously vanish over the Atlantic Ocean after taking off from Fort Lauderdale. This episode originally aired in 2024.

December 4, 1875. Notoriously corrupt New York City politician Boss Tweed slips away from guards during a home visit.

December 3, 1854. The Battle of the Eureka Stockade in Victoria, Australia results in dozens of deaths—and gives birth to democracy Down Under.

December 2, 1956. Communist revolutionary Fidel Castro launches the Cuban Revolution. This episode originally aired in 2021.