Episodes
The First Continental Congress
September 5, 1774. Amid growing tensions over taxation, delegates from the American colonies unite in Philadelphia to coordinate resistance to the British Crown.
The Great Fire of London Begins
September 2, 1666. The Great Fire of London begins in a bakery, before quickly spreading and reducing one third of London to ashes.
Aaron Burr is Acquitted of Treason
September 1, 1807. Former Vice President Aaron Burr is acquitted on charges of treason against the United States Government.
Princess Diana Dies in a Car Crash
August 31, 1997. Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash after a tumultuous and highly publicized marriage and divorce.
The Failed Assassination of Vladimir Lenin
August 30, 1918. Socialist revolutionary Fanya Kaplan sets off the Red Terror when she tries, and fails, to assassinate the new leader of Soviet Russia, Vladimir Lenin.
Hurricane Katrina Floods New Orleans
August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina hits southeastern Louisiana, sparking one of the worst humanitarian disasters in U.S. history.
Saturday Matinee: The American Revolution Podcast
On today’s Saturday Matinee, revolution at sea, with General Benedict Arnold making a name for himself (that isn't "turncoat"). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Harry Houdini’s Underwater Escape
August 26, 1907. In a death-defying stunt, Harry Houdini escapes from chains underwater in 57 seconds in San Francisco Bay, California.
The Liberation of Paris
August 25, 1944. After four years of Nazi occupation, Paris is finally liberated by an Allied force of British, French and American troops during World War II.
Mount Vesuvius Erupts
August 24, 79 AD. Mount Vesuvius erupts in southern Italy, burying the thriving Roman city of Pompeii in volcanic ash.
William Wallace is Executed
August 23, 1305. Scottish rebel leader William Wallace is executed in London.
Fannie Lou Hamer Testifies at the Democratic National Convention
August 22, 1964, Activist Fannie Lou Hamer delivers one of the most important speeches in civil rights history at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
Saturday Matinee: Grey History
On today’s Saturday Matinee, we look into the space between black and white with Grey History. Link to Grey History: https://greyhistory.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A Failed Coup in Moscow
August 19, 1991. A group of Communist Party hardliners attempt to save the collapsing Soviet Union by staging a coup against party leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.
The 19th Amendment Gives Women the Right to Vote
August 18, 1920. The United States Congress ratifies the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
The United States Annexes California
August 17, 1846. Commodore Robert F. Stockton of the US Navy annexes California during the Mexican-American War.
Michelangelo Begins the Statue of David
August 16, 1501. The famed Italian artist Michelangelo Buonarroti is awarded a contract to create the statue of David at Florence Cathedral.
Woodstock Begins
August 15, 1969. Over 400,000 people attend one of the most pivotal events in popular music history: the first day of Woodstock. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The End of the Spanish-American War
August 12, 1898. The signing of a peace pact in Washington brings an end to the fighting in the Spanish-American War.
The Arrest of Ethel Rosenberg
August 11, 1950. The alleged traitor Ethel Rosenberg is arrested on allegations of spying for the Soviet Union.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Joins the Supreme Court
August 10, 1993. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is sworn in as the U.S. Supreme Court’s 107th justice, becoming only the second woman in history to serve on the country’s highest court.
The Bombing of Nagasaki
August 9, 1945. Three days after the first atomic bomb falls on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, the U.S. drops a second bomb on Nagasaki.
The Great Train Robbery
August 8, 1963. A gang of 15 criminals steal nearly 50 million dollars from a Royal Mail train in Buckinghamshire, England, carrying out the largest train robbery in British history.
Saturday Matinee Takes a Break
On today’s Saturday Matinee, there is no Saturday Matinee. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.