Episodes
The Evacuation of Dunkirk
May 27, 1940. During World War Two, the British Military launches Operation Dynamo, pulling out hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers from the French port city of Dunkirk.
The First-Ever Dow Jones Industrial Average
May 26, 1896. In the aftermath of a financial crisis, the Wall Street Journal begins printing the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the nation’s oldest market index still in use today.
The First Star Wars Movie Hits Theaters
May 25, 1977. After a production plagued by mishap and doubt, the first Star Wars film is released and becomes a global sensation.
Andrew Jackson Conquers Spanish Florida
May 24, 1818. Determined to expand the US empire by any means necessary, Andrew Jackson invades Pensacola to complete his conquest of Spanish Florida.
The Death of Bonnie and Clyde
May 23, 1934. Notorious American outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde, are killed in a police shoot-out in Louisiana.
Saturday Matinee: Real Outlaws
On today’s Saturday Matinee, Billy the Kid and a new show from Noiser, “Real Outlaws.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Explorer Ernest Shackleton Escapes the Antarctic
May 20, 1916. Freezing, exhausted and starving, Ernest Shackleton stumbles back to civilization after a grueling escape from the punishing Antarctic conditions that crushed and sank his ship, the Endurance.
Anne Boleyn’s Execution
May 19, 1536. After being accused of treason, adultery, and incest, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, is publicly executed.
Napoleon Becomes Emperor of the French
May 18, 1804. Rising from obscurity to become a national hero, Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power in France and declares himself Emperor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pirates Sack Veracruz
May 17, 1638. Pirates sack the city of Veracruz in New Spain, taking a large group of hostages, and holding them for ransom.
The First Woman to Climb Mount Everest
May 16, 1975. Junko Tabei, a Japanese mountaineer, author and teacher, becomes the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. .
Saturday Matinee: History of the Second World War
On today’s Saturday Matinee, the impenetrable Maginot Line, 280-mile-long defensive border the French erected to keep Germany out. It didn’t work. Link to the History of the Second World War podcast: http://historyofthesecondworldwar.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali…
Robert Smalls Sails a Stolen Ship to Freedom
May 13,1862. During the American Civil War, a slave steals a Confederate ship and flees with his family to freedom.
Jimmy Carter Visits Cuba
May 12, 2002. Former President Jimmy Carter goes to Cuba, becoming the first American president to visit the country since Castro's revolution in 1959.
The Assassination of the British Prime Minister
May 11, 1812. A disgruntled former merchant named John Bellingham shoots and kills Spencer Perceval, the only British Prime Minister assassinated in history.
Nelson Mandela Becomes President
May 10, 1994. Nelson Mandela is sworn in as South Africa’s first Black president, marking an end to the nation’s oppressive and segregationist Apartheid laws.
The Soviets Celebrate Victory Day
May 9, 1945. The Soviet Union celebrates Victory Day after Germany’s surrender brings an end to World War II in Europe.
Saturday Matinee: We Interrupt This Broadcast
On today’s Saturday Matinee, before it was history, it was news. But one news event made history: the Hindenburg disaster, one of the earliest examples of new electronic media that would routinely report shocking events in the moment that they occurred. Link to We Interrupt This Broadcast: https://…
The Hindenburg Disaster
May 6, 1937. The Hindenburg, the largest rigid airship ever built, and the pride of Nazi Germany, bursts into flames, killing 36 people.
The Battle of Puebla on Cinco de Mayo
May 5, 1862. Following the French invasion of Mexico, Mexican soldiers succeed in defending the town of Puebla, sealing a victory that will be commemorated by the national holiday, Cinco de Mayo.
The Execution of the Carthusian Monks
May 4, 1535. Carthusian monks are hanged, drawn, and quartered for their refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.
The Partition of Ireland
May 3, 1921. The Government of Ireland Act comes into force, officially partitioning Ireland into two separate countries.
Ella Fitzgerald Records ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket’
May 2, 1938. Ella Fitzgerald begins her rise to fame when she records “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” with Chick Webb and His Orchestra.
Saturday Matinee: Twenty Thousand Hertz
On today’s Saturday Matinee, the most iconic voice of the Twentieth Century, and that’s not all, folks. Link to Twenty Thousand Hertz: https://www.20k.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.