This Day in His-Story Podcast
1) Beethoven and Classical Christmas Composers
Ludwig van Beethoven, baptized on December 17, 1770, became one of the greatest composers in history, reshaping music through his bold symphonies, sonatas, and concertos—even as he battled personal ha...Show More
2) Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit
On December 16, 1901, Beatrix Potter privately published The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a story that grew into one of the best-selling children’s books in history and launched her career as the beloved aut...Show More
3) The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution—was ratified on December 15, 1791, securing essential freedoms like religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. During the nat...Show More
4) 1911 Race to the South Pole
On December 14, 1911, Roald Amundsen and his small Norwegian team became the first explorers to reach the South Pole, arriving five weeks before the British expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott in on...Show More
5) National Cocoa Day
National Cocoa Day on December 13 celebrates the warm comfort of hot cocoa, a drink whose roots stretch back thousands of years to the Olmecs and Mayans, who first cultivated cacao—the “food of the go...Show More
6) Gingerbread House Day
Gingerbread House Day, celebrated each year on December 12, honors a beloved Christmas tradition that began centuries ago with the arrival of gingerbread in Europe, brought by Gregory of Nicopolis in ...Show More
7) International Mountain Day
International Mountain Day highlights the beauty and importance of the world’s mountains, which cover about a quarter of Earth’s land and supply most of the planet’s fresh water. Mountains form throug...Show More
8) Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, born December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts, became one of America’s most influential poets, known for her brief, striking lines and deep emotional insight. Living a mostly secl...Show More
9) A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on December 9, 1965, becoming an instant classic and offering a simple message about the true meaning of Christmas. Though considered a risky project—bringing Sch...Show More
10) Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney, born December 8, 1765, in Massachusetts, revolutionized American agriculture with his 1794 invention of the cotton gin, a machine that removed seeds from cotton far faster than hand labor...Show More