Anytime Now

In 1908 in the heart of Siberia, an explosion, roughly 1,000 times more powerful than an atomic bomb, hit a remote part of the Evenki homeland. And for decades, no one knew what caused it. Was it a rock from outer space, a secret weapon, or an alien spaceship? This is the story of the Tunguska Event. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for youn...

This is a story about learning. It's also about courage, kindness, and persevering against unfairness. In the 1920s, a brave, young teacher named Inez Lung charted her own path. She would be the first Chinese woman to attend the University of Texas. And, during World War II, she would risk her life to stay with her students, even as bombs fell from the sky.  About Honest History Honest History cre...

Chances are you've seen a 7-Eleven. You can find them on street corners across the country selling all sorts of items, from hot pizzas to blue raspberry Slurpees. It's the perfect place to go for a late-night snack—because that's the thing about 7-Eleven, it's almost always open! But did you know it all started with a block of ice and a wagon? This is the story of how a Texas ice company became th...

What if every plant around you held a hidden story? Explore the remarkable life of Ynés Mexía, who found her true calling in botany at age 51 and went on to become one of history's most accomplished plant explorers. Her journey from uncertainty to adventure is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to follow your passion. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magaz...

Dive into the remarkable story of James Forten—Revolutionary War patriot, successful sailmaker, and fearless abolitionist who used his voice, influence, and fortune to battle injustice in early America. Discover how one man's courage helped shape the fight for liberty long after the Revolution ended. This is the story of freedom—and the fight to make it real for everyone. About Honest History Hone...

For many people, when they hear the word "Hindenburg," they think of fiery disaster. The Hindenburg was a huge flying ship that burst into flames while landing in 1937, killing 36 people and injuring many more. The disaster was so big, people sometimes call it "the Titanic of the skies." So why did this terrible thing happen? How did the Hindenburg go down? Let's find out.  About Honest History Ho...

In 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte led the largest army Europe had ever seen on a daring invasion into Russia. A decision that would prove to be a costly mistake and one historians have been talking about for over a century. Join us on this new adventure! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to insp...

How long would you fight for  something you believed in? For Lyda Conley, the answer was her whole life. Born in the late 1800s, Lyda saw a period of great change in America, especially in her home state of Kansas. As new buildings sprang up around her, she worried about what would happen to her family's land. In 1906, she launched a mission to save her ancestors' burial ground. Her never-ending f...

Get ready, because we're about to sink our teeth into the life and legacy of Bela Lugosi, the man who became Count Dracula. Born in Hungary, Bela starred on the Budapest stage, fought in a war, fled his homeland, crossed an ocean, and became one of Hollywood's most recognizable horror stars. Don your best costume and let's go learn about this amazing story. About Honest History Honest History crea...

In 1873, a courageous woman crossed the steep, snow-peaked Rocky Mountains. Standing 4 feet 11 inches and battling ill health, she was not the explorer most people expected. Her name was Isabella Bird, and she would become one of history's most inspiring female explorers and writers.  About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians acr...

Picture this: a mysterious figure dressed in a black tuxedo. He orders his drink "shaken, not stirred," and within moments, he's chasing villains through the city streets, dodging danger at every turn. He goes by the codename 007. But maybe you've heard his full name: it's Bond. James Bond. This is the tale of Ian Fleming, the secret missions that inspired him, and the real James Bond. About Hones...

Let's travel back in time to the Golden Age of Islam and uncover one of history's early robot inventors. He lived in an ancient land that is part of modern-day Turkey. Working at the royal palace, he crafted beautiful devices that dazzled the king. The inventor's name was Al-Jazari. And this is the story of his incredible moving machines. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning b...

For centuries now, roller coasters have sent people flying through the air. And just like the ride itself, the history of these coasters is filled with twists and turns. Even though early rides looked very different from the rides you see today, they still delivered a hair-raising experience.  Buckle up because we're about to take a wild ride through time. We'll travel from the icy slopes of Russi...

Meet Florence Merriam Bailey, the original bird-watching rebel. Forget stuffed birds and cages—Florence believed the true beauty of birds could only be seen in the wild. Follow her journey from a curious girl to a passionate conservationist who defied fashion trends, sparked a movement, and changed how we understand our feathered friends forever. Get ready to grab your binoculars and explore the a...

This is the story of Mount Rushmore. Carved high in the cliffs of South Dakota, you can spot the faces of four U.S. Presidents. Every year, over 2 million tourists travel to see this famous site. But few visitors know the whole story behind the giant sculpture. It began with one man's dream and quickly became a tale of conflict and struggle. By the time the first chisel struck the mountain, the pr...

Hedy Lamarr was a Hollywood star and people called her "the most beautiful woman in the world." Snow White and Catwoman, with their big eyes and dark, shining hair, were both based on Hedy. But she was also an inventor. In fact, her invention would pave the way for important innovations we use every day, like Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. It's time to learn about a woman who was much more interesting...

This is the story of Bessie Stringfield, the woman who would become the motorcycle queen. From performing daring stunts to delivering top-secret messages, Bessie could do almost anything on a motorcycle. She was a legend in her own time. While tales of her early life are often shrouded in mystery, one thing is certain: she was a fearless adventurer. Grab your helmet and let's hit the road! About H...

Have you ever watched the movie Bambi? This timeless classic was in many ways made possible by one extraordinary artist. This is the story of Tyrus Wong and his incredible journey from his home village to Walt Disney Studios. Born in China, Tyrus embarked on a daring voyage across the ocean to the United States when he was just nine years old. It's time to discover his fascinating tale.  About Hon...

Would you believe the United States nearly dropped a nuclear bomb on itself? It's true. In 1961, all that stood between North Carolina and a nuclear disaster was a simple flip of a switch. This crazy story involves a war, a plane crash, and two powerful nuclear bombs. Get ready young historians, we're about to uncover a near-miss that could have caused a catastrophe.  About Honest History Honest H...

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about the stars? That's exactly what a woman in China named Wang Zhenyi did nearly two centuries ago during the Qing Dynasty. Today, she is remembered as one of China's greatest scientists and poets. Get your telescopes ready and let's go!  About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young histo...

You probably have, or know someone with a pet, right? Perhaps your pet is even sitting with you now, as you listen. This is the story of a long line of pet ravens named Grip, beginning with someone you may already know—Charles Dickens. It's time to head back to Victorian England! About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across t...

Have you ever wondered how the circus was invented? Well, you're about to get your answer and learn some incredible history along the way. So step right up, boys and girls, and hear a dazzling tale from London and beyond! It's showtime, folks. Get your tickets ready, and let's travel to Anytime Now. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young...

Have you ever wondered how surfing was invented? This ancient sport has a long history, dating back to at least the time of ancient Polynesians. Today, it's easy to spot surfers out on the waves, especially if you're somewhere like Hawaii, California, or Australia. But you might be surprised to hear that surfing almost disappeared once upon a time. Surf's up, young historians—it's time to plunge i...

Most of you have probably worn roller skates before, right? Have you ever wondered where those roller skates came from? Join us for a new adventure and discover the story of John Joseph Merlin—a peculiar man who gave us one of history's most fun inventions.  About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission...

Outlaws beware! In this episode, we're going to the Wild West. This is the story of the fearless lawman, Bass Reeves—one of the first Black deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi. During his long career, he escaped death, chased the deadliest criminals, and arrested as many as 3,000 lawbreakers. When bandits and horse-thieves heard the name "Bass Reeves," they knew they were in trouble. Grab...