Kids Ask History

Jules arrives just as Grace Hopper is peering into the giant Mark II computer at Harvard University. It's September 9, 1947, and the lab is buzzing with activity as scientists try to solve a mysterious problem. Suddenly, Grace finds something unexpected—a moth caught in the machine! Jules watches in awe as she carefully removes it, forever changing the way we talk about fixing computer glitches. J...

Jules lands right in the middle of a lively morning at The Lyceum in Athens, 335 BC. Surrounded by curious students, Aristotle strolls through the gardens, pointing out fascinating features of plants and animals. As the students scribble notes on their scrolls, Jules listens in, eager to hear Aristotle's thoughts on learning and discovery. Join Jules as they explore what it means to be curious abo...

Jules lands right in the middle of a bustling New York City afternoon on April 30, 1912, just as Harry Houdini is preparing backstage for his famous 'Chinese Water Torture Cell' escape. The air is thick with anticipation as Houdini checks the chains and locks that will soon bind him. Jules is curious and starts asking Houdini about his incredible escape tricks and what goes through his mind during...

Jules lands right in the middle of the bustling excitement at Buckingham Palace on June 20, 1897. It's Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and everyone is eager to celebrate her incredible 60 years on the throne. As Jules chats with the queen, they explore what it's like to reign during such transformational times with new inventions popping up everywhere. Queen Victoria shares her thoughts on livin...

Jules lands right in the middle of a bustling morning at The Academy in Athens, where the air is filled with the chatter of eager students. It's May 5, 387 BC, and Plato is preparing to unravel the mysteries of reality under the gentle shade of olive trees. Join Jules as Plato shares insights about his teaching and the big questions that inspire his students to think deeply. Discover why Plato fou...

Jules lands right in the middle of a bustling movie set on a bright afternoon in Lone Pine, California, in 1925. There, he meets the legendary Charlie Chaplin, dressed as the iconic "Little Tramp." As Jules watches Charlie prepare for a scene in "The Gold Rush," he can't help but wonder how Charlie makes everyone laugh without uttering a single word. Charlie shares the secrets behind his hilarious...

Jules lands right in the middle of a bustling crowd at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on May 10, 1994. The air is filled with anticipation as Nelson Mandela is about to become South Africa's first black president. Jules watches in awe as Mandela steps up to the podium, a living symbol of hope and change. With everyone cheering, Jules can't wait to ask Mandela about his feelings, his time in priso...

Jules lands right in the middle of Vatican City on October 31, 1512, as Michelangelo takes a deep breath after finishing the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The chapel is a sea of colors and stories painted high above, and Jules is full of questions. How did Michelangelo manage such a massive task alone? As they chat, the artist shares how he painted standing up, gazing upwards for hours on end. Michelang...

Jules lands right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains at Lemhi Pass on August 12, 1805. Here, Sacagawea is leading the Lewis and Clark expedition with her unique skills and knowledge of the land. With her baby, Pomp, secure on her back, she navigates the Shoshone territory, offering insights and building bridges between cultures. As she talks about the challenges of the journey, Jules learns how...

Jules lands right in the middle of the bustling battlefield of Orléans, France, on May 8, 1429. The clash of swords and the roar of soldiers surround them, but all eyes are on a fearless young leader, Joan of Arc. At just 17 years old, Joan is rallying the French troops with her unwavering faith and determination. Jules is eager to discover where Joan finds her courage and how she stays strong des...

Jules lands right in the middle of a golden wheat field in Auvers-sur-Oise, France, on a warm summer afternoon in 1890. There, they find Vincent van Gogh passionately painting as the sun sets, casting magical hues across the landscape. Jules is curious about the vibrant colors and emotions in Vincent's paintings and asks him all about his inspiration and love for sunflowers. Vincent shares how art...

Jules lands right in the middle of a bustling 1876 Boston laboratory, just as Alexander Graham Bell is about to change the world forever. The air is thick with excitement and the hum of innovation as Bell prepares to make the first-ever phone call to his assistant, Mr. Watson. Why is the telephone so important to him, and what inspired this groundbreaking invention? Join Jules in discovering Bell’...

Jules arrives just as the sun streams through the Hall of Mirrors in the magnificent Palace of Versailles on May 6, 1682. The room is alive with the rustling of silk and whispers of courtiers, all eyes on King Louis XIV, the dazzling Sun King. As Jules takes in the splendor, he wonders what it's like to rule with absolute power and even design such a grand palace. Can you imagine a king who also d...

Jules lands right in the middle of a thrilling escape on October 1, 1855, as Harriet Tubman leads a group of enslaved people through the shadowy woods of the Maryland/Delaware border. The air is filled with anticipation and the soft rustling of leaves underfoot. Jules discovers how Harriet finds courage to keep returning for more people and learns the secrets of navigating the dark forests. Join J...

Jules lands right in the middle of a Viking adventure as Leif Erikson and his crew approach the mysterious shores of Vinland. It's a thrilling morning with the sea breeze in the air and the rising sun painting a golden path over the waves. Leif shares his hopes of discovering new lands and the excitement buzzing through his crew, even as they navigate the challenges of the open sea. Join Jules as...

Jules lands right in the middle of the bustling House of Commons in London on May 13, 1940. The air is charged with anticipation as Winston Churchill prepares to deliver his first speech as Prime Minister. Join Jules as they sit among reporters, listening to Churchill's powerful words about 'Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat' while wondering how he comes up with such inspiring speeches on the spot. Di...

Jules lands right in the middle of a chilly morning at Down House in 1859, just as Charles Darwin is nervously sipping tea by the fireplace. Darwin's study is bustling with the excitement of his freshly published book, 'On the Origin of Species'. Join Jules as they ask Darwin about his incredible journey on the HMS Beagle and discover how seasickness didn't stop him from observing the wonders of n...

Jules lands right in the middle of the bustling Palace of Versailles, just as the grand preparations for a royal ball are underway. With music echoing through the halls, Jules sneaks a peek into Marie Antoinette's opulent chambers, where the queen is getting ready with her attendants. Are those extravagant gowns really comfortable, Jules wonders, and who decides what happens at these magnificent b...

Jules lands right in the middle of the buzzing throne room of Thebes, where King Tutankhamun, a kid just like him, sits on a dazzling throne. Surrounded by wise advisors, young King Tut is juggling kingdom affairs with the same excitement and wonder of any kid exploring a new hobby. As Jules listens in, he wonders how Tut handles such big responsibilities and if he ever gets to have fun. With a ke...

Jules arrives just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon at a small airfield in Harbor Grace, Newfoundland. There, he finds the legendary Amelia Earhart, busy preparing for her daring solo flight across the Atlantic. With a twinkle in her eye and determination in her heart, Amelia shares her excitement and a few jitters about the journey ahead. She talks about her meticulous preparations and...

Jules arrives just as the sun sets over an ancient Greek village, where the mesmerizing sound of waves meets the entrancing voice of Homer. Gathered around a crackling campfire, villagers listen in awe as the elderly bard brings tales of mighty heroes and capricious gods to life. Jules is curious about how Homer remembers such long stories and whether these epic adventures are his own creations or...

Jules lands right in the middle of a bustling crowd at Gettysburg on a crisp autumn day. People are gathered to hear President Abraham Lincoln deliver his famous Gettysburg Address. As Jules navigates through the sea of solemn faces, they wonder about Lincoln's hopes for America and his feelings about ending slavery. With the breeze in the air and flags waving, Jules manages to ask Lincoln a few q...

Jules lands right in the middle of a buzzing lab at the Royal Institution in London on a bright August morning in 1831. Michael Faraday is just about to unveil his incredible induction ring experiment, surrounded by a jumble of copper wires and magnets. Jules watches in awe as Faraday connects everything to a simple battery, ready to reveal the magical dance between electricity and magnets. With e...

Jules lands right in the middle of an exciting moment at the Keller family well pump in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on April 5, 1887. It's here that young Helen Keller feels the cool splash of water and connects it to the letters Anne Sullivan spells into her hand. This magical moment opens a whole new world of communication for Helen. As Jules watches, they wonder what it must feel like to finally have a...

Jules arrives just as Neil Armstrong is about to take his famous first step onto the Moon! The lunar dust crunches under their boots as they gaze at the Earth, a dazzling blue marble in the sky. Neil's voice crackles through the radio, filled with awe and a hint of nerves. Together, they explore the surface while chatting about the intense training that prepared Neil for this moment. As they plan...