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How would you send a message if phones hadn't been invented yet? During the American Revolution, messages were sent across the battlefield with the beat of a drum. Drummers used music to tell soldiers when to wake up, when to eat, and even when to march into battle. But here's the most amazing part: some of these drummers weren't grown men—they were kids! Some were as young as ten years old, march...

How old do you think submarines are? 50 years old? 100 years old? What if we told you they date back all the way to the American Revolution? While George Washington led his army into battle, the inventor David Bushnell was building a secret weapon. It was a tiny, round ship that could dive underwater—armed with a ticking bomb and a glow-in-the-dark compass. Bushnell hoped Washington would use it t...

Have you ever heard of Kung Fu? If so, you probably have Bruce Lee to thank. Born in San Francisco in 1940, he would grow up to become one of history's most influential martial artists. As a boy, Bruce struggled in school and often found himself in trouble. Determined and tenacious, he would eventually find his passion: acting and Kung Fu. Let's go explore Bruce Lee's fight to become a Hollywood s...

During the Great Depression, a group of brave librarians set out on a mission. Rain or shine, they loaded up their saddlebags with books and rode horses up steep, dangerous trails. They needed to reach families living in the most remote corners of the Appalachian Mountains. For many children, these traveling libraries were the only way they could get their hands on a book. Join Anna and Leo as the...

Have you ever heard of the dodo? This flightless bird once lived on an island off the coast of Africa. But less than a century after humans arrived, the dodo was gone. You might have heard that humans ate all the dodos because they were too delicious. But is that the real story? Join Anna and Leo as they travel back in time to uncover the truth about this fascinating bird and solve the puzzle of h...

Have you ever seen a plane soaring overhead and thought, "I want to do that"? That's exactly what Bessie Coleman thought when she heard tales of daring World War I pilots. But for a Black woman in 1920s America, making that dream come true was nearly impossible.  Join Anna and Leo as they follow the incredible journey of Bessie Coleman–the first African American woman and first Native American to...

If you grew up hearing the stories of Winnie the Pooh, you know the stories of honey-loving bears, bouncing tigers, and gloomy donkeys all living together in an enchanted forest. But did you know that these much-loved friends were all inspired by real stuffed toys? And that Pooh Bear himself was named after a real, living bear? Join Anna and Leo as they journey into the past to uncover the true st...

It was the first year of World War I. The sound of gunshots echoed across the countryside. But then, on Christmas Day in 1914, something extraordinary happened. The gunshots stopped. In the early hours of the morning, the soldiers laid down their weapons.  Join Anna and Leo as they journey into the trenches to uncover the surprising tale of the Christmas Truce— a story so astonishing, some people...

Have you ever wondered where video games come from? Join Anna, Leo, and Percy the mouse as they press start on a journey through history. They'll uncover the origins of the first home video game console and dive into the dazzling world of arcades. But, they'll have to think of their feet because on this mission, they'll be playing a game of their own. Get your controllers ready, Young Historians,...

For centuries, tales have been told about a mysterious creature, hiding beneath the dark water of Loch Ness. The question is: are the stories true? Is the giant creature real? Join Anna, Leo, and Percy the mouse as they travel to Scotland to explore one of history's most popular legends. From ancient sightings to famous hoaxes, we'll uncover the true story of the Loch Ness Monster, also known as "...

Have you ever wondered where donuts come from? This ring-shaped pastry is a staple of American cuisine, but it wasn't always that way. We're diving into the long history of the popular treat. From Dutch oily cakes to the iconic pink boxes of today, we'll follow Leo and Anna on a fascinating journey through time. I hope you're hungry, Young Historians, because this next adventure is going to be del...

Long before computers and factories, people in ancient Greece were dreaming up amazing machines that could move on their own. Join Anna and Leo as they travel back in time to explore the fascinating world of ancient automata. They'll witness the robotic pigeon of Archytas and uncover the clever creations of Philo of Byzantium. Would you like to meet a 2,000-year-old robot that serves you drinks? G...

Join Anna and Leo as they uncover the story of two brave astronauts: Belka and Strelka. Together, these fearless pups made history by becoming the first to orbit the Earth and return home. From the 1940s to the 1960s, animals were the true pioneers of space travel. They went where no other living creature had gone before. They tested the rockets, sensors, parachutes, and capsules to make sure they...

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was an all-female unit during WWII who answered the call to serve their country. It became their mission to deliver mail and much more. These incredible women faced daunting challenges, yet they worked tirelessly to bring hope to those who needed it most. Join Anna and Leo as they uncover the remarkable story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Batt...

In 632 CE, something extraordinary happened. A woman named Seondeok became the very first queen to rule Korea. And not only was she a trailblazing ruler, but she was also a brilliant astronomer who studied the stars and planets. Join Anna, Leo, and Percy the mouse as they travel back in time to the kingdom of Silla in Korea. They'll explore Queen Seondeok's famous observatory, a tower built for st...

Join Anna and Leo as they travel back in time to the Battle of Fishguard. In 1797, the French landed on the shores of Wales hoping to spread revolution. But a ragtag group of soldiers and a case of mistaken identity spelled disaster for the invasion. It's time to learn about this incredible story. About Honest History Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young h...

Imagine this: it's a freezing winter's night in New York City. Inside a building, a single gas pipe bursts. Hours later, the city is engulfed in flames. This is exactly what happened over 180 years ago. In 1835, a fire destroyed nearly 700 buildings and burnt down New York's growing financial district. And yet, this fire is often forgotten in history. Join Anna and Leo as they rediscover the story...

Have you ever heard of the inventor Lewis Latimer? This talented artist and scientist was one of history's brightest minds. From creating drawings for Alexander Bell's telephone to improving the lightbulb, Latimer's work was behind many electrifying discoveries. Join Anna and Leo as they shine a light on the inventor's inspiring story. Get ready, young historians! This next adventure is going to b...

Are you ready for a secret mission? Join Anna and Leo as they follow a daring spy on her next assignment. During World War II, a secret agent named Nancy Wake risked her life to fight against Nazi Germany. A skilled spy, Nancy slipped past her enemies and escaped capture every time. That's how she got the nickname the "White Mouse." Get your parachutes ready, young historians! We're about to jump...

What do you do when you and your team are trapped on the ice, hundreds of miles away from help? Find out as Anna and Leo plunge into one of history's greatest survival stories. Ernest Shackleton, the explorer, and 27 men set off on an expedition to Antarctica. He had hoped to make history as the first to cross the ice-covered continent. But when his ship,  Endurance , sank, his mission changed.  D...

Have you ever looked inside a piano? It's no simple instrument. You'll find dozens of tiny hammers and wire strings. Join Anna and Leo as they learn about one of history's most fascinating piano builders–Nannette Streicher. This talented musician overcame the odds to own a piano factory at a time when few women ran businesses. She also brushed shoulders with some of the world's most famous compose...

Join Anna, Leo, and Percy as they explore one of California's spookiest towns: Bodie. This place used to be buzzing with people, but it wasn't long before it turned into a ghost town. What happened to Bodie? We'll give you a hint—it involved lots of gold. But you'll have to listen to the rest of the story to find out. It's time to put your detective hats on! We're about to solve a ghost town myste...

What do zoos, hot chocolate, and ball games have in common? They are all part of the Aztec Empire! This powerful empire ruled over central Mexico more than 500 years ago. Join Anna, Leo, and Percy as they explore the Aztec capital city and learn about life in Mesoamerica.  Pack your backpacks, young historians! We've got a lot to see on this adventure.  About Honest History Honest History creates...

Did you know the Brooklyn Bridge was built over 140 years ago and was once the longest suspension bridge in the world? Join Anna, Leo, and Percy as they uncover the incredible story of its construction and the remarkable people behind it. Washington Roebling and his wife, Emily, overcame immense challenges, including dangerous working conditions and illness, to bring this engineering marvel to lif...

Did you know oysters used to be as popular as hot dogs are today? Join Anna, Leo, and Percy and let's dive into the strange and incredible story of Thomas Downing, the "Oyster King." In the 1800s, Downing's New York restaurant served oysters to wealthy patrons, but hid a secret beneath the floorboards—the restaurant was part of the Underground Railroad helping enslaved people escape to freedom. Gr...