History Daily
History Daily
On History Daily, we do history, daily. Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham (American Scandal, American History Tellers) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Whether it’s to remember the tragedy of December 7th, 1941, the day “that will live in infamy,” or to celebrate that 20th day in July, 1969, when mankind reached the moon, History Daily is there to tell you the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world—one day at a time. So if you’re stuck in traffic, bored at work—wherever you are, listen to History Daily to remind yourself that something incredible happened to make that day historic.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 7, 2026 • 15min
The Teapot Dome Scandal
A 1922 secret oil lease and a hush-hush hotel handoff kick off a tale of bribery and political cronyism. Bank records, a black satchel, and patient investigative digging expose hidden payments. The scandal moves from congressional probes to courtroom drama, ending in a rare conviction and a lasting stain on a presidency.
Apr 6, 2026 • 15min
The Race to the North Pole
A fierce rivalry over who reached the North Pole first, including dramatic claims, planted flags, and lost records. Solo Arctic survival, navigational errors, and long winters shape the story. Scientific endorsements, smear campaigns, and later reexaminations raise questions about who really won the race.
Apr 4, 2026 • 31min
Saturday Matinee: The United States Civil Rights Trail
Rena Evers-Everett, daughter of Medgar Evers, recalls family memories and legacy. Merle Evers-Williams, longtime civil rights leader and organizer, shares her journey from NAACP work to public service. They discuss courtship and activism in Mississippi, working under threat, the assassination night, grief and resilience, and efforts to preserve Medgar’s memory and impact.
6 snips
Apr 3, 2026 • 15min
The Pony Express
A fast-paced retelling of the Pony Express launch and the daring relay system that raced letters across the continent. The tale covers the freight entrepreneurs behind the plan and the risky funding that made a 10-day service possible. It follows the first ride from St. Joseph and the surge of public fame after delivering major election news. It ends with how new technology made the whole enterprise obsolete.
8 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 17min
Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours Tops the Chart
A look at how a band rebuilt after lineup turmoil and relocation to California. Tension-filled sessions, drug-fueled chaos, and an isolated songwriting retreat take center stage. A race to save damaged tapes and finish tracks before a delayed release ramps up the drama. The story ends with a major award and a lasting musical legacy.
7 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 27min
The Accidental Capture of Brielle
A daring 1572 naval raid enabled by a sudden storm and privateering tactics. Tension between Habsburg rule and Dutch resistance sets the political stage. A risky decision at a coastal town leads to a surprise takeover that ignites wider uprisings. The capture’s dramatic assault and its ripple effects on nearby cities are highlighted.
9 snips
Mar 31, 2026 • 16min
The Introduction of the Hays Code
A look at the scandal that shook early Hollywood and the rise of a moral crusade to clean up films. The formation of strict guidelines on sex, crime, religion and violence is traced from early rules to a formalized code. The story follows how economic pressure and religious activists reshaped censorship, enforcement, and the code's eventual decline.
15 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 16min
The Lost Language of Crete is Uncovered
A 1900 archaeological discovery on Crete sparks a decades-long puzzle about mysterious clay tablets. A self-taught linguist's lifelong obsession leads to a breakthrough decoding ancient place-name patterns. The story ends with sudden fame and a tragic car crash that cut his work short.
27 snips
Mar 28, 2026 • 52min
Saturday Matinee: Real Vikings
Ian Glenn, narrator of Real Vikings, offers vivid storytelling from the Viking Age. He dramatizes the 793 Lindisfarne raid and recounts violent clashes like Chesil Beach. Short segments explore who Vikings really were, their ships and seafaring tech, why raiding began, and how Viking society, trade, and slavery shaped medieval Europe.
8 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 16min
Friendship Blooms Between Japan and America
A 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., and the planting of the first sapling by Helen Taft and a Japanese viscountess. The diplomatic backdrop of immigration tensions and the Gentlemen's Agreement. Wartime vandalism and renaming of the trees during World War II. Postwar exchanges that returned cuttings to Tokyo and sparked a lantern-lighting tradition.
