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In 1692, hundreds of people were accused of witchcraft—a charge punishable by death. Within a year, 19 people lost their lives for a crime no one could prove they committed.

This dark and difficult time left a permanent mark on American history. Even today, many still ask: how could this have happened? It is a story that holds a powerful lesson about the dangers of fear, the importance of fairness, and the incredible bravery of those who stood for the truth.

This is the tale of the Salem witch trials.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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History is full of famous conquerors, but how many of us know the story of the man who built an empire larger than any the ancient world had ever seen? Stretching from the Aegean Sea to the Indus River, this empire was ruled by a man who called himself the King of the World. This is the tale of Cyrus the Great, King of the Persian Empire.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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This is the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Did you know women have been playing baseball for over 150 years? And during World War II, people traveled miles just for a chance to watch female players battle it out on the field. Get your baseball gloves ready, young historians, because in this episode we're going to learn about women who made baseball history.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Ann Zivotsky, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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When the American Revolutionary War began, Deborah Sampson wondered what it would be like to fight in Washington's Army. She knew women were not allowed to be soldiers, but she wasn't one to play by the rules. Disguised as a man, she signed up to join America's fight for independence. For the next 17 months, she braved dangerous missions and narrowly escaped death. And she did it all under the fake name Robert Shurtliff. This is the story of Deborah Sampson: the revolutionary soldier.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Xuhua Zhan (Asian American Art & Culture Initiative), edited by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 the 7-Eleven that we all know today.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Natalia Lee, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 fight led her to become the first Native American woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn and Annabel Blakey, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 Russia to the bustling streets of Paris, and then across the ocean to the coal mines of Pennsylvania.

This is the story of flying mountains, otherwise known as roller coasters.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 amazing world right outside your window.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 project was already steeped in controversy. It would be a 14-year battle to carve the enormous stone presidents.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Heidi Coburn, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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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 than people wanted her to be.

About Honest History

Honest History creates award-winning books, magazines, and this show for young historians across the world. Our mission is to inspire kids to create a positive impact on history themselves. Learn more at https://honesthistory.co and @honesthistory.

Credits

This episode was written by Grace MaGee, narrated by Randall Lawrence, and produced by Robot Pirate Media. Original theme music was written and recorded by Luke Messimer.

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