Bite-size daily history older kids and adults will eat up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Products & Purchases
a lot
There are about two minutes of ads for every five minutes of content, and ads are targeted based on user data. Some episodes focus on brands such as Nintendo, Lego, and Coca Cola.
Violence & Scariness
some
Stories of executions, assassinations, war, robberies, murders, and other violent events throughout our world's history.
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Courageous historical figures are spotlighted throughout the podcast. Many take a stand against oppressive power structures, including individuals like Sophie and Hans Scholl; Sojourner Truth; Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte; and more.
Educational Value
a lot
These episodes are a great complement for lessons inside and outside the classroom. Each episode gives an interesting glimpse into what was happening years, decades, or even centuries ago on the specific day each episode is released. Lesser known facts of history are revealed, but the listener requires a certain depth of history knowledge to connect the dots.
Positive Messages
a lot
History should be remembered and analyzed so that we can do better in the future. Past atrocities -- such as the imprisonment of U.S. citizens with Japanese ancestry or the Tuskegee experiments on Black American men -- should not be glossed over or forgotten.
Diverse Representations
a lot
With over a thousand episodes and counting, This Day in History Class covers a lot of ground and features a more inclusive range of events than is often found in classrooms or even among other history podcasts of its kind. Episodes like "The Stonewall Riots" and "Rainbow Flag Flown for First Time" share important moments in LGBTQ+ history. "Hernandez v. Texas" gives listeners a glimpse into discrimination against Mexican Americans, while "First Special Olympics" spotlights disabled athletes. The podcast's overall viewpoint may remain Western- and male-centric, but there is no shortage of diverse stories listeners can opt into.
Parents need to know that This Day in History Class covers a wide range of world events, many of them kid-friendly like "The World Speed Record for Steam Locomotives" and "War of the Worlds Broadcast." Others may be less so, like "The Amityville Murders Trial" or "Lizzie Borden's Parents Were Murdered." Provocative episodes like "Philadelphia MOVE Bombing" or ones that cover atrocities, such as "The Tuskegee Syphilis Study," may call for some post-episode discussion. But above all, stories of courageous historical figures from diverse backgrounds can inspire listeners and instill compassion. Given its large scope of over a thousand episodes and counting, this podcast offers the valuable opportunity to build awareness around inequities -- and triumphs -- that affect people around the world, reminding us that we're more connected than we may initially think.
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What’s It About?
THIS DAY IN HISTORY CLASS takes notable events from the past and explains them in a quick and simple way. Each day an episode releases is correlated with history that happened on or around that day years, decades, or even centuries ago, which makes it's approach of history fun and unique. While it covers some major occurrences, what separates this podcast from the others (and from the classroom) is that many of the featured stories are bound to be brand new to the listener. Podcast host Gabe Luzier doesn't sugarcoat the past, and through its diverse selection of events that affect a wide variety of communities, it's likely the listener will come away with new insights into historical events from cultures other than their own.
This podcast goes beyond the pages of our classroom history books, but it could go further. This Day in History Class hardly ignores the checkered past of so many countries and regimes, including that of the United States, and it does provide a more honest look at ourselves than may be found in mainstream media. However, episodes still tread carefully and have yet to tackle hot-button events, such as the ongoing murders of Black Americans or any critique of our nation's more recent military aggressions, such as the invasion of Iraq. That said, one can only pack so much into less than 15 minutes of airtime, and within these constraints, This Day in History Class rises above its peers. Although the format is unique, there's not much to engage or immerse the listener other than the host talking about the topic at hand. No music or sound effects are used to enhance the story, so it can feel a bit monotonous and dry at times.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the events in This Day in History Class. Are there other angles that producers could've chosen to take on various subject matters? Do you agree or disagree with how the historical events have been covered? Why?
Do you think there is a certain country, race, or culture whose history is focused on more than others? What specific history would you like to learn more about?
Whose perspectives or stories do you think are being left out in the retelling of these events?
Do you think learning about tragic events in history can build compassion in modern listeners? If so, why might this be a great character strength to hone?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By John Lachine
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
