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PODCAST

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by Billy Joel"s We Didn’t Start the Fire

History Ignited | Family Podcasts & History

Teach kids history. Prevent repeats.Winner of the 2025 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Kids and Family Podcast, History Ignited is hosted by 12-year-old Andrew, 10-year-old Caroline, and their parents, Amy and Dave. Together they turn every lyric from Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire into a fun, bite-sized history story kids will actually remember.

kids & family stories for kids

All Episodes

15:10

Ho Chi Minh: The Fire of Vietnamese Independence

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/08/29

Following right on the heels of the cultural shockwaves of the birth control pill, we tackle the very next lyric in Billy Joel’s rapid-fire historical anthem: Ho Chi Minh. In this episode of History Ignited, we delve into the life of the enigmatic and fiercely determined revolutionary who became the face of Vietnamese independence and the architect of a conflict that would define a generation. From his early days traveling the globe as a young man to his embrace of communism and his relentles...

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7:43

Birth Control: How the Pill Reshaped Society | The...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/08/23

It’s just two brief words in Billy Joel’s rapid-fire historical anthem, We Didn't Start the Fire, but it represents one of the most seismic cultural shifts of the 20th century. In this episode of History Ignited, we’re unpacking the invention and explosive impact of the birth control pill. Approved by the FDA in the early 1960s, the first oral contraceptive was a medical marvel that fundamentally altered the fabric of modern life. We explore how "The Pill" catalyzed the sexual revolution, tra...

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7:47

Bonus: Why We End with Those Five Words | The Kids...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/08/15

"Teach kids history prevent repeats." It’s more than just a catchphrase to end the show—it’s the entire reason we do what we do. In this bonus episode, on this bonus episode we takes a step back to share the story behind our final five words. Join us as we (attempt) to discuss the critical importance of historical literacy, and why empowering the next generation with the truth is the most important work we can do. Send us Fan Mail About History Ignited: History Ignited is the award-win...

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12:07

JFK Blown Away: The Tragedy That Changed America

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/08/01

On November 22, 1963, a dark and sudden tragedy struck America that changed history forever. This week on History Ignited, Amy, Dave, Andrew, and Caroline step back into the 1960s to look at the life, presidency, and sudden loss of John F. Kennedy—the 35th President of the United States—and why Billy Joel included "JFK Blown Away" in We Didn't Start the Fire. Despite his short time in office, President Kennedy inspired millions with his vision for space exploration, his call for public servic...

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10:21

Profumo Affair: Secrets, Spies, and the Scandal That...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/29

In 1963, a single line in the news changed the face of British politics forever. The famous Profumo Affair—a high-stakes 1960s drama involving a cabinet minister, a model named Christine Keeler, a Soviet naval attache, and a whole lot of secrets. Join us on this episode of History Ignited as we break down how a Cold War breach of trust and a lie told to Parliament brought down a prime minister’s government, shifted public trust in the media, and earned its place in Billy Joel's We ...

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14:46

Malcolm X: The Power of Speaking Up | The Kids...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/25

When Billy Joel sang those words in We Didn't Start the Fire, he was pointing to one of the most powerful and influential figures in the Civil Rights Movement. But who was Malcolm X, and how did he fight for fairness and justice? In this episode, we take a trip back to the mid-20th century to explore the story of Malcolm Little—a boy who grew up facing immense hardship and went on to become Malcolm X, a bold leader who urged Black Americans to stand tall, take pride in their heritage, and dem...

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10:43

Pope Paul: The Jet-Setting Pope Who Bridged the World...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/22

Step into the Vatican as we explore the life of Pope Paul VI—the leader of the Catholic Church who brought centuries-old traditions into the modern era! When Pope Paul VI was elected in 1963, the world was changing fast. Cold War tensions were high, TV was everywhere, and young people were asking big questions about the future. Instead of staying inside the Vatican walls, Pope Paul VI did something unprecedented: he packed his bags and took to the skies! Known as the first "Pilgrim Pope," he ...

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3:44

Liston v. Patterson: The Ultimate Heavyweight Clash!...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/18

Seconds out, round one! 🥊 In this episode of History Ignited, we’re stepping into the boxing ring to witness one of the most anticipated sports dramas of the 20th century: the legendary face-off between Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson! In the early 1960s, the entire world was glued to their radios and televisions to see who would claim the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World. Would it be the reigning champ, the lightning-fast and polite Floyd Patterson? Or the challenger, the

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4:07

John Glenn: The Human Fireball of Friendship 7 | The...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/15

Ready for liftoff? In this episode of History Ignited, we’re shooting into the stars with the legendary John Glenn! Long before humans lived on the International Space Station, the Space Race was heating up, and one man dared to do what no American had done before: orbit the entire Earth. Strap into the Friendship 7 capsule as we relive the mission that made John Glenn an instant American hero and a global icon of courage. We’ll explore: The Race to Orbit: What it felt like to be a test pilot...

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4:14

Ole Miss: One Man's March for Justice | The Kids...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/11

Billy Joel packs a ton of secrets into We Didn’t Start the Fire, and today we’re unpacking a big one: "Ole Miss." What happened on that university campus in 1962 that got the whole world talking? Join us as we travel back in time to witness a massive turning point in the fight for equal rights, and discover how one school campus became the center of an unforgettable American story. Send us Fan Mail About History Ignited: History Ignited is the award-winning kids and family history podc...

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5:43

British Beatlemania: How Four Lads From Liverpool...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/07/01

It started as a scream - a sound so piercing it could be heard over the roar of the amps - and it ended as a global cultural revolution. In this episode of History Ignited we dive deep into the phenomenon of British Beatlemania. Explore how a quartet of working-class musicians from Liverpool shattered the status quo, transformed the music industry, and became the face of a rapidly changing decade. We'll look past the hysteria to uncover the social, cultural, and political forces that allowed ...

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4:08

Lawrence of Arabia: Big Screen Adventures and...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/27

Grab your popcorn and your map—we’re diving into the desert! In this episode, we take a look at the "Lawrence of Arabia" reference from Billy Joel’s We Didn't Start the Fire. We’ll explore the sweeping 1962 epic film that captured the world’s imagination and introduce you to the real-life adventurer, T.E. Lawrence. Join us as we unpack how a classic movie star, a vast desert, and a historical mystery all found their way into a hit song! Send us Fan Mail About History Ignited: History I...

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8:50

Bay of Pigs Invasion: Kennedy, the Soviets, and the...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/24

The flames of the Cold War heat up! In this episode of History Ignited, our family team takes a closer look at the "Bay of Pigs," a major event from Billy Joel’s We Didn't Start the Fire. Join us as we explore what happened in 1961 when history felt like a high-stakes game of strategy. We’ll break down the story behind the famous invasion, how President John F. Kennedy navigated a really tough decision, and why the Soviet Union was right in the middle of it all. We make history easy to unders...

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3:54

Berlin: The Crucible of the 20th Century | The Kids...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/20

Episode 84 How does a single city become the focal point for the greatest struggles of an entire century? In this episode, we journey through the harrowing, complex, and transformative history of Berlin. From the epicenter of the Third Reich to the physical manifestation of the Cold War—the Berlin Wall—this city has been the stage where empires collided and ideologies fought for the soul of the world. Join us as we explore Berlin’s radical evolution. We’ll look at the tactical division of the...

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3:55

Dylan: The Troubadour Who Changed Everything | The...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/17

Episode 83 How does a young folk singer from Minnesota evolve into the "voice of a generation," only to defy that very label at every turn? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the enigma that is Bob Dylan. From the smoke-filled coffee houses of Greenwich Village to the controversial "electric" pivot that changed the trajectory of rock and roll, we trace the restless artistic journey of the man who redefined what a songwriter could be. Join us as we examine the poetry, the protest, an...

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4:07

Dylan: The Troubadour Who Changed Everything | The...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/17

Episode 83 How does a young folk singer from Minnesota evolve into the "voice of a generation," only to defy that very label at every turn? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the enigma that is Bob Dylan. From the smoke-filled coffee houses of Greenwich Village to the controversial "electric" pivot that changed the trajectory of rock and roll, we trace the restless artistic journey of the man who redefined what a songwriter could be. Join us as we examine the poetry, the protest, an...

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8:05

Stranger in a Strange Land: The Martian Who...

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/13

Episode 81 What happens when a man raised by Martians returns to a planet that has forgotten how to be human? In this episode, we venture into the provocative mind of Robert A. Heinlein as we dissect his landmark novel, Stranger in a Strange Land. More than just a science fiction classic, this book became a lightning rod for the counterculture movement, challenging everything from organized religion and sexual norms to the very foundations of government and society. Join us as we explore the ...

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4:05

Eichmann: The Architect of Evil

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/10

Episode 82 How does a man responsible for orchestrating the logistics of a genocide reconcile his actions with his conscience? In this episode, we peel back the layers of history to examine the chilling life of Adolf Eichmann, the SS-Obersturmbannführer who became the primary architect of the "Final Solution." From his rise through the Nazi bureaucracy to his desperate flight to Argentina after the war, we trace the steps of the man who famously claimed he was "just following orders." Join us...

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3:51

"Hemingway": Precision, Prose, and Passion

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/08

He was the man who turned sparse, muscular prose into a blueprint for the 20th century. But before the Nobel Prize, the big-game hunting, and the larger-than-life legend, there was just a young man writing in the cafés of Paris. In this episode of History Ignited, we strip away the myth to find the man behind the typewriter. We explore how Ernest Hemingway’s experiences in the Great War and the Lost Generation shaped his relentless pursuit of "the true sentence." From the sun-drenched rings o...

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6:36

"Belgians in the Congo": Royalty, Rubber, and Ruin

History Ignited: The Kids History Podcast Inspired by... ·

2026/06/03

It’s just four words in a catchy Billy Joel rhyme, but behind it lies one of the darkest and most devastating chapters in global history. This week on History Ignited, we are pulling up a chair at the family table to unpack the brutal reality behind the lyric: "Belgians in the Congo." Join us as we trace how King Leopold II turned a massive stretch of Central Africa into his own personal, corporate fiefdom under the guise of humanitarian aid. We break down the horrific human cost of the globa...

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106 results

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