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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

6:36

Punk Rock: The Loud, Fast Rebellion of '77 | The Kids...

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

2026/10/03

It’s two short words in Billy Joel’s whirlwind history song, but punk rock represents an entire counterculture movement that tore up the rulebook and inspired generations of musicians. In this episode of History Ignited, we explore how frustrated youth in New York and London traded polished musicianship for raw energy, safety-pins, and three-chord fury. We’ll look at how bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols rejected corporate rock excess, built a do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos, and fo...

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7:43

Watergate: How a Hotel Break-In Changed History | The...

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

2026/09/26

Grab your magnifying glass, because we are investigating the biggest political mystery in American history! In this episode of History Ignited, we dive into the lyric "Watergate" and uncover the scandal that shook the nation. It all started with a late-night break-in at a fancy hotel and office building in Washington, D.C. Who were these clumsy burglars, and what secrets were they trying to find? We will follow the clues to see how a simple piece of tape on a door lock led investigators to se...

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7:42

Woodstock: Mud, Music, and Magic

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

2026/09/19

Get ready to travel back to the summer of 1969, where a quiet dairy farm turned into the loudest, most famous concert in history! In this episode of our We Didn't Start the Fire series, we unpack the lyric "Woodstock" and explore how half a million people gathered in upstate New York for three unforgettable days of peace, love, and music. We will discover how the organizers dealt with massive traffic jams, surprise rainstorms, and mountains of mud, all while legendary bands played day and nig...

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18:39

Moonshot: Apollo 11 and the Pinnacle of the Space Race

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

2026/09/12

After navigating the political turbulence of Nixon’s ‘68 comeback, we lift our eyes to the sky for one of the most unifying and audacious achievements in human history. It’s a single word in Billy Joel’s rapid-fire historical recap, but it represents the culmination of a decade-long cosmic battle: Moonshot. In this episode of History Ignited, we explore the sheer willpower, engineering marvels, and immense bravery that put humanity on the moon. Ignited by Cold War paranoia and championed by J...

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9:08

Richard Nixon Back Again: The Unlikely Comeback of '68

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

2026/09/05

Fresh from the complex battlefields of Ho Chi Minh’s Vietnam, we turn to the volatile domestic political battlefield of 1968. It’s a lyric that captured a moment of genuine shock for many Americans: "Richard Nixon back again." In this episode of History Ignited, we analyze the stunning political resurrection of a man whose career was widely declared dead just six years prior. After losing the presidency to JFK in 1960 and the California governor's race in '62 (famously telling the press they ...

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18:30

Bonus Episode: The Billy Joel Symposium | The Kids...

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

2026/09/02

In this special bonus episode of History Ignited, we take you behind the scenes of the prestigious Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF)! Our very own co-host, Amy Tenney Curren, was invited to Stony Brook, NY, to speak at the first-ever Billy Joel Symposium! She had the incredible honor of presenting her paper on how we use the legendary lyrics of "We Didn't Start the Fire" as a living, intergenerational history curriculum for kids and families. But that’s not all! In th...

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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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