Bedtime History: Inspirational Stories for Kids and Families

Will Rogers: Cowboy Comedian

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will Rogers was one of America’s most beloved entertainers in the early 1900s. He was a cowboy, comedian, and movie star who used humor to talk abou...

Bach: Musical Genius

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer who lived in the 1600s and 1700s. He wrote hundreds of pieces for choirs, organs, harpsichords, and orches...

The Rockettes of Radio City Music Hall

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Rockettes are a famous dance group known for their high kicks, perfect timing, and amazing teamwork. They were founded in 1925 and later became st...

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Nutcracker is one of the most famous ballets in the world, and its unforgettable music was written by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. First pe...

The Adventures of Sir Francis Drake

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Francis Drake was an English explorer and sea captain during the 1500s. He became the first Englishman to sail around the world, a journey that to...

Charles Dickens and a Christmas Carol

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Charles Dickens was a famous English writer who lived in the 1800s. One of his most beloved stories is A Christmas Carol, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge...

The Magic of Snow and Snowflakes

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Snow begins high in the clouds when tiny water droplets freeze around dust particles. As more water vapor freezes onto these particles, they grow into...

The Adventures of Davy Crockett

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Davy Crockett was a famous frontiersman, hunter, and storyteller who became an American legend. Born in Tennessee in 1786, he grew up exploring the wi...

Colorful History of Crayons

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crayons have helped kids make colorful drawings for more than 100 years. Early crayons were made from simple wax and pigments, but they broke easily a...

Sleeping Through the Winter: Hibernation

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When winter arrives, many animals enter a deep sleep called hibernation to survive the cold. During hibernation, their heartbeat and breathing slow do...

The Story of Pizza

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pizza is one of the world’s favorite foods, but it has a long history. Long ago, ancient Greeks and Romans ate flatbreads topped with oil and herbs....

All About Crocodiles and Alligators

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crocodiles and alligators are large reptiles that have lived on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs. They both have tough, scaly skin, sharp teeth, ...

Women of Ancient Greece

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In ancient Greece, women played important roles in their families and communities. They were in charge of managing the household and taking care of ch...

Hagia Sophia's Amazing History

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Step into the world of the Hagia Sophia, a building full of history and wonder. Once a grand church, then a beautiful mosque, and now a famous museum,...

Painting the Desert: Georgia O’Keeffe

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Georgia O’Keeffe was an American artist known for her bold and colorful paintings. She loved painting things from nature, like giant close-up flower...

The Origin of American Football

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Two teams try to move the football down the field by running or passing it, ...

The Wampanoag and the First Thanksgiving

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Wampanoag were the Native American people who lived along the coast of what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived f...

Sputnik: A Beep That Changed the World

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. About the size of a beach ball, Sputnik sent out radio si...

The Voyage of the Mayflower (Re-release)

15 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn all about the pilgrims and their voyage on the Mayflower from England to the New World. 💵 Get a free month of Acorns Early: ⁠⁠⁠acornse...

The Life and Art of Claude Monet

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Claude Monet was a famous artist who loved to paint beautiful scenes from nature. He was born in France in 1840 and is known for his unique style call...

Empire State Building (Re-release)

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we dive into the fascinating history of the Empire State Building, one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks. From its rapid construct...

What is Veteran's Day?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Veterans Day is a holiday in the United States that honors the brave men and women who have served in the military. It is celebrated every year on Nov...

Totems, Canoes, and Culture: Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest, including groups like the Tlingit, Haida, Makah, and Chinook, lived along the coast from northern Califor...

Pirates of the Caribbean: Fact vs. Fiction

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The real Pirates of the Caribbean were far more complex—and sometimes more brutal—than the swashbuckling legends in movies. From the late 1600s to...

Why Leaves Change Color: The Science of Fall

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fall is the season when leaves turn bright shades of red, orange, and yellow before they drop to the ground. But why does this happen? During spring a...

The Story of Halloween Pumpkins

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pumpkins are one of fall’s most famous symbols—and they have a long history! Native Americans were among the first to grow pumpkins, using them fo...

Australia’s Most Famous Building: Sydney Opera House

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world and a symbol of Australia. Located on the harbor in Sydney, it looks like a gr...

Halloween Hotspots: America’s Spookiest Towns

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some towns in America take Halloween to the next level! Sleepy Hollow, New York, is famous for the Legend of the Headless Horseman, where spooky stori...

Around the World with Ferdinand Magellan

18 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ferdinand Magellan was a brave explorer who lived a long time ago. He was the first person to lead a voyage around the whole world. Magellan set sail ...

The Secrets of Stonehenge

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stonehenge is a mysterious and ancient stone circle in England. People from long ago built it over 4,000 years ago, and we still don't know exactly wh...

Exploring Central Park's History and Beauty

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the magical world of Central Park, a big, beautiful park in the middle of a busy city! It's filled with tall trees, colorful flowers, and l...

Lost Treasures of the Titanic

11 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dive deep into the icy waters of the North Atlantic to discover the lost treasures of the Titanic. When the Titanic sank in 1912, it took with it a wo...

Taylor Swift: The Story Behind the Music

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Taylor Swift is one of the most popular singers and songwriters in the world. Learn about her journey when she started singing country music as a teen...

The Frozen Continent: Exploring Antarctica

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest place on Earth. It’s a frozen continent at the bottom of the world, covered almost entirely by ice. ...

Mary Cassatt's Colorful World

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Mary Cassatt, a talented artist known for her beautiful paintings of mothers and children. Born in 1844, Mary grew up in America but spent most o...

Who Was Benjamin Franklin?

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Travel back in time to meet Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most famous inventors and thinkers. Discover how he helped start the first public li...

The Magic of Broadway: NYC's Theater History

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the exciting world of Broadway in New York City, where magic happens on stage. Learn how Broadway began over a hundred years ago with small t...

The Mysterious Mound Builders of Cahokia

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Long before European contact, the city of Cahokia near modern-day St. Louis was home to a powerful Mississippian civilization. With massive earth moun...

Brooklyn Bridge: Building the Impossible

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Brooklyn Bridge changed the face of New York City—and of bridge-building itself. Completed in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge of its ...

The Curiosity of Aristotle

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aristotle was one of the greatest thinkers in history. A student of Plato and teacher to Alexander the Great, he wrote about science, ethics, governme...

Christopher Columbus: Sailing Into the Unknown

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we set sail across the ocean to learn about Christopher Columbus and his famous journey in 1492! What was he looking for, and what did he a...

The Courage of Eleanor Roosevelt

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Eleanor Roosevelt redefined what it meant to be First Lady. A powerful voice for human rights, she fought for justice, equality, and peace both in the...

Writing in Clay: The Story of Cuneiform

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cuneiform is one of the oldest systems of writing in the world, first used in ancient Mesopotamia over 5,000 years ago. Written on clay tablets with a...

Jose Rizal: Hero of the Phillipines

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Meet José Rizal, a brave and smart hero from the Philippines! He loved to read and write, and he used his words to help his country. Rizal dreamed of...

The Rise of Cyrus the Great and the Persian Empire

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire, one of the largest and most influential empires in history. Known for his military brilliance, ...

Arlington National Cemetery: Honoring Heroes

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most solemn and significant places in the United States, honoring those who have served in the nation’s mi...

Thomas Jefferson: Part 2

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the third U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson made bold moves like the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the nation. But his legacy is als...

Thomas Jefferson: Part 1

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Jefferson helped shape the foundation of the United States. As the main author of the Declaration of Independence, he expressed ideas about lib...

The Story of the American West

23 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The American West is a land of vast plains, towering mountains, and legendary frontiers. This episode traces its history—from Indigenous nations to ...

Egyptian Chariots: Weapons of Speed and Power

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In ancient Egypt, the chariot was a powerful weapon of war and a symbol of prestige. This episode explores how Egyptian chariot warriors fought, train...

The Haircare Millionaire: Madam C.J. Walker

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Madam C.J. Walker started with almost nothing—but she had determination, creativity, and a smart plan. In this episode, kids will discover how she t...

Bedtime Safari: When Mammoths Roamed the Land

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, ⁠Bedtime Safari⁠! Travel back thousands of years to a time when m...

Theodore Roosevelt: President of Action and Adventure

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Theodore Roosevelt was a president, soldier, writer, explorer, and reformer who believed in action and courage. From leading the Rough Riders to break...

The Acropolis: Heart of Ancient Athens

17 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rising above the city of Athens, the Acropolis is one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Greece. Home to the Parthenon and other magnificent temple...

Enzo Ferrari: Driven to Win

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Enzo Ferrari was more than just a car designer—he built one of the most iconic brands in automotive history. Starting as a race car driver, he found...

Courage on the Frontier: The Buffalo Soldiers

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After the Civil War, African American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers served in the U.S. Army, often in the western frontier. They built roads, gua...

How The Bronze Age Changed the World

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Bronze Age was a turning point in human history, when people began using bronze tools and weapons, leading to advances in farming, trade, and city...

Michelangelo: Genius of the Renaissance

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michelangelo was a Renaissance master whose work redefined art, sculpture, and architecture. Known for the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the statue of David...

Maria Montessori: A Pioneer in Education

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we explore the fascinating life of Maria Montessori, the amazing woman who transformed the way children learn. Discover how her unique appr...

Levi Strauss and the Gold Rush

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Levi Strauss didn’t dig for gold—he built something even better. In this episode, kids will learn how Levi used smart thinking, frugality, and har...

Bedtime Safari: Bruges, Belgium

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, ⁠Bedtime Safari⁠! Step into the cobblestone streets of Bruges, a ...

Crazy Horse: Warrior of the Plains

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crazy Horse was a Lakota war leader who fought to protect his people and their land during the 19th century. He played a major role in resisting U.S. ...

The Story of the Alphabet

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we use letters every day, but the alphabet had to be invented. Ancient peoples like the Phoenicians and Greeks created systems to represent soun...

Ashurbanipal: Warrior King and Scholar

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ashurbanipal was one of the last great kings of the Assyrian Empire, ruling in the 7th century BCE. He is known for creating one of the world’s firs...

Can Money Grow Like a Tree?

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explore how money can grow when it’s invested wisely, just like an acorn becomes an oak tree. We’ll hear stories about famous ...

The Diary of Anne Frank

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. While in hiding, she wrote a diary that became one of the ...

The Story of the Taj Mahal

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous and beautiful buildings in the world. Built in the 1600s by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, ...

Raphael: Master of the Renaissance

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Raphael was one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. Known for his soft, balanced style and graceful figures, he created famous works ...

How the Space Race Changed the World

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the mid-20th century, the United States and the Soviet Union competed to control the future of space. This was the Space Race—an intense rivalry ...

Amelia Edwards: Explorer of Ancient Egypt

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amelia Edwards was a 19th-century British writer, traveler, and pioneering Egyptologist. After a trip to Egypt changed her life, she dedicated herself...

Boston Tea Party: The Night That Changed the Revolution

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the night of December 25, 1776, General George Washington led a daring and risky crossing of the icy Delaware River during the American Revolution....

Cowboys: Boots, Hats, and Big Adventures

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cowboys are often shown in movies, but what was their real life like? Find out what cowboys did every day, where they worked, and how they became symb...

Revolutionary Women: Fighting for Freedom

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the American Revolution is often told through the actions of soldiers and founding fathers, women played vital and often overlooked roles in the...

Bedtime Safari: Congo Basin, Africa

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, Bedtime Safari! In each episode, we’ll journey to a different corner ...

Lebron James: King of the Court

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time—but his story goes way beyond the court. From growing up in Akron, Ohio, to winni...

Code of Hammurabi: The World's Oldest Laws

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Long ago, King Hammurabi of Babylon wrote down a set of laws to keep order in his kingdom. Some were fair, others surprising! Travel back 4,000 years ...

Nelson Mandela: Fighting for Freedom

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for standing up to unfair laws in South Africa. When he was finally free, he helped bring peace to a divided c...

The Story of Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a powerful moment in American history. On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, ens...

Pablo Picasso: The Artist Who Saw Differently

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Picasso didn’t just paint—he changed how people saw the world. From strange shapes to powerful pictures, discover how he used art to express ideas...

Laura Ingalls Wilder: Life on the Prairie

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about her life in a log cabin on the American frontier. In this episode, step into her world of prairie life, hard work, an...

Ellis Island: The Gateway to America

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For millions of immigrants, Ellis Island was the first stop on their journey to a new life in America. Explore what they experienced, why they came, a...

Bedtime Safari: Yellowstone, U.S.A.

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, Bedtime Safari! In each episode, we’ll journey to a different corner ...

Beethoven: The Composer Who Never Gave Up

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ludwig van Beethoven wrote some of the most famous music in the world—even after he went deaf. Hear the story of this determined composer who never ...

Castles: Fortresses of Kings and Knights

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From towering stone walls to secret passages, castles are full of surprises! Find out why people built them, how they defended them, and what life was...

Caitlin Clark: Basketball's New Superstar

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caitlin Clark is changing the game of women’s basketball with record-breaking shots and fearless leadership. In this episode, hear how she rose from...

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that’s all about skill, strategy, and using your opponent’s moves against them. Learn where it came from, how it works,...

The Legend of Jesse Owens

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Owens was a track star who became a legend at the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany. He won four gold medals, breaking records and proving that tale...

The Story of Memorial Day (Re-release)

24 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Memorial Day is more than just a day off from school or the start of summer—it's a time to remember and honor those who gave their lives while servi...

Bedtime Safari: Paris, France

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, Bedtime Safari! In each episode, we’ll journey to a different corner ...

The First Hawaiians

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Long before Hawaii became a U.S. state, it was home to a rich and vibrant culture. In this episode, we journey back to ancient Hawaii to learn how ear...

Bedtime Safari: Switzerland

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, Bedtime Safari! In each episode, we’ll journey to a different corner ...

Hieroglyphs: Cracking the Code of Ancient Egypt

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before there were letters, there were pictures! In this episode, we explore Egyptian hieroglyphs—how they worked, who used them, and how they were c...

United Tribes: The Iroquois Confederacy

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Long before the United States was formed, Native nations in the northeast joined together to keep peace and solve problems. They called it the Iroquoi...

Chichén Itzá: A Mayan Wonder

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Deep in the jungles of Mexico, a great Mayan city once stood. In this episode, we visit Chichen Itza to uncover its towering pyramid, its ancient ball...

Exploring Ocean Habitats

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The ocean is more than water—it’s full of life! In this episode, we dive into the amazing ecosystems beneath the waves. From colorful coral reefs ...

Introducing Bedtime Safari!

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to announce the newest addition to the Bedtime History family, Bedtime Safari! In each episode, we’ll journey to a different corner ...

Caesar Chavez: Fighting for Fairness

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cesar Chavez believed that everyone should be treated with respect—especially the people who grow our food. In this episode, we learn how he organiz...

The Story of Us: The Journey of Humankind

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before smartphones, cars, or even books, people lived very different lives. In this episode, we travel way back in time to explore how humans first li...

Burj Khalifa: Engineering the Impossible

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Burj Khalifa stretches so high, it touches the clouds! In this episode, we take a look at the tallest building in the world—how it was built, wh...

A Day in a Japanese Village

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s it like to live in a quiet village in Japan? In this episode, we explore the daily rhythms of rural life—walking to school past rice fields...