Bedtime History: Inspirational Stories for Kids and Families
Bedtime History is a series of educational, relaxing stories for kids and families. Learn about inspirational characters such as Jackie Robinson, Sacajawea, Neil Armstrong, and Maya Angelou. Other topics include space exploration, current events, and great feats of engineering such as The Transcontinental Railroad.
Episodes
February 5, 2026 • 7 mins
The Gupta Empire ruled much of India from about 320 to 550 CE and is often called a Golden Age of Indian history. During this time, great advances were made in math, science, art, and medicine. Indian scholars developed the number zero, studied astronomy, and wrote important texts. Cities thrived, trade grew, and beautiful temples were built. The Gupta Empire helped shape Indian culture in ways that still influence the world today....
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February 2, 2026 • 11 mins
Pixar is a famous animation studio known for creating movies with strong stories and memorable characters. It began in the 1970s as a small computer graphics team and later became a major studio. In 1995, Pixar released Toy Story, the first full-length movie made entirely with computer animation. Pixar films are known for combining technology, creativity, and emotion. Over time, the studio changed how animated movies are made and s...
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January 26, 2026 • 8 mins
Trees begin their lives as tiny seeds that sprout roots and shoots when they get enough water, sunlight, and warmth. As a tree grows, its roots spread underground to absorb water and nutrients. The trunk grows taller and thicker each year, adding rings that show the tree’s age. Leaves help trees make food through photosynthesis, using sunlight and air. Trees can live for many years and provide oxygen, shade, food, and homes for ani...
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January 22, 2026 • 8 mins
Skiing began thousands of years ago as a way for people to travel across snow in cold regions. Early skis were made of wood and used for hunting and transportation. Over time, skiing became a sport and a form of recreation. Snowboarding developed much later, in the 1900s, combining ideas from surfing and skateboarding. At first, it was not allowed at many ski resorts, but it quickly grew in popularity. Today, skiing and snowboardin...
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January 19, 2026 • 9 mins
The Winter Olympics bring athletes from around the world together to compete in cold-weather sports like skiing, skating, and hockey. The first Winter Olympics were held in 1924 in France. Since then, the games have grown to include many exciting events such as snowboarding, bobsledding, and figure skating. Athletes train for years to compete at the highest level, often in freezing conditions. The Winter Olympics celebrate skill, t...
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January 15, 2026 • 7 mins
Tom Brady is one of the most famous quarterbacks in American football history. He played over 20 seasons and won more Super Bowls than any other quarterback. Brady was known for his strong work ethic, leadership, and ability to stay calm under pressure. Even though he was not a top draft pick, he proved that hard work and determination can lead to success. His career showed how preparation, teamwork, and focus can help athletes per...
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January 12, 2026 • 9 mins
Joe Brumm is the creator of Bluey, a popular animated show that celebrates family, imagination, and everyday life. Inspired by his own experiences as a parent, Brumm wanted to make stories that felt real to kids and adults alike. Set in Australia, the show follows a playful puppy named Bluey and her family as they turn simple moments into creative adventures. Joe Brumm’s work shows how play helps children learn, grow, and connect w...
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January 7, 2026 • 7 mins
The Last Supper is one of the most famous paintings in the world, created by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 1400s. It shows the moment Jesus tells his twelve disciples that one of them will betray him, capturing their shock and emotion. The painting covers an entire wall in a monastery in Milan, Italy. Over the centuries, it has been damaged and restored many times, but it remains a masterpiece of art and storytelling. This episode ...
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January 5, 2026 • 7 mins
Chief Joseph was a leader of the Nez Perce people in the Pacific Northwest. When the U.S. government forced his tribe from their homeland, he tried to lead his people to safety in Canada. For months, they traveled hundreds of miles, chased by the U.S. Army. Exhausted and outnumbered, Chief Joseph finally surrendered in 1877, saying the famous words, “I will fight no more forever.” His bravery, leadership, and compassion made him on...
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December 29, 2025 • 8 mins
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 about everyday life and politics. Born in Oklahoma, Rogers learned to rope cattle and perform tricks before joining vaudeville and Hollywood films. He also wrote newspaper columns that made people laugh while teaching them to think. Rogers was known for his kindness and simple wisdom, often...
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December 26, 2025 • 6 mins
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer who lived in the 1600s and 1700s. He wrote hundreds of pieces for choirs, organs, harpsichords, and orchestras. His music is known for being beautifully layered and full of emotion. Even though Bach wasn’t very famous during his lifetime, later musicians discovered his work and realized how talented he was. Today, he is considered one of the greatest composers in history.
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December 24, 2025 • 6 mins
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 stars at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Rockettes are best known for their holiday show, The Christmas Spectacular, which many families watch every year. Their dances require strength, balance, and lots of practice to move in perfect unison. This episode explores how the Ro...
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December 22, 2025 • 9 mins
The Nutcracker is one of the most famous ballets in the world, and its unforgettable music was written by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. First performed in 1892, the ballet tells the magical story of Clara, her Nutcracker toy, and their journey to the Land of Sweets. While the ballet wasn’t very popular at first, it later became a holiday tradition, especially in the United States. Today, millions of people watch The Nutcracke...
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December 19, 2025 • 6 mins
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 took nearly three years. Drake explored new lands, raided Spanish treasure ships, and helped make England a major sea power. He also played an important role in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588. Learn about the exciting adventures of Drake’s voyages and how he became one of the most...
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December 17, 2025 • 9 mins
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, a grumpy man who learns the true meaning of kindness. Dickens wrote the story to show how important generosity and compassion are, especially toward people who are struggling.
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December 15, 2025 • 7 mins
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 crystals. The temperature and humidity shape each crystal into a unique snowflake. Most snowflakes have six sides because of the way water molecules connect. When many crystals stick together, they become the soft flakes we see falling from the sky. Discover the science behind winter...
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December 12, 2025 • 6 mins
Davy Crockett was a famous frontiersman, hunter, and storyteller who became an American legend. Born in Tennessee in 1786, he grew up exploring the wilderness and learning to survive off the land. Crockett later served in Congress, where he spoke out for ordinary people. His adventures made him a folk hero known as the “King of the Wild Frontier.” He died fighting at the Alamo in 1836, becoming a symbol of bravery and independence....
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December 10, 2025 • 6 mins
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 and weren’t very safe. In 1903, the Crayola company created the first safe, long-lasting crayons for children, starting with only eight colors. Schools quickly adopted them because they were clean, easy to use, and fun! Over the years, Crayola added hundreds of new colors with creative...
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December 8, 2025 • 8 mins
When winter arrives, many animals enter a deep sleep called hibernation to survive the cold. During hibernation, their heartbeat and breathing slow down, and they use very little energy. Bears, bats, and groundhogs are famous hibernators, but even some frogs and snakes do it too! Before winter, they eat lots of food to build fat that keeps them warm. Learn how animals prepare for hibernation, what happens to their bodies while they...
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December 2, 2025 • 6 mins
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. The modern pizza began in Naples, Italy, where people added tomatoes—once thought to be poisonous! By the 1800s, pizza was a popular street food for workers. When Italian immigrants came to the United States, they brought pizza with them. Soon, pizzerias opened in big cities, and pizza...
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