History & Factoids about today
History & Factoids About Today is your daily companion for uncovering the stories hidden in the calendar. Each episode explores the fascinating mix of events, milestones, and quirky celebrations that make every date unique. From legendary birthdays and pivotal historical moments to national days and lighthearted trivia, we bring together the serious and the fun in one engaging package. Whether you’re a history buff, a trivia lover, or just curious about what makes today special, this podcast offers bite-sized insights that spark conversation and enrich your day. Tune in regularly to discover how the past connects with the present — and to pick up fun facts you’ll want to share.
Episodes
February 18, 2026 • 13 mins
National Chocolate Mint Day, wild history, and a throwback to entertainment from 1994.
Today we dig into the origins of Cracker Jack prizes, the unbelievable story of 980 Japanese soldiers killed by crocodiles, and the plagiarism ruling against George Harrison. We also mark the death of country legend Johnny Paycheck.
Celebrity birthdays for February 19: Lee Marvin, Smokey Robinson, Lou Christie, Jeff Daniels, Falco, Seal, Justine Ba...
Today we dig into the origins of Cracker Jack prizes, the unbelievable story of 980 Japanese soldiers killed by crocodiles, and the plagiarism ruling against George Harrison. We also mark the death of country legend Johnny Paycheck.
Celebrity birthdays for February 19: Lee Marvin, Smokey Robinson, Lou Christie, Jeff Daniels, Falco, Seal, Justine Ba...
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Celebrate February 18 with National Drink Wine Day and a wild mix of history, pop culture, and celebrity birthdays. Today we cover everything from the King of England drowning his brother in a vat of wine, to the first air‑mail flight, to the first cow ever to fly in an airplane. Plus a full entertainment flashback to 1978.
Celebrity birthdays featured today include:
Jack Palance, George Kennedy, Yoko Ono, Dennis DeYoung, Cybill Shep...
Celebrity birthdays featured today include:
Jack Palance, George Kennedy, Yoko Ono, Dennis DeYoung, Cybill Shep...
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Celebrate National Cabbage Day with a packed episode full of history, pop culture, and music. We revisit key events from February 17, the story of the first American killed in World War I, the invention of the Port‑A‑Potty lock, and the launch of the first weather satellite. We also remember the passing of Geronimo and highlight today’s biggest celebrity birthdays.Featured birthdays include:
Hal Holbrook, Dodie Stevens, Rene Russo, ...
Hal Holbrook, Dodie Stevens, Rene Russo, ...
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February 15, 2026 • 12 mins
National Almonds day. Entertainment from 1998. 1st check written, 1st 911 call made, 11 year old girl tells Abraham Lincoln to grow a beard. Todays birthdays - Hugh Beaumont, Sonny Bono, James Ingram, LeVar Burton, Ice T, Elizabeth Olsen, The Weeknd. Leslie Gore died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran https://diannacorcoran.com/
I love almononds - Hmmm Thats strange
Nice & Slow - Usher
Just to see you smile - Tim McGraw
Bi...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran https://diannacorcoran.com/
I love almononds - Hmmm Thats strange
Nice & Slow - Usher
Just to see you smile - Tim McGraw
Bi...
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February 14, 2026 • 13 mins
National gum drop day. Entertainment from 1957. USS Maine exploded in Cuba, Flag Day in Canada, You Tube launched, Teddy Bears went on sale. Todays birthdays - Galileo, Harvey Korman, Jane Seymour, Melissa Manchester, Matt Groening, Ali Campbell, Chris Farley, Jane Child, Renee O'Connor. Nat King Cole died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran https://diannacorcoran.com/
Gum Drop - The Crew Cuts
Too Much - Elvis Presley
Young Lov...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran https://diannacorcoran.com/
Gum Drop - The Crew Cuts
Too Much - Elvis Presley
Young Lov...
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February 13, 2026 • 16 mins
Valentines day. Entertainment from 2015. $1,000,000 bountry placed on writer Salman Rushdie, Oregan and Arizona became states, St. Valentines day massacre took place in Chicago. Todays birthdays - Lois Maxwell, Vic Murrow, Florence Henderson, Razzy Bailey, Gregory Hines, Teller, Meg Tilly, D'wayne Wiggins, Rob Thomas. James Cook died. (2025)
Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard ttp://defleppard.com/
Valentine - Martina McBr...
Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard ttp://defleppard.com/
Valentine - Martina McBr...
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National Cheddar Day. Entertainment from 2017 The great Lego spill of 1997, Jesse James robbed his first bank, 2 miles of sewer exploded in Louisville. Todays birthdays - Tennessee Ernie Ford, Kim Novak, George Segal, Peter Tork, Stodckard Channing, Peter Gabriel, David Naughton, Mena Suvari. Waylon Jennings died
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Cheddar Cheese song - National Treasure
Bad & Boujee - Mi...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Cheddar Cheese song - National Treasure
Bad & Boujee - Mi...
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National plumb pudding day. Entertainment from 2007. 1st use of penicillin, 1st spacecraft to land on an asteroid, Lincoln penny went into circulation, largest sailfish ever caught. Todays birthdays - Abraham Lincoln, Lorne Greene, Moe Bandy, Maud Adams, Michael McDonald, Joanna Kerns, Arsenio Hall, Chynna Phillips, Josh Brolin, Christina Ricci. Tom Landry died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Plumb pudding ...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Plumb pudding ...
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February 10, 2026 • 15 mins
National Latte day. Entertainment from 1977. Japan founded, Largest lobster caught, Nelson Mandela released from prison. Todays birthdays - Thomas Edison, Ava Gabor, Leslie Nielson, Tina Louise, Gene Vincent, Burt Reynolds, Bobby Pickett, Sheryl Crow, Jennifer Aniston, Brandy, Kelly rowland. Whitney Houston died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
I need my latte - Amesha C. Smith
Torn between two lovers - Mary ...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
I need my latte - Amesha C. Smith
Torn between two lovers - Mary ...
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National Flannel day. Entertainment from 1987. Duct tape invented, France has to give Britian Canada, Professional wrestling admits in court its not real. Todays birthdays - Boris Pasternak, Robert Wagner, Roberta Flack, Lionel Cartwright, Laura Dern, Elizabeth Banks. Shirley Temple died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Flannel - Buddy Brown
Open your heart - Madonna
How do I turn you on - Ronnie Milsap
Chattan...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Flannel - Buddy Brown
Open your heart - Madonna
How do I turn you on - Ronnie Milsap
Chattan...
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February 9, 2026 • 15 mins
National pizza day. Entertainment from 1997. 1st federal drug law, Volleyball invented, Electiona of 1825, fastest yodeler with a cigerette in his mouth. Todays birthdays - William Henry Harrison, Carmin Miranda, Ernest Tubb, Bobby Lewis, Carol King, Joe Pesci, Judith Light, Holly Johnson, Travis Tritt, Michael B. Jordan. Bill Haley died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Pizza party - The Royal Hounds
Unbreak ...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Pizza party - The Royal Hounds
Unbreak ...
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February 7, 2026 • 13 mins
National kite flying day. Entertainment from 2002. Dynamite used for 1st time in mining, banjo clock invented, Dallas Texans become Kansas City Chiefs, 1st banana republic. Todays birhdays - Jules Verne, Lana Turner, Audrey Meadows, Jack Lemmon, Nick Nolte, Dan Seals, Mary Steenburgen, Vince Neil, Gary Coleman, Seth Green. Del Shannon died.
Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard http://defleppard.com/
Lets go fly a kite - Mary P...
Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard http://defleppard.com/
Lets go fly a kite - Mary P...
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February 7, 2026 • 13 mins
National fettucini alfredo day. Entertainment from 1966. Baltimore fire 1904, 1st unteathered spacewalk, Blazing Saddles premiered. Todays birthdays - Charles Dickens, Laura Ingels, Garth Brooks, James Spader, Ashton Kutcher, Gidget the Chihauhau. Dale Evans died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
The Alfredo song - Guy who sings your name over and over
My Love - Petula Clark
There goes my everything - Jack Gree...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
The Alfredo song - Guy who sings your name over and over
My Love - Petula Clark
There goes my everything - Jack Gree...
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National frozen yogurt day. Entertainment from 2016. Massachusettes became 6th state, Alan Sheppard hit golf balls on the moon, Coldest temp ever in Asia. Todays birthdays - Ronald Reagan, Thurl Ravenscroff, Rip Torn, Mike Farrell, Fabian, Bob Marley, Natalie Cole, Kathy Najimy, Richie McDonald, Axl Rose, Rick Astley. Arthur Ashe died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Froyo Yolo song - Liv & Maddie
Sorry ...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Froyo Yolo song - Liv & Maddie
Sorry ...
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February 4, 2026 • 13 mins
National pork rinds day. Entertainment from 2006. 3rd manned mission landed on the moon, largest gold nugget was found, largest Jell-o mold ever. Todays birthdays - James Dewar, Cory Wells, Barbara Hershey, Nolan Bushnell, Tim Meadows, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Laura Linney, Chris Barron, Bobby Brown, Sara Evans. Kirk Douglas died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
I love my pork rinds - John Campbell
Check on it ...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
I love my pork rinds - John Campbell
Check on it ...
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National thank a mail carrier. Entertainment from 19876. St. Judes Childrens research hospital opened, Facebook started, Philippine-American war began. Todays birthdays - Clyde Tombaugh, Rosa Parks, Conrad Bain, Alice Cooper, Clint Black, Natalie Imbruglia, Gavin DeGraw. Karen Carpenter died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
I'm your mailman - Filthy Fred & Dirty Dick
Love rollercoaster - Ohio Playeres
Som...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
I'm your mailman - Filthy Fred & Dirty Dick
Love rollercoaster - Ohio Playeres
Som...
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National carrot cake day. Entertainment from 1986. Plan crash killed Buddy Holly-Big Bopper-Richie Valens, Coldest temperature ever recorded in North America, 15th & 16th Amendments to the US Constitution ratified. Todays birthdays - Blythe Danner, Dennis Edward, Morgan Fairchild, Nathan Lane, Maura Tierney, Warwick Davis, Isla Fisher.
Intro - Goe did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Oh, carrot cake, so delicous - The Hu...
Intro - Goe did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
Oh, carrot cake, so delicous - The Hu...
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Ground Hog day. National tater tot day. Entertainment from 1996. Baseball's National League formed, Mexican-American war ended, Polygraph used for 1st time. Todays birthdays - Graham Nash, Howard Bellamy, Farrah Fawcett, Brent Spiner, Christie Brinkley, Shakira. Chris Kyle died.
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
It's Ground Hog day - Jack Harmann
Tater Tot rap
One sweet day - Mariah Carey Boyz II Men
If your not...
Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran Dianna on Spotify
It's Ground Hog day - Jack Harmann
Tater Tot rap
One sweet day - Mariah Carey Boyz II Men
If your not...
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National GI Joe day. Entertainment from 1963. Space shuttle Columbia disaster, Binding womens feet in China banned, Atom bomb test shown on live TV. Todays birthdays - Clark Gable, Don Everly, Sherman Hemsley, Rick James, Jani Lane, Brandon Lee, Lisa Marie Presley, Pauly Shore, Harry Styles, Mary Shelly died.
Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard http://defleppard.com/
GI Joe TV theme
Walk right in - The Rooftop Singer
The bat...
Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard http://defleppard.com/
GI Joe TV theme
Walk right in - The Rooftop Singer
The bat...
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National hot chocolate day. Entertainment from 1971. 1st VD clinic, Only US soldier executed for desertion in WW2, Ham the Astro Chimp goes into space, Scotch tape went on sale1st US satalite launched into space. Todays birthdays - Carol Channing, Suzanne Pleshette, Harry Casey (KC), Johnny Rotten, Kelly Lynch, Minnie Driver, Kerry Washington, Justin Timberlake, Tyler Hubbard, Marcus Mumford. A.A. Milne died. (2025)
Intro - Pour ...
Intro - Pour ...
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