It Really Happened

By Bill Whitaker

It Really Happened! is a fast-paced, kid-friendly history podcast that brings the most shocking, surprising, and world-changing true stories to life in just 7 minutes. Each episode dives into one unbe... more

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FAQs about It Really Happened:

How many episodes does It Really Happened have?

The podcast currently has 10 episodes available.

It Really Happened episodes:

February 22, 2026 The Brave Girl Who Saved a Lighthouse
## Episode Overview
In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, host Bill Whitaker shares the incredible true story of Ida Lewis, a courageous sixteen-year-old girl who braved a raging storm to save two sailors from a capsized boat. Her determination and bravery not only saved lives but also made her a legend in American history.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
- 01:30 - Meet Ida Lewis
- 03:00 - Ida's Responsibilities at the Lighthouse
- 05:00 - The Stormy Rescue
- 07:30 - Ida's Ongoing Heroism
- 09:00 - Ida's Legacy and Reflection
- 10:30 - Conclusion and Call to Action
## Key Topics
- Ida Lewis' childhood and responsibilities
- The storm rescue of the two sailors
- Ida's ongoing bravery and recognition
- The importance of courage and doing the right thing
## Notable Quotes
> "I don’t think myself a heroine. It’s just human nature to save someone in trouble!"
> "If a sixteen-year-old with a rowboat can take on a raging storm, maybe you can face your own storm too."
## Resources
- Lime Rock Lighthouse history
- Ida Lewis biography and achievements
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmlsn3s9s0001pa08j117q6y9
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7min
February 21, 2026 Teddy Roosevelt & The Bear That Changed History
## Episode Overview
In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, we explore the true story behind the first Teddy bear and how a simple act of kindness from President Theodore Roosevelt changed history. Join us as we recount the unusual bear hunt that led to a beloved toy becoming a childhood staple.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 01:00 - The Bear Hunt Begins
- 02:30 - The Dilemma of Hunting
- 03:45 - The Decision to Save the Bear
- 05:00 - The Cartoon That Sparked an Idea
- 06:15 - Creating the Teddy Bear
- 07:30 - Morris Michtom's Polite Request
- 08:45 - The Rise of the Teddy Bear
- 10:00 - Conclusion and Reflection
## Key Topics
- Theodore Roosevelt's bear hunt
- Moral decisions in hunting
- The impact of newspaper illustrations
- The creation of the Teddy bear
- Cultural significance of the Teddy bear
## Notable Quotes
> ""I won’t do it. It’s not fair." - Theodore Roosevelt"
> ""Teddy’s bear" - Sign by Morris Michtom"
## Resources
- [object Object]
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmlmjqzkz0005qj080g44ery2
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6min
February 20, 2026 The Sticky Invention That Became a Lifesaver
- Introduction to the concept of sticky notes by Arthur Fry
- Backstory of the invention linked to a problem of keeping place in a hymnal using a non-permanent glue developed by Spencer Silver
- Transition to how sticky notes played a role in a life-saving event in the 1990s
- Introduction to Patty Wetterling and the pivotal event involving her son, Jacob
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmluyyew90001sb085le6jsdq
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7min
February 20, 2026 The Pigeon That Won a War: Cher Ami's Tale
## Episode Overview
In this episode of It Really Happened, we explore the incredible true story of Cher Ami, a heroic pigeon who played a pivotal role in World War I by delivering a crucial message that saved nearly 200 soldiers. Join us as we recount this remarkable tale of bravery and determination amidst the chaos of war.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction to the episode
- 01:15 - Setting the scene: World War I and communication methods
- 02:45 - The Lost Battalion's dire situation
- 04:30 - Introducing Cher Ami, the pigeon
- 05:45 - Cher Ami's daring mission
- 07:15 - The dangers Cher Ami faced
- 08:30 - Cher Ami's injuries and determination
- 09:45 - The successful delivery of the message
- 10:45 - Cher Ami's recognition and legacy
- 12:00 - Conclusion and moral of the story
## Key Topics
- The role of pigeons in World War I
- The story of the Lost Battalion
- Cher Ami's bravery and significance
- The impact of small heroes
## Notable Quotes
> "Can you believe it? This little bird saved the day!"
> "Even the smallest heroes can make a huge difference."
## Resources
- Croix de Guerre medal information
- History of carrier pigeons in warfare
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmllup6wc000yod08667ft19n
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6min
February 19, 2026 The Day Niagara Falls Went Silent
## Episode Overview
In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, host Bill Whitaker dives into the incredible true story of how Niagara Falls was temporarily silenced in 1969. Discover the fascinating engineering efforts and the unexpected discoveries made when the roaring waterfall became a dry cliff.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
- 01:30 - The Magnitude of Niagara Falls
- 02:45 - The Day the Water Stopped
- 04:15 - Background on Niagara Falls
- 05:30 - The Engineers' Wild Idea
- 07:00 - Building the Dam
- 09:00 - The Silence of the Falls
- 10:30 - Discoveries Under the Falls
- 12:00 - Tourist Experience at the Dry Falls
- 13:30 - The Return of the Water
- 15:00 - Conclusion and Reflection
## Key Topics
- History of Niagara Falls
- Engineering feats
- Impact of human intervention on nature
- Discoveries during the dry period
- Tourism and public engagement
## Notable Quotes
> "Imagine a giant, roaring waterfall turning silent."
> "They thought, if they could redirect the water for a little while, they could get a good look at the rocks underneath."
> "It must have been so WEIRD. A giant waterfall… frozen in time."
## Resources
- Niagara Falls history and geological studies
- Engineering reports on the 1969 project
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmlmbzbrl0001t708lwooytla
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6min
February 19, 2026 The Day It Rained Meat in Kentucky!
## Episode Overview
In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, host Bill Whitaker dives into the bizarre true story of the Kentucky Meat Shower of 1876. Join us as we explore the strange phenomenon where meat inexplicably rained down on a small town, leaving residents bewildered and curious about its origins.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
- 01:15 - Setting the Scene in Olympia Springs, Kentucky
- 02:30 - The Arrival of the Mysterious Meat
- 04:00 - Reactions from the Townsfolk
- 05:45 - Theories and Investigations by Scientists
- 08:00 - The Space Meat Theory
- 09:30 - The Vulture Vomit Explanation
- 11:00 - Conclusion and Reflections
## Key Topics
- The unusual occurrence of meat falling from the sky
- Local reactions and curiosity
- Scientific investigations into the phenomenon
- Various theories, including space meat and vulture behavior
## Notable Quotes
> "It was just another mystery of nature."
> "A farmer’s wife described it as 'flakes of snow'—except the flakes weren’t soft."
## Resources
- Historical records from the Kentucky Meat Shower of 1876
- Research articles on vulture behavior
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmllw2lw20028od08jxzsih4s
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6min
February 18, 2026 The Real-Life Cat Spy Adventure!
## Episode Overview
In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, we dive into the unbelievable yet true story of the CIA's attempt to train a cat as a spy during the Cold War. Join us as we explore the hilarious and chaotic journey of Acoustic Kitty, the feline secret agent that just couldn't follow orders.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
- 01:00 - The CIA's Wild Idea: Using a Cat as a Spy
- 02:30 - Why Cats? The Unique Skills of Felines
- 04:00 - Introducing Acoustic Kitty: The High-Tech Spy Cat
- 06:00 - Training Trials: The Challenges with Cats
- 08:00 - The First Mission: A Cat's Disastrous Debut
- 10:00 - The Aftermath: Lessons Learned from Acoustic Kitty
- 12:00 - Comparing Cats and Pigeons: Military Animal Use
- 13:30 - Conclusion and Takeaways
## Key Topics
- CIA's Cold War espionage tactics
- The concept of using animals for intelligence
- The challenges of training cats
- Lessons from failed experiments
## Notable Quotes
> "Cats are WAY too independent to be secret agents."
> "Failing is just part of trying something new."
## Resources
- CIA's Acoustic Kitty project history
- World War II animal espionage techniques
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmllvt1rr001zod08fea2n8jq
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6min
February 18, 2026 The Blast that Unearthed Dinosaurs!
## Episode Overview
In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, host Bill Whitaker takes us on an exciting journey back to the early 1800s in England, where an explosion during construction led to the groundbreaking discovery of dinosaur fossils. This pivotal moment sparked a revolution in our understanding of prehistoric life and the Earth’s history.
## Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
- 01:00 - The Setting: Early 1800s England
- 02:30 - The Explosion and the Unexpected Discovery
- 04:00 - Introducing William Buckland
- 05:30 - The Birth of Megalosaurus
- 07:00 - The Concept of Dinosaurs Emerges
- 08:30 - Richard Owen and the Naming of Dinosaurs
- 10:00 - The Dinosaur Craze and the Bone Wars
- 12:00 - The Importance of Dinosaur Discoveries
- 13:30 - Conclusion and Call to Action
## Key Topics
- Early 1800s construction in England
- The discovery of dinosaur fossils
- William Buckland and Megalosaurus
- Richard Owen's role in naming dinosaurs
- The Bone Wars and the public's fascination with fossils
## Notable Quotes
> "It all started with some construction workers, an explosion, and a bunch of curious scientists who weren’t afraid to ask big questions."
> "Dinosaurs helped us realize how OLD the Earth really is... and how full of surprises."
## Resources
- William Buckland's work on fossils
- Richard Owen's research and the naming of dinosaurs
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Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmllqoukz0001mp08ipzg8oyt
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7min
February 14, 2026 The Town That Moved Overnight
## Episode Overview In this episode of *It Really Happened!*, we explore the incredible true story of Portage, Alaska, a town that relocated itself after a devastating earthquake in 1964. Join us as we uncover how the residents managed to move their entire town to safer ground, preserving their homes and memories in the process. ## Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction to the Story - 01:15 - Setting the Scene: Portage, Alaska - 02:30 - The 1964 Earthquake - 04:15 - The Aftermath: The Town Submerges - 05:45 - The Decision to Move - 07:00 - How They Moved the Town - 08:30 - The New Portage in Whittier - 10:00 - The Spirit of Portage Lives On - 11:15 - Conclusion and Reflection ## Key Topics - 1964 Alaska Earthquake - Impact of natural disasters - Relocation of communities - Historical context of moving towns ## Notable Quotes > "Imagine seeing a house rolling down the road like a parade float!" > "The spirit of Portage didn’t disappear. It lives on in Whittier." ## Resources - Historical records of the 1964 Alaska Earthquake - Information on town relocation efforts --- Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmlluygid0019od08xo9fms4l
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6min
February 14, 2026 The Unbelievable Great Emu War
## Chapters - 00:00 - Introduction to the Great Emu War - 01:15 - Setting the Scene: Australia in 1932 - 02:45 - The Arrival of the Emus - 04:30 - Farmers' Struggles and Government Intervention - 06:00 - The Soldiers' Initial Attempts to Fight the Emus - 08:15 - The Emus' Unexpected Tactics - 10:00 - The Turning Point: Soldiers Give Up - 11:30 - Aftermath and Legacy of the Great Emu War - 13:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts ## Key Topics - Emu characteristics and behavior - Impact of the Great Depression on farmers - Military versus wildlife encounters - The absurdity of the Great Emu War ## Notable Quotes > ""What can a bunch of birds do against us?"" > ""These birds are like tanks."" > ""The emus won the Great Emu War!"" ## Resources - Additional reading on the Great Emu War - Historical context about Australia in the 1930s --- Creator: b4e197c0-4c1b-42c2-92a4-ac58023c5556 | Series: cmllfr2ec0001p908j1yeb755 | Ep: cmllo323i0001pp08cz72e89a
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6min

FAQs about It Really Happened:

How many episodes does It Really Happened have?

The podcast currently has 10 episodes available.