Thanks for joining me for another episode of Today in History. I’m Sen, your host.

Today’s episode deals with some difficult topics. There is more information in the show notes, but you can also skip today’s episode if you would like.

As usual, you’ll hear today’s historical events twice. So, remember, don’t worry too much about focusing on the meaning the first time around. That’s what the second listen is for, when you can try and understand even more of what is said.

So, what happened on this day in history?

On July 16, 1439, King Henry VI of England banned kissing. At this time, kissing was a common greeting. So, with cases of the plague rising in Europe, Henry brought in the ban to try and stop the spread of the disease.

On the same day in 1862, African American teacher and journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born in Mississippi, in the U.S. She became known for her key role in the fight for civil rights and Black women’s right to vote. In 1909, she founded the NAACP, a U.S. civil rights organization, with other well-known Black activists at the time.

On July 16, 1918, Czar Nicholas II and his family were killed in Yekaterinburg, Russia. They had been taken prisoner after the February Revolution in 1917. Their deaths ended the Romanov family’s 300-year rule.

Now for the second listen. This time, focus more on the meaning.

On July 16, 1439, King Henry VI of England banned kissing. At this time, kissing was a common greeting. So, with cases of the plague rising in Europe, Henry brought in the ban to try and stop the spread of the disease.

On the same day in 1862, African American teacher and journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born in Mississippi, in the U.S. She became known for her key role in the fight for civil rights and Black women’s right to vote. In 1909, she founded the NAACP, a U.S. civil rights organization, with other well-known Black activists at the time.

On July 16, 1918, Czar Nicholas II and his family were killed in Yekaterinburg, Russia. They had been taken prisoner after the February Revolution in 1917. Their deaths ended the Romanov family’s 300-year rule.

Did any words catch your attention? You might have heard of a ‘plague’ before. It’s a disease which causes many deaths. One of the most deadly was the Black Death which was around in the 1300s. How about ‘founded’? When a person or group of people starts or creates something, like an organization, we say that they have founded that organization. Here, Ida B. Wells-Barnett founded the NAACP. Remember, you can always listen to these words again by just rewinding.

So, that’s it for today. But if you’re interested in more historical facts, then be sure to check out tomorrow’s episode of Today in History.

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Episode notes:

plague: a disease which causes a large number of deaths 
founded: to found, to create or start an organization, usually with a group of people