Hi there, and welcome to Today in History. I’m your host, Sen.

Some of today’s events are a bit painful. They include the high cost of freedom and horrible acts of war. If you’re not ready to listen, feel free to come back later.

You’re going to hear three historical events from this day in the past. And you’ll hear them twice through. On this first listen, just try and get used to the way the English is spoken and how it sounds.

Let’s begin. So, what happened on this day in history?

On July 26, 1914, African American trumpeter and bandleader Erskine Hawkins was born in Alabama, in the U.S. He rose to fame during the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s. “Tuxedo Junction” was his most popular jazz song and was a huge hit during World War II.

On the same day in 1937, the Labor rebellion began in Barbados. Black Barbadians rose up against the British colonial government and demanded labor reform. After four days of riots, at least 14 people were dead. This event started a period of change in Barbados which ended with the country’s independence in 1966.

On July 26, 1950, early in the Korean war, U.S. soldiers began a four-day massacre in No Gun Ri, South Korea. Under a bridge in the countryside, the soldiers killed hundreds of civilian refugees. The massacre was largely unheard of in the U.S. until the Associated Press released a report 50 years later in 1999.

Now for a second listen. You can focus more on the words and phrases this time.

On July 26, 1914, African American trumpeter and bandleader Erskine Hawkins was born in Alabama, in the U.S. He rose to fame during the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s. “Tuxedo Junction” was his most popular jazz song and was a huge hit during World War II.

On the same day in 1937, the Labor rebellion began in Barbados. Black Barbadians rose up against the British colonial government and demanded labor reform. After four days of riots, at least 14 people were dead. This event started a period of change in Barbados which ended with the country’s independence in 1966.

On July 26, 1950, early in the Korean war, U.S. soldiers began a four-day massacre in No Gun Ri, South Korea. Under a bridge in the countryside, the soldiers killed hundreds of civilian refugees. The massacre was largely unheard of in the U.S. until the Associated Press released a report 50 years later in 1999.

Which words stood out for you? A ‘reform’ is a type of change which improves things. And ‘labor’ relates to work and workers. So, a ‘labor reform’ is a change which improves the situation and rights of workers. The word ‘refugee’ sounds similar in other languages. It describes someone who is forced to leave their country because of violence or war. And ‘massacre’ is a painful word for the murder of many people. Why not rewind and have another listen to these words.

That’s it for now. But, I’ll be back tomorrow with more historical facts. So join me then for another episode of Today in History.

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Episode notes: 

reform: a type of change for the better / improvement 
labor: relating to work or workers 
refugee: a person who is forced to leave their country because of violence or war 
massacre: a painful word for the murder of many people