Hi, I’m Sen, and this is Today in History – the series where you’ll learn about what happened on this day in years past!

You’re going to hear a set of historical events twice. On the first listen, don’t worry about understanding everything. You should just feel the rhythm of the speech, and let the sounds fill your head. Then, on the second listen, focus more on the words and phrases themselves.

Are you ready? Then let’s begin. Here’s what happened today in history.

On July 2, 1900, the Zeppelin airship made its first flight from Lake Constance in southern Germany. It carried five people and traveled a distance of six kilometers.

On the same day in 1925, Patrice Lumumba was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Belgian Congo. He was one of Africa’s biggest critics of colonialism, and fought for independence from Belgium. Lumumba wanted to unite Congo and also dreamed of a united Africa. He played a big part in his country’s independence and became its first prime minister in 1960.

On July 2, 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his version of the song “Hound Dog”. The original was actually recorded three years earlier by Big Mama Thornton, who was an African-American rhythm-and-blues singer. Thornton’s recording of “Hound Dog” is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”

How was that? Did you manage not to focus too much on the meaning of what was being said? Now for a second listen. Remember, see if you can make sense of some individual words and phrases this time.

On July 2, 1900, the Zeppelin airship made its first flight from Lake Constance in southern Germany. It carried five people and traveled a distance of six kilometers.

On the same day in 1925, Patrice Lumumba was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Belgian Congo. He was one of Africa’s biggest critics of colonialism, and fought for independence from Belgium. Lumumba wanted to unite Congo and also dreamed of a united Africa. He played a big part in his country’s independence and became its first prime minister in 1960.

On July 2, 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his version of the song “Hound Dog”. The original was actually recorded three years earlier by Big Mama Thornton, who was an African-American rhythm-and-blues singer. Thornton’s recording of “Hound Dog” is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.”

Did any words catch your attention? Maybe you haven’t heard of an ‘airship’ before? It’s not a very common word today. But it’s probably quite clear — a ship, in the air! Try searching for a picture of a ‘Zeppelin’ if you don’t know what it looks like. The word ‘independence’ can be used in different contexts. But here, it refers to Lumumba’s country being freed from outside control — it’s free to rule itself. And, ‘original’? Well, ‘original’ refers to the first form of something. In this case, Big Mama Thornton’s recording of the song, ‘Hound Dog’.

So, that’s all for today! But be sure to join me on tomorrow’s episode of Today in History.

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Episode notes:

airship: an aircraft with a large balloon filled with gas and powered by an engine (a ship in the air!)
independence: having freedom from outside control (the state of being independent)
original: the first form of something