Sputnik: The Beep That Shocked the World

*BEEP BEEP* – The sound that shocked America and launched the Space Race. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union sent **Sputnik** into orbit — the **first artificial satellite**. No astronauts. Just a metal ball… and a message: *“We got here first.”* This *History Ignited* episode reveals how one beep: ✅ Created NASA ✅ Ignited STEM education ✅ Led to the Moon landing ✅ Changed childhood dreams forever **Timestamps:** 0:00 – Intro (We Didn’t Start the Fire) 1:15 – What Was Sputnik? 3:40 – The Beep Heard ‘Round the World 6:10 – America’s Panic & Response 8:50 – NASA Is Born 11:20 – Laika & Explorer 1 13:40 – From Sputnik to the Moon 16:00 – Why It Still Matters 17:30 – Big Launch Joke! Send us Fan MailAbout History Ignited: History Ignited is the award-winning kids and family history podcast inspired by Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire. Each short episode explores the real stories behind the people, events, inventions, and cultural moments that shaped the world from the 1950s through the 1980s. Winner of the 2025 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Kids & Family Podcast.