
The Killer Fog: London's Great Smog of 1952
Published: June 21, 2026
Duration: 13:39
In December 1952, a thick blanket of fog descended upon London. At first, it seemed like a familiar winter nuisance. But this was no ordinary fog. Mixed with smoke from millions of coal fires and trapped by unusual weather conditions, it became a toxic cloud that brought one of the world's greatest cities to a standstill.
In this episode of History Shorts, we explore the deadly Great Smog of London, a five-day environmental disaster that turned daylight into darkness, halted transportation, and left thousands struggling to breathe. As hospitals overflowed and visibility dropped to just a few feet...