Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, a funeral service was held on Nov. 5, 2021, for General Colin Powell at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Powell died from COVID-19 complications amid an ongoing battle with cancer. He was 84. Here’s his son Michael speaking at his father’s funeral service. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Suppor...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Chef “Hector” Boiardi was just 16 when he arrived at Ellis Island. What happens after his landing is remarkable! Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, America’s Cup winner and entrepreneur Bill Koch tells the story of the intersection of America’s history with his own family’s. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, he was a sax player for one of the world's great touring bands, The Marcus King Band. But he was called to do something different. Something that could allow him to pursue his own musical and creative ambitions. Many artists go by one name: Bono, Sting, Madonna, and Prince, to name a few. Here's Saxsquatch with his story.  Support the show ( https://ww...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy shares the story about an escape attempt in the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco, California, that led to a standoff. The penitentiary the inmates called "the Rock,” was supposed to be escape-proof, but that did not keep some prisoners from trying. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Su...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Abraham Lincoln is often referred to as "the Great Emancipator"... but that's not the entire truth. Our regular contributor Jon Elfner and Dr. Kate Masur, author of " Until Justice Be Done ," tell the rest of the story that begins with three runaway slaves. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories, she had no idea that her customer on that fateful day was the Panamanian dictator's daughter. Joe Garmen, founder of ARM Prison Ministries, tells the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, taking an interesting twist on our “Rule of Law” series, Christopher Warren shares the history of the U.S. Postal Service and a time when people mailed their children… and in one instance, an entire bank. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystud...

On this episode of Our American Stories, 100 years before Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Elizabeth Jennings refused to leave hers in New York City. Jerry Mikorenda, author of  America's First Freedom Rider , tells the remarkable story of the event desegregating NYC transportation before the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the abolition of slavery. Suppo...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ed Sykes tells the remarkable story of his unbreakable bond with his compatriot Dave Dinan and the unrelenting and ultimately successful task of recovering his remains from the jungles of Vietnam.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in six hours, Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez saved 8-plus men while enduring 7 major gunshot wounds, 28 shrapnel wounds, and major bayonet slash wounds. Hear his Medal of Honor story from President Reagan and the man himself. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystu...

On this episode of Our American Stories, historian David McCullough brings generational talent to those studying the wild realities of America's independence. After all, no one has ever lived in the past, but in the present. At the National Archive, McCullough names and thanks his own teachers, and hands down the important right way to teach and study our history. Support the show ( https://www.ou...

On this episode of Our American Stories, just moments before the biggest fireworks display in American history, President Ronald Reagan spoke in front of the Statue of Liberty aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Reagan understood the profound nature of what the founders did back in 1776. We take you back to New York Harbor in 1986. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support...

On this episode of Our American Stories, ...and a reflection on the sparrow she tried to kill for tapping on her window. Our American Stories' regular contributor Leslie Leyland Fields, tells this heartwarming story.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Moses Browning invented the mechanism used in virtually all modern pistols, created the most popular hunting rifles and shotguns, and conceived the machine guns introduced in World War I. Here's his story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listen...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. The book is  Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases . Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/do...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1964 World Series the St. Louis Cardinals played the mighty NY Yankees. On the pitcher's mound for the Cardinals was Bob Gibson and his catcher was Tim McCarver. Here's Jeff Bloodworth, a professor of American history at Gannon University and a Jack Miller Center fellow, with the story.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...

On this episode of Our American Stories, on February 3rd, 1943 the  USS Dorchester  sank into the icy waters of the North Atlantic within 20 minutes—it was the single deadliest loss of American troops in a convoy in our nation's history. But in this tragedy, there was also heroism and selfless acts of faith. Craig Du Mez of the Grateful Nation Project tells the story...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the "Nostalgia Awakens" is a Star Wars action figure exhibit from enthusiast and museum curator Jarrod Roll. He's here to share the story of how Star Wars toys revolutionized movie merchandising, licensing, and even how children play. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate S...

On this episode of Our American Stories, since the company’s inception in 2005, Liquid Ass has been a popular product amongst pranksters across the world. The two-pack on Amazon currently has an unprecedented 36,000-plus reviews with a 4 1/2-star rating! [BTW: Read the ratings if you want a good laugh.] So who goes about creating such a spray? Well, a teenager, obviously. Here to tell the st...

On this episode of Our American Stories, a mass shooting took place on November 7, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, California, at the Borderline Bar & Grill, a country-western bar frequented by college students. 13 people were killed. Tyler Spady is here to share his story of survival and hope. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstor...

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Wilkes Booth wasn't the only famous member of his family when he assassinated President Lincoln—his brothers were also famous in their own right. Here’s Christopher Klein with the story of how the city of Boston embraced the Booth brothers after their family name became synonymous with the events of April 20th.   Support the show...

On this episode of Our American Stories, on January 29, 1774, Benjamin Franklin was called to appear in Britain before a select group of the King's advisors—in an octagonal-shaped room in a Palace called 'the Cockpit'. Though Franklin entered the room as a dutiful servant of the British crown, he left as a budding American revolutionary. This event ultimately pitted Franklin against his son,...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mark Metcalf is best known for his role as the sadistic ROTC officer Douglas C. Neidermeyer in the 1978 comedy Animal House. He is also known for playing the role of “The Maestro” on the hit sitcom Seinfeld as well as for his recurring role as “The Master” on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Mark's life story is as lar...

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Lincoln Clem was just 12 years old when he picked up a drum and marched into battle becoming the youngest non-commissioned officer in Army history. Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of  John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy,  tells the remarkable story.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the sho...