Chronicle of American History

250 Years and Counting: The Birth of American Independence 02.07.2026 21:11 ↓

We explore the 4th of July Holiday and on this, the 250th anniversary of our nation, all of the meanings of that great day.  

250 Years and Counting: Ten Unsung Heroes of the Revolution 19.06.2026 25:35 ↓

We all know about Washington, Adams and Jefferson.  But how about Robert Mason, Henry Knox and Francis Marion.  We give 10 lesser known Revolutionary figures the spotlight.  

A History of American Comedy 05.06.2026 27:17 ↓

We go from Frontier Tales to Redd Foxx, from Jack Benny to Lenny Bruce to discover this aspect of our heritage. 

Accidental President Series: Lyndon Johnson - Fulfillment to Failure in Five Years 22.05.2026 38:06 ↓

We look at Lyndon Baines Johnson to see the potential and the pitfalls of a very busy five year presidency.  

Benedict Arnold: The Lost General 17.04.2026 26:42 ↓

We examine Arnold's roles in the Revolutionary War and learn why he betrayed his cause.  

Jamestown and Plymouth Rock: Foundations of America 03.04.2026 32:09 ↓

We look at the many differences, and similarities of these two foundational colonies.  

Chicago: Great Cities of American History Series 19.03.2026 23:48 ↓

We go from Fort Dearborn to the Great Fire to Al Capone and the 1968 Democratic Convention.  

Uncommon War Series: The Korean War 06.03.2026 27:09 ↓

We explore the roots, actions and results of the Korean War fought 1950-53.  

Accidental President Series: Gerald Ford - Twice Accidental 20.02.2026 25:25 ↓

We meet Gerald R Ford, the only man to be president who never won election as either Vice President or President.  

Teddy Roosevelt: Accidental and Inevitable President 07.02.2026 34:27 ↓

We take a look at Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, one of the most compelling figures in American history.  

Harry Truman: The Nonaccidental, Accidental President 23.01.2026 27:42 ↓

We meet Harry Truman whose nomination as VP in 1944, was a move by the Democratic Party to put in a man of character behind the ailing FDR.  

Charleston: Great Cities of American History Series 09.01.2026 27:37 ↓

Charleston is one of the best built, handsomest, and most agreeable cities that I have ever seen.  Marquis de Lafayette This is the first of a series I am launching, in which we will explore not just great American cities but also historical ones.      

The Tet Offensive: Tactical Failure, Strategic Victory 03.12.2025 28:06 ↓

We look at the Tet Offensive and explore its ramifications not just around Vietnam but in the 60 years since.  

Uncommon American Wars: The Spanish American War and the Road to Empire 14.11.2025 28:22 ↓

We explore how the United States came to rule over pacific and Caribbean possessions, and the implications of this war.   

Uncommon American Wars: The Wars of the Barbary Pirates 31.10.2025 34:09 ↓

We explore the true birth of the American Navy and the projection of power abroad in the two Barbary Pirate Wars in this first entry of the Uncommon Wars series.

Accidental President Series - John Tyler: Many Firsts 17.10.2025 24:56 ↓

We explore the controversial and complex life of John Tyler, the first man to become president after the death of the incumbent.  

The Fate of MacArthur and Wainwright: A WWII Discussion with Historian Jonathan Horn 10.10.2025 58:03 ↓

We discuss Jonathan Horn's Fate of the Generals, a book about Douglas MacArthur, Jonathan Wainwright and the war in the Philippines. 

Accidental Presidents Series: Millard Fillmore and Putting a Bandage on a Gaping Wound 26.09.2025 20:42 ↓

We examine the life of Millard Fillmore and his approach to the most pressing issue of his time.  

Accidental Presidents Series: Chester Arthur and a Changed President 12.09.2025 22:16 ↓

Do people change?  Chester Arthur was one thing when nominated as Vice President, but Garfield's murder revealed him to be something else.  

The Top Nine American Generals in History 29.08.2025 32:18 ↓

We rank American generals on tactical brilliance, strategic insight and choosing the right subordinates.  

Requiem for Herbert Hoover 22.08.2025 36:17 ↓

We explore the life and legacy of Herbert Hoover.  Did history give him a raw deal?

Gilded Age or Golden Age 15.08.2025 24:09 ↓

We look at the so called Gilded Age and examine its true history.  

The Fate of the Battleship Yamato 31.07.2025 19:45 ↓

We explore the origins, and the end of the most powerful battleship ever built.  And what lessons Yamato might have for us today.  

First Bull Run and the Lost Opportunity of the Civil War 24.07.2025 17:59 ↓

We look at First Bull Run and the lost opportunity of that day.  Mathews Hill, the use of trains and the legend of Stonewall Jackson all get a look.