Forgotten History with Dan O'Donnell

An American GI with nothing to give but himself makes Christmas merry for children in war-torn Luxembourg. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christmas special so poorly animated and voiced that its creators worried the had killed the beloved characters who starred in it instead becomes one of television's biggest hits of all time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A writer's fantastical tale causes a stir and helps to create one of America's most beloved Christmas traditions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An entire nation gives thanks to a woman who refused to give up until Thanksgiving was declared a federal holiday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of the brave sailors and marines who refused to leave the side of a fallen soldier on his final trip home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A rough and tumble youth takes on and defeats all comers, but his real strength is the sense of sportsmanship and fairness that takes him far further than his athletic career ever could. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The scariest part of the scariest film of all-time wasn't anything on screen; it was a real-life horror that makes the frights of "The Exorcist" seem tame. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the darkest, most haunting chapters of the American story might have been written by something frighteningly ordinary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The inspiring story of two Marines who felt called to put on their old uniforms and dig. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tragic story of the first Native American professional baseball player. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far would you go to bring a loved one home? One woman took on the U.S. Military. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did America already have its first female president but never realized it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inspiring act of courage and heroism during the fall of Saigon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the work of an innovative dentist gave rise to the legend of George Washington's wooden teeth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former preacher turned famous comedian teaches a timeless lesson about the power of faith in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 years after America's independence, two of its founding fathers teach a lasting lesson about the power of freedom and fellowship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fame is fleeting, and it nearly escaped one celebrated author because of an unfortunate editorial error. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trial of the young 19th century shaped American history, but not as much as what the defense attorneys did afterwards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Dawes just might be the most talented Vice President in American history! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Shot Heard 'Round the World was very nearly fired before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of "our boys" fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War...but he wasn't a boy at all! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone knows that Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, but he also invented something that was even more significant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace in the face of Olympic failure leads to an even greater triumph. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The inspiring story of a brave police officer and the light he shined on one of America's darkest days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a city burned, two everyday heroes turned to an unlikely peacemaker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.