Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , the Pony Express is synonymous with speed, endurance, and the American spirit to just get things done. While the name is recognizable not just throughout the States, but also all over the world, it’s not widely known that the Pony Express was part of a larger corporation.. or that it only lasted for 18 months… or that it was never meant to last in the firs...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Historian Stephen Ambrose tells us the unlikely World War II story of George McGovern, the antiwar presidential candidate who was defeated by President Nixon in 1972. 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 , Eisenhower said D-Day never would have happened without this man's boat that came out of the swamps of Louisiana. Here's the story of Andrew Higgins, the brash and bold Irishman whose boat building plants employed 1 out of every 5 Louisianans during the war and helped seal the fate of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan. Support the show (https://www.ourame...

On this episode of Our American Stories , our next story comes to us from the guy Sports Illustrated said was the greatest offensive lineman of all time. Here's John Hannah sharing two moments in his life that pushed him towards excellence: One with his dad, the other with Bear Bryant. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in our 22nd episode of our Story of America Series, Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story of the first President to appeal to the popular sensibilities of Americans in The West. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

On this episode of Our American Stories , relatively few women went with the initial stampedes to new mineral discoveries throughout the American frontiers. None went unescorted to so many remote, perilous places as Nellie Cashman—or until age 80, as Nellie did. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.c...

"White Christmas" and "God Bless America" are both standards of American popular music—both were written by an immigrant, an astonishing fact.... but even more astonishing is that they were written by the same man—Irving Berlin. Here to tell the story of Berlin is bestselling author Laurence Bergreen who wrote the definitive biography, "As Thousands Cheer: The Life of Irving Berlin." Support the s...

On this episode of Our American Stories , If you want to know about the history of America, it is imperative that you know the role that the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers—both Christian and non-Christian—were heavily influenced by the Bible. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America. Support the show (https://www.ourameri...

On this episode of Our American Stories , often, art imitates life; this time, life imitated art. Two of America's most famous actors (Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino in the movie Heat) inspired the most famous bank robbery in American history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Geroge Washington was not our first President? Here’s Christopher Klein with 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 , George Washington’s Bible was on loan to a famous Revolutionary War tavern just blocks from the World Trade Center on 9/11. Just as the search for bodies ended, the search for the Bible began… Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in 1893 John L. Sullivan's "Knockout Tour" traveled America. The challenge? Could any man in America last 12 minutes in the ring with the champ? 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 , in a career spanning more than four decades and appearing in 149 movies, Western star Tim Holt could be seen on the big screen in films such as Stagecoach, My Darling Clementine, and Swiss Family Robinson. Here to tell another Hollywood Goes to War story is Roger McGrath. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https:...

On this episode of Our American Stories , he wasn't an NBA star: He was a sneaker salesman that helped popularize the sport of basketball, and the sneakers that now bear his name. This is his 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 , our next story comes from T.J. Stiles’ Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, The First Tycoon, is one that portrays Cornelius Vanderbilt at his most skillful, and yet, at the same time… it is chilling. The Commodore’s personal wealth had grown so much by 1869, that his private interests intersected with the public interests. Support the show (https://www.ouram...

On this episode of Our American Stories , this largely lost story is rekindled by Chicago historian Tim Samuelson, the first cultural historian of Chicago. 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 , regular contributor Bill Bryk brings us another adventure in riding and teaches us just how meticulous the grooming routine can be. 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 , a ministry of presence is what police chaplain service means to Greg Giltner. His response to the terrorist attack on the Murrah Federal Building was characteristic of his service—and that of his comrades and mentors. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/...

On this episode of Our American Stories , The History Guy tells the story of one of the most extraordinary David Vs. Goliath tank battles of WW2 between a little American M8 armored car and Hitler's enormous German King Tiger tank. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Walter Hunt is known as the Yankee mechanical genius. His hundreds of inventions include a saw, a steamer, ink stands, a nail-making machine, a rifle, a revolver, bullets, bicycles, a shirt collar, a boot heel, and a ceiling-walking circus device. Hunt’s most successful invention was designed in just three hours to settle a $15 debt to one of the many draf...

On this episode of Our American Stories , working remotely meant that she could live remotely, too...so Emma decided to buy a sailboat and go to Florida. 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 , whether armed or unarmed, the medics and defenders of the Free Burma Rangers stand with those trapped in the middle of war zones - and stand their ground. Telling of this intense mission is founder and former Green Beret, Dave Eubank. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate Se...

On this episode of Our American Stories , our next story comes to us from a listener, Paul Bauer—a regular contributor out of the Great White North, Minneapolis, MN. Here’s Paul with a story about a very special Easter Day he had with his grandson. He’s titled it, “The Best Day Ever!” Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Joe Garman wanted to minister to people - on his own terms, and certainly not in the prison setting. As he tells it: God had other plans. He would end up forming ARM, one of the largest prison ministries in the world. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/...

On this episode of Our American Stories , bestselling author Ace Collins is here to reveal the events and backgrounds that shaped the best-loved customs of Easter, introducing you to stories you’ve never heard and a deeper appreciation for the holiday’s familiar hallmarks. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See o...