Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , on January 23, 1961, a B-52 bomber crashed in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Two H-bombs—each 250 times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Japan, fell to the ground. Earl Smith dismantled those bombs and he's here to tell us the story! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Joe and Rose Kennedy’s strikingly beautiful daughter Rosemary Kennedy—the younger sister of President John F. Kennedy—was intellectually disabled, a secret fiercely guarded by her powerful and glamorous family. Here to tell the story is Kate Clifford Larson, author of Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope reads Washington's Farewell Address...given in the middle of our first public political divisions. 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 , Randall Wallace is the writer/director of films such as Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, The Man in the Iron Mask, Heaven is For Real, Pearl Harbor, and Secretariat. Here he is to share a story about Penny Chenery, owner of the 1973 Triple Crown winner—a Thoroughbred named Secretariat. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the s...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the Milton Bradley game was about to be pulled from the shelves. Author Christopher Klein tells the story of how the late night talk host saved this iconic brand. We're telling this story because on January 23, 2005, Johnny Carson died. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Robert Montgomery was one of the first movie stars to volunteer for service in World War II and when Dwight D. Eisenhower ran for the Presidency in 1952, Montgomery was his television coach. When General Eisenhower became President, Montgomery stayed on in his role as television advisor to become the first show-business professional to occupy an office in...

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 Se...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Braveheart continues to capture the hearts of moviegoers around the world. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning five. Writer/director (Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, The Man in the Iron Mask, Heaven is For Real, Pearl Harbor, etc.) Randall Wallace shares the journey that led him to be be one of the most brave and courageous men in Hollywoo...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Gettysburg Military National Park Ranger Matt Atkinson examines the post-war life of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. 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 , since John Collins was young, he has loved paper airplanes. This obsession helped him achieve the Guinness World Record for the farthest flight by a paper aircraft at 226 feet and 10 inches. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Lowell Lytle has been one of the privileged few who has seen Titanic first-hand. Lowell has played the part of Captain Smith at Titanic events all over the globe and has been entertaining guests at the Titanic Museum for more than fifteen years. He is also the author of the inspiring read, Diving Into The Deep. Here’s Lowell Lytle to tell his story and the...

On this episode of Our American Stories , a visitor to this museum today would never guess that it began with a single closet of donated records - truly growing from the ground floor! Longtime archivist Sandy Berman and Founding Executive Director Jane Leevi tell the story of their museum. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Phillis Wheatley, the first published black poet, has the remarkable distinction of being invited to meet with King George III and George Washington. Leslie Johnson of the American Village tells her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Brad Server grew up watching The Three Stooges on TV, not knowing he was related to one of the greatest comics of all time. Every day after school, Brad, his brother, and their friends would pile in front of the television to watch their idol, Jerome Howard, best known as “Curly.” Then, one day, the secret about their unknown grandfather was unveiled. Here...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Nancy Bro of the GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma shares the stories of the unique and colorful characters buried within it...including a rodeo star, veterans of the Union and Confederate armies, and a few British pilots. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , The History Guy remembers a truly extraordinary Civil War heroine, Mary Edwards Walker. She was the only woman in U.S. history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. 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 , Aaron Marquez was an immigrant who picked onions for 12-14 hours a day and went on to found an oil services company that would generate over $100 million in annual revenue. 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 infor...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Ford's Theater reenactor Mike Robinson tells the full unknown story through the eyes of A.C. Richards, Washington's Superintendent of Police. 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 1968, Tom Ross was the intelligence and operations officer of a unique Special Forces “A” Detachment in the Republic of South Vietnam—the elite unit also known as the “Green Berets.” Today, Tom Ross is the President and CEO of his own successful custom design jewelry firm, The Ross Jewelry Company, in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the author of Privileges of...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Dedra and Brad Birzer tell the story of the Louisiana Purchase. 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 , Thomas Weller, also known as 'The San Diego Highwayman,' shares the story of why he dedicated his time to helping people on the side of the road. 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 , 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/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories , you are about to hear the miraculous story from one of our own here at Our American Stories. Bryan Dawson went from being your local suburban high school football player to being considered such a nefarious and menacing fugitive that the world-famous bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman refused to pursue him. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, tells the story of a man who became bigger than the game he played—and only thew fastballs...the Midnight Creeper, the Bat Dodger, and the Jump Ball...the list goes on. The astounding thing, though, is that he did this every day for five decades with no relief pitcher. Support the show (https://...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Batman is a household name. His list of comic issues, let alone live-action movies, animated films, and TV shows, video games, you name it, is nothing short of astounding… but this wasn’t always the case. Andrew Farago, Curator at the Cartoon Art Museum and author of Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond, is here to...