Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , Emma Lazarus' poem "The New Colossus" is forever connected to the Statue of Liberty. Here's the surprising story of how that came to 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 , Edie Hand tells us the story of her brothers, the Blackburn boys, and the tragedy that struck not once, but three times.  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 , 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 , Drew Newman, of JC Newman Cigars, tells the story of cigars in the United States 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 , Manny Singh, President of Koch Membrane Systems, had a childhood that shaped how he sees water. Then he joined a company that has reshaped how he sees innovation. He's not afraid to literally get dirty, and he strives to see how waste can create value.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanst...

On this episode of Our American Stories when you think of the parting of the Red Sea, you probably think of movie director Cecil B. DeMille, who turned Bible stories he turned into epic films like "The Ten Commandments," starring Yul Brenner and Charleton Heston. But there is much more to the story of this man who helped turn Los Angeles into the film capital of the world.  Support the show (https...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the jukebox was the greatest musical innovation of its day, changing our culture and how music was listened to and distributed. One man walks us through that history and shares his obsession with restoring these iconic machines.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omn...

On this episode of Our American Stories , through General Washington, and with the aid of devoted patriots, American independence would be realized as an effectual fact. Bill McClay 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 , much was at stake in this first race to space. Nations and top scientists across the globe pursued the elusive goal of powered flight, but two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio - brothers with their own scant resources - made it happen. This is their story.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ourame...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the story of Alanzo Cushing as told by those who fought to have him recognized long after his death.  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 , Slavery is one of the oldest profit-making endeavors, and the Irish were a special target for a thousand years. Colin D. Heaton, a military veteran and a host of the YouTube channel, "Forgotten History," tells us the story.  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 , 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 S...

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 , many Americans have heard of the famous Navajo Code Talkers who used their traditional language to transmit secret Allied messages in the Pacific Theater of combat during World War II. Our next story is told to us by one of these Marines. Peter MacDonald is the President at Navajo Code Talkers Association.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories....

On this episode of Our American Stories , as rising seniors in college, Roane and Eva Hunter decided to get married, thinking it would fix all of their problems. A few years down the road, they realized that that wasn't the case. After going through many struggles, and even a divorce, the couple healed their once-broken relationship, and today they help others do the same.  Support the show (https...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Richard Muniz tells the story of his first time seeing a satellite in the sky during a trip into the mountains of New Mexico.  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 , this is the story of Army Sgt. William H. Carney, who became the first Black American to have earned the Medal of Honor for protecting one of the United States' greatest symbols during the Civil War—the American flag. Here to tell the story is the Jack Miller Center's editorial officer and historian, Elliott Drago. The Jack Miller Center is a nationwide ne...

On this episode of Our American Stories , when Donna’s daughter, Cassie, was diagnosed with Chronic Paranoid Schizophrenia as a teenager, their daily jobs became more difficult. So, they dropped everything and opened a resale shop.  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 , we learn about Kemmons Wilson's hilarious interactions with Muhammad Ali, Sam Walton, McIlhenny's Tabasco, and Sam Phillips. 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 , the Miss America Organization has been around for over a century... but through these many years, the pageant has had to conquer a seemingly constant battle to stay accepted and relevant. Amy Argetsinger is the author of There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America and is here to share the full, captivating history of Miss America.  Support the show (...

On this episode of Our American Stories , our next story comes to us from our regular contributor Paul Bauer from Minneapolis, MN. Today, Paul brings us a story he’s titled: “Lessons from Gizmo.”  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 , it’s time for another one of Roger McGrath’s “Hollywood Goes To War” stories. Here’s the story of Henry Fonda.  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 , Executive director of the Neon Museum, Aaron Berger, shares some of the history of Las Vegas and the iconic signage associated with it. 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 , Eddie Willis always knew he was adopted. And, he was fine with not knowing where he came from... That is, until he had his children of his own. He tells the story of the search for his birth parents and an outcome he never could've imagined. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/do...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Scott Jones, author of Growing Up Rural, shares the story of one of the most embarrassing moments of his time in elementary school, and the lessons he learned from it. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.