Our American Stories

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 , why were Coke bottles green? How do Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola relate? How did a syrup that was originally sold as a patent medicine end up as the South's greatest export in the post-Civil War economy? Larry Jorgensen, author of The Coca-Cola Trail and the Return to the Coca-Cola Trail tells the story of this sugary soft drink. Support the show (https://...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Major Buang-Ly worked as a pilot with the United States military during the Vietnam War. When the US began evacuating South Vietnam Major Buang-Ly knew he had to get his family out. Historian Hill Goodspeed, from the Naval Aviation Museum brings us this amazing story of a father doing whatever he could to save his family Support the show (https://www.ouram...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Ray “Bubba” Sorensen tells the story of his “Freedom Rocks” project in Iowa – his painted rocks are in all of the 99 counties in the Hawkeye State. 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 regular contributor, Anne Clare, tells the story of a unique aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington. 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 , while the men served in WWII, women also served by filling the spots in factories that men left behind. Unmatched in their value, these women provided an essential service that would help bring us to victory and make America the most powerful country in the world. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ou...

On this episode of Our American Stories , it was the West that molded Theodore Roosevelt into a man. Also, it was here where he learned to "carry a big stick." Here to tell the story is Roger McGrath and Michael Blake. 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 Fugitive Slave Act made all Americans accomplices in the practice of slavery. This story marks the beginning of its end.  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 History Guy tells the story of how lawn care 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 , there was no going back...fighting had broken out in the colonies, and it was time to do what was necessary--declare independence. Bill McClay tells the riveting story of the beginning of America as we know it today.  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 , Hugh Eastwood and Bevis Schock are civil rights lawyers in St. Louis. They filed suit in three separate cases. All three cases were heard by the Missouri Supreme Court in one mammoth morning argument. Here they are to tell their story.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the lore and legend of the American Mountain Man is a story that seems to only grow with time. In 2015, Leonardo DiCaprio played the legendary Mountain Man, Hugh Glass in The Revenant. And in 1972, Robert Redford starred as the title character in Jeremiah Johnson. And like Hugh Glass, Johnson too was a real-life fur trapper. Here to separate fact from fict...

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 , our next story comes to us from a veteran of the U.S. Army. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Here’s Fernando Arroyo.  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 Oklahoma City 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 omny...

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 , Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp... one of the great hoteliers of all time—a legend in his business. He is also what you would call a “wise man.” Here’s Mike telling the story about how he—a Jew—started the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Supp...

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.ouramer...

On this episode of Our American Stories , ere’s Rich Wingo with the story of how his time under the legendary Alabama coach refashioned his character, and then how his time with the Green Bay Packers redefined his faith.  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 , Clark Gable was beyond the draft age when the U.S. entered World War II, but the 41-year-old enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps. He said: “I just want to be sent where the going is rough.” Here to tell the story is Roger McGrath.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...

On this episode of Our American Stories , not many teen idols are able to carve a successful career for themselves as they mature, but Frankie Avalon is one of these exceptions. Avalon had 31 Billboard singles, including number one hits, "Venus" and "Why" in 1959. Avalon is also well-known for his role in the musical film Grease as Teen Angel, in which he sings "Beauty School Dropout." He appeared...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Karen Thomson and her son Joe Meilink are the definition of determination. Here they are along with Joe’s wife, Vicky, to share their 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 is about a German citizen - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who left the safety of American soil in order to sacrifice his life by opposing Hitler. Eric Metaxas is the New York Times best-selling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericansto...

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. 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 , John Feinstein is a sportswriter of 42 books, 23 of them New York Times bestsellers. He is also the friend of Duke University’s legendary basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski (also known as “Coach K”). John tells the story of how Coach K’s five national titles at Duke almost never happened. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support...