Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , when Ilene Hall enlisted in the Army WAC in 1943, she was following her husband, Edward “Ken” Hall to war. When her husband, to whom she was married in March 1943, finished his training and was about to be shipped overseas, the young Canton, Ohio girl decided not to put an ocean between them. Here she is to tell her story! Support the show (https://www.our...

On this episode of Our American Stories , when one thinks of basketball, they might think of Kobe Bryant or LeBron James, and when one thinks of football they might think of Tom Brady or Jerry Rice...when one thinks of NASCAR though, only one name stands above the rest. Dale Earnhardt. Here's Jay Busbee, author of Earnhardt Nation, with the story of "The Intimidator" Support the show (https://www....

On this episode of Our American Stories , in 1989 the NBA signed a $600 million contract with NBC to have the network air their games for four years. It was a long road to get there though. Pete Croatto, author of From Hang Time to Prime Time, tells the story. 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 , between the Korean and the Vietnam Wars, U.S. Navy Captain Royce Williams flew over 220 missions. The following story was classified as Top Secret, and for more than 50 years Captain Williams didn’t tell a soul—not even his wife. Nobody knew what this 27-year-old South Dakotan did that day over the skies of Korea—until now.  Support the show (https://www.o...

On this episode of Our American Stories , historical truths often emerge with time. Early on, a hush descended over 1692-1693 Salem Witch Trials for generations. Then came playwright Arthur Miller, who made off with the story, or at least his version of it. Since 1953, The Crucible has become the culturally-accepted story line that has come to define American Puritans (e.g., the Pilgrims) and the...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the lore and legend of the American Mountain Man is a story that only seems to 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 , we learn about the law school classic Leonard v. PepsiCo Inc., which helps kids navigate the curious world of contract law, but in 1999 it was serious business. Sean Kernan of Medium helps us tell the story... Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Rona Simmons, author of The Other Veterans Of World War II, Stories from Behind the Front Lines, tells the story of Bill Scott, an African American combat engineer and photographer from Alabama who became one of the "black angels" for prisoners at Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show:...

On this episode of Our American Stories , actress Taylor Dooley shares the story of when she played the role of Lavagirl at the age of 13. More than 15 years later, she has returned to acting to play the same role in the Netflix Film We Can Be Heroes. Take a listen to hear Taylor tell her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericans...

On this episode of Our American Stories , it’s a well-known bit of movie trivia that all 5 films in which actor John Cazale appeared were nominated for Best Picture, and three of them received the Oscar. Further, he appeared posthumously in archival footage in The Godfather Part III, which was also nominated for Best Picture, maintaining his perfect record. He is the only actor in history to have...

On this episode of Our American Stories , James, a retired fire captain, shares his story of firefighting and the emotions that come along 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 , today, Henry Mancini is recognized as one of Hollywood's greatest composers, creating the 'Pink Panther Theme' and 'Moon River' from Breakfast at Tiffany's among other pieces. Lesser known, however, is that Henry's life started in a steel town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here to tell his story, and the story of their life together, is Henry's wife...

On this episode of Our American Stories , we met Marisa Sergi at Walmart's "Open Call," where she pitched her RedHead Wine that is now in over 150 Walmart stores! 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 , Valentine’s Day began as a feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing? 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 from South Carolina, Dennis Peterson, shares the story of Dicey Langston...an American Revolutionary War heroine who saved her family and fellow patriots from one of the most notorious gangs of Tory outlaws at the time.   Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.co...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Mike Gideon was just a gear head who loved working on cars and restoring classics (something he thought he could retire on). But, God had other plans... 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 , Valentine’s Day began as a feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing? 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 , Listener and Contributor, Katrina Hine , shares a personal story from one of her first jobs out of high school entitled “Cow Patty“. 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 , Vince Benedetto , founder of Bold Gold Media Group, tells the story of the Cooper Union address-the greatest speech of Lincoln's that Americans have never heard, and the speech that made him President. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

On this episode of Our American Stories , our storyteller is James Swanson , the NYT Bestseller of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. 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 remembers the 16th President’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln . Because of his father, Abraham Lincoln , Robert Todd's life has been largely forgotten—but it deserves to be remembered. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

On this episode of Our American Stories , this is the story of America's first Black Naval Aviator, Jesse Leroy Brown . There's a movie dedicated to him called "Devotion," based on the book of the same name by our regular contributor, Adam Makos . The story is also about Thomas Hudner , who received the Medal of Honor for trying to his Jesse's life. Here to tell the story is Jesse's granddaughter,...

On this episode of Our American Stories , our next story from Stephen Ambrose begins in early 1943—America's first battle during the Second World War. 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 , listener Paul Kotz shares about his service trip to Mayfield, Kentucky several months after a tornado devastated the town. 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 , Dr. Mary Stockwell , author of Interrupted Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant  and the American Indians, tells the story of how the lives of America's first Native American appointed to a cabinet level position and our 18th President intertwined. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate...