Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , the unlikely story of redemption and bravery behind two Chicago legends: Al Capone 's lawyer "Easy" Eddie and O'Hare Airport 's namesake, WWII Ace pilot-hero, Butch O'Hare . 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 , Dennis Peterson tells the story of Dicey Langston , a woman willing to put her life on the line for the patriot cause. 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 , Bill Bryk brings us the tale of the day British forces evacuated New York City after the Revolutionary War... a full 2 years after the British Army surrendered. 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 Will tells the stories of Ted Williams and the son of a San Francisco fisherman, his “Streak,” and steely determination. 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 , before he brought us to a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas made two other, often forgotten, movies. His first film THX 1- 1-3-8 was produced by friend and Godfather director, Francis Ford Coppola , but despite the talent behind it, was anything but a box office success. His second film, American Graffiti, was a surprise success, and led to the opportunit...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in college, Steve Stoliar’s dad wanted him to get a job, but Steve didn’t want to work at Taco Bell… so he called up Groucho Marx . 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 , Jackson McQuigg of the Atlanta History Center tells the story of the principle pursuit locomotive of the Great Railroad Chase...but the story goes much deeper than just that... 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 , Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has actually remained relatively innocent—it’s not something that we have been able to commercialize. But there’s something going on here more than feasting, family, and football. Robert Tracy McKenzie is a professor of history at Wheaton College and is the author of  The First Thanksgiving . He’s here to tell...

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.ouramericanstorie...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Bill Bryk tells the story of America's first practical politician, Aaron Burr , in a tale of skill, bravery, honor, deception, and memory. Burr was so much more than the man who shot Alexander Hamilton . Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Author of  The Book of Spam: A Most Glorious and Definitive Compendium of the World’s Favorite Canned Meat , Dustin Black , tells the story of this often speculated household name product. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Francis “Frank” Scott Key was not someone you would have picked to write our national anthem… but he did and right after one of America’s great military victories. 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 , 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. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Sup...

On this episode of Our American Stories , when President John F. Kennedy declared at Rice University that we'd put a man on the Moon by the end of the decade, the year was 1962 and, according to those in the know, America was 10 years behind the Soviet Union in terms of our capabilities to do so. Nevertheless, we managed to achieve that goal despite serious setbacks along the way. Steve Kates , AK...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Thomas Jefferson is often known for championing religious freedom in our nation's infancy, but not many people know about how a preacher thanked him in the most unusual way. 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 , as a young woman seemingly trapped in the commercial sex industry, Harmony Dust Grillo's struggle continued until a new friendship led to a change in her life. 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 , here’s Major Shul with his legendary story known today as the “LA Speed Check.” 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 , Hugh Eastwood and Bevis Schock are civil rights lawyers in St. Louis.  They filed suit in three separate cases against the red light cameras. All three cases were heard by Missouri Supreme Court in one mammoth morning argument. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnys...

On this episode of Our American Stories , if you’re curious enough, the familiar can become fascinating. Bill Bryk briefly recounts how New York City became the city it is today, as well as his love for its past. 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 , here’s Bill “Engineer Guy” Hammack (check him out on YouTube) telling the story of how Betamax was defeated by the VHS tape. 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 Defoore went to war at nineteen years old. He earned …Today, at 103 years old, he shares some of his stories from war and how they still affect him today.  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 differing fates of the Robertson and the Phillips head screwdrivers demonstrates that innovation is intimately tied to historical events. Here’s The History Guy with the story of the screwdriver wars. 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 , the NFL team in Buffalo, New York, was named after him. But if you caught Paul Newman’s Cody in Robert Altman’s 1976 film, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, you might think Cody was a drunk, a coward, a liar and a con man. 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 , when Apple founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone to the public in 2007, he used multiple iPhones. If one crashed or had another issue, he secretly swapped it for another one. He had to show off a specific set of functions in a certain order, called the “golden path.” But way back in 1801, another young inventor named Eli Whitney–already known for hi...

On this episode of Our American Stories , here again with his recurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases  author, Andrew Thompson , as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)...