Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , we learn how Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (Or Henry Steinway), a subject born of the Holy Roman Empire, would eventually make his way to the shores of America and create a legacy that is synonymous with the word "piano" itself. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnyst...

On this episode of Our American Stories , here again with his reoccurring 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. All in all, it is estimated that around 800 Jews were saved...

On this episode of Our American Stories , In a big and memorable way, PT Barnum changed how all Americans lived. Our movies, television, and whole entertainment-saturated culture is what it is today because of what he started. Here to tell this story is the Executive Director of the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, CT, Kathy Maher . Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support...

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. Also, Mariam Ibraheem is a mother who lives in Virginia, but her story begins in Sudan with a death sentence. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstori...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Frank Sinatra wrote a young fan a personal letter after having to track down her address.  Audie Murphy's story is one of the quintessential American stories; yet, chances are, many Americans have never even heard of his name. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Time Codes:  00:00 - Frank Sinatra Wrote ME a Letter 10:00 -  Audie...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Sean Kernan of Medium helps us tell the story of how Leonard v. PepsiCo Inc. is a law school classic that helps kids navigate the curious world of contract law, but in 1999 it was serious business. When the lure of a new life on the farthest edge of the frontier beckoned to Ben Kelsey , Nancy was determined to be at her husband’s side. Together they braved...

On this episode of Our American Stories , we learn how 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! Bob Kendrick , President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, tells the story of a...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the man behind Holiday Inn, Kemmons Wilson , had some hilarious interactions with Muhammad Ali , Sam Walton , McIlhenny's Tabasco , and Sam Phillips . 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)   Time Codes: 0...

On this episode of Our American Stories , James Sullivan , author of Unsinkable: Five Men and the Indomitable Run of the USS Plunkett, tells the story of the men who fought in one of the most harrowing naval battles of World War II. Edie Hand tells us the story of the her brothers, the Blackburn boys, and the tragedy that struck not once, but three times. Support the show (https://www.ouramericans...

On this episode of Our American Stories , when Margie Siegal was a teenager, she had a boyfriend with a motorcycle. The boyfriend was forgettable—the motorcycle wasn’t. Since that time, she has written about motorcycle history and is the author of Harley-Davidson: A History of the World’s Most Famous Motorcycle . Aristotle says that the highest thing we can see is beauty and that it involves moral...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Caleb Bailey shares his family’s story of hope and redemption after the loss of his father at 10 years old. As a part of its 100th anniversary celebration, Ford wanted a new supercar to showcase its heritage and future. Jon Elfner brings us this new Ferrari-slayer's story through the eyes of industry legends Neil Ressler , Scott Ahlman , and Mark McGowan ....

On this episode of Our American Stories , Charles Scott was working as a Police Officer in the Central Valley of California. Things were going well. But things took a turn when he was a part of an officer involved shooting. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Time Codes: 00:00 - How 911 At Ease International Saved This Police Officer’s Career 35:00 - The World's First Ac...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Professor Art T. Burton tells us how he first found out about Bass Reeves and he didn't think much about him. It wasn't until later in life, and after hearing stories that sounded almost too good to be true, that he decided to dive into the life of one of the first black deputy U.S. marshals west of the Mississippi River. Support the show (https://www.oura...

On this episode of Our American Stories , George Armstrong Custer , Pulitzer Prize-winning author, T.J. Stiles , casts surprising new light on one of the best-known figures of American history, a subject of seemingly endless fascination. Perhaps no name looms bigger in sports history, or American culture, than Babe Ruth. Here’s Mike Gibbons , Director Emeritus and Curator of the Babe Ruth Birthpla...

On this episode of Our American Stories , long before NASCAR’s rampant commercialism lurks a distant history of dark secrets that have been carefully hidden from view—until now. Audrey Gruss is a Lithuianian American who created the #1 depression research foundation in the country. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)   Time Codes: 00:00 - Moonshine Runners and the Birth of...

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. Here’s Mike with a story about what he learned from his unseemly college law professor. While ultimately a team that broke hearts and left its city under the cover of night, the memory of the Baltimore Colts, and le...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Marshall Field's favorite gift wasn't the one that caused his name to be forever associated with Chicago's premiere museum, or even his massive chain of department stores he built after years of trial, error, and fire--but a small library bearing his name in the small town of Conway, Massacussets--the hometown he left in search of prosperity. Hillsdale pro...

On this episode of Our American Stories ,  PEZ had great success where it was invented, but changed its course drastically after initially failing in America. Shawn Peterson shares the story of how this manual candy dispenser came to be. First jobs are often our first taste in real adult responsibility, they teach us important skills, and they teach us how to deal with people. Brent Timmons shares...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Edgar Allen Poe is known for his scary short stories and poems, and when we look at his life, early tragedies explain a lot of his stories… but what we don’t often think of when we consider Poe are his comedic writings, his detective stories, and even… a bit of early Science Fiction. Chris Semtner , Curator at the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia pulls bac...

On this episode of Our American Stories , author Richard Rhodes shares the amazing story of Austria-born turned Hollywood movie star, Hedy Lamarr. She was known for her beauty, but her accomplishments go far beyond her appearance, including inventing what would become WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth. David and Zela Flor give us a look at what "Blue Zone" living in Loma Linda, California, is really like a...

On this episode of Our American Stories , historian John Steele Gordon tells the story of how the telegraph went from Samuel Morse to winning WWI and how one man spearheaded the effort to connect America to Great Britain and, in doing so, the rest of the world. Former CEO of 7-Eleven, Jim Keyes, tells the story of how their company has led countless immigrants to the American Dream. Support the sh...

On this episode of Our American Stories , meet Ron Brown, a man who grew up in a rough area of Chicago, was practically abandoned by his father, and would mend their relationship later on in life. Clarence Saunders developed “self-service” grocery shopping in his Piggly Wiggly stores at a time when store assistants usually collected products for their customers. By introducing checkouts, clearly p...

On this episode of Our American Stories , during the Revolutionary War, Esther Reed decided the Patriot troops needed a morale boost. Reed, along with other Patriot Women began a campaign to raise money for the cause. When she brought her idea to General Washington, he had another idea of what she should do with the money. At a time when women were only expected to fire up the oven, Annie Oakley f...

On this episode of Our American Stories , entrepreneur, philanthropist, and America’s Cup winner Bill Koch doesn’t like being cheated. Tom Acitelli , author of Pilsner: How The Beer of Kings Changed The World , tells the story of how America's favorite drink came here and stayed here despite a world war and Prohibition. When 85-year-old Lana Peters passed away in 2011 from complications due to col...

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. This story is told to us by one of these Marines, Peter MacDonald , the President at Navajo Code Talkers Association. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/do...