Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Gettysburg Military National Park Ranger Matt Atkinson examines the postwar life of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. We'd like to thank the Gettysburg National Park Service for allowing us to use this wonderful audio. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio dates back long before the days of football. Tedd Long, curator and founder of Holy Toledo History, shares the story of how a small mapping error sparked the Toledo War—a real conflict that laid the groundwork for one of college football’s greatest rivalries. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose was one of America’s leading biographers and historians. While he passed away in 2002, his epic storytelling can now be heard here on Our American Stories, thanks to the efforts of those who manage his estate. Today, Stephen shares the stories of some of the most important weapons in WWII—barbed wire, mines, guns, and artillery....

On this episode of Our American Stories, Olivia Juliette Hooker (1915–2018) was born far from the sea—in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to be exact—but she made history in a branch of the U.S. military closely tied to it. She became the first African American woman to enlist in the United States Coast Guard. Here's Olivia sharing her inspiring story of why she chose to serve. Support the sh...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Larry P. Arnn, author of The Founders' Key and the President of Hillsdale College explains the ins and outs of our nation's two most important documents in 6 minutes. 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 President of Hillsdale College, Dr. Larry Arnn, tells the story of our fourth president, James Madison. 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, Walter Gretzky passed away at the age of 82, prompting an outpouring of tributes for a genuine, approachable, and authentic man who nurtured the unparalleled hockey talents of his son, Wayne Gretzky, on the family's famed backyard rink in Brantford, Ontario. The 60-year-old NHL legend, now an American citizen, spoke shortly after laying his father to rest....

On this episode of Our American Stories, with its classic “old country” theme, Cracker Barrel has been an American favorite for many decades. However, many people don’t know that the decor on its walls and throughout its stores consists of authentic pieces of American history. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramerican...

On this episode of Our American Stories, at the time, no one knew just how great Michael Jordan would be in the NBA, but one underdog sneaker company—yes, Nike was an underdog then—decided to take a chance on him. However, the true turning point came when they focused on a rising director: Spike Lee. The rest is history. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Su...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Steve McQueen expert, Marshall Terrill, tells the story of the life of the undisputed "King of Cool".  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. Dennis Sempebwa shares how his faith propelled him from war-torn Uganda to America—and beyond.  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 to tell the story of the DiMaggio brothers is the 4-times New York Times bestselling author, Tom Clavin—author of The DiMaggios . 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, Randall Wallace is the writer and director of films such as Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, The Man in the Iron Mask, Heaven Is for Real, Pearl Harbor, and Secretariat. Today, he shares a story about Penny Chenery, the owner of the 1973 Triple Crown winner—a Thoroughbred named Secretariat. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) S...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ray Caldwell put on a Cleveland Indians uniform for the first time that fateful day—and none of the 20,000 fans at League Park had any idea they were about to witness something beyond belief. We'd like to thank Nick Ragone, host of the popular YouTube channel  This Date in History with Nick Ragone , for sharing this incredible story with us. Supp...

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before Chris Kyle wrote American Sniper—later adapted into Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated film—Carlos Hathcock had already cemented his status as a legendary marksman. Known for his efficiency and fearlessness during the Vietnam War, Hathcock wore a white feather on his gear, boldly challenging Communist forces to find him. Here's h...

On this episode of Our American Stories, much was at stake in this first space race. Nations and top scientists across the globe pursued the elusive goal of powered flight, but two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio - brothers with their scant resources...made it happen. This is their story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanst...

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/do...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Shipley always sprang into action to defend black men and women from abuses and professional kidnappers. He infiltrated murderous mobs, warned would-be victims, and testified against ringleaders throughout his life. Here's his remarkable story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericansto...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2007, Yeonmi Park fled North Korea with her family to South Korea—before moving to the United States in 2014. Here's Yeonmi speaking about her experience at a YAF event in California.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

On this episode of Our American Stories, his name? 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 save Jesse's life. Here to share the story of the man is Jesse's granddaughter, Jessica Leroyce Knight Henry. Support...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Lincoln was one of the greatest leaders in US history, but before he was elected President of the United States, he used his skills as a wrestler to win approval from the masses. Here to tell the story is wrestling historian (and Our American Stories listener) Mike Chapman. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: htt...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Louise Borden, author of  The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey   shares the story of how one of the most iconic children's book characters in history escaped from the clutches of the Third Reich and into the arms of America.  Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Suppo...

On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to know about the history of America, you must know the role the Bible played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers, 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: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation o...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Melvin Cole, the headmaster of PURE Youth Athletics Alliance in Memphis, tells his astonishing story of going from running cocaine rings to running a boarding school dedicated to helping kids who grew up just like he did. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley was a shooting star, a magician whose magic wand was a gun. Right-handed, left-handed, on a horse, through a mirror—she couldn’t miss. At a time when women were only expected to fire up the oven, Annie Oakley fired her way to fame as the world’s greatest sharpshooter. In her personal life, she was a sharpshooter as well. She w...