Our American Stories

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...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the late great Stephen Ambrose shares a WWII story that begins in January 1943 and ends with the Allied solution of unconditional surrender. 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, on January 9, 2007, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs—already a legendary pitchman—put on what many consider the best business presentation in corporate history and unveiled a new product that would cement Apple’s comeback.... the iPhone. Here's the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstor...

On this episode of Our American Stories, despite all his Hollywood fame and acting acclaim, Jimmy Stewart always said the greatest honor of his life was serving his country in WWII. As part of our Hollywood Goes to War Series, Dr. Roger McGrath tells the story of Jimmy's service and sacrifice. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericans...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1893 John L. Sullivan's "Knockout Tour" traveled America. The challenge? Could any man in America last 12 minutes in the ring with the champ? 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, Ace Collins, the author of  Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas  tells the stories of people you’ve never met, stories you’ve never heard, and meanings you’d never have imagined of some of the most beloved songs of Christmas. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/dona...

On this episode of Our American Stories, no horse had won the Triple Crown in horse racing in a quarter century. Heading into the third race of the Triple Crown - the Belmont Stakes - Secretariat was the oddsmaker's favorite, and America's, too. Here's the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudi...

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1968 19-year-old Frank Olivo decided to attend a Philadelphia Eagles game dressed as Santa. Instead of being met by good holiday cheer as one might expect, he was booed and pelted with snowballs cementing his legacy in sports lore. Here to tell the story is Frank’s first cousin and best friend, Richard Monastra. Support the show ( https://www.ouramerican...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mary Mikami was a Japanese American born in Alaska. Here's her story of what happened to her when World War II broke out. 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, he made eight consecutive all-star game appearances and captured four World Series championships, but his talent was overshadowed by his destructive life outside the ballpark. Here's Darryl to share his story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listene...

On this episode of Our American Stories, drug culture—the kind where your parent is a dealer—wrecked Teri Neal's life. Hear how her son inspired and encouraged her to build her life back by serving others. 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, one of our listeners, George Gozzard, shares the story of his big band trumpeter father, Harry Gozzard 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, for our 'Final Thoughts' series, Justice Elena Kagan, who viewed the Constitution differently than Justice Antonin "Nino" Scalia, speaks about her friend. 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, in honor of the anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the late great historian Stephen Ambrose tells the story of 1941—the year that would bring America into WWII. 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 Salvation Army's Christmas Red Kettle has been an American icon for 125 years. But for many Americans, this is all they know about the Salvation Army… until now. We’d like to thank the folks at  Vision Video  for giving us access to their wonderful documentary,  Our People: The Story of William and Catherine Booth . Support the show ( https://www.ourame...

On this episode of Our American Stories, we all know Shel Silverstein's children's book,  The Giving Tree , but did you know he wrote one of America's most famous country songs? Here's the 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, commitment to serve others better is a hallmark of American life. Add a sensible new design, honest pricing, and the never-ending journey of mechanical engineering - and we now have another key player in the forces behind public safety. Here's the story of how the tow truck as we know it came to be.   Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/do...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories regular contributor and listener, Paul Kotz, shares the story of what happened when hopped into a dumpster with a homeless man to play cards with him. 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, ...and gave much of it away. Here's the story of a man you might not know.... but will be glad to meet—Orville Rogers. 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, Paul Kengor's daughters were across the street while a tragedy unfolded at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018. Here he is with his 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, Audie Murphy's story is one of the quintessential American stories; yet, chances are, many Americans have never even heard of his name. Here's Roger McGrath with another Hollywood Goes to War story. 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, our next story is about the man who played Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather,’’ the crooked cop who breaks Michael Corleone’s jaw—later receiving a bullet through the throat and forehead as comeuppance. Here to tell another Hollywood Goes to War story is Roger McGrath. McGrath is the author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Front...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Lindbergh got his start performing in aerial circuses—and as a glorified mailman. He also made the daring decision to fly solo across the Atlantic, despite everyone else choosing to have a wingman. Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute tells the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://ww...

On this episode of Our American Stories, generations of Red Sox fans came and went before any modicum of success came to the team—some blamed it on a curse cast upon them by Babe Ruth himself. Here's the story of how the curse was broken. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Allen Guelzo, author of  Robert E. Lee: A Life , tells the story of one of the most consequential and controversial generals in American history—and why he might have had the most success at the end of his life at the university that still bears his name. We'd like to thank the folks at the  Bill of Rights Institute  for allowing us to use this audio—origin...