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 Se...

On this episode of Our American Stories, a son's story about his father, from our regular listener/contributor Roger Latham, from Fort Worth, Texas. 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, just moments before the biggest fireworks display in American history, President Ronald Reagan spoke in front of the Statue of Liberty aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Reagan understood the profound nature of what the founders did back in 1776. We take you back to New York Harbor in 1986. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener Patty Kingsbaker shares this "knockout" Frank Sinatra 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, he was twice nominated for the Academy Award for his 1954 performance in  Roman Holiday,  and the second in 1973 for The Heartbreak Kid. He also starred as Oliver Wendell Douglas in the 1960s television sitcom  Green Acres . But his greatest role was the one he played in WWII. As part of our ongoing 'Hollywood Goes to War' series, Roger McGra...

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy recalls the forgotten history of Christmas trees. 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 Mason-Dixon Line defined the American "house divided" between antislavery and pro-slavery. Yet this border war was pre-dated by another battle—a colonial-era quarrel that ended only when the area separating Pennsylvania and Maryland’s border was surveyed and mapped in the 1760s by the Englishmen Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon. Here to tell...

On this episode of Our American Stories, from its humble beginnings in an Austrian chapel in 1818, 'Silent Night' has become one of the most popular Christmas hymns ever. Here’s the History Guy with the story of the song. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

On this episode of Our American Stories, after Mike and Deborah Bailey lost their daughter to a drug overdose, what they did next is nothing short of a miracle. 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 next storyteller has the privilege of being in one of the most beloved movies of all time (It's a Wonderful Life)—while, at the same time, and from the same movie—also has one of the most famous lines in movie history. Her story is as wonderful as both of these accomplishments. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) S...

On this episode of Our American Stories, the story of Sgt. Alvin York is a celebrated chapter in American history. Though he tried to avoid war for religious reasons, York became one of the most notable heroes of World War I. Elliott Drago, the Jack Miller Center's  editorial officer and historian, is here to tell the story. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support th...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener and regular contributor Jim Johnson finds peculiar friends wherever he goes. This story is about one such friend—Everett Motl. 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, Carl Albert was known as the Little Giant from Little Dixie. He would become the Speaker of the House during the Watergate years. Here's the story of how he put principle over politics. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate ) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

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.