This Day (An America 250 History Show)

It’s August 2nd. On this day in 1980, Ronald Reagan kicked off his 1980 presidential general election campaign with a speech at the Neshoba County Fair in MS. During the speech he used the phrase “states rights,” which was widely seen as a racial dog whistle. Jody and Niki are joined by Kevin M Kruse of Princeton to discuss Reagan’s campaign, the significance of that kick-off speech, and the long...

It’s July 30th. On this day in 1956, Congress approved a bill to adopt “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States, mandating that it appear on paper currency and elsewhere. Jody and Niki are joined by Kevin M Kruse of Princeton to discuss why the 1950s was the era in which so much religion was codified into American political and society. Kevin’s book about the subject is “One Na...

It’s July 28th. On this day in 1974, the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted 27-11 to recommend the impeachment of Richard Nixon on counts of obstructing justice. The vote would be followed by several other counts and, a few weeks later, Nixon’s resignation. Jody and Niki are joined by Leon Neyfakh, host of FIASCO and host of the first season of Slow Burn, all about the Watergate sc...

It’s July 26th. On this day in 1969, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy pled guilty to leaving the scene of the crime following a car accident on the island of Chappaquidick. Jody and Niki are joined by Maeve Higgins of the New York Times and the podcast Mothers of Invention to discuss the legacy of the scandal, the Kennedy family’s impunity, and how Mary Jo Kopechne has been erased from the story....

It’s July 23rd. On this day in 1890, Wyoming celebrated its entry into the United States. And it was doing so as a state that granted women the right to vote. Jody and Niki are joined by Maeve Higgins of the New York Times and the podcast Mothers of Invention to discuss the suffrage movement on the American frontier. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX....

It’s July 21st. On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin rode the Apollo 11 lunar module down to the moon’s surface — while their pal Michael Collins stayed behind. Jody and Niki are joined by Maeve Higgins of the New York Times and the podcast Mothers of Invention to discuss whether we have going-to-the-moon like projects anymore. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud membe...

It’s July 19th. In our first special Sunday show, Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss some notable convention speeches from the 1980s, and what makes for a good speech in the room and on TV. We’re doing special Sunday shows from now through Election Day. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just...

It’s July 16th. On this day in 1863, riots are raging in New York City. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss how the unrest shifted from Civil War protest to a race riot, and what it says about the North’s role in the conflict. Reminder! We are adding a third episode each week, starting this Sunday. Be sure to tune in, and spread the word. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member...

It’s July 14th. On this day in 1968, reports of a new strain of influenza. The “Hong Kong Flu” would spread worldwide and kill upwards of a million people, including 50-100,00 in the United States. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by Leon Neyfakh, host of FIASCO and original host of Slow Burn, to discuss why we don’t remember this pandemic as part of the story of 1968. This Day In Esoteri...

It’s July 9th. On this day in 1992, Bill Clinton announced Al Gore as his selection to be his Vice Presidential running mate. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by John Dickerson of 60 Minutes to discuss why Clinton went with another young Southerner, and whether VP selections even matter. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you h...

It’s July 7th. On this day in 1958, President Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act, bringing Alaska on as the 49th state. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by John Dickerson of 60 Minutes to discuss how states get added, and whether we think we will be adding a new one in this country anytime soon. John’s new book is “The Hardest Job In The Room.” This Day In Esoteric Political Histo...

It’s July 2nd. Today, the story of John Dickinson, who attended the Continental Congress, was witness to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, but abstained from voting for or signing the document. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by John Dickerson of 60 Minutes to discuss the story of the “forgotten founder.” John’s new book is “The Hardest Job In The Room.” This Day In Esoter...

It’s June 30th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by Jane Coaston of Vox to discuss the NYC newspaper strike of 1945. There were eight daily newspapers serving millions and millions each day. When delivery workers went on strike, it revealed a lot about the media environment, labor, and more. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if y...

It’s June 25th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by Jane Coaston of Vox to discuss “The Great Reunion” of 1913. 50 years after the Battle of Gettysburg, Civil War veterans returned to swap stories and shape the story of how America remembers that conflict. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics,...

It’s June 23rd. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by Jane Coaston of Vox to discuss “Resurrection City,” an encampment that occupied the National Mall in Washington DC for six weeks in the summer of 1968. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod...

It’s June 18th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the history of Juneteenth — which is tomorrow, June 19th! It started as a Texas commemoration of the end of slavery, and has slowly spread throughout the country, and appears to be on its way to becoming an official holiday. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for...

It’s June 16th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the passage of the first raft of legislation that would come to be known as The New Deal. History remembers the entire era as one of sweeping reform, but there was traditional politics at play in its passage, too. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topi...

It’s June 11th. We’re breaking format a bit today. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by Slate’s Josh Levin to talk about a day in 1963 where four massive events all happened together. Alabama Governor George Wallace tried to block two black students from entering a building at the University of Alabama. In response, President Kennedy federalized the Alabama national guard. That same night,...

It’s June 9th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by Slate’s Josh Levin to talk about neo-nazi David Duke, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, and continued to seek office throughout the 80s and 90s. Duke is the subject of the latest season of the excellent podcast “Slow Burn,” hosted by Levin. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia fr...

It’s June 4th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the California democratic debate of 1972, which features Shirley Chisholm — the first woman to appear on a presidential debate stage. She was also the first African-American woman elected to Congress. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just wa...

It’s June 2nd. Before the show, some words about the protests and violence over the weekend. Then, Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss a massive steel strike in 1952, and the way it pitted President Truman, unions, and the Supreme Court against each other. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or ju...

It’s May 28th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Akilah Hughes (What A Day podcast) discuss Sojourner Truth’s famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech. It tells us a lot about how myths are made, and historical figures are flattened over time. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to s...

It’s May 26th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Akilah Hughes (What A Day podcast) discuss “Hands Across America,” the charity event that tried to get Americans to line up from coast to coast in order to raise awareness about homelessness and hunger. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics,...

It’s May 21st. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Joanne Freeman (Backstory Radio) discuss the treason trial of Aaron Burr. It pitted Burr against Thomas Jefferson, for whom he had served as VP, and posed lots of questions about what our young democracy would look like. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas f...

It’s May 19th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Joanne Freeman (Backstory) discuss one of the more notorious incidents in U.S. political history — when Senator Charles Sumner was severely beaten with a cane by a political opponent inside the Congressional chamber. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for f...