Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Brooklyn Bridge, with its unprecedented length and two stately towers, was dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World" after its completion. The connection it forged between the massive population centers of Brooklyn and Manhattan forever changed the course of New York City. Here’s The History Guy with the story.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Nathaniel Gordon of Portland, Maine, holds the distinction of being the only American ever executed for the crime of slave trading. Although many were caught in the act, sentences were often lenient, and most slave traders knew they had little to fear—until Abraham Lincoln. Jonathan W. White, author of Shipwrecked: A True Civil War Story of Mutinies, Jailbreaks, Blockade-Running, ...

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores where our favorite sayings come from—and what they really mean. Be sure to check it out!

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On this episode of Our American Stories, you’ve probably heard that during his famous midnight ride through the Massachusetts countryside to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the impending British occupation of Lexington and Concord, Paul Revere shouted, “The British are coming!” But that’s not quite true. Sabrina Bhattacharjya, a 14-year-old history enthusiast and founder of Lex250, shares the real stor...

On this episode of Our American Stories, for our Mother's Day Special, Our American Stories regular contributor, writer, and Mother Winter Prosapio shares a touching story about a mundane, often-repeated event: washing her daughter's curly hair.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, at the turn of the 21st century, tornadoes were still one of nature’s greatest mysteries—ripping through the American heartland more than a thousand times a year, with scientists no closer to understanding their inner workings. Most had given up trying—until Tim Samaras came along. Brantley Hargrove, author of The Man Who Caught the Storm, shares the story of the storm chas...

On this episode of Our American Stories, six months after its introduction in 1985, the Yugo was a punchline; within a year, it had become a staple of late-night comedy. By 2000, NPR’s Car Talk declared it “the worst car of the millennium.” For most Americans, that’s where the story ends. Jason Vuic, author of The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History, tells the rest. 

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Montgomery was a two-time Oscar nominee and one of the first major Hollywood stars to volunteer for service in World War II. Later, he became a trusted television advisor to Dwight D. Eisenhower during his 1952 presidential campaign—and went on to serve in the White House, becoming the first showbiz professional to hold an official role there. Historian Roger McGrath brings us t...

On this episode of Our American Stories, did Lincoln believe in God? Yes—but his faith walk was more complicated and messier than you probably know. Here to tell the story of Lincoln's faith is Richard Carwardine, a Lincoln Prize-winning historian and Emeritus Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford University in England. We'd like to thank the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us to use this audio, originally a pa...