Our American Stories

The Fascinating Origins of The Salvation Army

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, t...

He Wrote "The Giving Tree" and Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue": The Shel Silverstein Story

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How the Tow Truck Came to Be

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Why Playing Cards in a Dumpster Changed My Life

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories regular contributor and listener, Paul Kotz, shares the story of what happened when hop...

He Flew Nukes, Captured World Records, and Saved His Way to Wealth...

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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—Orvi...

"Pray for Us!": Father Receives Daughter's Text during Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Octo...

WWII’s Most Decorated Soldier Was a Teenager: The Audie Murphy Story

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Audie Murphy's story is one of the quintessential American stories; yet, chances are, many Americans have nev...

The Hollywood Star That Left the Silver Screen to Become a Real-Life Spy in WWI

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

The Untold Story Charles Lindbergh

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Story Behind the Curse of the Bambino—And How It Was Broken

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Robert E. Lee's Favorite Job Was... Being a College President?

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 controve...

The Great Vowel Shift and the Making of Modern English

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, “The Great Vowel Shift” was the single greatest change in the history of the English language that has no...

Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of the Legendary Scam Artist

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Ponzi may not have invented the Ponzi Scheme, but he certainly lent his name to it. Here to tell the ...

The Boys of Milo: Ted Godlove

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, remaining effective and calm under fire, from the undergrowth of the Vietnamese jungle to the rivers and skie...

The Atomic Marine

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener Richard Muniz tells the story of his boss who participated in atomic bomb testi...

The Story of the Man the Mountain is Named After—Pike's Peak

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, here to tell the story of explorer, accused spy, and American military hero, Zebulon Pike is Craig du Mez of ...

Lincoln: 1864

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, outside of 1776, 1864 is perhaps the most consequential year in American history. Here's the story of how Abr...

The Oakland Raiders Stunk—So Fans Created Fantasy Football

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, fantasy football is a 13-billion-dollar empire and 29 million Americans play it—but it wasn't always this w...

The Strange Story of How the Lobotomy Led to Modern Brain Science

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dr. Theodore Schwartz, A neurosurgeon as well as a professor of neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medicine—and ...

The Cabbage Patch Kids Caused...a Riot?

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jonathan Alexandratos is a toy historian whose knowledge was featured in the film, Billion Dollar Babies: The...

The Inventor Extraordinaire Who Gave Us the Safety Pin

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, some of Walter Hunt's inventions include a saw, a steamer, inkstands, the nail-making machine, a rifle, a rev...

The Real Santa

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener Roger Latham shares a story he wrote entitled "The Real Santa". Support the sho...

How the NFL Went from Bush-League to Bigtime

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, professional football began on the factory clock and bank loans, and the first teams were bought for hundreds...

A Family Lived in the New York Public Library?

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, author Kristin O'Donnell Tubb tells the riveting story of the family that lived in the New York Public Librar...

Balloons Over Broadway: The American Visionary Who Created the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons w...

The Great Thanksgiving Cranberry Scare of 1959

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the w...

The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has remained relatively innocent—it’s not something we've ...

The Woman Who Wrote "Mary Had A Little Lamb" Is the Godmother of Thanksgiving?

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving used to be one of many days—"If you planned your itinerary carefully, you could have a good Th...

Remembering the Worst Naval Disaster in American History (The USS Indianapolis)—A Story Featured in the Movie "Jaws"

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Shaw's "Quint" told the world about what happened to the USS Indianapolis in the hit movie "Jaws." The...

“Black Harry” Hoosier: The Story Behind Indiana’s Namesake

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, how did Indiana get its nickname “The Hoosier State?” And how did people from Indiana come to be called “...

They Call Her "The Stomach"

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories listener, Lindsey Gallant, tells her story of the time she was challenged to an eating ...

One Man's Mission to Find Work, Purpose, and Meaning for Millions

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Bob Funk founded Express Employment Professionals, he wanted to be an actual minister, but his real ca...

Balloons Over Broadway: The American Visionary Who Created the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons w...

A Thanksgiving Evening with Refugees in Small Town Iowa

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Iowa listener Joy Neal Kidney's church took in refugees from war torn Bosnia, her family took it upon th...

Pastor of the Pilgrims, John Robinson: 100 Bible Verses That Made America

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to know about the history of America, it is imperative that you know the role that the Bible play...

The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has actually remained relatively innocent—it’s not somethi...

Fannie Farmer: The Mother of Level Measurements

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, cooking in the late 1800s was unpredictable, tiresome, and difficult. Recipes were passed down in families bu...

How a Master Chef Lost the Thanksgiving Turkey

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, according to the National Turkey Federation, each year Americans gobble down on 46 million turkeys for Thanks...

An Empty Nester Helps a Lonely Lost Senior in a Nursing Home Find His Purpose

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, this story comes to us from Paul (a.k.a. the "empty nester"), a listener from Minneapolis, MN Support the sho...

Is Die Hard a Xmas Movie? The Story and the Definitive Answer!

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, here to settle this question once and for all is Stephen Follows. Stephen is an established data researcher i...

The Great Thanksgiving Cranberry Scare of 1959

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the w...

A Cop Recalls the Wreck that Changed Him

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Richard Muniz tells the story of the night he would never forget while working as a deputy for the Conejos C...

The Man Who Rescued Over 10,000 Stranded Motorists

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thomas Weller, also known as 'The San Diego Highwayman,' shares the story of why he dedicated his time to hel...

A Father's Love: Capone's Lawyer "Easy" Eddie and WWII Ace "Butch" O'Hare

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, the unlikely story of redemption and bravery behind two Chicago legends: Al Capone's lawyer "Easy" Eddie and ...

The Bible: The Best-Selling Book of All Time

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, let’s take a listen to The History Guy as he tells the history of the Bible. Support the show (https://www....

Auto CEO Guts His Private Jet And Flies Across the World to Deliver an Apology to Mercedes

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, auto CEO Roger Penske ripped the seats out of his private jet to give Mercedes Benz a personal apology becaus...

Why Did This Pittsburgh Steelers Legend—Owner Art Rooney—Attend the Funeral of Someone He Didn’t Know?

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jim O'Brien describes Pittsburgh Steelers founding owner Art Rooney, Sr. as "the grandfather he needed." Roon...

Jesse James: The Wild West's Most Notorious Outlaw

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, after a century and a half, Jesse James remains one of the most iconic and romanticized figures in American h...

Balloons Over Broadway: The American Visionary Who Created the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons w...

Big Nose Kate, more than Doc Holliday's Woman

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, she is remembered in history as Doc Holliday’s on-and-off girlfriend-turned wife. But Big Nose Kate was muc...

The Penguin Who Wore Shoes

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, an elderly penguin named Enrique lived at the St. Louis Zoo. After being diagnosed with arthritis in his feet...

The Story of America: The First Frontiersman President—Andrew Jackson

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 22nd episode of our Story of America Series, Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story of t...

A Family Remembers Their WWII Hero-Father—Who Survived The Deadliest March (Bataan) and the Worst Defeat in American History

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Estel Myers joined the military after an argument with his father and found himself on the frontlines of the ...

The Story Behind the Story of The Salem Witch Trials and The American Puritans

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, historical truths often emerge with time. Early on, a hush descended over 1692-1693 Salem Witch Trials for ge...

A Thanksgiving Evening With Refugees in Small Town Iowa

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Iowa listener Joy Neal Kidney's church took in refugees from war torn Bosnia, her family took it upon th...

Pastor of the Pilgrims, John Robinson: 100 Bible Verses That Made America

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to know about the history of America, it is imperative that you know the role that the Bible play...

The Factory That Manufactures One Million Kazoos A Year

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, from African musical craftsmanship to the American South - and to the sounds of every animal in Minecraft - t...

The Billionaire and Miami Dolphins Owner-Who Was Fired Twice and Decided He Was Unemployable

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross tells the stories about the lessons in ethics that changed his life. Support the ...

Pat Boone: In A Metal Mood

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, our series with music legend Pat Boone goes off the rails into his Heavy Metal classics. It appeared to many,...

How Nike Took a Bet on A College Basketball Player From North Carolina and Won

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, no one knew for sure just how great Michael Jordan would be in the NBA. One underdog sneaker company - yes, N...

The Story of How One Jewish Soldier Survived the Battle of The Bulge... In The Most Extraordinary Way Possible

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Milton Nadler probably accumulated more stories by the time he was 30 than most people do in a lifetime. Here...

The Best Lawyer in a One-Lawyer Town

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bill Bryk knows when to start a case on behalf of others... and has learned when to rest. Support the show (h...

The Story of America—The Death of Lincoln and the Rebirth of America

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, in our 32nd episode of our Story of America Series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, tells the story ...

He Went to Work at Ford for Lee Iacocca... and Got More Than He Bargained For

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tim Leuliette began his career at Ford Motor Company under the leadership of Lee Iacocca and Henry Ford II. H...

The 1913 Storm

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ric Mixter of Lake Fury tells the story of the historic 1913 storm on the Great Lakes Support the show (https...

Burt Young’s Story: The Man Who Played Paulie in Rocky Opens Up About His Family and His Craft

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Burt Young is an immediately recognizable character actor whose half-muttered voice and flinty gaze made him ...

The Sleeping Sentinel Who Received the Death Penalty, But Was Saved By President Lincoln

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, the Civil War soldier, William Scott, fell asleep at his post, at the time a transgression punishable by exec...

The Origins of America's Religious Liberty...Birthed in Queens, NYC?

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Larry Reed tells the story of the Flushing Remonstrance, an all-important document that helped inform the 1st...

Where Do Your Family Photos Go After a Tornado? Everywhere. Here's The Man Whose Mission is to Return Them.

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, where would our photos go if our house were to be hit by a tornado? The answer is everywhere. But for Thad Be...

Bob Munden: “The Fastest Gun Who Ever Lived”

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, we’ve all heard of gunslingers “Wild” Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, and Billy The Kid. These quick-draw le...

Our American “Odyssey”: Stephen Ambrose on Lewis & Clark

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Stephen Ambrose shares some stories from his #1 New York Times bestseller, Undaunted Courage. https://www.our...

The Woman Who Wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb" Is the Godmother of Thanksgiving?

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving used to be one of many days—"If you planned your itinerary carefully, you could have a good Th...

I Lived Through The Depression And Didn't Even Know It

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Donald Sturm tells his story of growing up during The Great Depression without knowing it because of the powe...

“Propose a Toast” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 17)

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English...

The Story of the Real—and Mostly Unknown—Author of the U.S. Constitution, Gouverneur Morris

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, our next story is about a Founding Father who wrote the most famous seven words in American history: “We th...

The Story of Putting the Customer In Charge

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. One of the great hoteliers of a...

The Great Thanksgiving Cranberry Scare of 1959

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, 400 million pounds of cranberries are consumed by Americans each year. Twenty percent of that is during the w...

The Irish Immigrant Whose Life Was So Large, NYPD Shut Down the City for Him

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Jimmy Neary was an Irish immigrant who boarded a ship to America in the 1950s and went on to open a namesake ...

The Watchmaker's Secret Room: Corrie ten Boom, The Holocaust Rescuer Behind "The Hiding Place"

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, all in all, it is estimated that around 800 Jews were saved by Corrie ten Boom and her family. Hear Corrie te...

The Story of How "Women and Children First" Came to Be

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers the Birkenhead Disaster and explains where the protocol "women and children first" ...

The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Thanksgiving is the only American holiday that has actually remained relatively innocent—it’s not somethi...

How Patrick Henry Saved America from Its First Civil War

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, George Washington led America's army to independence. He needed help to avoid leading it into our first civil...

The Story of a Mother Who Destroys the Perfect Mom Myth

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, popular social media influencer and mother Tiffany Jenkins talks about her secret to being a mother.... (hint...

The Harvard Country Boys Who Shaped America

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, this is the story of how two country boys rose to the highest heights of Harvard Yard, yet their lives would ...

"You're Getting Shot At"—The Story of My First Combat Mission in Afghanistan

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Peter Braxton brings an eye-opening perspective on service to America in war-torn skies. Support the show (ht...

Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, one of the most successful blackjack teams in America is made up entirely of Christians. Here to tell the sto...

Surviving Hanoi: Larry Spencer's Story

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Larry Spencer tells the story of being one of the first POWs of the Vietnam war and surviving until war's end...

A Medal of Honor Recipient Through The Eyes of His Father

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Paul Monti drives his son Jared's truck, an act which inspired the hit country song "I Drive Your Truck" by L...

Karl Marlantes: Why I Chose to Go to Vietnam

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late 1960s, Karl Marlantes was presented with a choice. Serve in a war that he saw as unjust, desert t...

George Washington: America's First True Superhero

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Vince Benedetto delivers the awe-inspiring story of our first president. Support the show (https://www.ourame...

A Listener's Story About a Humble Local Hero -- Her Uncle

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Joy Neal Kidney shares her uncle, Donald Wilson's, war story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstorie...

We're Holding Our Own: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, as big freighters go, she was bigger than most with a crew and captain well-seasoned...but on November 10th, ...

Empathy is Not Optional: The Story of Mike Leven's Brutal Law Professor

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Mike Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. One of the great hoteliers of a...

How Wild West Sharpshooter Annie Oakley Made It in a Man’s World

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley was a shooting star. In her personal life she was a sharpshooter as well. She was devoted to her...

The Story of the Jews Who Fought in the Revolution

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Adam Jortner, the author of A Promised Land: Jewish Patriots, the American Revolution, and the Birth of Reli...

The Untold Story of Steve McQueen

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, we are about to hear the untold story of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen told by a McQueen expert, Marshall Te...

Unmasking Black Bart: The Untold Story of the Gentleman Stagecoach Bandit

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ralphie’s fantasy encounter with Black Bart in A Christmas Story leads one to believe that Black Bart was s...

The First Martyr of the Abolition Movement: 100 Bible Verses That Made America

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, if you want to know about the history of America, it is imperative that you know the role that the Bible play...

How The Lincoln-Douglas Debates Over Slavery Shaped America And Made Lincoln a Star From New Orleans to New York

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, Douglas was the greatest debater of his day. Lincoln was an unknown trial lawyer from Illinois. Allen Guelzo ...

The Football Team That Broke Baltimore's Heart

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Our American Stories, the team broke hearts and left its city under the cover of night in moving vans - but the memory of the Balti...