Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, tells the story of a man who became bigger than the game he played—and only thew fastballs...the Midnight Creeper, the Bat Dodger, and the Jump Ball...the list goes on. The astounding thing, though, is that he did this every day for five decades with no relief pitcher. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Batman is a household name. His list of comic issues, let alone live-action movies, animated films, and TV shows, video games, you name it, is nothing short of astounding… but this wasn’t always the case. Andrew Farago, Curator at the Cartoon Art Museum and author of Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond, is here to tell us the story of the Caped Crusader. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Francis “Frank” Scott Key was not someone you would have picked to write our national anthem… but he did, and right after one of America’s great military victories. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Nancy Bro of the GAR Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma shares the stories of the unique and colorful characters buried within it...including a rodeo star, veterans of the Union and Confederate armies, and a few British pilots. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Colorado listener Patty Kingsbaker shares this "knock out" Frank Sinatra story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Major Buang-Ly worked as a pilot with the United States military during the Vietnam War. When the US began evacuating, he knew he had to get his family out. Historian Hill Goodspeed from the Naval Aviation Museum brings us this amazing story of a father doing whatever he could to save his family. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Phillis Wheatley, the first published black poet, has the remarkable distinction of being invited to meet with King George III and George Washington. Leslie Johnson of the American Village tells her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, 26-year-old actor John Wilkes Booth was killed just 12 days after assassinating Abraham Lincoln. Here’s Christopher Klein with the story of how the city of Boston embraced the Booth brothers. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, PEZ had great success where it was invented, but changed its course after initially failing in America. Shawn Peterson, author of “PEZ: From Austrian Invention to American Icon”, shares the story of how this manual candy dispenser came to be. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, as part of our rule of law series, P.J. Hill, rancher and co-author of “The Not So Wild, Wild West: Property Rights on the Frontier,” explains the misunderstanding behind the American West. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, listener and Contributor Katrina Hine shares a personal story from one of her first jobs out of high school, entitled: “Cow Patty“. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Anne Claire tells the story of the Battle of Midway, America's "make or break" moment in World War II. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, here to tell the story of John Lincoln Clem—the youngest non-commissioned officer in Army history—is Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 helping people on the side of the road. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers a truly extraordinary Civil War heroine, Mary Edwards Walker. She was the only woman in U.S. history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, William Hazelgrove tells the story of one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century-the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in college, Steve Stoliar’s dad wanted him to get a job, but Steve didn’t want to work at Taco Bell… so he called up Groucho Marx. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, The History Guy remembers when explorers raced to go where no one had gone before, Amundsen, Byrd, and the future of aviation. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.