American History Hotline
American History Hotline is a podcast hosted by Bob Crawford, who brings in historians and experts to answer listener-submitted questions about American history. Topics range from the Revolutionary War to rock and roll feuds, offering a broad but engaging view of the nation's past. Listeners are encouraged to send their own questions to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com. The show aims to make history accessible through expert insights and direct audience participation.
Episodes
Do We Really Need Political Parties?
America's founders feared political parties—and then almost immediately began creating them. So are parties an unfortunate obstacle to democracy, or are they the reason democracy works at all? Georgetown University political scientist Hans Noel joins Bob Crawford to explain why the Constitution never mentions political parties, how America became locked into a two-party system, and why Democrats a
Tuscarora Jack: Patriot or Villain?
Listener Laura is descended from Colonel John Barnwell—better known as "Tuscarora Jack"—but she struggles with her ancestor's brutal actions during the Tuscarora War. Why is Barnwell still celebrated as a hero in South Carolina? Bob speaks with author and fellow Barnwell descendant John Warley about the bloody conflict that earned Tuscarora Jack his nickname, the disturbing violence recorded in hi
When Presidents and Vice Presidents Don't Get Along
For much of American history, the vice presidency was a political afterthought. Presidents and vice presidents sometimes disliked each other, worked against each other, or barely communicated at all. So how did the office become one of the most influential positions in Washington? On this episode of American History Hotline, Bob Crawford talks with Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow in Governance Studi
How Accurate Was The Oregon Trail Game? The Real History Behind America's Most Famous Video Game | Sarah Keyes
Millions of Americans grew up playing The Oregon Trail, trying to avoid dysentery, survive dangerous river crossings, and make it west in one piece. But how accurate was the famous video game? In this episode of American History Hotline, host Bob Crawford talks with Yale historian Sarah Keyes, author of American Burial Ground: A New History of the Overland Trail, to separate fact from fiction. Tog
25 Years After 9/11: What Did America Learn from the War on Terror? | Peter Bergen
Twenty-five years after 9/11, America is once again at war in the Middle East. So what—if anything—have we learned? This week on American History Hotline, Bob Crawford talks with Peter Bergen, one of the country's leading experts on Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and America's post-9/11 wars. Bergen is the New York Times bestselling author of Manhunt and the new book All the President's Wars: Twenty-Fi
Trump Ranked the Presidents. A Historian Responds
President Donald Trump recently released his own ranking of America's presidents—placing himself at the top while labeling figures such as Barack Obama and Ulysses S. Grant failures. But how does his list hold up to history? Presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky joins Bob Crawford to examine Trump's rankings, identify their biggest surprises and omissions, and reveal her own five greatest pres
Why Does America Have the Electoral College? Peter Sagal Explains
Why does the United States use the Electoral College instead of a national popular vote? Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! Or, actually, DO tell me. To get answers, Bob calls up Peter Sagal, longtime host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! and host of the PBS series Constitution USA, to unpack what some have called "America's Worst Idea." Where did the Electoral College come from? Why did the Foun
Why Did the U.S. Army Keep Disbanding the Rangers?
The history of the Army Rangers isn't one continuous story, it's a cycle of creation, disbandment, and revival that stretches back before the United States even existed. In this episode of Bob calls up Brian Halstead, President of the U.S. Army Ranger Association, about the remarkable history of the Rangers. Together they trace their evolution from frontier scouts during the French and Indian War
How Did the Cold War End? Reagan, Gorbachev & the Secret Summit That Changed History
How did the Cold War really end? Most Americans know about the Berlin Wall and the fall of the Soviet Union—but few know about the extraordinary meeting that helped make it all possible. On this episode of American History Hotline, host Bob Crawford speaks with filmmaker Michael Russell Gunn, writer and director of The Brink of War, about the dramatic 1986 Reykjavik Summit between President Ronald
Why Did Disease Devastate Native Americans—but Not European Colonists? | Charles C. Mann
Guns, germs and steel. Emphasis on GERMS. When Europeans arrived in the Americas, they brought all sorts of diseases! A listener asks: Why did diseases like smallpox devastate Native American populations but not European colonists? Was it simply a lack of immunity, or is the story more complicated? To get answers, Bob calls up bestselling author and journalist Charles C. Mann, author of 1491 and
The Man Who Saved Kyoto?
Who knows? Not me. Why wasn't Kyoto destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II? Rumor has it, the Secretary of War at the time, Henry Stimson, had fallen in love with the city during his honeymoon years earlier. But is this a STORY or REALITY? To get some answers, Bob calls up historian Alex Wellerstein. Was Kyoto spared because of military strategy? Political calculations? Or the personal
Did Amelia Earhart survive her disappearance? (Part 2)
In Part 2 of our Amelia Earhart series, Bob examines one of the most controversial and fascinating theories surrounding aviation's greatest mystery. Last week, former Smithsonian curator Dorothy Cochrane argued that Amelia Earhart likely crashed into the Pacific Ocean after failing to locate tiny Howland Island. This week, Earhart expert Ric Gillespie, shares his theory. Drawing on decades of res
What Happened to Amelia Earhart? Inside the World's Greatest Aviation Mystery (Part 1)
Are we close to finding out what happened to Amelia Earhart? Some experts say "yes!" Nearly 90 years after her disappearance, researchers believe they are are getting closer to solving one of the world's greatest mysteries. But, what do they think happened? In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, Bob calls up aviation historian Dorothy Cochrane to explore the remarkable life and career of Am
Do Americans Have a Right to Know the President's Health?
How much should Americans know about the health of their president? From secret illnesses and hidden disabilities to modern debates over transparency, the health of the commander in chief has long been a subject of controversy. But where should we draw the line between medical privacy and the public's right to know? In this episode, Bob calls up presidential historian Barbara A. Perry to explore h
Did Jim Morrison's Dad Start the Vietnam War?
People are strange. But Jim Morrison is no stranger to conspiracy theories. And we've got a juicy one! Well, we're in the history business (not the conspiracy business). So, this episode is all about the TRUTH behind The Doors. And, yes, you CAN handle the truth! In this episode, Disgraceland host Jake Brennan (enter shameless plug HERE) tells Bob how the father of Jim Morrison was a U.S. Navy a
Who Invented School? The Surprising History of Education in America
Did Americans always send their children to public school? Not even close. In this episode of American History Hotline, Bob calls up historian and author Dixie Dillon Lane to explore the surprising history of education in America. From colonial classrooms and the self-taught education of Abigail Adams to the rise of public schools, compulsory education laws, and the modern homeschooling movement,
Was Abortion Always Controversial? From the Pilgrims to Dobbs v. Jackson
For decades, abortion has been one of the most divisive issues in American politics. But was it always that way? Bob calls up Georgetown Law Professor Dr. Michele Goodwin to learn about the surprising history of abortion in America. From colonial midwives and herbal remedies to the rise of the Christian Right, Roe v. Wade, and the modern political battle over reproductive rights, this episode expl
Why Is Congress So Old? And How Can We Change This?
The average age of a U.S. Representative is in the 50s. In the Senate, it's in the 60s. Many Congressional members are also white and wealthy. And this is not representative of the country as a whole. So, what's keeping Congress from being more reflective of nation's population, and therefore, actually getting things done? So. Many. Things. Bob calls up political scientist Maya Kornberg, author o
The Pequot War: Native American Diplomacy and Warfare
Maybe we can add another guarantee, besides "death" and "taxes" ... "trade wars." In the early days of America, Native Nations were fighting over trade and power. And they saw the arrival of the Europeans as a tool to defeat their rivals. It's a period that led to shifting allegiances in a fight for dominance. And the clearest example of this early diplomacy is The Pequot War of the 1630s. To
What was Ellis Island Really Like?
What was it really like to come to America through Ellis Island? For millions of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this little spit of land in New York Harbor was the gateway to a better future … IF they could pass a physical exam. To get the real-life experience of coming through Ellis Island, Bob calls up historian Vincent Cannato (author of American Passage: The History of
Did JFK Save a Man's Life?
You can't spell "hero" without JFK. Ok, so you can. But that doesn't take away from the fact that a young John F. Kennedy saved a man's life in WWII — a war he wasn't even supposed to be in! Bob calls up Alexis Coe, New York Times bestselling presidential historian and author of Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917–1957, to uncover the thrilling true story of JFK towing an injured crew
Is it Time for a Third Party?
Are our two main political parties so toxic that a third party may soon takeover American politics? Don't count on it. We'll dive into why right now is the opportune time for a third party to rise to power ... and why that party is destined to fail. But who knows?! Anything is possible. GUEST: Michael Cullinane, professor of U.S. History and the Lowman Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies
Did Thomas Jefferson Steal the Declaration of Independence?
Good artists borrow, great artists steal. Apparently, Thomas Jefferson got the memo. It turns out some North Carolinians penned their own Declaration of Independence nearly a year before TJ scribed his. So, if Thomas Jefferson stole (borrowed/homaged) the language for the Declaration of Independence, why have we never talked about this? Well, there was one heck of cover up! To get the full story
What's the Real Story of Disney's "Newsies"?
You may have seen it on Broadway ... or maybe your high school gym. The Tony Award-winning musical Newsies is a favorite for school productions because the story centers around newspaper-hawking kids who stand up to titan-of-industry Joseph Pulitzer. Of course, we've learned that we shouldn't take our history lessons from Disney. So we've called up Vincent DiGirolamo (Crying the News: A History o
John Quincy Adams: From President to Anti-Slavery Firebrand (Live in DC)
John Quincy Adams may have been a failed one-term president, but he had one of the most amazing second acts in American political history. From the House of Representatives, he steered our new nation through one of its most tumultuous eras ... carrying the torch of American democracy from the Founding Fathers to Abraham Lincoln. In this special episode, Robert Costa interviews Bob about his new b
Mary Had a Little Typhoid
And everywhere that Mary went, the typhoid was sure to go. The story of Mary Mallon (AKA Typhoid Mary) is one we're living every day to a small degree: the balance between public safety and personal liberty. Luckily for us, we'll never be imprisoned for being an symptomatic carrier of a disease. Well, never say never. To learn more about the life of Mary Mallon we call up author Susan Campbell Ba
The Constitution vs. Authoritarianism
It can be scary to learn how much our democracy relies on norms and convention when the rule of law is put to the test. But, at least our Founding Fathers had an excellent understanding of authoritarianism when they drafted the U.S. Constitution. Are the guardrails they created enough to prevent a dictator, though? Bob calls up Jeffrey Rosen (former President and CEO of the National Constitution
How Did Hollywood Survive the Great Depression?
During the Great Depression, millions of Americans were out of work, but they still managed to make it to the movies. In fact, Hollywood didn't just survive one of our country's greatest economic downturns, it thrived. So how did movie studios stay afloat when audiences could barely afford food? And why did people keep buying movie tickets during one of the darkest economic periods in U.S. histor
Sybil Ludington: 16-Year-Old Hero of the American Revolution
She was just 16 years old when she rode nearly 40 miles through the night rallying the militia as the British attacked during the American Revolution. Bob calls up Karen Romano Young (Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Hero) to get the story of Sybil Ludington. They explore what parts of her story are fact or fiction, and why she was nearly forgotten. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform
What Happened to Aaron Burr After He Killed Alexander Hamilton?
In 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in the most infamous duel in American history. But what happened next? Did Burr face murder charges? Was he convicted? And why did he go full Gary Busey? (You'll have to listen to understand that reference!) Bob calls up Yale historian Joanne Freeman (The Essential Hamilton: Letters and Other Writings) to unpack the astonishing
Why Do We Spring Forward?
No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent Daylight Saving Time. But he did muse about its practicality in a 1784 essay. So, if Franklin didn't invent DST, where did all this springing forward come from? Bob calls up Chad Orzel (A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks) to get to the bottom of this question. Oh, and don't forget to change your cloc
Was Disney's Balto a True Story?
Was the Disney movie Balto actually based on a true story? A listener wants to know if this heroic snow dog was real—or just a Hollywood invention. To get answers, Bob calls up Dr. Nicole Burt of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. It turns out, the real Balto is actually IN her museum. What?! Bob and Nicole dive into the truth behind one of the most beloved animated films of the 1990s by e
Did Willy Wonka's Creator Spy on America?
Roald Dahl is a beloved children's author. Turns out, he was also a British spy during WWII! So how does one transition from seducing prominent Americans' wives to writing Matilda? Well, we're glad you asked! We called up the creator of a new docu-series called The Secret World of Roald Dahl to get all the dirt on this famous children's author. Aaron Tracy, Creator of The Secret World of Roald
A Washington & Lincoln Birthday Special!
In honor of President's Day, we're sharing some of the best conversations we've had about Honest Abe and General Washington. We speak with historian Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington) about George Washington myths, including whether or not his teeth were made of wood. We also speak with Julian Zelizer about which party Abraham Lincoln would belong to today
Are the Olympics an Appropriate Place for Protest?
You gotta keep 'em separated. That's a lot of people's opinion about mixing sports and politics. But as the world turns its eyes to Italy for the 2026 Winter Games, you have to wonder if this is the ideal place to make a political statement. To understand how acts of political activism have played out at the Olympics throughout history, we call up Jules Boykoff. He's the author of numerous books
Who Integrated the NFL?
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. That's a well known piece of history. But who integrated the NFL? Well, it's an amazing story with lots of binge drinking, miraculous comebacks and hot dog eating. Seriously. Just in time for the Super Bowl, we're calling up David Fleming, author of A Big Mess in Texas: The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and the Craziest Untold Stor
Can the President Tear Down the White House?
Who owns the White House? Is it the American people or the person who lives inside of it — AKA, the president? If the President of the United States of America controls the White House, does ANYONE have say over what he does with it (we're looking at you, preservation societies and Congress)? Here to help us answer these questions (and weigh in on President Trump's renovations to the East Wing) i
Abraham Lincoln Before the Presidency: What He Learned as a Lawmaker
Before he became president, Abraham Lincoln spent just one term in Congress. So how did "the best known two-time Senate loser in the country" become one of the greatest presidents in American history? Bob calls up historian and author Chris DeRose (Congressman Lincoln: The Making of America's Greatest President) to help answer this question. Together, they explore how Lincoln's short stint on C
Montezuma's Revenge! Debunking the Myth of the Spanish Conquest
For centuries, the story has been told the same way: Montezuma surrendered to Hernán Cortés, and a small band of Spaniards conquered the Aztec Empire. But that story has always seemed a bit ... fishy. To get the TRUE story, Bob calls up historian Matthew Restall to debunk one of the most enduring myths of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. As it turns out, when you dig into Indigenous sources
America Loves Trains. Why Can't We Build Them Anymore? Inside NYC's Second Avenue Subway
It takes decades to build a new subway line in the United States. Meanwhile, China is building entire high-speed rail networks in just a few years. So, how did America's once-great love of trains get derailed? We use New York City's Second Avenue Subway as a test case to answer this bigger question: Why is building trains in America so hard compared to places like China? Bob calls up Dan McNichol
Can We Add a Fifth Face to Mount Rushmore? The History and Future of the Monument
Could a new president ever be carved into Mount Rushmore? It depends on who you ask. We call up historian Matthew Davis (author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore) to learn about the history of the monument and what its future might hold. It's a story with a lot of surprising twists and turns, from the hills of Georgia to the sacred mountains of South Dakota. H
Are These Really the Best Movies of the 21st Century? Debating the NYT's Top 100
What is the greatest movie of the 21st century? The New York Times says it's Parasite, but not everyone agrees. We call up Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Mark Ellis to debate the NYT's list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century and explore how cinema has changed in the past 25 years. Mark says it's an era of "hopeless films in a time of hopelessness." Grab some popcorn and silence your phone
Death by Lightning: What Netflix Got Right (and Wrong) About a Presidential Assassination
Netflix's Death by Lightning is gripping, dramatic and TRUE. Or is it? We call up historian and New York Times bestselling author Alexis Coe for a lightning round fact check of Netflix's new James A. Garfield series Death by Lightning. What does the series gets right? What does it bend for dramatic effect? And how does it rank compared to other presidential biopic(esque) series? We'll hit all th
Was Johnny Appleseed a Real Person? The Man Behind the Myth
Was Johnny Appleseed a real person or just another American tall tale? We get to the core of the issue with author William Kerrigan (Johnny Appleseed and the American Orchard: A Cultural History) to see how one man's true story inspired an enduring folk legend. In this episode Bob and William explore how John Chapman's religious revival led him to pioneer apple nurseries across Pennsylvania and O
The Surprising History of Vaccines in America with Kathryn Olivarius
Many Americans have turned their backs on the vax, but early Early Americans would literally have killed for some vaccines. In this episode, we explore the history of America's first vaccines, which can be traced to a mandate from none other than General George Washington. Dr. Kathryn Olivarius (author of Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom) explains the surprising st
Why Were There So Many Serial Killers in 1970s America?
Was it the rise of hitchhiking? Lead in the water pipes? Or was it something a little darker in our culture? Bob rings up private investigator and host of the podcast Hell & Gone: Murder Line — Catherine Townsend — to learn why there were so many serial killers in America during the 1970s. From Ted Bundy to the Night Stalker and John Wayne Gacy, we dive into the "golden age" of serial killers to s
Is Thanksgiving a Feast of Lies?! Historian David J. Silverman Separates Myth from Truth
We all have that relative that tells us there was actually no green bean casserole at the first Thanksgiving. Yeah, we know, Grandma! But how much do we really know about that first feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians? Well, a lot. But the story most of us learned in school is completely wrong. Author David J. Silverman, (This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and
When Murder Was Legal …ish
In 1859, Congressman Daniel Sickles murdered Philip Barton Key (son of the man who wrote The Star-Spangled Banner) in a fit of jealous rage just steps from the White House. The resulting trial became America's first true media circus, and gave rise to the "crime of passion" defense. In short, it basically became legal to kill a man for sleeping with your wife. While this wasn't technically a law,
How Did Big Tech Take Over Our Elections?
You won't see it on the ballot, but it's always the winner in American elections. That's right, we're talking about big tech. From Facebook to Google and AI, technology not only has the power to affect the outcomes of our elections ... it's already doing it! Who could have seen this coming? Well, we're glad you asked, because Roger McNamee has been ringing alarm bells since you were playing Snake
Why Won't Daylight Saving Time Die?
Set it and forget it! That's what most Americans want to do with their clocks. They want standard time year-round. So, why are we stuck with Daylight Saving Time? And where did it come from in the first place? Some say it was Benjamin Franklin. But if we Scooby-Doo this thing and pull off the mask to see who's really behind this whole clock caper it's ... (gasp) ... CAPITALISM! Tune in an hour e
Hunting Witches: What Started the Salem Witch Trials?
Which witch is which? You probably heard a lot of lawyers saying that in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. That was the year of America's largest witch hunt ever. But what sparked this mass hysteria that led to false accusations, sham justice and wrongful executions? Teenagers, of course. Bob is joined by historian Emerson Baker (A Storm of Witchcraft) to explore how religion, politics, and panic fue
Hail to the Cheapskate: How Presidents Made (and Spent) Their Money
How did America's presidents really make—and manage—their money? Bob Crawford sits down with financial expert and author Megan Gorman to explore the personal finances of presidents from George Washington to Donald Trump. Drawing from her new book, All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money, Gorman reveals who thrived, who failed, and what their choices say abo
What Was Columbus REALLY Like?
A complicated man in complicated times? A genocidal enslaving maniac? Or something in between? Bob voyages back in time with biographer Matthew Restall (The Nine Lives of Christopher Columbus) to learn about the REAL Christopher Columbus. Together, they separate the flesh-and-blood navigator from the larger-than-life symbol of European conquest, examining Columbus's ambitions, his treatment of Ind
What's Wrong with Blackface?
What's so wrong about a white person painting their face black to entertain a crowd? Well, it helps to understand the history of blackface in America to understand its harmful legacy. Bob and Tyrone Howard trace how 19th-century minstrel shows dehumanized Black Americans, reinforced racist stereotypes, and shaped American culture, politics, and entertainment for generations. They also explore why
Why Watergate Didn't Bother Lynyrd Skynyrd / Ozzy vs. Winged Creatures
Did Ozzy bite the head off a bat? Is there a political message in Sweet Home Alabama? Bob Crawford sits down with music critic and author Mark Kemp to dissect some rock legends and myths. We'll dive into Lynyrd Skynyrd's iconic Sweet Home Alabama, unpack the band's response to Neil Young's critiques of the South and talk about Ozzy Osbourne's propensity for biting the head off winged creatures. Ma
Dueling in Early America: Hamilton, Burr, and Honor Culture with Lindsay Chervinsky
This episode demands satisfaction! Why did Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr meet on the dueling ground—and how common were duels in early America? Historian Lindsay Chervinsky joins Bob Crawford on American History Hotline to explore the surprising history of dueling in the United States. From European traditions to the honor culture of the American South, duels shaped politics, reputation, and e
What's a Buffalo Soldier?
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta There was a Buffalo Soldier In the heart of America Stolen from Africa, brought to America Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival Most people know the phrase Buffalo Soldier from Bob Marley's famous reggae song—but what's the real history behind it? On this episode of American History Hotline, host Bob Crawford talks with Cale E. Carter II to uncover the true s
Why Do Third Parties Fail?
Spoilers ahead! No, not those type of spoilers. We're talking about third party presidential candidates and the reasons third parties can't get a footing in American politics. So, why do third parties fail? And could the current toxicity of both major American political parties create an opening for a centrist third party? GUEST: Michael Cullinane, professor of U.S. History and the Lowman Walton
Episode Title Redacted: From the Files of the CIA
Who was America's most successful spy? What happens to a spy that's captured? How can you tell if your child is lying? We interrogate a former member of the CIA to get some info about American intelligence. GUEST: Brittany Butler, former targeting officer within CIA's Directorate of Operations, Counterterrorism Center. Author of The Syndicate Spy: A Juliet Arroway Novel. See omnystudio.com/liste
Arsenic and Cyanide: The Dark Side of Victorian Womanhood in America
Why did so many women in the 1800s turn to poison to solve their problems? (Sorry husbands). Poisons like mercury, arsenic and strychnine were so cheap and readily available in the Victorian Era that it was called the "Golden Age of Poisoning." Besides being readily available, there were very few tests to detect murder by poison. Combine this with a society where women were powerless and poison b
Peter Sagal: Is the Electoral College "America's Worst Idea"?
The U.S. Constitution has inspired countless countries to adopt democracy, but NONE have adopted the electoral college. What's up with that? Turns out, if American's National Parks are "the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst," as author Wallace Stegner wrote, then the electoral college might be America's worst idea.
Why Haven't We Returned to the Moon in 50+ Years?
The Moon. We hit it and quit it. But after more than 50 years is it time to rekindle the relationship? We'll explore the reasons we stopped going to the moon and why NOW is the right time to go back (we see you, Artemis). Also, how does a return to the moon get us closer to landing humans on Mars? And how do we overcome some of the logistical and psychological challenges of traveling 35 million m
America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman: Lafayette
Why did a French-born aristocrat volunteer (without pay) to fight for the Americans during the Revolutionary War? And what happened when the Marquis de Lafayette returned to France to fight in its revolution? And is his name really Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette?! This episode is all about Lafayette, including his Era's Tour return to America decades after the revolut
Was Disease the Biggest Killer in the Civil War?
"War is 99 parts diarrhea and one part glory." Walt Whitman had a point when he wrote this. Diseases like dysentery, typhus, and malaria were responsible for 2/3 of the deaths in the Civil War. So, how did illness kill more soldiers on the battlefield than cannons and bayonets? It helps to look at the living conditions and atrocious medical practices in field hospitals during the deadliest war in
What's up with George Washington's Teeth?
Sir Mix-a-Lot can't lie about liking big butts. And George Washington can't lie about cutting down cherry trees. Or can he? According to Washington biographer Alexis Coe, this is "the greatest fan fiction ever told" (the tree thing! Mix-a-Lot truly loves big butts). It turns out America's first president is a lightning rod for myths and misinformation. So, we're putting in our wooden teeth (or ar
Would Lincoln Be a Republican Today?
It's Lincoln's party and he'll cry if he wants to. We trace the evolution of America's major political parties to understand how they've changed since Honest Abe was the Republican standard-bearer. And if he were running for election in 2028, which party would he belong to? GUEST: Julian Zelizer, New York Times best-selling author and Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University
Can the Great Depression Happen Again?
The Roaring Twenties was a period of tremendous financial growth in America — punctuated by a stock market crash and the highest poverty and unemployment the nation has ever seen. The question is, can this happen again? Looking back, we explore what was happening in the country during the boom years that led to the bust years. GUEST: Gabriel Mathy, associate professor of economics at American
Does the Constitution Prevent A Dictator?
How does the U.S. Constitution protect our country from being taken over by a power-hungry dictator? You may not like the answer. President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, Jeffrey Rosen, explains how much of our federal government is based on political norms and precedents that are vulnerable to the whims of the masses. Still, our Constitution has weathered some of the most serious po
Dead on the 4th of July
American history is full of folklore and tall tales, so it's hard to believe that Founders Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4th, 1826 — exactly 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence. But it's all true! Historian Lindsay Chervinsky tells the stories of these patriotic deaths, including Adams' belief that "Jefferson still lives." Interestingly enough, James Madison
Introducing: American History Hotline
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