American History Hotline

How Did the Cold War End? Reagan, Gorbachev & the Secret Summit That Changed History Aug 12, 2026

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 Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Together, they explore how two longtime rivals came closer than ever to eliminating nuclear weapons, why one word nearly derailed the negotiations, and how this little-known diplomatic breakthrough helped bring the Cold War to an end. Along the way, Michael shares behind-the-scenes stories from making the film, including filming in the actual room where history was made and using newly declassified transcripts to recreate the conversations.

You'll learn:

Why the Reykjavik Summit became a turning point in the Cold War
How Reagan and Gorbachev built trust despite decades of hostility
The true story behind Reagan's famous phrase, "Trust, but verify"
How close the world came to eliminating nuclear weapons
Why these events still matter in today's world

Whether you're fascinated by Cold War history, Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, diplomacy, nuclear weapons, or untold stories from American history, this episode brings one of history's most important—and least understood—moments to life.

Guest: Michael Russell Gunn, writer and director of The Brink of War

American History Hotline is the podcast where your questions about American history are answered by leading historians, authors, filmmakers, and experts—all with a fun, entertaining, and educational approach.

Why Did Disease Devastate Native Americans—but Not European Colonists? | Charles C. Mann Aug 05, 2026

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 1493, to explore one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—chapters in American history.

Together they discuss:

• What North America looked like before Columbus • Why Native societies were far larger and more sophisticated than many people realize • How diseases such as smallpox, malaria, and yellow fever spread across the Americas • The role of immunity, genetics, and prior exposure • The Great Dying in New England before the Pilgrims arrived • How epidemics shaped the fall of the Aztec and Inca empires • The connection between disease and the transatlantic slave trade • Why historians estimate that Indigenous populations declined dramatically after European contact

This fascinating conversation reveals how microbes became one of the most powerful forces in American history—and why understanding disease helps us better understand colonization, survival, and the world we live in today.

Guest: Charles C. Mann, author of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus and 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created

The Man Who Saved Kyoto? Jul 29, 2026

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 intervention of Stimson? And if Kyoto was spared, which city took its place?

It's a fascinating story about war, power, culture, and one of the most consequential decisions in American history.

Guest: Alex Wellerstein, historian of science at Stevens Institute of Technology and author of The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for the Atomic Age.

Did Amelia Earhart survive her disappearance? (Part 2) Jul 22, 2026

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 research, radio logs, navigation records, and expeditions to the remote Pacific island of Nikumaroro, he argues that Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan may have successfully landed after becoming lost—and that Earhart may have survived for weeks as a castaway.

In this episode:

• The communication failures that doomed the flight • Why Earhart may never have found Howland Island • The mysterious radio signals reported after her disappearance • Evidence linking Earhart to Nikumaroro Island • Why researchers still debate what happened in July 1937

Nearly ninety years later, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains one of history's most enduring mysteries. Could the answer have been hiding in plain sight all along?

Listen now and decide for yourself.

What Happened to Amelia Earhart? Inside the World's Greatest Aviation Mystery (Part 1) Jul 15, 2026

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 Amelia Earhart before her disappearance in 1937.

How did Earhart become the most famous female aviator in the world? What made her transatlantic flights so groundbreaking? And how did her ambitious attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world set the stage for one of history's biggest mysteries?

Dorothy takes us through Earhart's rise to fame, her record-breaking flights, her partnership with navigator Fred Noonan, and the challenges of planning a round-the-world journey in the early days of aviation.

We'll also hear what Dorothy thinks happened to Earhart ... and why we haven't found the truth yet.

In this episode:

• How Amelia Earhart first fell in love with flying • The flight that made her an international celebrity • Why she insisted on proving herself as a pilot • The ambitious around-the-world flight of 1937 • The communication problems that may have sealed her fate

Next week in Part 2, Ric Gillespie of TIGHAR explains his theory surrounding Earhart's disappearance and explains why he thinks she was marooned on a deserted island.

If you've ever wondered what really happened to Amelia Earhart, this is where the story begins!

Do Americans Have a Right to Know the President's Health? Jul 08, 2026

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 how presidents and their administrations have handled serious health issues throughout American history.

You'll hear the remarkable story of Woodrow Wilson's debilitating stroke. The hidden realities of Franklin D. Roosevelt's declining health during World War II. John F. Kennedy's secret medical conditions. Questions surrounding Ronald Reagan's later years. And the ongoing public debates about the health of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

When a president's health affects the nation, how much information should be public? And what can history teach us about the consequences of secrecy?

Guest: Barbara A. Perry, author of the book Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt

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Did Jim Morrison's Dad Start the Vietnam War? Jul 01, 2026

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 admiral linked to one of the most controversial events in American history: the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

But did he really help start the Vietnam War? Well, this is the end ... of this conspiracy.

We'll also dive into the mystery surrounding the death of Jim Morrison. Did he fake his own death? Was he connected to government secrets? And was he the Zodiac Killer? Wait, what?!

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Who Invented School? The Surprising History of Education in America Jun 24, 2026

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, this conversation reveals how Americans have thought about learning for more than 250 years.

Why did reformers like Horace Mann champion public schools? How did immigration, industrialization, the Great Depression, and the Cold War transform education? And why are more families today choosing alternatives to traditional public schools?

Dixie's book is Skipping School: A History of American Homeschooling and How It Went Mainstream

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Was Abortion Always Controversial? From the Pilgrims to Dobbs v. Jackson Jun 17, 2026

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 explores how abortion went from widely accepted to hugely controversial.

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Why Is Congress So Old? And How Can We Change This? Jun 10, 2026

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 of Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress, to unpack why Congress feels frozen in place ... and how we can fix it.

From campaign money and social media to political violence and the rise of "performative politics," Maya explains why younger leaders struggle to break through.

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The Pequot War: Native American Diplomacy and Warfare Jun 03, 2026

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 learn how this war depicts Native American alliances and shifting allegiances, Bob calls up Kathleen DuVal, author of Native Nations: A Millennium in North America.

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What was Ellis Island Really Like? May 27, 2026

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 Ellis Island – A Sweeping Epic of Immigration at the Nation's Landmark Port of Entry).

From quick and dirty medical exams to some weird name changes, Cannato separates fact from fiction, and explains why Ellis Island is synonymous with American immigration.

We'll also explore how Ellis Island marked a turning point in American immigration policy — with power shifting from the states to the federal government. And why is Ellis Island viewed with such nostalgia while Angel Island in San Francisco Bay is not?

We've got all that and more in this episode!

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Did JFK Save a Man's Life? May 20, 2026

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 mate through shark infested waters (by his teeth!) to safety.

Alexis also helps us understand why JFK fought so hard to serve in WWII, despite serious health problems and a free pass out of the conflict. It's this bravery and selflessness that made JFK a dreamboat to the ladies and ultimately our 35th president.

GUEST: Alexis Coe, author of Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917–1957 (to be released in 2026)

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Is it Time for a Third Party? May 13, 2026

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 at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. He's also author of the soon-to-be released book: Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet.

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Did Thomas Jefferson Steal the Declaration of Independence? May 06, 2026

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, we call up David Fleming, author of Who's Your Founding Father?: One Man's Epic Quest to Uncover the First, True Declaration of Independence.

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What's the Real Story of Disney's "Newsies"? Apr 22, 2026

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 of America's Newsboys) to give us the REAL story of the famous 1899 newsboys strike that inspired the Disney film.

You can find DiGirolamo's newest essay in the collection Newsies, Newsies — Read All About It!: Essays on the Film and Broadway Productions.

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John Quincy Adams: From President to Anti-Slavery Firebrand (Live in DC) Apr 15, 2026

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 book: America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick. It's an amazing conversation recorded live in D.C. at Politics and Prose.

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Mary Had a Little Typhoid Apr 08, 2026

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 Bartoletti (Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America). Why was Mary's story so popular in the early 1900s? And why is her name so familiar even today?

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The Constitution vs. Authoritarianism Apr 01, 2026

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 Center) to answer this question.

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How Did Hollywood Survive the Great Depression? Mar 25, 2026

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. history?

We dial up Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Mark Ellis to explore how Hollywood weathered the Great Depression and how this period changed filmmaking for rest of the 20th century. From the rise of sound films and lavish musicals to monster movies, gangster films, and sweeping epics like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, film became a national escape during a difficult decade.

It's a historical look at Hollywood that resonates today with new threats (like AI and consolidation) constantly emerging.

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Sybil Ludington: 16-Year-Old Hero of the American Revolution Mar 18, 2026

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.

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What Happened to Aaron Burr After He Killed Alexander Hamilton? Mar 11, 2026

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 second act of Aaron Burr's life. From criminal indictments to conspiracies, a treason trial and exile, the duel was just the beginning for Aaron Burr.

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Why Do We Spring Forward? Mar 04, 2026

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 clocks on March 8th!

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Was Disney's Balto a True Story? Feb 25, 2026

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 exploring the real 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. How did a deadly diphtheria outbreak create a hero sled dog? And what happened to Balto once the spotlight of fame dimmed?

It's an episode that will have you heading to Alaska and hop on a dog sled! Or, at least, pop in an old VHS of Disney's Balto.

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Did Willy Wonka's Creator Spy on America? Feb 18, 2026

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 Dahl

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A Washington & Lincoln Birthday Special! Feb 16, 2026

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.

Check out Julian's Substack, The Long View.

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Are the Olympics an Appropriate Place for Protest? Feb 11, 2026

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 about the Olympics, including What are the Olympics For?

So, are the Olympics fair game for protest? Or should athletes keep their eye on the ball ... or épée ... or curling stone? You get the point.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who Integrated the NFL? Feb 04, 2026

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 Story in NFL History. He explains how one of the worst teams in NFL history shaped the game we know today.

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Can the President Tear Down the White House? Jan 28, 2026

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) is Robert Klara, author of The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America's Most Famous Residence

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Abraham Lincoln Before the Presidency: What He Learned as a Lawmaker Jan 21, 2026

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 Capitol Hill shaped his presidency — from his early and consistent resistance to the expansion of slavery to his firsthand experience of seeing men kidnapped and sold into bondage.

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Montezuma's Revenge! Debunking the Myth of the Spanish Conquest Jan 14, 2026

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 a whole new story begins to emerge. Shocker, Montezuma did not surrender and Cortés was not viewed as a God-like figure.

In this episode, we'll revisit the famous meeting between Montezuma and Cortés, unpack the legend that Europeans were mistaken for gods, and explore how Spanish self-promotion shaped the history books for hundreds of years.

If you've ever wondered how a few hundred conquistadors were said to defeat an empire of millions — or why we've been telling this story the same way for 500 years — this episode offers a long-overdue reset.

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America Loves Trains. Why Can't We Build Them Anymore? Inside NYC's Second Avenue Subway Jan 07, 2026

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, author of Second Avenue Subway: Building the Most Famous Thing Never Built in New York City, and transportation expert Joe Stanford to break down how the U.S. went from a rail-building powerhouse to a country where major transit projects feel nearly impossible.

In this episode we bore deep into:

America's century-long struggle to complete the Second Avenue Subway

China's rapid expansion of subways and high-speed rail

How politics, regulation, and Americans' LOVE for their cars shape infrastructure

Why the cost of expanding passenger rail lines is so much higher in the U.S. (like, WAY higher) than in Europe and Asia

All aboard! Next stop: a brief history of American rail. (Toot! Toot!) 🚂

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Can We Add a Fifth Face to Mount Rushmore? The History and Future of the Monument Dec 31, 2025

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. How does Mount Rushmore reflect America's battles over who and what America chooses to celebrate?

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why Mount Rushmore was carved, and who originally inspired the project

The forgotten faces and ideas that never made it onto the mountain

How Indigenous history and land rights shape Rushmore's legacy

Whether a future president could legally (or physically) be added

GUEST: Matthew Davis, author of A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore

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Are These Really the Best Movies of the 21st Century? Debating the NYT's Top 100 Dec 24, 2025

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 (unless you're using it to play this podcast) and sit back as we tear this list apart.

What do you think of NYT's list? Share your thoughts by emailing AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com

Oh, and here's our watchlist if you're looking for a good film:

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Predator: Badlands

Spirited Away

Weapons

Creed

Spotlight

Marty Supreme

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Death by Lightning: What Netflix Got Right (and Wrong) About a Presidential Assassination Dec 17, 2025

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 the highlights:

The assassination of President James A. Garfield
The portrayal of Chester A. Arthur by Nick Offerman
Political corruption
19th century medicine
Should we have more stories about obscure presidents?

Did you have thoughts on the series? Send your thoughts to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com

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Was Johnny Appleseed a Real Person? The Man Behind the Myth Dec 10, 2025

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 Ohio. Just like some hybrid apples, Chapman was a mix of naturalist and capitalist. He bought vast tracts of land for apple orchards but believed in America's lost simplicity and a connection to nature.

So, kick off your shoes and put a pot on your head as we travel around spreading seeds of knowledge.

GUEST: William Kerrigan, author of Johnny Appleseed and the American Orchard: A Cultural History

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The Surprising History of Vaccines in America with Kathryn Olivarius Dec 03, 2025

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 story of how vaccines shaped American life — from smallpox inoculations during the Revolution to modern-day debates over public health and personal freedom.

We're going to poke and jab at history to see why vaccine resistance isn't new, and how the fight between science, religion, and politics has defined 250 years of American medicine.

GUEST: Kathryn Olivarius, author of Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom

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Why Were There So Many Serial Killers in 1970s America? Nov 26, 2025

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 see how difficult it was to catch predators in a world before DNA testing, cell phones, and surveillance cameras. But that also begs the question: Are there fewer serial killers today? Listen, and find out!

GUEST: Catherine Townsend, host of Hell and Gone: Murder Line and Red Collar

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Is Thanksgiving a Feast of Lies?! Historian David J. Silverman Separates Myth from Truth Nov 19, 2025

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 the Troubled History of Thanksgiving) joins us to carve up the myths about Turkey Day and serve a nice helping of truth.

In this episode, Bob and David explore the origins of Thanksgiving, from the Wampanoag people's strategic decision to ally with the English, to Abraham Lincoln's role in turning that footnoted feast into a national holiday.

Tell your family to turn down the yacht rock and play this episode of American History Hotline as you avoid talking about politics and stir the gravy.

GUEST: David J. Silverman, author of This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving. He has a new book coming out in February of 2026 titled, The Chosen and the Damned: Native Americans and the Making of Race in the United States

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When Murder Was Legal …ish Nov 12, 2025

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, it was the "Unwritten Law" for way longer than you might think.

Chris DeRose, author of Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America, joins Bob to talk about how this legal defense played out in America.

GUEST: Chris DeRose, author of Star Spangled Scandal: Sex, Murder, and the Trial that Changed America

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How Did Big Tech Take Over Our Elections? Nov 05, 2025

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 on your Nokia.

Roger joins Bob to talk about the evolution of technology in politics, from the rise of data-driven campaigning in the 1970s to Facebook's influence on the 2016 election and the new threat of AI.

Let's just say our future is beginning to look a lot like an episode of Black Mirror.

GUEST: Roger McNamee, author of Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe

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Why Won't Daylight Saving Time Die? Oct 29, 2025

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 earlier ... or is it later? ... for this episode.

GUEST: Chad Orzel, author of the book, A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks

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Hunting Witches: What Started the Salem Witch Trials? Oct 22, 2025

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 fueled the Salem Witch Trials. A time when no one was above suspicion!

Guest: Emerson Baker, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

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Hail to the Cheapskate: How Presidents Made (and Spent) Their Money Oct 15, 2025

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 about leadership, power, and legacy.

Discover why Thomas Jefferson died in debt, how Abraham Lincoln overcame his impoverished childhood, why FDR's polio treatment transformed presidential fundraising, and how modern presidents like Obama, Clinton, and Trump built post-White House fortunes.

Also, do you have to be wealthy to become president? Or has the oligarchy already began?

GUEST: Megan Gorman: All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money

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What Was Columbus REALLY Like? Oct 08, 2025

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 Indigenous peoples, and how his image has been used for centuries to celebrate—and condemn— colonization.

GUEST: Matthew Restall, author of The Nine Lives of Christopher Columbus

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What's Wrong with Blackface? Oct 01, 2025

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 it's important to learn about the history of slavery, even if it makes you feel guilty or uncomfortable.

If you've ever wondered why blackface is offensive, this episode will provide some answers.

GUEST: Tyrone Howard, professor of education in the School of Education and Information Studies at UCLA.

Michelle Harris-Perry's book is Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America

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Why Watergate Didn't Bother Lynyrd Skynyrd / Ozzy vs. Winged Creatures Sep 24, 2025

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.

Mark Kemp also helps us understand the intersection of Southern rock and American politics of the1970s, including Lynyrd Skynyrd's references to controversial figures like George Wallace, the Confederate flag and the Watergate scandal.

Discover the real stories behind the music (and some fake ones). RIP Ozzy and Ronnie Van Zant.

GUEST: Mark Kemp, award-winning music journalist, former Rolling Stone editor, former vice president of music editorial at MTV, and author of the book: Dixie Lullaby: A Story of Music, Race and New Beginnings in a New South.

Correction: In this episode we say that Black Sabbath's first album was Paranoid. In fact, their first album was the self-titled Black Sabbath, which came out in February of 1970. Paranoid came out later that fall.

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Dueling in Early America: Hamilton, Burr, and Honor Culture with Lindsay Chervinsky Sep 17, 2025

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 even presidential legacies. Learn why Andrew Jackson fought so many duels, how Abraham Lincoln nearly crossed swords, and why Burr's fatal shot at Hamilton changed his career forever.

We also dive into the laws that eventually outlawed dueling, what rap battles and playground fights have in common with "affairs of honor," and whether challenging someone to a duel today could still land you in jail.

We get into all these questions about dueling so grab your second, take 10 paces and hit play.

GUEST: Lindsay Chervinsky, presidential historian and the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, co-editor of Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture, and the forthcoming book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic

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What's a Buffalo Soldier? Sep 10, 2025

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 story of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Discover who these Black regiments were, how they earned their name, and the crucial role they played on the Western frontier, in the Spanish-American War, and beyond. We explore their battles, their struggles with racism during the Jim Crow era, and the lasting legacy they passed on through World War I, World War II, and even into American culture today.

Along the way, we connect the history to Bob Marley's lyrics, ask what the song got right, and learn how music and memory continue to shape the story of the Buffalo Soldiers.

GUEST: Cale E. Carter II, Director of Exhibitions and Military Historian at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas.

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Why Do Third Parties Fail? Sep 03, 2025

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 Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. He's also author of the soon-to-be released book: Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet.

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Episode Title Redacted: From the Files of the CIA Aug 29, 2025

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.

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Arsenic and Cyanide: The Dark Side of Victorian Womanhood in America Aug 27, 2025

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 becomes "the great equalizer for women in the 19th Century," as science historian Daniel Kevles wrote.

But not all poisonings in the 1800s were acts of desperation. Plenty were just good old fashioned murder. DUN DUN DUUUUN!!!

Joining Bob Crawford to help sort out the means, motive and opportunity of these Victorian Era women poisoners is Lisa Perrin.

GUEST: Lisa Perrin, author and illustrator of the book, The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women

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Peter Sagal: Is the Electoral College "America's Worst Idea"? Aug 20, 2025

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.

To figure out if the electoral college is trash, and to break down the origins, pros, cons and future of this unique electoral body, host Bob Crawford called on Peter Sagal. He's not just host of a game show on NPR (shoutout to WBEZ) and an avid marathoner. He's also host of the PBS show CONSTITUTION USA.

What's in this episode:

Bob and Peter unpack the history and ongoing relevance of the Electoral College, including its origins in balancing slavery, state power, and the popular vote. The conversation also touches on gerrymandering, the influence of political parties, and the challenges of achieving national unity in a polarized political climate.

GUEST: Peter Sagal, host of Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me! and CONSTITUTION USA

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Why Haven't We Returned to the Moon in 50+ Years? Aug 13, 2025

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 miles to our neighboring planet?

GUEST: Andrew Chaikin, author of the book A Man on the Moon. Check out his cool new website: DoSpaceBetter.com

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America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman: Lafayette Aug 06, 2025

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 revolution.

GUEST: Lloyd Kramer, historian and author of the book Lafayette in Two Worlds: Public Cultures and Personal Identities in an Age of Revolutions

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Was Disease the Biggest Killer in the Civil War? Jul 30, 2025

"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 American history. And it didn't help that sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis were rampant among soldiers.

GUEST: Kathryn Olivarius, Associate Professor of History at Stanford University. Check out her book: Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom

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What's up with George Washington's Teeth? Jul 23, 2025

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 are they not wood?) and taking a bite of the reality sandwich as we sort truth from fiction in George Washington's legacy.

GUEST: Alexis Coe, an award-winning, New York Times bestselling presidential historian, and a senior fellow at New America, a bi-partisan think tank. Her books include, You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George of Washington and the upcoming Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917-1957 (scheduled for 2026).

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Would Lincoln Be a Republican Today? Jul 16, 2025

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. He publishes a Substack newsletter called The Long View. Check out his book: In Defense of Partisanship.

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Can the Great Depression Happen Again? Jul 09, 2025

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 University. His area of expertise is macroeconomics of the Great Depression.

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Does the Constitution Prevent A Dictator? Jul 02, 2025

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 political storms of the past 250 years and held strong. The key to success, Rosen explains, is an informed citizenry that holds elected officials accountable to America's founding principles.

GUEST: Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, where he hosts We the People, a weekly podcast of constitutional debate. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic.

Rosen's new book is "The Pursuit of Liberty, How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America"

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Dead on the 4th of July Jul 02, 2025

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 actually tried to AVOID dying on the 4th of July. It turns out, Independence Day is rife with patriotic deaths and coincidences!

GUEST: Lindsay Chervinsky, presidential historian and the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, co-editor of Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture, and the forthcoming book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic

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Introducing: American History Hotline Apr 28, 2025

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