Our American Stories

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Latest Episodes:

He Wrote "The Giving Tree" and Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue": The Shel Silverstein Story Dec 06, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, we all know Shel Silverstein's children's book, The Giving Tree, but did you know he wrote one of America's most famous country songs? Here's the story!

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How the Tow Truck Came to Be Dec 06, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, commitment to serve others better is a hallmark of American life. Add a sensible new design, honest pricing, and the never-ending journey of mechanical engineering - and we now have another key player in the forces behind public safety. Here's the story of how the tow truck as we know it came to be.

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Why Playing Cards in a Dumpster Changed My Life Dec 06, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Our American Stories regular contributor and listener, Paul Kotz, shares the story of what happened when hopped into a dumpster with a homeless man to play cards with him.

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He Flew Nukes, Captured World Records, and Saved His Way to Wealth... Dec 05, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, ...and gave much of it away. Here's the story of a man you might not know.... but will be glad to meet—Orville Rogers.

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"Pray for Us!": Father Receives Daughter's Text during Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre Dec 05, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Paul Kengor's daughters were across the street while a tragedy unfolded at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018. Here he is with his story.

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WWII’s Most Decorated Soldier Was a Teenager: The Audie Murphy Story Dec 05, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Audie Murphy's story is one of the quintessential American stories; yet, chances are, many Americans have never even heard of his name. Here's Roger McGrath with another Hollywood Goes to War story.

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The Hollywood Star That Left the Silver Screen to Become a Real-Life Spy in WWI Dec 04, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, our next story is about the man who played Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather,’’ the crooked cop who breaks Michael Corleone’s jaw—later receiving a bullet through the throat and forehead as comeuppance. Here to tell another Hollywood Goes to War story is Roger McGrath.McGrath is the author of Gunfighters, Highwaymen, and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier. A U.S. Marine and former history professor at UCLA, Dr. McGrath has appeared on numerous History Channel documentaries and is a regular contributor here at Our American Stories.

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The Untold Story Charles Lindbergh Dec 04, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Charles Lindbergh got his start performing in aerial circuses—and as a glorified mailman. He also made the daring decision to fly solo across the Atlantic, despite everyone else choosing to have a wingman. Kirk Higgins of the Bill of Rights Institute tells the story.

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The Story Behind the Curse of the Bambino—And How It Was Broken Dec 04, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, generations of Red Sox fans came and went before any modicum of success came to the team—some blamed it on a curse cast upon them by Babe Ruth himself. Here's the story of how the curse was broken.

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Robert E. Lee's Favorite Job Was... Being a College President? Dec 04, 2024

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Allen Guelzo, author of Robert E. Lee: A Life, tells the story of one of the most consequential and controversial generals in American history—and why he might have had the most success at the end of his life at the university that still bears his name. We'd like to thank the folks at the Bill of Rights Institute for allowing us to use this audio—originally part of their 'Scholar Talks' series on YouTube.

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