Our American Stories

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Rediscovering My Dad Cy Walter: The Art Tatum of Cocktail Pianists May 04, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Cy Walter played piano in bustling New York City during the years when tunes from the Great American Songbook filled smoke-filled rooms and carried late into the night. He built a following at places like the Drake Hotel, where people came as much for him as for the music itself, becoming something of a local legend.
After his death, his son Mark set out to piece together his father’s story. After all, he had only known his dad for a short time. Along the way, he discovered a buried legacy that had been carried forward by those who remembered him best.

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What Happened When Buck O’Neil Missed the Hall of Fame by One Vote May 01, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2021, former Negro Leagues baseball player Buck O'Neil was finally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, years after being denied by just one vote, a decision that surprised many of his friends and supporters.
Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, tells the story of how Buck handled that loss, in Kendrick’s words, “like a man.”

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Before Billy Graham, There Was Billy Sunday May 01, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before he became evangelist Billy Sunday, William Ashley Sunday played professional baseball in the major leagues, known for his speed and energy on the field. In the 1890s, at the height of his athletic career, he walked away from the game and turned to preaching, eventually becoming one of the most influential evangelists of his time.
Drawing on his background as an athlete and his dynamic speaking style, Sunday delivered sermons that drew massive crowds and resonated with everyday Americans. Robert J. Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, shares the story of how Billy Sunday’s message spread across the nation and why it had such a powerful impact.

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Paul Revere’s Ride: The Poem That Made a Legend May 01, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, on April 18, 1775, a Boston silversmith set out on horseback with a warning that would travel from town to town in the dark. The ride itself was real, but the version most Americans remember came later, shaped by a poem that gave it a place in the national memory.
In this dramatic reading, American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalizes Old North Church and Paul Revere in American folklore.

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George Washington: The Definitive Story of America’s First President May 01, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, most of us meet George Washington through half-remembered legends: the cherry tree story, his face on the dollar bill, the grand portraits, and the monuments across the country. Before he became the first president of the United States, he spent years trying to earn respect in a world that did not offer it easily.
The late historian Don Higginbotham, author of George Washington: Uniting a Nation, and actor James O’Connor share the definitive story of one of the most important men in American history.

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The SR-71 Blackbird Disaster at 78,000 Feet: How One Pilot Fell from Space and Survived Apr 30, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when an SR-71 Blackbird disintegrated midair at over 2,000 mph, pilot Bill Weaver was ejected at a speed and altitude few humans have ever survived. He thought he was dead, but what followed became one of the most remarkable survival stories in aviation history.
Our regular contributor, The History Guy, shares this incredible story.

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From Wall Street Workaholic to Foster Care Reformer: Paul Blavin's Mission Apr 30, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, what happens to children when they age out of foster care? For many, it means stepping into adulthood alone, without the support systems most young people take for granted. After learning how often these young adults face homelessness, incarceration, and limited opportunities, Paul Blavin walked away from a successful career on Wall Street to do something about it.
What started as a sudden realization grew into the Blavin Scholars Program, a holistic effort designed to help former foster youth not just attend college, but succeed in life through mentorship, housing support, and a strong sense of community. Paul joins us to share his story.

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The South Vietnamese Pilot Who Stole a Plane to Save His Family Apr 30, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, as Saigon fell during Operation Frequent Wind and thousands tried to escape, one South Vietnamese pilot refused to leave his family behind. With only a small observation plane and no guarantee of survival, Major Buang-Ly took to the air in search of help.
When he reached the USS Midway, the crew faced a difficult choice that would determine whether his family lived or died. Historian Hill Goodspeed of the National Naval Aviation Museum brings us this incredible story of a father doing whatever it took to save his family.

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The Kindness of Strangers: A Group Home’s Night Out Ends With a Surprise Apr 30, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, a group home’s night out turned unforgettable when two strangers stepped in with a silent gift. Laurie Seibert had brought her group out for a well-earned dinner, never expecting someone across the room to cover the full bill. But that’s exactly what happened.

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The Story of America: Marbury v. Madison and the Power of the Court [Ep. 17] Apr 30, 2026

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On this episode of Our American Stories, The Constitution created a Supreme Court, but it did not spell out how powerful that Court would be. In the early 1800s, a political standoff involving William Marbury, outgoing President John Adams, and newly elected President Thomas Jefferson over an undelivered job offer forced the issue. The decision by Chief Justice John Marshall would change America forever.
As part of our ongoingStory of Us—Story of America series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, shares the story of how Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, turning it into a lasting check on Congress and the presidency and shaping the balance of power that still defines American life and law today.

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