Professor Buzzkill History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Juneteenth and the “End of Slavery in the US”: What’s in a Date? Jun 19, 2023

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"Juneteenth" (June 19th) is now widely regarded as marking the end of slavery in the United States. Professor Buzzkill examines the many dates related to the abolition of human enslavement in the US. And he pleads for more holidays observing this moral advance! Listen and learn. Encore episode.

Native Americans in Film, 1941-1960 Jun 13, 2023

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Professor Liza Black enlightens us about her new book, Picturing Indians: Native Americans in Film 1941-1960. She examines many misunderstandings and misconceptions about Native Americans working in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Encore Episode!

Loving Day: 2023 Jun 12, 2023

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June 12th is Loving Day! Loving Day is now celebrated around the world. If you don’t know what Loving Day is, listen to the story we tell you in this brief, special encore episode. And go to lovingday.org to find out more!

The American South and Country Capitalism Jun 06, 2023

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Why do so many big and iconic American corporations come from the US South, a region traditionally considered a backwater? Dr. Bartow Elmore explains how Coca-Cola, WalMart, and FedEx used “country capitalism” to change the United States and the planet. Fascinating listening, and very illuminating analysis! You won’t shop the same way again! Episode 514.

Mourning the Presidents May 30, 2023

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Presidential funerals have become major cultural moments in American history. But were they always this important? Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky explains how different presidential funerals have been over the centuries, starting with George Washington’s death and funeral in 1799. Each funeral she analyzes tells us a great deal about American culture at the time. All together they help us better understand American history. Episode 513.

The Nuremberg Trials: Justice for Humanity? May 23, 2023

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Did the Nurenberg Trials provide justice for humanity after the horrors of World War II? In order to address this question, Professor Philip Nash explains what happened during the trials, how well they adhered to international law, how the judgments and sentences were reached, and how well and fairly the trials were conducted. It’s far more complicated than the traditional story has it. Episode 512.

The Nuremberg Trials: Background and Buildup May 18, 2023

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Professor Philip Nash explains the extremely complicated background of the Nuremberg Trials of 1945-1946. We learn how difficult it was to set up these trials, in terms of international law, the establishment of new charges (such as “crimes against humanity”), and even the logistical difficulties in setting the trial in motion. Important legal, philosophical, and historical questions abound in this show! Episode 511.

Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America May 16, 2023

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Dr. Megan Kate Nelson puts us in the middle of the history and context of the founding of Yellowstone National Park, one of America’s natural glories. She tells us how he park was an important part of Reconstruction after the Civil War, how explorers and bureaucrats fought over how the land should be used, and how Native Americans responded to this encroachment on their land. A complicated and gripping story, and one of our most compelling episodes. Episode 510.

Mother's Day 2023 May 12, 2023

Show notes

Major social and political forces led to the establishment of Mother's Day as a major and official holiday. This episode explains those forces, and also tells us who founded Mother's Day. Was it Julia Ward Howe with her famous "Appeal to Womanhood" Peace Proclamation in 1870? Or did Anna Marie Jarvis found it, honoring her own mother in 1908? And what did war and campaigns for international disarmament have to do with the history of Mother's Day? Encore episode.

The Transmission of Knowledge: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Magic May 09, 2023

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Simon Winchester takes us on a journey through the history of how knowledge has been acquired, stored, and passed on, and how that dissemination has evolved with time. Crucially, he muses on how—in an age where a world of information is just a cell phone away—the thoughtfulness and wisdom that derives from knowledge might be under threat. We talk about everything from ancient Mesopotamian libraries to the “knowledge” that bacon and eggs are the most energizing American breakfast foods. Episode 509.

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