This Day

Discover the rich history of Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the U.S. Delve into its origins in Texas and the delays in communication surrounding emancipation. Learn how this regional celebration transformed into a national symbol of freedom during the Great Migration. The podcast explores the cultural significance of Juneteenth and its journey to federal recognition. Finally, reflect on how holidays influence collective memory and the ongoing debates surrounding their observance in contemporary society.

This discussion dives into the cultural upheaval caused by the release of the iconic film JAWS, marking it as a pivotal moment in cinema history. Listeners hear about how it distorted public perception of sharks, creating a lasting fear of the ocean. The hosts highlight personal anecdotes and the psychological horror elements of the movie. They also tackle the ecological consequences of shark stereotypes, including the dangerous decline in shark populations. The conversation reflects on how attitudes toward sharks and masculinity have evolved since the film's debut.

It's June 12. This day in 1967, President Johnson nominates Thurgood Marshall as the first Black Supreme Court justice. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss Marshall's stories legal career up until this point -- but why Johnson was still taking a major risk in putting him forward.Sign up for our newsletter! Get your hands on This Day merch!Find out more at thisdaypod.comThis Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's June 9th. This day in 1933, the Roosevelt administration is asking Americans to turn their gold into the government -- or be jailed.Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how FDR sought to stabilize the economy, how Americans reacted to the order to turn in their heavy metals -- and how this moment led the US to become less and less reliant on the gold standard.Sign up for our newsletter! Get your hands on This Day merch!Find out more at thisdaypod.comThis Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Emily Spivack, an artist and writer known for her book and Netflix series Worn Stories, joins the conversation to unpack the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943. She explores how the flashy zoot suit became a symbol of cultural identity amid racial tensions in Los Angeles. The discussion also dives into the intersection of clothing and political expression, touching on contemporary issues of immigration and community solidarity. Spivack intriguingly speculates on the potential resurgence of baggy fashion styles, linking past and present in a vibrant cultural tapestry.

On June 5th, the history of Qian Xuesen, a brilliant Chinese aerospace engineer, unfolds. Discover his significant contributions to WWII-era science and how Cold War politics led to his deportation. The discussion highlights race and nationality amid profound societal paranoia, exploring how personal identities were intertwined with national security fears. The legacy of this deported scientist sheds light on contemporary immigration issues, raising questions about talent and opportunity amid geopolitical conflicts.

On June 3, 1913, boxer Jack Johnson faced sentencing under the Mann Act, raising questions about race and societal norms. His victory over 'great White hope' boxers highlighted deep racial and gender tensions in America. The podcast delves into the complexities surrounding his legal battles and societal anxieties about interracial relationships. Additionally, Johnson's legacy is examined, including a recent presidential pardon and its cultural significance. Through these discussions, the impact of Johnson's life and career resonates in today’s world.

Today, another in our "Some Sunday Context" series, where we bring you new conversations and episodes from the archives that try to help us make sense of life here in 2025. Nathan Fielder's "The Rehearsal" -- unexpectedly -- has many of us thinking about airline safety and aviation policy. His show is concerned with the interpersonal dynamics inside a cockpit, but the larger context is of an industry that has been deregulated, degraded, and ignored to the point where, well... flying really sucks. So, today we bring you an episode we did in December 2023 about the roots of airline deregulation.-------It’s December 17th. This day in 1978, holiday travelers are flying around the country under a regulatory system that was about to come to an end. The next year, the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 would kick in.Jody, NIki, and Kellie are joined by Ganesh Sitaraman of Vanderbilt to discuss how the act changed the competitive structure for airlines — and in turn led to a degradation of service, reliability, and the glamour of flying.Ganesh’s new book is “Why Flying is Miserable… And How To Fix It.”Here’s our holiday book gift guide! https://thisdaypod.substack.com/p/a-this-day-books-and-merch-gift-guideSign up for our newsletter! Get your hands on This Day merch!Find out more at thisdaypod.comThis Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's May 28th. This day in 1830, President Andrew Jackson has signed the Indian Removal Act into law, leading to the forcible removal of Native Americans in Georgia and elsewhere, culminating in the Trail of Tears a couple years later. But despite Jackson getting his way, there was widespread resistance at the political, legal, cultural and moral spheres to the action.Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the way in which Native Americans and others fought Indian removal -- and how these fights serves as a bit of a dry run for the battles that would take place in the run-up to the Civil War a generation later.Sign up for our newsletter! Get your hands on This Day merch!Find out more at thisdaypod.comThis Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On May 26, 1970, President Nixon hosted labor leaders amid rising tensions between construction workers and anti-war protesters. The violent clashes symbolized a significant cultural divide in America, highlighting contrasting views on patriotism and the Vietnam War draft. The discussion reveals how these events reshaped political alliances, especially as labor drifted towards Republican ideologies. Additionally, the podcast delves into the historical interplay of race, class, and politics, shedding light on the lasting impact of these social dynamics.