This Day

Nate DiMeo, creator of The Memory Palace and a master of historical storytelling, joins the discussion about Hercules Posey, an enslaved chef for George Washington. They dive into Posey's complex relationship with Washington and how it complicates our understanding of the founding father’s legacy. The conversation reveals forgotten histories and the pursuit of freedom among enslaved people, particularly how Posey's culinary contributions demand recognition beyond mere footnotes in history. Themes of accountability and the intricate narratives of enslaved lives are explored.

In this discussion with Kevin Roose, a New York Times technology columnist, the spotlight is on Victor Glushkov's ambitious 1970 vision for a decentralized internet in the USSR. Roose dives into the clash between Glushkov's visionary ideas and the limitations of Soviet innovation. The conversation highlights how this early proposal may have spurred U.S. advancements in network technology. They also explore the contrasts between Soviet cyber socialism and the rapid innovation of Silicon Valley, raising questions about centralized versus decentralized tech development.

The podcast dives into Donald Trump's historic re-election and its implications for democracy. Emotional reflections reveal feelings of disappointment and fear for the future. It emphasizes the critical role of local communities in driving national change and highlights systemic issues like racism and sexism in voting. The exhaustion faced by Black women in politics is also explored, showcasing their resilience and dedication to mentorship. Overall, it paints a complex picture of activism and the ongoing fight for inclusive democracy.

Curious why elections are on Tuesdays? Discover the quirky historical reasons behind this decision, rooted in a 1845 act. Explore the voting vulnerabilities of early America, including fraud and the role of immigrant voters. Delve into the practicalities of timing, agriculture, and travel that influenced this choice. The conversation also humorously critiques accessibility issues, suggesting fun ways to boost voter turnout—like making Election Day a holiday with free snacks. It's a blend of history, politics, and comedy!

The hosts reflect on their evolving voting experiences leading up to the 2024 election, blending humor with insight. They examine the community spirit behind elections, likening it to the excitement of major events. The evolution of political journalism is discussed, from anecdotes to polling. The conversation dives into the complex emotions around the candidates and the importance of voter engagement. Finally, they share their self-care plans for election night, aiming to enjoy the experience and navigate social media stress-free.

The discussion dives into the launch of Saturday Night Live and its evolution into a powerful voice in political satire. From iconic impersonations to the complexities of mocking politicians, the hosts explore the show's cultural impact through the years. They also tackle the blurred lines between satire and reality, especially in the context of the upcoming 2024 election. Plus, there's a fun take on Halloween costumes and a humorous look at privacy concerns with new tech like the iPhone's thumbprint feature.

In 1892, presidential candidates Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland paused their campaigns following the death of Harrison's wife. The episode delves into how such personal tragedies historically influenced political strategies. It also explores the evolving role of the First Lady and its impact on elections. Additionally, there's a thought-provoking discussion on the lengthy nature of campaign seasons, questioning their effectiveness and the resulting voter fatigue. Lastly, the challenges of recognizing candidates during primaries amid growing polarization are highlighted.

It's October 23rd. This day in 1800, Alexander Hamilton penned a letter titled "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams."Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Lindsay Chervinsky to talk about why Hamilton wrote the scathing letter, and how it played into the politics of the time, just weeks before that year's election.Lindsay's new book is "Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic"This 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.comYou can also find our newsletter, merch store, transcripts, and lot more on our site.Get 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 October 22nd. This day in 1984, Ronald Reagan served up one of the most memorable lines in political history when he said that he would not "exploit, for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience."Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the line was so effective, and how deep the concerns over Reagan's mental fitness really were in the 1984 election.This 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.comYou can also find our newsletter, merch store, transcripts, and lot more on our site.Get 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 Sundays between now and the election, we're going to dip into the 2024 race to talk about the latest events -- plus offer some historical perspective.And these will all be video episodes! So if you'd like to watch the conversation, visit our YouTube page.www.youtube.com/@ThisDayPodToday, Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the increasingly addled nature of Trump's rallies; how Howard U is treating the Kamala run; and a very unfortunate reference to Arnold Palmer's penis size.Then they're joined by Dave O'Brien of RepresentUS to talk about the new money flowing into this year's election.This 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.comYou can also find our newsletter, merch store, transcripts, and lot more on our site.Get 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