American History Hit
History Hit
Join Don Wildman twice a week for your hit of American history, as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today. We’ll hear how codebreakers uncovered secret Japanese plans for the Battle of Midway, visit Chief Powhatan as he prepares for war with the British, see Walt Disney accuse his former colleagues of being communists, and uncover the dark history that lies beneath Central Park. From pre-colonial America to independence, slavery to civil rights, the gold rush to the space race, join Don as he speaks to leading experts to delve into America’s past. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Brought to you by History Hit, the award-winning podcast network and world’s best history channel on demand, featuring shows like Dan Snow’s History Hit, Not Just The Tudors and Betwixt the Sheets.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 29, 2025 • 36min
How Much Power Does the President Have?
In this engaging discussion, Graham G. Dodds, an Associate Professor of History and author of 'The Unitary Presidency,' dives into the murky waters of presidential power in the U.S. He examines the origins of the unitary executive theory and its implications for democracy. Topics include the risks of centralized power, historical Supreme Court cases, and how past presidents like Cheney and Bush have shaped this theory. Graham also warns of contemporary threats like Project 2025, highlighting how the unitary approach could jeopardize checks and balances.
Dec 25, 2025 • 28min
How Did Fossils Change America?
Caroline Winterer, a historian and author specializing in the cultural history of science, dives into how fossil discoveries revolutionized America’s views on science and religion in the 19th century. She discusses the impact of the Hadrosaurus Foulkii, which challenged biblical timelines and spurred questions about the nation’s identity. Winterer also connects deep time to industrial growth, racial justifications for land dispossession, and the rise of young-earth creationism, while illustrating how these ideas shaped American exceptionalism.
10 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 42min
Lincoln: The First Presidential Assassination
In this insightful discussion, historian Michael Kauffman, author of "American Brutus," dives into the harrowing details of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. He explores John Wilkes Booth's year-long conspiracy, revealing how Booth manipulated his accomplices and the original kidnapping plot that morphed into murder. Kauffman also unpacks the tragic consequences of Lincoln's death on Reconstruction and the divided loyalties within Booth's family, adding layers to this pivotal moment in American history.
10 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 20min
The Boston Tea Party
Benjamin Carp, a history professor at Brooklyn College and author of several works on the American Revolution, dives into the motivations behind the Boston Tea Party. He discusses the urgent meetings at the Old South Meeting House, the roles of key figures like Samuel Adams, and the tactical decisions made during the event. Carp sheds light on the significance of participants disguising themselves as Indigenous people and the disciplined execution of dumping 342 tea chests. The conversation reveals how this pivotal act of defiance shaped colonial sentiments against British rule.
Dec 15, 2025 • 45min
Life on a Mississippi Steamboat
In this discussion, Robert Gudmestad, a history professor and author focusing on 19th-century America, delves into the fascinating world of Mississippi steamboats. He shares how the steam engine transformed transportation and traces the iconic New Orleans voyage. The episode reveals the darker aspects of river life, from the pivotal role of enslaved labor to the high risks of boiler explosions. Gudmestad also highlights notable disasters and reflects on how these vessels shaped American mythology, capturing the essence of a bygone era.
Dec 11, 2025 • 43min
What Was The Ghost Dance?
Professor Gregory Smoak, a history expert on Native American religion, dives into the captivating world of the Ghost Dance. He outlines its origins and Wovoka's vision of peace and renewal amidst 19th-century assimilation policies. Smoak sheds light on the misunderstood symbolism of ghost shirts and public misconceptions, as well as the explosive military response that culminated in the Wounded Knee massacre. He emphasizes the enduring legacy of the Ghost Dance, showing how its influence resonates in contemporary Native traditions.
10 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 41min
The German Spies at Pearl Harbor
Christine Kuehn, an author and descendant of the Kuhn family, along with former journalist Mark Schiponi, uncover a shocking family secret about their ancestors' espionage activities at Pearl Harbor. They discuss the emotional journey of discovering their family's involvement with Nazi Germany and the Japanese in Hawaii. Listeners will learn about cunning methods of intelligence gathering, including Ruth's social strategies and Otto's coded signaling system. Their insights highlight the impact of hidden histories on personal identity and national narratives.
Dec 4, 2025 • 50min
The Quakers' Rebellious Origins
Dr. Erica Cannella, a historian specializing in 17th-century British history and the early Quakers, shares fascinating insights into the origins of Quakerism. She discusses the radical beliefs and controversial practices of early Quakers, including their penchant for provocative actions like digging up corpses. Erica explains how zeal influenced their survival but also led to troubling incidents. The conversation highlights the movement's spread, the martyrdom of figures like Mary Dyer, and William Penn's vision for Pennsylvania as a bastion of religious tolerance.
Dec 1, 2025 • 43min
What Was the American Ice Age?
Dr. David J. Meltzer, an archaeologist and expert on Ice Age America, shares insights on how the first people arrived in North America. He explains the significance of the Pleistocene Ice Age, the role of the Beringia land bridge, and the environmental shifts that allowed migration. Meltzer discusses genetic evidence of ancestral diverging, the importance of climate cycles, and argues that climate more than human activity drove the extinction of megafauna. He also highlights how these early migrations influenced long-term cultural developments.
Nov 27, 2025 • 45min
Thanksgiving
Richard Pickering, Deputy Director at Plimoth Patuxet Museums and a historian on early New England relations, dives into the 1621 harvest feast that marked the first Thanksgiving. He reveals the dire conditions faced by the pilgrims, their dependence on the Wampanoag's agricultural knowledge, and how this feast fostered crucial diplomatic ties. Also discussed are the motivations behind the pilgrims' journey, the Mayflower Compact's significance, and the evolution of Thanksgiving into a national holiday, intertwining history with cultural legacy.
