Throughline
NPR
Throughline is a time machine. Each episode, we travel beyond the headlines to answer the question, "How did we get here?" We use sound and stories to bring history to life and put you into the middle of it. From ancient civilizations to forgotten figures, we take you directly to the moments that shaped our world. Throughline is hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalists Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei.Subscribe to Throughline+. You'll be supporting the history-reframing, perspective-shifting, time-warping stories you can't get enough of - and you'll unlock access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/throughline
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 4, 2019 • 26min
American Anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner is the official anthem for the United States, but there are plenty of songs that have become informal American anthems for millions of people. This week, we share three stories from NPR Music's American Anthem series that highlight the origins of songs that have become ingrained in American culture.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jun 27, 2019 • 38min
Before Stonewall
Fifty years ago, a gay bar in New York City called The Stonewall Inn was raided by police, and what followed were days of rebellion where protesters and police clashed. Today, that event is seen as the start of the gay civil rights movement, but gay activists and organizations were standing up to harassment and discrimination years before. On this episode, the fight for gay rights before Stonewall.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jun 20, 2019 • 39min
The X On The Map
In 1965, Jimmie Lee Jackson was an unarmed black civil rights activist who was murdered in Marion, Ala., after a peaceful protest. His murder brought newfound energy to the civil rights movement, leading to the march to Montgomery that ended in "Bloody Sunday." This week, we share an episode we loved from White Lies as they look for answers to a murder that happened more than half a century ago.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jun 13, 2019 • 54min
Apocalypse Now
Evangelicals have played an important role in modern day American politics - from supporting President Trump to helping elect Jimmy Carter back in 1976. How and when did this religious group become so intertwined with today's political issues? In this episode, what it means to be an evangelical today and how it has changed over time.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jun 6, 2019 • 32min
Mitch McConnell
Mitch McConnell has been described as "opaque," "drab," and even "dull." He is one of the least popular - and most polarizing - politicians in the country. So how did he win eight consecutive elections? And what does it tell us about how he operates? This week, we share an episode we loved from Embedded that traces McConnell's political history.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
May 30, 2019 • 34min
Savarkar's India
Vinayak Savarkar, a pivotal figure in Hindu nationalism, is examined in the context of Narendra Modi's recent reelection. The discussion highlights how Savarkar's ideas have shaped today's political landscape, emphasizing the tensions between Hindu nationalism and India's secular roots. Listeners discover the complex dynamics of early 20th-century Indian politics, including rivalries and historical conflicts. The episode also delves into the controversial legacy of Savarkar following India's independence and his connection to the assassination of Gandhi.
May 23, 2019 • 45min
A Dream Of Modern China
Sun Yat-sen, a key figure in China's nationalist movement, discusses the tumultuous era that shaped modern China. He reflects on his journey from a young man in Hawaii to leading a revolutionary push against the Qing dynasty. The conversation explores the struggles during his rise to power, including his dramatic kidnapping and the challenges of the 1911 Revolution. Sun illuminates his vision for an industrialized nation and the critical principles that guided his quest for a unified China amid chaos and foreign influence.
May 16, 2019 • 55min
El Libertador
Venezuela is facing an economic and humanitarian crisis as extreme poverty and violence have forced many to flee the country in recent years. How did a country once wealthy with oil resources fall into such turmoil? Through the lives of two revolutionaries turned authoritarian leaders separated by two centuries, we look back at the rise and fall of Venezuela.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
6 snips
May 9, 2019 • 33min
White Nationalism
In this engaging discussion, Sam Sanders, host of NPR's It's Been a Minute, and Adam Serwer, a staff writer at The Atlantic, delve into the historical roots of white nationalism in the U.S. They explore the influence of Madison Grant's ideas from the 1920s on modern politics, including immigration laws and their impact in Nazi Germany. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of past and present racial narratives, shedding light on how shifts in perceptions of 'whiteness' and current political rhetoric shape societal tensions today.
May 2, 2019 • 21min
Outbreak
More than 700 measles cases have been recorded in the U.S. in the recent outbreak, the worst being in New York. This past April, Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a public health emergency that required residents in parts of Brooklyn to get vaccinated or face a fine of $1,000. In this episode, we look back at a 1905 Supreme Court case that set a precedent for enforcing compulsory vaccinations.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
