Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, as Lower Manhattan filled with smoke and chaos on September 11, 2001, escape routes vanished. Bridges and tunnels were shut down, subways halted, and thousands of people were trapped at the edge of the island with no way out. In that moment, the harbor became their only hope. The call went out: “All available boats.” Fireboats, tugboats, ferries, and even private pleasure craft rushed to the seawall. Together, they carried civilians across the Hudson and East Rivers in what became the largest water evacuation in history—greater even than Dunkirk. This is the story of the FDNY fireboats and ordinary mariners who became heroes on one of America’s darkest days. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when the planes struck the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald was left devastated. The investment firm’s offices spanned the upper floors of the North Tower, leaving no chance of escape. In less than an hour, 658 employees were gone—more lives than any other company lost that day. Among them was the brother of CEO Howard Lutnick. For Lutnick, the grief was immediate and deeply personal, but so was the responsibility. He had to lead a company hollowed out by tragedy while caring for the families who had lost everything. What followed was a story not only of survival, but of loyalty, rebuilding, and the weight of memory. Here, Howard Lutnick reflects on Cantor Fitzgerald’s darkest day and the colleagues and friends who never came home. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the Stars and Stripes became the national banner, another symbol of liberty flew over American ships. Known as the Pine Tree Flag, or the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, it was one of the earliest wartime flags of the Revolution. In 1775, George Washington ordered it raised on six schooners that made up the first naval force of the colonies. Its white field and green pine tree came from New England symbolism, while its motto reflected John Locke’s political philosophy that when all earthly appeals failed, justice could be sought from above. For colonists, it was both a patriotic emblem and a symbol of liberty at a time when independence was still a daring idea. Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, brings the story of this early American flag to life, connecting its 18th-century symbolism to the broader tradition of U.S. banners. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the mid-20th century, families desperate for answers turned to a radical procedure known as the lobotomy. Promoted as a cure for everything from depression to schizophrenia, its brutal methods left thousands of patients permanently damaged. At the center was Dr. Walter Freeman, whose name became synonymous with the transorbital lobotomy and the dark side of psychosurgery. Yet from these failures came progress. The shortcomings of lobotomy forced doctors and scientists to pursue safer, more effective ways to treat mental illness, ultimately laying the groundwork for modern brain surgery. Dr. Theodore Schwartz—neurosurgeon, professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, and author of Grey Matters—traces how a medical misstep opened the door to innovation and helped transform the future of neurosurgery. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Lori Coan was on her second date with a boy she wasn’t sure about when something happened that changed her mind—and her life. A group of troublemakers tripped a girl with polio, sending her sprawling in front of everyone. Most of the students laughed or looked away. Lori’s date didn’t. He jumped up, helped the girl to her feet, and gave her dignity back in a moment when it had been stolen. To Lori, that simple act of courage said more than words ever could. That boy would later become her husband, and together they built a marriage lasting more than fifty years. What began as a small act of kindness in a high school cafeteria grew into a lifelong partnership grounded in respect, compassion, and strength. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, on the frigid night of February 3, 1943, the troop ship USS Dorchester was struck by a German torpedo. Within twenty minutes, the ship slipped beneath the waves. As it did, a Methodist minister, a Jewish rabbi, a Catholic priest, and a Dutch Reformed pastor moved calmly through the panicked crowd—guiding soldiers to lifeboats, offering prayers, and handing out lifejackets until none remained. When the last vests were gone, they gave away their own. Craig Du Mez of the Grateful Nation Project shares their story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when John Humphrey was born with a rare heart condition, his family’s world changed overnight. In West Des Moines, Iowa, they found strength in the compassion of their neighbors and the faith community at the Lutheran Church of Hope. Told by Ryan Buck, The Hope Story of John Humphrey shares not only the struggles of one child’s medical battle, but also the small acts of kindness and the steadfast belief that carried his family through. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1864, Charleston Harbor became the site of a world first. The Confederate submarine CSS Hunley approached the Union warship USS Housatonic under the cover of night. A spar torpedo struck, sending the Housatonic to the bottom of the harbor and proving that submarines could change the course of war. The Hunley never returned, but the attack marked the beginning of submarine warfare and remains one of the most dramatic moments in Civil War naval history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Madison rarely chased the spotlight, and he knew his character flaws. He was short, balding, awkward, and didn’t always play well in group settings. Yet despite his stature, his big ideas built and shaped America. He drafted the Bill of Rights, argued for ratification in The Federalist Papers, and turned quiet conviction into lasting policy through partnerships with Washington, Jefferson, and Monroe. His marriage to Dolley Madison added another kind of influence—one that worked in rooms where politics met people. David O. Stewart, author of Madison's Gift, shares the story of how Madison earned the title “Father of the Constitution” and how his humility often obscured his achievements. We'd like to thank the U.S. National Archives for granting us access to this audio. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Winnie the Pooh became a Disney character, he was the creation of A.A. Milne, first brought to life in the Evening News on Christmas Eve, 1925. Inspired by his son, Christopher Robin, and a teddy bear named Edward, Milne wrote stories that blended the innocence of childhood with the timeless appeal of friendship. Illustrated by E.H. Shepard, Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner quickly became classics, ranking among the most beloved children’s stories of the 20th century. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.