Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson shares another slice from his guide to unraveling the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. His book, Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases, explores where our favorite sayings come from—and what they really mean. Be sure to check it out! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ralph Cox was a star college hockey player with his sights set on the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. But when coach Herb Brooks finalized the U.S. Olympic hockey team roster, Cox was the last man cut. While his teammates went on to make history in the “Miracle on Ice” against the Soviet Union, Cox had to watch from the sidelines. Here, he reflects on the heartbreak and what it means to be tied forever to one of the greatest moments in sports history. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, most Americans know the phrase “We the People,” but few know the man who wrote it. Gouverneur Morris, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, shaped more of the Constitution’s text than almost anyone else. Historian and Jack Miller Center Fellow Dennis C. Rasmussen tells the story of this overlooked Founding Father, known as the “Penman of the Constitution,” whose words gave America its most famous beginning. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 forced every American to be complicit in slavery, requiring even free states to return escaped slaves to bondage. Yet the bravery of one runaway slave helped turn the tide. This is the story of how its end began. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, even before his time in the White House, Tony Dolan was a writer with a deep reverence for service and sacrifice. As Ronald Reagan’s chief speechwriter, he helped craft the words that defined an era. Here, in one of his most personal pieces, the late Dolan pays tribute to America’s fallen soldiers. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, every sibling relationship has its own story. For Paul Bauer, a listener of Our American Stories, it was a childhood prayer to be as big as his older brother Moose. This memory of brotherhood and family reminds us how small moments often define sibling ties for years to come. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, on July 28, 1945, a U.S. Army B-25 bomber got lost in dense fog over Manhattan and slammed into the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building crash killed 14 people and tore open the 79th floor of one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers. While often overshadowed by later tragedies, the B-25 Empire State Building crash remains one of the most remarkable accidents in aviation and New York history. The History Guy revisits the forgotten details of the 1945 Empire State Building plane crash and why it remains a story worth remembering. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2023, award-winning author Dara Horn delivered one of West Point’s most powerful graduation speeches to a group of Jewish cadets. Her remarks explored what it means to live with conviction, to embrace being “uncomfortable and uncool,” and to hold fast to identity in the face of pressure. More than just a graduation address, it joined the long tradition of great West Point speeches while standing apart for its honesty and courage. Here's Dana with the story of that speech. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, what happens when the thing you love most is taken away? For Richard Herzog, it was sports. An abusive teacher relationship left scars that lasted for years, but he found redemption in coaching. He went on to lead his team to three state championships and proved that even the deepest wounds can lead to a new strength. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1946, Winston Churchill delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech at a small Missouri college. The Cold War had barely begun, yet this moment defined the coming conflict and gave the world one of history’s most enduring phrases. Dr. Larry Arnn explains how a speech few expected to matter became one of Churchill’s most important legacies. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.