American History Hit
By 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.
Latest episode
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Elections Explained: A History of Voting
We have a constitutional right to vote in the United States ... don't we? Find out in this first episode of American History Hit's series, Elections Explained.Having correctly predicted every election since 1984 … -
Outlaws: John Dillinger | Public Enemy Number One
What does it take to be the first person named as 'Public Enemy No.1' by the US Bureau of Investigation?In this episode, we're going to find out. Don is joined by Elliott Gorn to find out about the rise and fall … -
Who Was Christopher Columbus?
Did Columbus really think the Earth was flat? Where did he come from? Where did he get to? To untangle the myths of Columbus and his complicated legacy, Don spoke to Elise Bartosik-Velez.Elise teaches at Dickinso… -
Outlaws: Bonnie & Clyde
Just how murderous were Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow? Where did those famous photos come from? And how did the press lead to the pair's demise?Don chats to Jeff Guinn, best-selling author and historian, to find… -
Woodrow Wilson & The End of WW1: The League of Nations
When it comes to US foreign policy in the early 20th Century, isolationism tends to come to mind. What, then, was Woodrow Wilson's impact on the end of WW1?Don is joined by Charlie Laderman to find out more about… -
Outlaws: Jesse James
Jesse James. Perhaps the most notorious American outlaw?He’s become legendary figure of the Wild West, compared to an American ‘Robin Hood.’ But with a legacy so pervasive, the myths about Jesse James can get oft… -
Guantanamo Bay Detention Center: A History From The Inside
Very few people know what it is like to be in the infamous US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, but our 3 guests for this episode have all had first hand experience.For one of them, it was as a detainee. Mans… -
Outlaws: New York's Criminal Mastermind
When was the first bank robbery? What does it take to be successful in organized crime? Is it possible to be non-violent? And how might you avoid getting caught? The story of Ma Mandelbaum, the mother of New York's criminal underworld, has t… -
How The World Sees The US: The Art of Diplomacy
How did Egypt and Israel come to an agreement at Camp David in 1979? How did the USSR come to allow the operation of NATO troops in East Germany? Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has played a leading role in the United States' diplomatic negotiat… -
McCarthy & the Second Red Scare
Who was Joe McCarthy? How did this Republican Senator come to lead a nationwide campaign against communism? And how did he bring about his own downfall?For this episode, Don is joined by the authors of ‘Witch Hun…
