Times of Terror
On Sept 16, 1920, a bomb exploded on Wall Street as workers took their lunch break. It was the deadliest terrorist bombing in the US until Oklahoma City — but at the time, people saw it as just one more incident in a long string of attacks. Why?
Sweet and Dangerous: A History of Sugar
In this episode, the History Guys will explore sweetness in American history. How has our national sweet tooth shaped our political and economic priorities?
“Questions Remain” — Transcript
This is the transcript of “Civil War 150th: Questions Remain,” broadcast in April of 2011. You can listen to the entire show here. Tape: From VFH Radio in Charlottesville, Virginia, this is “BackStory.” Peter Onuf: From weapons of mass destruction to the U.S.S. Maine, each of America’s wars has been accompanied by its own [...]
Civil War 150th: Questions Remain
After 150 years of national conversation–and tens of thousands of books–why does the Civil War still fascinate? Share your stories, questions, and comments here!
African-Americans & Immigration
The following audio clip is excerpted from the BackStory episode “‘Aliens’ in America.” You can listen to the entire episode here. Frank Morris of the Center for Immigration Studies discusses historic tensions between immigrant laborers and African-Americans. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Excerpted from: “Aliens” in America
Open Doors, Back Doors
The following audio clip is excerpted from the BackStory episode “‘Aliens’ in America.” You can listen to the entire episode here. In a country populated by immigrants, why are Americans so wary of newcomers? Historian Mae Ngai explains that the door slammed shut in the the 1920s. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Excerpted [...]
The Great Migration
The following audio clip is excerpted from the BackStory episode “Looking for Work: A History of Unemployment.” You can listen to the entire episode here. William Brown moved north from Jacksonville, FL, during the Great Migration. He describes what happened when he asked a Philadelphia real estate agent for a job. Discussion of challenges for [...]
Borderlands and Bordered Lands
State border plant inspection maintained by the US Dept. of Agriculture between Mexico and the United States. Shoppers returning from Juarez to El Paso over the bridge which carries all the traffic are required to open their packages for inspection. 1937 (Library of Congress) In this special podcast produced in conjunction with HISTORY.COM, the History Guys mark Hispanic Heritage Month with an in-depth look at the history of the US-Mexico border
The Adorable Origins of Yellow Journalism
The Yellow Kid was wise beyond his years. By 1900, he’d already sold cigars, staged a cock fight and been around the world. So what was the appeal of this unlikely pop icon? And what did he have to do with yellow journalism? Associate producer Rachel Quimby explains. *Many thanks to Catherine Moore and Jesse [...]
"Aliens" in America
In a country populated by immigrants, why are Americans so wary of newcomers? What’s the difference between the nativism of the early Republic and and the anti-immigrant sentiment on talk radio today? How do we draw the line between “us” and “them?” Historian Mae Ngai explains that the door slammed shut in the the 1920s. [...]
