BackStory

Love Me Did: A History of Courtship [Rebroadcast]

In this Valentine’s Day special, BackStory delves into the history of courtship. From “bundling” to the back-seat, the History Guys explore three centuries of pre-marital intimacy.

Rinse and Repeat: Cleanliness in America

Cleanliness is next to godliness, we say, and Americans have long associated good hygiene with moral and spiritual purity. But what does it mean to be “clean” in America?

American Spirit: A History of the Supernatural [Rebroadcast]

With Halloween in the air, the History Guys set out to explore Americans’ relationship with ghosts, spirits, and witches throughout our nation’s history.

In the Beginning: Science and Religion in America

The “Scopes Monkey Trial” has come to symbolize the fundamental conflict between science and religion… but are the two necessarily opposed?

Love Me Did: A History of Courtship

In this Valentine’s Day special, BackStory delves into the history of courtship. From “bundling” to the back-seat, the History Guys explore three centuries of pre-marital intimacy.

American Spirit: A History of the Supernatural

With Halloween in the air, the History Guys set out to explore Americans’ relationship with ghosts, spirits, and witches throughout our nation’s history.

The Fox Sisters and American Spiritualism

The following audio clip is an extended version of an interview featured in the BackStory episode “American Spirit: A History of the Supernatural.” You can listen to the entire episode here. Nate DiMeo relates the story of the Fox sisters and speaks of their involvement in the development of American Spiritualism in the middle of [...]

Love Me Did: A History of Courtship

In this Valentine’s Day special, BackStory delves into the history of courtship. From “bundling” to the back-seat, the History Guys explore three centuries of pre-marital intimacy.

“Love Me Did” — Further Reading

The following links and documents relate to the BackStory episode “Love Me Did: A History of Courtship.” You can listen to the entire episode here. Valentine’s Day: Historian Stephanie Coontz sets the record straight on the history of Valentine’s Day Love, bon bons, and a brutal massacre The bidding is on for antique valentines at the National Valentine Collectors [...]

“Love Me Did” — Features and Highlights

The following are extended versions of interviews included in the BackStory episode “Love Me Did: A History of Courtship,” broadcast in January/February of 2010. You can listen to the entire episode here. Pam Epstein: 19th Century Personal Ads — Pam Epstein shares some of her favorite 19th century personal ads. Beth Bailey: Origins of Dating [...]