Fear Tactics: A History of Domestic Terrorism [Rebroadcast]
In this hour of BackStory, the History Guys investigate the origins of domestic terrorism in the United States, and explore the question of what kinds of people and movements have been identified as “terrorists.”
Turf War: A History of College Sports [rebroadcast]
The History Guys explore the origins of college sports and how universities have justified athletics on campus. Peter, Ed, and Brian take us back to Amherst College in the 19th century, where the first collegiate Phys. Ed. program blossomed, and they tell a little-known story about the integration of the University of Alabama’s football team.
On the Clock: A (Brief) History of Time
In this episode, we’ll look at the changing ways Americans have experienced the span of a day, from pre-industrial times up through today’s era of time-shifted media. What did “an hour” mean to people who didn’t have clocks?
Been There, Done That: Historical Reenactments [rebroadcast]
On this episode, we ask what drives Americans to reenact their past. Is it purely educational? Or is there something deeper, more personal, at stake?
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. On this episode, we dig into the changing ways we’ve defined what it is to be clean. We’ll meet an 18th-century Pennsylvania woman who didn’t immerse herself in water for 28 years, and ask how Americans [...]
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.
Straight Shot: Guns in America [Rebroadcast]
On this episode, the History Guys look at who has had access to guns in the U.S., and what those guns have meant to the people who have owned them.
All Hopped Up: Drugs in America
In December, recreational marijuana use became legal in Washington and Colorado. But back in the early 20th century, both states were among the first to ban the drug. If that seems like a radical change, well – it’s hardly the first time a drug has undergone a major image overhaul in America. This week, we trace the [...]
Naughty & Nice: A History of The Holiday Season [rebroadcast]
The History Guys trace the evolution of Christmas in America from a public festival of rowdy excess to a child-centered celebration of church and family.
You’ve Got Mail: A History of the Post Office [rebroadcast]
For many Americans, the post office has become largely a conduit for bills and junk mail. But for more than 200 years, it played a central role in American life. In this episode, we explore the rise—and fall—of the USPS.
