BackStory with the American History Guys » vacation http://backstoryradio.org VFH Radio at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities Mon, 21 May 2012 18:39:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Public radio that explores the historical context of todays news. BackStory with the American History Guys no BackStory with the American History Guys vafh-web@virginia.edu vafh-web@virginia.edu (BackStory with the American History Guys) Copyright Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, All rights reserved. VFH Radio at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities history, ed ayers, brian baloah, peter onuf, vfh, humanities, BackStory with the American History Guys » vacation http://backstoryradio.org/files/2012/05/backstory_podcast_300.jpg http://backstoryradio.org Independence Daze: A History of July Fourth http://backstoryradio.org/independence-daze-a-history-of-july-fourth-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=independence-daze-a-history-of-july-fourth-2 http://backstoryradio.org/independence-daze-a-history-of-july-fourth-2/#comments Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:00:47 +0000 VFHwebdev http://www.virginiafoundation.org/vfhradio/backstory/wordpress/?p=72 july-4-new1.jpg
In the early days of our nation, July Fourth wasn’t an official holiday at all. In fact, it wasn’t until 1938 that it became a paid day-off. So how did the Fourth become the holiest day on our secular calendar? Historian Pauline Maier offers some answers, and explains how radically the meaning of the Declaration has changed since 1776. James Heintze chronicles early Independence Day Bacchanalia. And historian David Blight reflects on Frederick Douglass’ arresting 1852 Independence Day speech.

 

Guests Include:

Show Highlights

  • Declaring Independence
    For years, the Declaration of Independence sat untouched in a dusty archive. So how did it become one of America’s most prized documents? Historian Pauline Maier talks about how the meanings of “independence” have evolved over time.
  • Guide to Frederick Douglass’ speech
    Historian David Blight narrates a reenactment of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” widely known as one of the greatest Abolitionist speeches ever. In it, Douglass highlights the hypocrisy of celebrating liberty in a nation that allows slavery.

Web Exclusive

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
Listen to all of Frederick Douglass’ speech, courtesy of TBM records.

Further Reading

Want to dig deeper into the history of July Fourth? Check out a list of sources that the History Guys put together to learn more.

]]> http://backstoryradio.org/independence-daze-a-history-of-july-fourth-2/feed/ 20 african american history,declaration of independence,fourth of july,frederick douglass,holiday,independence day,leisure,patriotism,revolutionary war,vacation In the early days of our nation, July Fourth wasn’t an official holiday at all. In fact, it wasn’t until 1938 that it became a paid day-off. So how did the Fourth become the holiest day on our secular calendar? (http://backstoryradio.org/files/2008/07/july-4-new1.jpg) In the early days of our nation, July Fourth wasn’t an official holiday at all. In fact, it wasn’t until 1938 that it became a paid day-off. So how did the Fourth become the holiest day on our secular calendar? Historian Pauline Maier offers some answers, and explains how radically the meaning of the Declaration has changed since 1776. James Heintze chronicles early Independence Day Bacchanalia. And historian David Blight reflects on Frederick Douglass’ arresting 1852 Independence Day speech.   Guests Include: * Pauline Maier (http://web.mit.edu/pmaier/www/maier.htm), Professor of History at MIT and author of American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence * James Heintze, Librarian Emeritus at American University and author of The Fourth of July Encyclopedia * David Blight (http://www.davidwblight.com/), Professor of History at Yale University and author of Frederick Douglass's Civil War: Keeping Faith in Jubilee Show Highlights * Declaring Independence (http://www.backstoryradio.org/2009/05/declaring-independence/) For years, the Declaration of Independence sat untouched in a dusty archive. So how did it become one of America’s most prized documents? Historian Pauline Maier talks about how the meanings of “independence” have evolved over time. * Guide to Frederick Douglass' speech (http://www.backstoryradio.org/2009/05/frederick-douglasss-fourth-of-july-speech/) Historian David Blight narrates a reenactment of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” widely known as one of the greatest Abolitionist speeches ever. In it, Douglass highlights the hypocrisy of celebrating liberty in a nation that allows slavery. Web Exclusive (http://backstoryradio.org/files/2010/06/douglass-copy.jpg)What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Listen (http://www.backstoryradio.org/2009/06/the-meaning-of-july-fourth-for-a-negro/) to all of Frederick Douglass' speech, courtesy of TBM records (http://www.bickley.com/morsell.html). Further Reading Want to dig deeper into the history of July Fourth? Check out a list (http://backstoryradio.org/independence-daze-further-reading/) of sources that the History Guys put together to learn more. BackStory with the American History Guys no 54:43 American Idle: A History of Leisure http://backstoryradio.org/american-idle-a-history-of-leisure-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=american-idle-a-history-of-leisure-2 http://backstoryradio.org/american-idle-a-history-of-leisure-2/#comments Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:00:56 +0000 cm6ay http://www.virginiafoundation.org/vfhradio/backstory/wordpress/?p=95 American IdleT-G-I-F — four of the most beloved letters in the alphabet… but who’d be thankful if Saturday weren’t a day off? In fact, it wasn’t officially part of the American weekend until 1940 (although “St. Monday” was often reserved for nursing hangovers). In this episode: The history of time-off. When did leisure become something for the masses? What are the origins of the weekend? And why does relaxation involve so much…work? Cindy Aron reveals the beginnings of the modern American vacation, and Tom Lutz provides a cultural history of slacking.


Show Highlights

Working at Play
Historian Cindy Aron discusses the origins of the modern American vacation. She explains why traveling to the beach didn’t used to be appealing, and why Americans have often preferred “self improvement” vacations to lazing around in a hammock.

Related Links

Listen to more commentary from Cindy Aron on the history of vacations on NPR’s All Things Considered

Read a sample of Tom Lutz’s Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America

Hey BackStory fans–we’re not thrilled with this explanation of “blue laws.” Do you have a better one (even a guess)? Leave a comment!

Colonial games

]]> http://backstoryradio.org/american-idle-a-history-of-leisure-2/feed/ 4 employment,holiday,labor movement,progressive era,social history,unions,vacation,workers' rights T-G-I-F — four of the most beloved letters in the alphabet… but who’d be thankful if Saturday weren’t a day off? In fact, it wasn’t officially part of the American weekend until 1940 (although “St. Monday” was often reserved for nursing hangovers). (http://backstoryradio.org/files/2008/07/leisure1.jpg)T-G-I-F — four of the most beloved letters in the alphabet… but who’d be thankful if Saturday weren’t a day off? In fact, it wasn’t officially part of the American weekend until 1940 (although “St. Monday” was often reserved for nursing hangovers). In this episode: The history of time-off. When did leisure become something for the masses? What are the origins of the weekend? And why does relaxation involve so much...work? Cindy Aron reveals the beginnings of the modern American vacation, and Tom Lutz provides a cultural history of slacking. Show Highlights Working at Play (http://www.backstoryradio.org/2009/05/working-at-play/) Historian Cindy Aron discusses the origins of the modern American vacation. She explains why traveling to the beach didn’t used to be appealing, and why Americans have often preferred “self improvement” vacations to lazing around in a hammock. Related Links Listen (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105545388) to more commentary from Cindy Aron on the history of vacations on NPR's All Things Considered Read a sample of Tom Lutz's Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America Hey BackStory fans--we're not thrilled with this explanation (http://www.snopes.com/language/colors/bluelaws.asp) of "blue laws." Do you have a better one (even a guess)? Leave a comment! Colonial games (http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Spring08/ball.cfm) BackStory with the American History Guys no 52:59