American History Hit

American History Hit

Author: History Hit Language: English Episodes: 100
Tune in twice a week as host Don Wildman digs into the stories that shaped a nation. American History Hit moves beyond textbook dates to explore the people, conflicts, and surprising events that define the American experience. Each episode is a deep dive into a different moment, whether it's the tense war preparations of Chief Powhatan, the clandestine work of codebreakers at Midway, or even the unexpected political accusations hurled by Walt Disney. You'll find that the past is never truly buried, as the series also uncovers the hidden layers beneath landmarks like New York's Central Park. This isn't just a chronicle of what happened; it's an investigation into how these echoes from pre-colonial times onward continue to resonate today. For anyone curious about the complex tapestry of the United States, this podcast from History Hit serves as an engaging and thoughtful guide, turning historical inquiry into a compelling narrative journey.
Episodes
Inside a Serial Killer's 'Murder Castle' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
He's one of the most famous serial killers in American history... but how much of H.H Holmes' gruesome crimes were sensationalised by the press at the time?Our guest today is Dr. Harold Schechter, professor at Queen’s Co…
How 'New Amsterdam' Became 'New York' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:57
Have you ever wondered how Harlem got its name? There are countless remnants of the Dutch colony on Manhattan island. But when did it end? And why?Don is joined by best selling author Russell Shorto to discuss the Britis…
Worst Siege of the Civil War: Vicksburg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:59
The Siege of Vicksburg was a pivotal turning point in the Civil War. Should the Union capture the stronghold, the South's hold on the Mississippi would be broken forever... But what about the lives of those trapped insid…
When Was the Revolutionary War Won? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:13
In 1775, revolutionaries went to war against the British. Seeking independence from colonial ties, they fought more than 150 battles over eight years.A relatively new nation of just 2.5 million people facing off against…
America's War Against Pirates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
Just twenty years after independence, the United States fought a lesser-known war against the Barbary States of North Africa... some use the term 'Corsairs', others referred to them as 'Pirates'. But why was America ther…
King Phillip's War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
This is one of the deadliest conflicts in North American History. But who was King Philip? What started the war? And how did it change history?Don is joined by Professor David Silverman from George Washington University…
Annexation of Alaska [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:24
In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in a deal that reshaped the map of North America... but what did that moment mean for the people already living there? In this episode, we explore Alaska before Eur…
The Quaker Who Put Penn in Pennsylvania [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:59
From being locked up in the Tower of London to founding the 5th most populous state in the country, and the city at the heart of the Revolution, today we are charting the unlikely rise of William Penn and the founding on…
Stonewall Jackson's Last Battle: Chancellorsville [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:02
It was Robert E. Lee's greatest strategic triumph but it came at a heavy cost - the loss of his talismanic leader and friend Stonewall Jackson among thousands of Confederate casualties. Guiding Don Wildman through what h…
A Day in the Life of a Puritan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:36
What if we told you that puritans were actually sex-crazed? Well maybe not crazed but definitely not opposed to it.What if we told you that, actually, the entire mainstream belief of puritans being bound to strict moral…