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
American Traitors: The Rosenbergs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:23
This week we’re stepping heart of Cold War America with the story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Accused of espionage and executed at the height of anti-communist paranoia, their trial gripped the nation due to the contr…
How To Survive the Revolutionary War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:04
'If I turn from beholding mutilated bodies, mangled limbs, and bleeding, incurable wounds, a spectacle no less revolting is presented, of miserable objects languishing under afflicting diseases of every description.'Dr J…
American Traitors: Axis Sally [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:36
Is contributing to enemy propaganda treason? In this second episode on American Traitors, we are meeting 'Axis Sally', real name Mildred Gillars.Professor Michael Flamm joins us to explore the life of this American citiz…
What If Lincoln Hadn't Been Shot? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:26
It's the biggest 'What if?' in American history: What if Lincoln hadn't been shot? The assassination could so easily have failed and things went so wrong in the aftermath (looking at you Andrew Johnson). Could Reconstruc…
American Traitors: Benedict Arnold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:38
Is Benedict Arnold the biggest traitor in American History? In this episode, Don is joined by author Stephen Brumwell to examine how Arnold went from hero to villain.How important was he to the Revolutionary cause? Why d…
The End of the Pacific War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:07
On August 14, 1945, the Japanese government accepted Allied terms of surrender. The war in the Pacific was over. But how had it come to this?Don is joined for this episode by Ian W. Toll, author of a three-volume history…
Italians in America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:21
From Columbus onwards, Italians have been a part of American culture. Don explores this rich history with Professor Anthony Tamburri, Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute in New York.Produced by Sophie…
The Battle for the Philippines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
The largest ever surrender of American forces occurred in May 1942. The event resulted in medals of honour for two American military leaders - one who escaped, another who became the highest ranking prisoner of war of th…
5 Key Weapons of the Civil War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:31
How did new weapons shape the Civil War? Why were the muskets so deadly? What on earth were the Ironclads all about? Don explores five key weapons of the civil war with a favourite guest, Cecily Zander from the Universit…
The Roosevelt Brothers' Panda Hunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:56
In 1928, President Teddy Roosevelt's sons Teddy and Kermit set out on an expedition to hunt a semi-mythical beast: the Panda. Don's guest today to help tell the incredible story of what happened next is Nathalia Holt who…