Ken Burns: How To 250 [Teaser]

Ken Burns: How To 250 [Teaser]

Author: Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia April 5, 2026 Duration: 11:26
We’re kicking off a series of chats that (until we find a better name) we’re calling “How to 250.” This is our chance to check in with some friends of the show - historians, writers, podcast folks - about how they are marking America 250, and what it means to do the work of history in this moment. And what better way to kick it off than with filmmaker Ken Burns! We get into his work, the idea of American history as a “series of revolutions,” and how to counter simplistic narratives. To hear the full episode, become a paying subscriber of newsletter - sign up at thisdaypod.substack.com

Hosted by Jody Avirgan alongside historians Nicole Hemmer and Kellie Carter Jackson, This Day is a historical podcast from Radiotopia that steps back from the relentless news cycle to find context in the past. The series "50 Weeks That Shaped America" serves as its core, offering a rich, narrative-driven examination of pivotal moments that have fundamentally influenced the nation's political landscape and cultural identity. This isn't a dry recitation of dates but a deep, engaging exploration of the stories and decisions that collectively brought us to the present. Each episode functions as a carefully researched journey, unpacking the complexities and unintended consequences of historical events you might think you know, revealing the surprising threads that connect them to contemporary life. By focusing on these formative weeks, the podcast provides a unique and clarifying lens, arguing that to understand today's headlines, you often need to listen to the echoes of yesterday. The conversations between Avirgan, Hemmer, and Jackson are insightful and accessible, blending scholarly depth with compelling storytelling. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining a new set of tools for thinking about America, its ongoing struggles, and its evolving character, all through the meticulous and thoughtful work of its hosts.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

This Day (An America 250 History Show)
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 45:41
For the twelfth episode of “50 Weeks That Shaped America” we go to 1911 and the massive fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The fire started on the 8th floor, spread to the 9th and 10…
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**One week only, get a 20% discount on the newsletter using this link! thisdaypod.substack.com/35c7aaa4** For our "Sunday Context" episode, we go back to an episode from week two (!) of this podcast to look at the contro…
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Duration: 40:19
For the eleventh episode of “50 Weeks That Shaped America,” we go to the spring of 2008. Barack Obama was largely on path to clinch the Democratic nomination, but he had to navigate one last major controversy. In April,…
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Duration: 24:07
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Duration: 32:54
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Duration: 42:46
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The Speech That First Made Lincoln [Some Sunday Context] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:20
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"With Malice Towards None" w/ Jamelle Bouie [Part Two] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:39
We continue our conversation about Lincoln's second inaugural address with a close reading of how it was written and addressed. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by special guest Jamelle Bouie to break it down, line by l…
Lincoln's Second Inaugural w/ Jamelle Bouie (1865) [Part 1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:26
This week on "50 Weeks That Shaped America," we're headed to March 1865 to talk ab out Abraham Lincoln for the first time in our series. There are two speeches inscribed in the Lincoln Memorial - Gettysburg, of course, b…