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American History Hit

American History Hit

History Hit

Join Don Wildman twice a week for your hit of American history, as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today.

 

We’ll hear how codebreakers uncovered secret Japanese plans for the Battle of Midway, visit Chief Powhatan as he prepares for war with the British, see Walt Disney accuse his former colleagues of being communists, and uncover the dark history that lies beneath Central Park.  

 

From pre-colonial America to independence, slavery to civil rights, the gold rush to the space race, join Don as he speaks to leading experts to delve into America’s past.

 

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

 

Brought to you by History Hit, the award-winning podcast network and world’s best history channel on demand, featuring shows like Dan Snow’s History Hit, Not Just The Tudors and Betwixt the Sheets.

230 - A CIA Man in China: 20 Years Imprisoned
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  • 230 - A CIA Man in China: 20 Years Imprisoned

    This is the story of America's longest held prisoner of war. John 'Jack' Downey, an American CIA operative, was imprisoned by the Chinese for 21 years during the Cold War.


    Don speaks to Barry Wirth, author of 'Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold War.' They explore why the CIA were in Asia in the 1950s, Downey's capture and imprisonment, and why it took so long for him to be released.


    Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.


    Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  


    You can take part in our listener surveyhere.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Thu, 14 Nov 2024 - 40min
  • 229 - Nazis in America: Fascism in the 1930s

    In 1933, The Pittsburgh Courierpublished an editorial entitled 'Hitler Learns from America'. So how and why was fascism on the rise in the United States from the Great Depression to the Second World War?


    In this episode, Don speaks with Rachel Maddow, host of 'The Rachel Maddow Show' on MSNBC. Together, they explore the influence of propaganda, key figures of American Fascism, and the Great Sedition Trial of 1944.


    Rachel's latest book is 'Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.'


    Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.


    Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AMERICANHISTORY


    You can take part in our listener surveyhere.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Mon, 11 Nov 2024 - 24min
  • 228 - Presidents' Private Lives

    With the US election happening, we wanted to take a look back at the presidents from the past what we know about their sex lives.


    Which president was well-endowed and supposedly presented it to staff in the Oval Office? Which president had an affair on his honeymoon? And which had an affair with his wife's secretary?


    And no, they're not all JFK.


    Joining Kate on Betwixt the Sheets to help us find out is Eleanor Herman, author of Sex with Presidents: The Ins and Outs of Love and Lust in the White House.


    This podcast was edited by Freddy Chick. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


    Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code BETWIXT


    You can take part in our listener surveyhere.

    Thu, 07 Nov 2024 - 35min
  • 227 - Elections Explained: A History of Rigged Elections

    Invisible ink, delayed flights and political meddling - elections are a symbol of democracy, so how can they become the opposite?


    Don is joined for this episode by Brian Klaas, co-author of 'How to Rig an Election' to find out. What makes a free and fair election? What techniques have authoritarians used to have themselves elected? And how widespread has this been throughout history?


    Brian is a political scientist, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, and an associate professor in global politics at University College London.


    Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.


    Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AMERICANHISTORY


    You can take part in our listener surveyhere.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Mon, 04 Nov 2024 - 36min
  • 226 - New York Morgue's Dark Secrets

    The unclaimed dead of New York City's streets and rivers were brought to the New York Morgue in the second half of the nineteenth century. This history is full of dark, sad stories and buried secrets.


    Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney are joined by Cat Byers who is a writer and historian based in Paris currently finishing a PhD on the barely-studied New York Morgue.


    Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign here for up to 50% for 3 months using code AFTERDARK.


    You can take part in our listener surveyhere.


    After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast

    Thu, 31 Oct 2024 - 54min
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