Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ruger is the largest gun manufacturer in the U.S., and it’s not by accident. Here to tell this story is Logan Metesh. Logan is a firearms historian and museum professional who runs High Caliber History LLC. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, The Union soldiers at Andersonville Prison were near starvation and dehydration when prayer saved thousands of lives. To understand the history of America, it is essential to recognize the significant role the Bible has played in shaping our country. Our Founding Fathers, both Christian and non-Christian, were heavily influenced by the Bible. Here to share another story is Robert Morgan, author of 100 Bible Verses That Made America. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Ilene Hall enlisted in the Army WAC in 1943, she was following her husband, Edward “Ken” Hall, to war. After marrying in March 1943, and with her husband completing his training and preparing to ship overseas, the young woman from Canton, Ohio, decided not to let an ocean separate them. Here she is to tell her story! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, the barcode, technically known as the UPC (Universal Product Code), is a small invention that plays a big role in everyday life. Here’s the History Guy with the story behind it. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Vincent “Rocco” Vargas shares his unique perspective on becoming a Border Patrol agent after his own grandmother came to America illegally. He is now an actor best known for his role as Gilberto “Gilly” Lopez on Mayans M.C., a spinoff of the FX original hit series Sons of Anarchy. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Arizona State University President Michael Crow shares the inspiring story of how he helped transform ASU into one of the most innovative, inclusive, and forward-thinking public universities in the country. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Robert Frohlich, a regular contributor to the show, shares the remarkable story of his grandfather—a German-born immigrant who once handled warhorses as a World War I conscript and later helped build America’s "Arsenal of Democracy" during World War II. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, he was the dashing lead in The Mark of Zorro and one of Hollywood’s biggest stars during its Golden Era. But at the height of his fame, Tyrone Power gave it all up to serve as a Marine pilot in World War II. Roger McGrath shares the story of how this silver screen icon became a real-life hero in the latest installment of our Hollywood Goes to War series. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, born into slavery during the Civil War, Ida B. Wells is best remembered as an American journalist who fought tirelessly against lynching during the Jim Crow era. What most people don’t know is that she also defended the right of African Americans to own firearms. Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, shares her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, on the morning of September 11, 2001, Peter Braxton was the first military pilot in the air over the burning Twin Towers—and it was his first day on the job. Peter shares the story of that historic and dark day. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tracy Grant, former managing editor at The Washington Post, shares why the days spent caring for her dying husband were the best seven months of her life. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, a listener from Colorado shares her remarkable Elvis story—about the time she met the King not once, but twice in an eight-hour span! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will tells the story of Ted Williams. He also tells the story of a San Francisco fisherman’s son, Joe DiMaggio—his “streak” of 56 consecutive games with a hit, and his steely determination. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, between the Korean and Vietnam Wars, U.S. Navy Captain Royce Williams flew more than 220 missions. One mission, however, was classified as Top Secret—and for over 50 years, Captain Williams didn’t tell a soul, not even his wife. No one knew what this 27-year-old South Dakotan did that day in the skies over Korea—until now. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, when Tennessee officials told Doug and Mary Ketchum they couldn’t run their liquor store in Memphis, they took their case to the Supreme Court—and won. Here they are with their story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, PEZ found great success in its native Austria but struggled when it first entered the American market. Shawn Peterson, author of PEZ: From Austrian Invention to American Icon, shares the fascinating story of how this quirky manual candy dispenser evolved into a beloved pop culture phenomenon. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Bruce may be Chinese born, but as you’re about to hear, he’s all American. Here he is with his unique story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1800s, body snatching was surprisingly common, but stealing the body of a U.S. president was not. Historian Louis Picone shares the incredible true story of the harebrained scheme to steal Abraham Lincoln’s remains and hold them for ransom. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Brian Jay Jones, author of Jim Henson: The Biography, tells the story of how some of America’s most beloved characters—the Muppets—got their start in advertising and television commercials. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories, Eisenhower once said that D-Day would never have happened without this man's boat, born out of the swamps of Louisiana. This is the story of Andrew Higgins—the brash and bold Irishman whose boat-building plants employed one out of every five Louisianans during the war and helped seal the fate of both the Third Reich and Imperial Japan. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.