Episodes

  • Why Do Americans Love Aliens?

    Why Do Americans Love Aliens?
    Jul 30 2024
    This week, we are taking a closer look at the unidentified, the unexplained, and the stuff that, until recently, have been some of the most closely-guarded secrets of the US government. From E.T. to the X-Files via American Dad and Futurama, the existence of extraterrestrial beings has captured the imagination of the American public for decades, and as we edge closer to finding out if the truth really is out there, I want to know… why do Americans love aliens? Special Guests: Stephen Diener - broadcaster, radio professional, and host of the UAP Unidentified Alien Podcast. In this episode, we cover everything from E.T. to Area 51, and why it took so long for the US government to even acknowledge its existence. Plus, did Richard Nixon and Jackie Gleeson see an alien? You'll have to listen and find out... Additional Resources: PODCAST: UAP Unidentified Alien Podcast VIDEO: Ronald Regan’s 1987 UN speech WEBSITE: What is Area 51 and what goes on there? via Space.com WEBSITE: The Rendlesham Forest UFO via BBC ----------- Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and his former lecturers at the University of East Anglia, but making it does come at a small cost so if you can spare some change, please check out our Patreon page. Supporters of the show get awesome additional bonus content, access to private community forums, and exclusive invites to the virtual audience on every recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • IN THE MAKING: Biden Out, Harris In, and What This Means for Trump

    IN THE MAKING: Biden Out, Harris In, and What This Means for Trump
    Jul 25 2024
    In the first of our new strand of episodes, America: A History in the Making, Liam is joined by show regular Emma Long to discuss the breaking news and biggest stories from the USA. It's been a rollercoaster in American politics, as Joe Biden announced he is not seeking re-election in November, just over three months before the election, but within just 48 hours, Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee. So what does all this mean? Is Trump still the favourite? And what does Harris need to do to win? If you enjoy this episode, why not listen back to these: How Are Presidents Elected? Should Donald Trump Be Allowed to Run for President? Is the President Above the Law? ----------- Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and his former lecturers at the University of East Anglia, but making it does come at a small cost so if you can spare some change, please check out our Patreon page. Supporters of the show get awesome additional bonus content, access to private community forums, and exclusive invites to the virtual audience on every recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • When Did the USA Last Host the Olympics?

    When Did the USA Last Host the Olympics?
    Jul 23 2024
    In just a few days, the Olympic flame will make its way to the Seine River, where tens of thousands of athletes converge to mark the opening of another summer games. The biggest sporting event in the world has not been on American soil for nearly 30 years, so in this episode we’re going to look back to Atlanta 1996, and I ask… when did the USA last host the Olympics? Special Guests: David Wallechinsky, a historian, TV commentator, and co-founder & former President of the International Society of Olympic Historians. In this episode, David shares his own personal experiences of attending and covering the Olympics. We discuss the corruption and scandal surrounding Atlanta's bid, the tragic Olympic park bombing, and why Atlanta has become a case study for how not to run an Olympic games. Additional Resources: BOOK: The Complete Book of the Olympics by David Wallechinsky and Jaime Loucky WEBSITE: The International Society of Olympic Historians WEBSITE: 11 Key Moments of Atlanta 1996 VIDEO: The 1996 Atlanta Olympics Opening Ceremony If you enjoy this episode, why not listen back to these: What Makes the Super Bowl so Super? ----------- Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and his former lecturers at the University of East Anglia, but making it does come at a small cost so if you can spare some change, please check out our Patreon page. Supporters of the show get awesome additional bonus content, access to private community forums, and exclusive invites to the virtual audience on every recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Was the Moon Landing a Hoax?

    Was the Moon Landing a Hoax?
    Jul 16 2024
    This week we are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 space shuttle launch, but it’s greatest moment was when Neil Armstrong took his famous leap onto the surface of the moon. The live broadcast to millions of people around the world is one of the greatest moments of television, indeed history, of the 20th century, and yet many millions today still believe it never happened. So on this episode, I want to know… was the Moon landing a hoax? Special Guests on this Episode: Charles Fishman, an investigative journalist, and the author of ‘One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon’. Extra Reading: BOOK: One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon by Charles Fishman ARTICLE: Apollo 11 Really Went to the Moon - and Here’s How You Can Be Sure (Sorry, Conspiracy Nuts) by Charles Fishman WEBSITE: Apollo 11 Mission via NASA ----------- Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and his former lecturers at the University of East Anglia, but making it does come at a small cost so if you can spare some change, please check out our Patreon page. Supporters of the show get awesome additional bonus content, access to private community forums, and exclusive invites to the virtual audience on every recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • Who is Harriet Tubman?

    Who is Harriet Tubman?
    Jul 9 2024
    This week we are shining a light on one of the greatest figures in American history. Born Araminta Rossin, she began her in bondage, later escaping to become a conductor on the Underground Railroad and one of the most important figures in the fight for abolition. So in this episode we are going to discuss her life, her work, and her legacy as I ask… who is Harriet Tubman? Special Guests: Professor Rebecca Fraser, a historian of 19th century America at the University of East Anglia Professor Catherine Clinton, a Professor of History at UTSA Additional Resources: BOOK: Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton BOOK: Vigilance: The Life of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad by Andrew K. Diemer BOOK: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War by Edda L. Fields-Black BOOK: Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People (Significations) by Tiya Miles FILM: Harriet (2019) If you enjoy this episode, why not listen back to these: Who is Frederick Douglass? Why Did America Ban Slavery? What Does Kindred Tell Us About Plantation Life? ----------- Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and his former lecturers at the University of East Anglia, but making it does come at a small cost so if you can spare some change, please check out our Patreon page. Supporters of the show get awesome additional bonus content, access to private community forums, and exclusive invites to the virtual audience on every recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • What is the Civil Rights Act?

    What is the Civil Rights Act?
    Jul 2 2024
    DISCLAIMER: there may be small patches of slightly weird sound in this episode. Please bear with us! On July 2nd 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed one of the most transformative and, for its time, controversial pieces of legislation into American law - the Civil Rights Act. So, on its 60th anniversary, we discuss exactly what it is, the impact it's had, and how exactly it came to be, as Liam asks... what is the Civil Rights Act? To answer this question, he is joined by two super special guests: Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States at the University of East Anglia Dr. Althea Legal-Miller, a Senior Lecture in American History and Culture at Canterbury Christ Church University Check out these additional resources: BOOK: Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960 by Nicholas Grant ARTICLE: Lester Maddox Obituary via The New York Times WEBSITE: Brown v Board of Education WEBSITE: The Greensboro Sit-In WEBSITE: The Civil Rights Act of 1957 WEBSITE: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee WEBSITE: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 WEBSITE: Shelby County v Holder (2013) If you enjoy this episode, why not listen back to these: What Do We Get Wrong About the Civil Rights Movement? ----------- Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and his former lecturers at the University of East Anglia, but making it does come at a small cost so if you can spare some change, please check out our Patreon page. Supporters of the show get awesome additional bonus content, access to private community forums, and exclusive invites to the virtual audience on every recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Support Us on Patreon: New Episodes from July 2nd!

    Support Us on Patreon: New Episodes from July 2nd!
    Jun 4 2024
    BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! America: A History Podcast returns with brand new episodes from Tuesday 2nd July, so make sure you follow and share this podcast with all of your fellow US history fans. PLUS You can now support the show on Patreon We know times are tough, but running a podcast ain't cheap. We want to keep bringing you the best content, and we want to build a global community, so we're asking for your support. Join our movement and become a Patreon supporter today for loads of awesome perks, and bragging rights. Find out more and join right here: patreon.com/user?u=119549194 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What is The Battle Hymn of the Republic?

    What is The Battle Hymn of the Republic?
    Mar 19 2024
    This week we are literally discussing the theme song to this podcast. It became synonymous with the Civil War, and in the years and centuries since it has been adapted, sampled, covered and repurposed in just about every way possible, by musicians, politicians, sports teams and more. So today I am asking… what is the Battle Hymn of the Republic? To discuss this I am joined by Thomas Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. And our special guest is Catherine Bateson, an Associate Professor of American History at the University of Kent, and also the author of Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood, which we will link to in the show notes. Mentioned in this episode: BOOK: Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood by Catherine Bateson SONG: An American Trilogy by Elvis Presley POEM: Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe SONG: John Brown’s Body SONG: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah by the London Community Gospel Choir SONG: Glory Glory Man. United If you enjoy this podcast, please follow and recommend to a friend, or leave a review so other people can find us. Alternatively, if you have a guest or episode suggestion, please email the show at hello@podcastsbyliam.com And for those of you still using Twitter, connect with us @thisistheheff and @AmericanStudies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins