On this episode of Our American Stories, at the turn of the twentieth century, the United States stood at a crossroads. A nation once defined by independence and internal expansion—from “sea to shining sea”—began to face the pull of empire. Territories overseas raised questions about the very ideals we claimed to uphold. Could a republic built on liberty hold colonies of its own? In the 37th episode of our ongoing Story of America series, Dr. Bill McClay, author of Land of Hope, explores how America’s ideals collided with the realities of global power. Through “The March of the Flag,” he traces the moment the country began to look outward and the truth that expansion was never just a European idea.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, asbestos began as a miracle. It could resist heat and strengthen concrete, and it seemed to promise safety in every home and factory it touched. For decades, people believed it was the key to a safer modern world. Then the coughing started, and the walls themselves became a threat. The History Guy shares the story of asbestos from its first mining to its slow discovery as a killer hidden in plain sight.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, before Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, D-Day was a plan held together by men and machines working in silence. Few have told that story better than historian Stephen Ambrose. Drawing from years of research and interviews, Ambrose brought to life the people who turned one of history’s most complex operations into a triumph of courage and coordination. In this episode, we feature Stephen Ambrose in his own words, sharing how D-Day took shape: from the first sketches of landing craft to the final hours before dawn on June 6, 1944. Our thanks to the estate of Stephen E. Ambrose for allowing us access to this remarkable audio.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, during the Great Depression, millions of Americans faced hunger, unemployment, and poverty. Families across the United States found inventive ways to survive when jobs disappeared and banks failed. In Iowa, one family turned to canning corn, repairing old shoes, and biking from farm to farm to kill sparrows, a job that paid just enough to get by. Our regular contributor Joy Neal Kidney shares a Depression-era story passed down through her family, offering a glimpse into what life was like in the 1930s.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 2011, Chad and Jess Schumacher were working for a growing tech company outside Chicago. They had a new home, a baby on the way, and steady careers that seemed secure. Then the company failed. Within months, their savings were gone, and the life they had planned slipped out of reach. Chad’s father had recently retired and started woodworking with a friend from Vietnam. When his father invited him down to the garage, Chad went. They spent the afternoon turning wood into pens—talking little, working quietly. It was the first calm he had felt in months. That moment stayed with him. Chad kept making pens, and each one sold helped them hold on a little longer. Allegory Handcrafted Goods was born there—a small shop that kept growing even as the family faced illness and loss.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, for more than forty years, Pat Boone stood as one of America’s most enduring entertainers. His smooth voice carried songs like “Love Letters in the Sand” and “April Love,” and his reputation for clean-cut wholesomeness made him a symbol of the nation’s musical past. But in 1997, Boone did something that stunned both fans and critics: he appeared at the American Music Awards dressed in black leather and released In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy—a collection of heavy metal covers sung in his unmistakable crooner style. What began as a lighthearted experiment became one of the most talked-about moments of his career. The album mixed humor with genuine musical craftsmanship, turning metal classics into swing arrangements and reminding audiences that reinvention is its own form of artistry.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippines during World War II, a group of American nurses found themselves caught in the fighting on Bataan. Evacuation was still possible, but they chose to stay. In makeshift hospitals carved out of the jungle, they cared for wounded soldiers through heat, bombardment, and disease. Supplies disappeared. Food ran out. Still, they worked—often through the night—using what little they had to keep their patients alive. Our regular contributor Anne Clare tells the story through one of those nurses, whose strength carried her through surrender and years of captivity. Together, they became known as the Angels of Bataan.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, most food critics chase Michelin stars or fine dining, but Tyler Groenendal is chasing something crispier. From diners in small towns to highly rated restaurants in America’s biggest food cities, this Michigan native has spent years traveling the country reviewing one thing: onion rings. What started as a quirky side gig has grown into a devoted following and a deeper appreciation for the people behind America’s best comfort food. Join us as Tyler shares what makes a good onion ring and why some of the best dishes come from unexpected places.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the spring of 1860, Abraham Lincoln was hardly a national name. He’d lost two Senate races and was known mostly as a sharp debater from the Midwest. Yet within weeks, this unlikely candidate from Illinois captured the Republican nomination—and soon after, the presidency. What happened in those few extraordinary days at the convention in Chicago changed the course of American history. Gary Ecelbarger, author of The Great Comeback, shares the story. We want to thank the U.S. National Archives for allowing us access to this audio.

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