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American History Hit

American History Hit

By: History Hit
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About this listen

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.


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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes
  • Rodeo: An All American History?
    Feb 19 2026

    Roughstock, roping and risk - the sport and spectacle of rodeo has become one of the most iconic American pastimes over the last couple of centuries. But where did it begin and how has it changed over time?


    Don is joined by Dr Tracey Hanshew, Assistant Professor of History at Eastern Oregon University. Tracey's article, 'Here she comes wearin’ them britches!’ Saddles, Riding Skirts, and Social Reform in the Turn-of-the-Century Rural West,' was recently published in Montana The Magazine of Western History.


    Edited by Tim Arstall, produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.


    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.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    34 mins
  • Darkest Hours: The Kent State Shootings
    Feb 16 2026

    On May 4 1970, four students were shot dead by the Ohio National Guard during a protest. What were they protesting? Why were the National Guard brought in? And what chain of events led them to shoot?


    Don is joined by historian Brian VanDeMark, formerly of the United States Naval Academy, whose latest book is Kent State: An American Tragedy.


    Edited by Aidan Lonergan, produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.


    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.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Monroe Doctrine
    Feb 12 2026

    A two-hundred-year-old presidential speech has shaped how the United States sees its role in the world ever since. At the time, it sounded like a modest declaration from a young and uncertain nation. What would come to be known as the Monroe Doctrine would grow into something far more powerful... and far more controversial.


    Christopher Nichols, Professor of History at Ohio State University, joins us for this episode. Chris is the Wayne Woodrow Hayes Chair in National Security Studies and his works include ‘Rethinking American Grand Strategy’ and ‘Promise and Peril: America at the Dawn of the Global Age’. He has previously appeared on Ep. 261 ‘President Eisenhower: War on Soviets and Segregation’


    Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Tom Delargy. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick.


    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.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
All stars
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Don Wildman's enthusiastic thoughtful engagement with his subject and his relaxed agreeable voice make this my favourite historical podcast.

Excellent

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Like most Brits I thought that the United States had a limited history, but how wrong i was, even with the subjects I knew about Don and his crew provided me new and more detailed information. A must for all fans of American history.

Brilliant podcast

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