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PODCAST

America: A History

The number one American history podcast for anyone with an interest in the people and events that shaped the USA. Every week, Liam Heffernan is joined by the world"s foremost experts, academics and broadcasters in the only podcast that connects US past, present and future... and tries to make some sense out of it! . From the founding fathers to contemporary politics, we connect historical events to current issues, making American history accessible and relevant. Perfect for students, educators, and

history politics

All Episodes

43:07

What Was the California Gold Rush?

America: A History ·

2025/08/19

On this day in 1848, the New York Herald published an article that would change America forever.They reported on a man named James Marshall who, while building a saw mill in California, just outside what we now know as Sacramento, found gold flakes in the river. What followed was a stampede of opportunistic Americans moving west to chase their American dreams, in what became the largest gold rush in the country’s history.This week, I want to know why it was so significant, and how it changed the

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10:50

BONUS: Why Didn't Nixon Destroy the Watergate Tapes?

America: A History ·

2025/08/16

In this bonus episode, UCL's Professor Iwan Morgan, author of Nixon, discusses why the President refused to destroy the Oval Office tapes - the most incriminating piece of evidence that ultimately led to his resignation from the White House....Special guest for this episode:Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London, and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are Reagan: American Icon and FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing

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45:32

Who is the Emperor of the United States of America?

America: A History ·

2025/08/12

On this day in 1869, self-proclaimed Emperor Norton of the USA issued an order, abolishing the Democratic and Republican parties.Confused? I’m not surprised. So this week we’re going to unpack one of the more bizarre and lesser talked about individuals in America, and why he still, to this day, has left an indelible mark on the country’s history, as I ask… who was the Emperor of the United States?...Special guest for this episode:John Lumea, the founder of The Emperor Norton Trust, who describes

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09:43

BONUS: Hoagies, Grammar Police, and Momphoria

America: A History ·

2025/08/09

In this bonus episode, linguistics professor Valerie Fridland discusses her favourite American accents, invents a new slang word, and chats with Liam about some of the everyday differences between American and English....Special guest for this episode:Valerie Fridland, a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is an expert on the relationship between language and society, and is co-author of the book Sociophonetics. Her latest book, Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good

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10:29

IN THE MAKING: Can Donald Trump Run for President in...

America: A History ·

2025/08/07

The short answer is no (sorry MAGA), at least not without a change to the constitution. So in this episode of America: A History in the Making, I explore the main constitutional barriers to a Trump third term, and why changing this would be almost impossible in just three years.Let us know in the comments what you think:Do you want Trump to run again in 2028?Should he be allowed?Who do you think the Republican nominee contenders are?...Highlights from this episode:In this episode, we delve into the

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44:54

Why Did President Richard Nixon Resign?

America: A History ·

2025/08/05

This week marks the 51st anniversary of a truly unique event in American history. The one and only time a President left the White House by choice. Not due to death or the 22nd amendment, but resignation. Never before and not yet since has any other President done this, so this week, I want to know… why did Richard Nixon resign?...Special guest for this episode:Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London, and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are

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09:13

BONUS: Understanding the Impact of the Chinese...

America: A History ·

2025/08/02

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 stands as a pivotal moment in American immigration history, marking the first time in U.S. history that a law was enacted to prohibit immigration based on race or ethnicity.This episode delves into the origins and implications of the Act, which was initially intended as a temporary measure but ultimately became a permanent fixture of American law until its repeal in 1943. he discussion highlights the socioeconomic conditions leading to the Act's introduction,

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11:07

IN THE MAKING: Comparing the Epstein Files to Nixon's...

America: A History ·

2025/07/31

Liam here, and in this impromptu edition of America: A History in the Making, I look into the parallels between the Nixon administration's Watergate scandal and the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein files, discussing how both situations highlight the complexities of political accountability and public transparency.Recently, there has been significant pressure on former President Trump to release the Epstein files, particularly as claims emerge regarding his connections to Epstein. We

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46:52

Why Do Americans Speak Differently?

America: A History ·

2025/07/29

This week we are talking about talking.The United States of America is a diverse country - geographically, demographically, and culturally, where every state has its own unique sense of identity. And a big part of that identity is language and dialect.So in this episode, I want to understand why and how American accents are so different, both from each other and from the British, as I ask… why do Americans speak differently?...Special guest for this episode:Valerie Fridland, a Professor of

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09:53

BONUS: Why Isn't Frances Perkins a Household Name?

America: A History ·

2025/07/26

Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member in U.S. history, was a powerhouse in American politics, yet her legacy often flies under the radar.In this bonus discussion, we get into why Perkins isn't as well-remembered as she should be, despite her monumental contributions like the Social Security Act and labor reforms.We chat with historian Rebecca Brenner Graham, who sheds light on Perkins' complicated relationship with the media and her strategic choice to remain out of the spotlight, which

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11:36

IN THE MAKING: Why We Must Protect Universities from...

America: A History ·

2025/07/24

In this special solo episode, I explore the challenges facing universities in the United States, particularly as they navigate the intersection of politics and education, addressing a significant legal settlement involving Columbia University and Donald Trump, which has broader implications for how educational institutions are perceived and treated by political powers.Universities must maintain freedom and autonomy to fulfill their roles as centers of learning and critical inquiry. When government

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31:45

What is the Chinese Exclusion Act?

America: A History ·

2025/07/22

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 stands as a pivotal moment in American immigration history, marking the first time in U.S. history that a law was enacted to prohibit immigration based on race or ethnicity.This episode delves into the origins and implications of the Act, which was initially intended as a temporary measure but ultimately became a permanent fixture of American law until its repeal in 1943. he discussion highlights the socioeconomic conditions leading to the Act's introduction,

en

09:09

BONUS: What Really Keeps the White House Running?

America: A History ·

2025/07/19

In this special, unfiltered bonus episode, you get a little sneak peak behind the curtain of how America: A History is made, which is fitting as we're also going backstage at the White House to find out what actually keeps the Presidential home running.This episode shines a light on how each president, regardless of their party, has made improvements to this iconic building, leaving it in better shape than they found it.Our guest from the White House Historical Association shares some juicy tidbits

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39:41

IN THE MAKING: Can Elon Musk Disrupt the American...

America: A History ·

2025/07/17

In the latest episode of America: A History in the Making, we dive into the evolving political landscape in the United States, focusing on recent developments regarding Trump's shift in stance on military aid to Ukraine.We discuss how Trump's promise to provide weapons through NATO has sparked mixed reactions among his supporters, particularly from notable figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who openly criticizes his approach.And we explore the implications of Elon Musk's potential formation of a

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39:36

Who is Frances Perkins?

America: A History ·

2025/07/15

This week, we are shining a light on one of the most influential women in 20th century America. She was the first woman to serve in a cabinet position in the US government, and her efforts to support Jewish refugees during the holocaust has carved a unique legacy in human history. So in this episode I want to find out more about her life, her work and her legacy, as I ask… who is Frances Perkins?...Special guest for this episode:Rebecca Brenner Graham, a postdoctoral research associate at Brown

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11:29

BONUS: Gems of Vegas - Where to Find Fun Beyond the...

America: A History ·

2025/07/12

Get ready for a whirlwind chat about Las Vegas, where we dive deeper into some hidden gems and local favorites that’ll make your next trip a blast!I’m hanging out with the fabulous Professor Michael Green from UNLV, who shares some of his top spots to explore beyond the glitzy Strip.We’re talking museums, quirky cafes, and even the nostalgia of Boulder City, where gambling is a no-go but the charm is off the charts!Plus, we dig into how Vegas folks feel about the influx of tourists like us—spoiler

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36:19

What is the White House?

America: A History ·

2025/07/08

We’re diving into one of the most iconic buildings in the world—yep, you guessed it, the White House!This week, we’re unpacking its rich history, from its construction over 200 years ago to its evolution as a symbol of American democracy and politics. I mean, billions are spent just to get a chance to live there, so what’s the real story behind this grand residence?To help us navigate this fascinating journey, we’ve got the President of the White House Historical Association, and he’s got the inside

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43:38

Who Put the Fabulous in Las Vegas?

America: A History ·

2025/07/01

This week, we celebrate the 120th birthday of the most fabulous city in the world. Since its humble beginnings as a stopover for railroad workers, it has grown into the entertainment capital of the world.See a show, gamble, get married, and eat the best food in the biggest hotels, then wake up and do it all over again!Sin City got its name for a reason, but in this episode I want to find out… who put the fabulous in Las Vegas?...Special guest for this episode:Michael Green, a professor of history at

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07:15

BONUS: What Would You Look Like as a Drag Queen?

America: A History ·

2025/06/28

In this special bonus episode, the co-creators of Ru Paul's Drag Race challenged me to dress up in drag for this episode's artwork. I forgot, naturally, but I used a free AI tool. What do you think?Turn yourself into a drag queen using this link - https://photostylelab.com/photo-styles/drag-queen/ - and email the results to hello@podcastsbyliam.comWe also discussed their all-time favourite moments from the show, and their own experiences trying out drag....Special guests for this episode:Randy

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38:50

IN THE MAKING: They Don't Know What the F*ck They're...

America: A History ·

2025/06/26

In our latest review of US news and headlines, we discuss Trump's high stakes gamble in the Middle East... and it seemingly paying off. But was this luck or judgment?Plus, we also take a look at the recent New York Mayoral primary, where up-and-comer democrat Zohran Mamdani beat former a state governor to the nomination. What does this tell us about the democrats and the fractures within the party?...Special guest for this episode:Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics

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181 results

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