US History Repeated

This podcast covers the polio outbreak in the 1950s, along with the subsequent vaccine invented by Jonas Salk.  We delve into the spread, the treatments, as well as the eventual vaccine created by Mr. Jonas Salk.  There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!   Jimmy & Jean

With this podcast, we complete our coverage of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  This is episode is the final of three parts. This episode delves into the foreign and domestic agendas of the Eisenhower presidency. We get into U2 spy planes, Russia and the Cold War, happenings in the Middle East with Iran and Egypt, along with issues with the Suez Canal. So many things to discuss in this IKE finale! We are joined by Dr Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum & Library. If you would like to take a look at their website and take a visit, here is the link! Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

We continue our coverage of General & eventually President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  This is episode is the second of three parts. This episode begins with the story of the election of 1952, how he came to be the nominee, and the 8 years of his presidency, along with the impact that President Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. Take a look at the fudge recipe we promised from Mamie! Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge Recipe We are joined by Dr Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum & Library. If you would like to take a look at their website and take a visit, here is the link! Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

We begin our coverage of General & eventually President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  We will be braking these up into three parts. This first part will cover Eisenhower's earlier years at West Point, his military appointments, and all the way up to, but not including the election of 1952.   We are joined by Dr Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D Eisenhower Museum & Library. If you would like to take a look at their website and take a visit, here is the link! Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

Our 1950's podcast has a bit of everything. The 1950s can be called the decade of conformity. There is tremendous growth. Population is BOOMING, hence the term "Baby Boomers" came into vogue.  The roles of women changed, going from aspirations of Rosie the Riviter in the work force to stay at home mother and homemaker. Television, movies, and other media, all showcased the idealized images of what family life should be.  Pop culture gave us rock n roll, "The King", Chuck Berry, and others.  Toys like The Barbie Doll, Mr Potato Head, and PlayDoh became very popular.    President Eisenhower championed projects related to infrastructure. The suburbs were born, and roads, highways, bridges, and tunnel projects were all undertaken.  This episode has it all, along with a little fun at the end.    There is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

So in order to recap how we got to what became known as the "McCarthy era", we need to take a look at recent events.  Many events occurred before Senator Joseph McCarthy's rise to national fame. There was first the breakdown of the wartime alliance with the Soviet Union, and President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order in 1947 to screen federal employees for possible association with organizations deemed "totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive", or potentially advocating "to alter the form of Government of the United States by unconstitutional means." Then, you had Czechoslovak coup by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia which heightened concern in the West about Communist parties seizing power and the possibility of subversion. In 1949, a high-level State Department official was convicted of perjury in a case of espionage, and the Soviet Union tested a nuclear bomb. The Korean War started the next year, significantly raising tensions and fears of impending communist upheavals in the United States. In a speech in February 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of members of the Communist Party USA working in the State Department, which attracted substantial press attention, and the term McCarthyism was published for the first time in late March of that year in The Christian Science Monitor, along with a political cartoon by Herblock in The Washington Post.   So there is the quick intro, and Jeananne will pick up all of the details of McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare.   there is always more to learn! Jimmy & Jean

Welcome to episode number 102. This one is on the Korean War.    Jean and I discuss the events leading up to the war. The Korean War is a byproduct of post WWII events and how land was divided up after the war.  We dig into the 38th parallel, communist influences vs US influence, and the beginnings of war yet again.  We delve into what becomes the first of many proxy wars between the US and Russia, as well as the conclusion of the war, which believe it or not, is still not technically over.   Take a listen, and let us know what you think.  There is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) serves as a fundamental institution in shaping international relations, particularly between NATO and the West. Established in the aftermath of World War II, NATO was formed to ensure collective defense and maintain peace among its member states. Its creation responded to the urgent need for a stable and secure geopolitical environment in a world recovering from the devastation of war.  Its member countries agreed to mutual defense commitments, meaning an attack against one would be considered an attack against all. This principle aimed to deter aggression and promote a united front against any adversary. As the alliance grew, NATO adapted its objectives to address new global challenges beyond traditional military threats, such as terrorism and cyber warfare.   Take a listen to what Jimmy and Jean have to say about the formation and evolution of NATO. There is always more to learn!   -Jimmy & Jean

Thank you for checking in to our podcast on The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. While both the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine were US policies aimed at containing the spread of communism during the Cold War, there are a number of key differences.  The main difference is that the Truman Doctrine focused on providing military and political support to countries threatened by communist takeover, while the Marshall Plan offered large-scale economic aid to rebuild war-torn Western Europe after World War II, aiming to prevent communist influence by stabilizing their economies.   For all the details, take a listen and know that there is always more to learn!   -Jimmy & Jean  

In our podcast on the history of US Troop Entertainment we take a deep dive into the launching of the USO, celebrity visits to the troops, the mobilization of US mail to get the letters to our troops as well as Jeep Shows.    Our Special guest in this podcast is author Robert B. O'Connor, who wrote Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge To take a peek at Robert's book, please visit this link to his book on Amazon.    There is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

We conclude our coverage of the presidency of Harry S. Truman with part three here in this podcast.  We are again joined by Mr Mark Adams from the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library.  Foreign Policy wise, throughout his two terms as President, Truman has one development after another. The start of the Cold War, the rebuilding of Europe – not just borders, rebuilding cities and reviving the economy through programs like the Truman Doctrine and The Marshall Plan and of course The Korean War which we will do a separate episode on. Truman also shocks US officials and world leaders with another shocking decision. What was it? Take a listen and find out! We do not want to put too much into the description, and hope you enjoy the podcast. There is always more to learn, Jimmy & Jean

We continue our coverage of Harry S. Truman, which is in three parts.  In part two we are joined by Mr Mark Adams from the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library.  We discuss his acclimation to The Presidency after suddenly being thrust into the role, the decisions to drop "The Bomb" in hopes of ending the war, as well as post WWII politics and the desired influence of democracy on the globe.  We do not want to put too much into the description, and hope you enjoy the podcast There is always more to learn, Jimmy & Jean

We begin our coverage of Harry S. Truman, which will be done over three parts. Part one will discuss the early life and the beginnings ofhis political career.  Truman was born in Lamar Missouri on May 8, 1884. He was named after his uncle Harrison and was given the middle initial of S to honor both of his grandfathers. Back in 1905, Truman joined the Missouri National Guard. Knowing his poor eye sight might prevent him from being accepted, he memorized the eye chart! When the US got involved in WWI in 1917, Truman reenlisted, he was 33 years old. He served in France and is the only US President who saw military action in WWI. In 1922, Truman began his time in public office.  We do not want to put too much into the description, and hope you enjoy the podcast There is always more to learn, Jimmy & Jean

  This podcast continues our discussion on post WWI & WWII impact on the Middle East. Understanding the historical backdrop of conflicts in the region is essential to comprehending the persistent struggle for land, identity, and sovereignty in Israel and Palestine. To begin to understand what is happening today, we once again have to go back in time to WWI.  The collapse of the Ottoman Empire triggered a major reshuffling of territorial claims in the Middle East. The Ottoman Empire ruled the region since the 1500s. Once again, we're talking about The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, a secret pact between Britain and France, that divided Ottoman territories into spheres of influence, disregarding the region's complex ethnic and religious identities.   If you want to know why battles persist to this very day, take a listen to this podcast and learn some of the details! There is always more to learn, talk to you soon. -Jimmy & Jean

In this podcast we look at WWI and WWII and how they set the stage for the modern Middle East. Not just the geopolitical landscape. The countries that exist today and where their borders are but also a lot of the conflicts that exist within this region and with the relationships that Middle eastern countries have with the western world. One of those conflicts that can trace its roots back to the end of WWI is the Israeli and Palestinian conflict.   We are joined by Miles Spencer, one of the authors of A Line In The Sand. (We added the link to Amazon if you would like to take a look. ) There is always more to learn, take a quick listen!   _Jimmy & Jean

Hi, welccome to another podcast of US History Repeated with Jimmy and Jean. This podcast is all about the formation of The United Nations.  We discuss why it was created and replaced The League of Nations, as well as the role it was created to play in the world.  We identify and discuss the 6 components that make up the organization and explain the functions of each. They are: The General Assembly The Security Council The Economic & Social Council The Trusteeship Council The International Court of Justice The Secretariat We will also delve into current events and the more recent issues that The United Nations has been involved with, like the Russian invation of Ukraine, and the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.    There is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

In this podcast, we discuss the aftermath of World War II in Europe. We dig into the Nuremberg Trials, the division of Germany, displaced individuals, and touch on the creation of Israel. We discuss Operation Paperclip, where 1600 German scientists were relocated and their assisting in the US space program, as well as several other important items post WWII. We don;t like giving too much away in the description and as always, there is always more to learn!   -Jimmy & Jean

After the surrender of Japan, the work to rebuild Japan and cement the country as one of the most important US allies in the Pacific began. Japan became strategically important after the fall of China to Communism. Japan being a democracy became of the utmost importance.  The US occupation of Japan lasted from Japan's surrender on Sept. 2, 1945 until 1952 when the treaty of San Francisco went into effect in April of that year. We discuss the creation of a new Japanese constitution and government and demilitarization of Japan. We also discuss the aftermath of the atomic bombs being dropped and the experiences of the survivors, who became known as Hibakusha. Their illnesses were feared, and they carried stigmas that came with what will become known as radiation poisoning.    There is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

Kicking off our fifth season with a blast as we discuss the Manhattan Project, the creation of the Atomic Bomb, and the end of World War Two. We get into the details behind the development of the bombs, the race to be first, make references to the recent movie, Oppenheimer, and how the United States decided where and how to drop the bombs on Japan.  The eventually brough about the end of World War Two.  All the details are here in this podcast, take a listen, tell your friends, and know that there is always more to learn! Talk to you soon,  Jimmy & Jean

This podcasts focuses on the battles with Japan in the Pacific. The Pacific Theater was the largest theater of the war. The Japanese referred to the Pacific Theaters as the Greater East Asia War. The Pacific theater presented an entirely different strategic landscape.  The US was joined by Great Britain & China in defeating the empire of Japan. British troops consisted of a large number of colonial troops from their territories. Troops from India, Burma (present day Mayanmar, Malaya now known as Malaysia, Fiji, Tonga; Troops from Australia, New Zealand and Canada played a pivotal role as well. Japan attacked the American territories of Hawaii, the Philippines, Guam, and Wake Island and the British territories of Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong.   Stretching over vast oceanic expanses, it was characterized by its remote, far-flung island territories, which required lengthy and complex naval and air operations. We do not want to ruin all of Jeananne's comments, so take a listen and share with your friends!   There is always more to learn, ] Jimmy & Jean

Today we are going to be talking about The Holocaust and what the United States, the Allies and people around the world knew about what was happening.   Today we are joined by a special guest, Rebecca Erbelding, a historian, an author, educator and archivist at The National Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Rebecca Erbelding is the author of the book, Rescue Board: The Untold Story of America's Efforts to Save the Jews of Europe    Rebecca and Jeananne have a conversation about the goings on in the concentration camps run by the Nazis. Take a listen and hear what they have to say.   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!   Jimmy and Jean

This podcast covers World War Two as it rages on in Europe.  We discuss the goings on in Europe at the time, and we dig into the Allied Strategy, the switching of sides and U.S. alignment with The Soviets.   On the homefront, in The U.S. we cover the contributions of Black Americans, women's contributions during the war, rationing, victory gardens, and more.    We also discuss how technology evolved because of the war. This included major changes on land, at sea, and in the skies above!   We go right up to the end of the war in Europe, and boy does Jeananne go into a lot of detail. In fact, we go right to May 8 1945, called VE Day. Almost exactly 79 years ago to the day we are releasing this podcast! There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

This podcast covers the Allied invasion at Normandy. It was the largest and most complex amphibious invasion in history. The actual date of the invasion was pushed back a number of times due to changes in the plan.  Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and a half a million military vehicles would need to be brought to the beaches at Normanday. As early as the 1930s, the US military began looking for ways to safely bring troops from ships to beaches. A shipbuilder in New Orleans named Andrew Jackson Higgins modified one of his boats to meet the US military's specifications. It became known as the Higgins boat. These boats were a game changer. It allowed Allied troops to get to shore. This is why the US WWII museum is located in New Orleans. The area became essential to the war industry and the success of the war.    We do not want to spoil the rest of the podcast in the description, so dig in and take a listen!   Jimmy & Jean

Part three of our coverage of Japanese Internment during World War Two finds Jeananne continuing her interview with Angela Sutton, an Interpretative Ranger at Tule lake, one of the most infamous of the incarceration centers to get inside knowledge and more details of what went on in the camp. We get many details and a few stories, including first hand accounts retold by Ms. Sutton, as well as descriptions of the camp itself.  Jeananne then goes into what happened to the detainees after the camps closed. Japanese Americans were given $25 and a one-way train ticket to go and re-establish their lives.  A Supreme Court case which challenged the Constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration camps was Korematsu v The United States. More than 40 years after the war's end, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which apologized to still-living Japanese Americans who had been held in the camps and ordered restitution of $20,000.  In 1998, Fred Korematsu was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. After the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001 when laws were passed that limited people's civil liberties, once again Fred Korematsu spoke out. He died on March 30, 2005. Listen to this podcast on how this went down and what exactly was involved. There is always more to learn, talk to y'all soon! Jimmy & Jean

Part two of our coverage of Japanese Internment during World War Two finds Jeananne interviewing Angela Sutton, an Interpretative Ranger at Tule lake, one of the most infamous of the incarceration centers to get inside knowledge and more details of what went on in the camp. On January 14, 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 2537 which required non-U.S. citizens from World War II-enemy countries—Italy, Germany and Japan—to register with the United States Department of Justice. They were then issued a Certificate of Identification for Aliens of Enemy Nationality. Then came Executive Order 9066. This granted the secretary of war and his commanders the power “to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded.” There was no specific individuals or locations listed in the order. It was broad and left up to interpretation. It was quickly applied to just about the entire Japanese American population on the West Coast.  The War Relocation Board was created.    Listen to this podcast on how this went down and what exactly was involved. There is always more to learn, talk to y'all soon! Jimmy & Jean

After the attack on Pearl Harbor – political debate began about the need to protect the country against another attack from the Japanese, the fear of espionage, and racism all led to the eventual passage of a series of executive orders. Prior to the forced removal from the West Coast, assets were frozen, and the FBI led by J. Edgar Hoover had compiled a list of about 1500 people of Japanese ancestry that the FBI believed needed to be watched. These individuals were arrested the day after the attack. Many of them remained detained for the duration of the war. In addition, On January 14, 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 2537 which required non-U.S. citizens from World War II-enemy countries—Italy, Germany and Japan—to register with the United States Department of Justice. They were then issued a Certificate of Identification for Aliens of Enemy Nationality. Then came Executive Order 9066. This granted the secretary of war and his commanders the power “to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded.” There was no specific individuals or locations listed in the order. It was broad and left up to interpretation. It was quickly applied to just about the entire Japanese American population on the West Coast.  The War Relocation Board was created.    Listen to this podcast on how this went down and what exactly was involved. There is always more to learn, talk to y'all soon! Jimmy & Jean  

Why did Japan attack the US at Pearl Harbor? It's important to first consider the history between Japan and the US.  Political relations between the two countries have a complicated past. Unlike it's Pacific neighbor, China, Japan had been successful in isolating itself from the Western world.  Japan was building an empire and by 1905, they had just that. With industrialization comes the need for resources in the form of raw materials.  A nation can get those resources via trade or by force. Japan had plans for the entire pacific and this was a threat to the U.S. interests in the region.  U.S. embargos and reluctance of U.S. banks to fund Japanese businesses caused great tension.    Listen to Jimmy & Jean and get all the details of what happened, why it happened, and how this began World War Two for the Unites States.   there is always more to learn, Jimmy & Jean

Today we begin our long anticipated coverage of World War Two. Now, this being a US History Podcast, we are not going to delve into the granular details of the beginnings of the war in Europe, but we do give a general sense of the goings on that began the conflict. We then really discuss the US Policy of neutrality at the time. So, German blitzkreigs and expansion into neighboring lands, followed by heading into Poland, then France. Once Germany atatcks the Soviet Union though, they have to fight a war on two fronts.  Meanwhile US neutrality means zero involvement, then that evolves into becoming a supplier to The Allies. This manages to keep the US out of the war, at least for this podcast.  There is always more to learn, Jimmy & Jean #ww2 #wwii

This is a USHR first with a podcast specifically on a First Lady. The longest sitting First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was very involved in her husband's presidency. We get into all of the below and then some.  She held regular press conferences as First Lady in The White House and only allowed female reporters as they were barred from the President's press conferences. Roosevelt began a syndicated newspaper column, called “My Day.” She was a supporter of Civil Rights. In 1943, she joined the NAACP. She Visited the troops overseas during WWII and would wear her red cross uniform.  In 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt was appointed by President Harry S. Truman to the first United Nations delegation, the only woman among the delegates.   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! -Jimmy and Jean

Part 2 of our coverage of the Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) continues.  We continue the conversation between Jeananne and Jeffery Urbin of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.  There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean   #FDR #NewDeal

When FDR came into the presidency he promised to act swiftly in order to help the nation face the dark realities of the moment. FDR wasted no time in implementing his plan for economic recovery, which would come to be known as the New Deal. When we talk of the New Deal we often link it to the 3 Rs ( Relief, Reform & Recovery).  He implemented various programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which aimed to create jobs and provide financial assistance to those struggling the most. One of the most significant pieces of legislation passed during this time was the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking and aimed to prevent another stock market crash. Today we are joined by Neil Maher, a history professor at NJIT and author. He's written multiple books but his book, Nature's New Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Roots of the American Environmental Movement is the focus of our discussion today.  Some of the other programs we discuss include: Works Progress Administration (WPA) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) The FDIC The Social Security Administration (SSA) Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) Public Works Administration (PWA) The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)   That is a lot of letters and acronyms that Jeananne will get into!   Always more to learn...see you on the other side.   Jimmy & Jean  

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was the longest sitting President of the United States. His Presidency was full of challenges, ranging from The Great Depression, up through most of World War II.  Our coverage of FDR will span a number of podcasts, and we summarize his presidency in two parts plus another sandwiched in the middle specific to "The New Deal" Roosevelt will be prominent in the podcasts after that as we will be getting into the details surrounding WWII and delve into many of the events.   In the next few podcasts we have some guests. This podcast has Jeananne being joined by Jeffery Urbin of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.    There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

We are starting to build toward World War II and there are things happening both at home and abroad. As this is a US History Podcast, we talk more to the way the US views the events occuring in Europe and the US policy of Neutrality. We cover the US response to the rise of totalitarian dictators: Adolf Hitler in Germany Benito Mussolini in Italy  Francisco Franco in Spain   Then, we cover the rise in antisemitism both at home and abroad. The mass immigration and increasing population amidst the Great Depression begins to cause resentment at home, while there are much worse things happening over in Europe.  Let's leave the details to Jeananne in the podcast. There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco and when it was finished in 1937, it was at one time the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today, it no longer holds that title – that belongs to a bridge in Turkey. We list all the record holding suspension bridges that are still in existance today. Jimmy and Jean have been on 7 of the 17! How many have you been on? The bridge was built by a team lead by Joseph B. Strauss, and would have to cover a mile of water. By the time the bridge was finished if you factor in the approaches to the bridge, it spans 1.7 miles. Not everyone supported the construction of the bridge. For one, it was going to be costly – 25 Million to be exact.  A Ferry company aptly named Golden Gate Ferries didn't want the bridge to be built either. After all, how many people would need a ferry if there was a bridge they could cross instead? It took almost a decade to garner the support Strauss needed to build the bridge. Construction began on January 5, 1933. Built during the Great Depression, workers were paid $11 dollars a day. This was good pay for 1933 and the jobs were highly coveted. There had been calls for a long time to try to build a bridge to connect San Francisco to Marin County especially as the population grew. There were a number of challenges to building the bridge, learn all about the project of one of the United States' and the world's most iconic bridges in our podcast!   There is always more to learn!   -Jimmy and Jean

Our Podcast on The Hoover Dam delves into what brought about the need for the dam, the financing, planning, building, and the benefits of the dam.    The Hoover Dam allowed for the regulation of water throughout the southwest United States. Prior to the dam being built, there was flood season, and drought season. Devistation, and scarcity. Learn all about this modern marvel in our podcast on The Hoover Dam.

In this podcast Jimmy and Jean discuss The Great Depression and the aftermath of the stock crash.  We will discuss economic impacts like bank runs and some of the programs put in place to prevent things like this happening again. We get into the environmental crisis of the time, The Dust Bowl. We get into social impacts of the depression and discuss Hoovervilles, homelessness, unemployment, food scarcity, and the perserverance of the people who adapted and made it through arguably the worst economic time in the United States.   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! -Jimmy & Jean

In this podcast we continue our coverage of the life and presidency of Herbert Hoover.    In part two, we pick up where he is appointed Secretary of Commerce and all his accomplishments while serving that office, then we delve into his presidency, the Great Depression, as well as his many contributions after he served as president, often being asked by future presidents to help internationally in some form or fashion.  We are again joined by Tom Schwartz, the Director of the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum in West Branch, Indiana who shares many details of Hoover's life in his interview with Jean.   Listen here and see you soon! Jimmy and Jean

In this podcast we cover the life and presidency of Herbert Hoover.    In part one, we begin with how he grew up, his education, his early days as a geologist, as well as his travels around the world with his wife.   Their travels around the world are what moved Hoover and his wife into their becoming very active in international relief efforts and other charitable works.    We are joined by Tom Schwartz, the Director of the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum in West Branch, Indiana who shares many details of Hoover's life in his interview with Jean.   Listen here and see you soon! Jimmy and Jean

The iconic Empire State Building was once the tallest building in the entire world! Counting the spire and antenna, the building clocks in at a mighty 1,454 feet (443 meters). It's currently the 4th tallest building in New York City, the 6th tallest in the United States, and the 43rd tallest tower in the world.   In this podcast we discuss how it was built, who was involved and you will be absolutely shocked at the lack of safety protocols in place! Come join Jimmy and Jean and learn about this modern marvel built in 1931. It is almost 100 years old!   there is always more to learn, talk to you all soon!

In this podcast we discuss the event of the 1929 stock market crash, its causes, and some of its aftermath.    This crash caused the creation of the SEC, FDIC and other protections for the US Consumer.    Speculation and greed caused the stock market crash of 1929, as well as most other large stock market crashes. What goes up, usually comes crashing down when it is built on a weak foundation!   As Warren Buffet says, "Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful!"

In this podcast, we will be discussing the Mount Rushmore project. We have a recorded interview between our resident history expert, Jeananne Xenakis and our guest Matt Sweigart, An Interpretive Ranger at Mount Rushmore. Completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, the sculpture's roughly 60-ft.-high granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The site also features a museum with interactive exhibits. You will be interested to know that the way Mount Rushmore was completed, was not the way the project was initially imagined. There were discussions of other historical figures being carved prior to the 4 presidents you see today.  I know you are thinking, "Now who could it be!?" …but you'll have to listen to the rest of the podcast.   There is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

  I have been looking forward to this one because I love music. I love all kinds of music, and today we are going to talk about Jazz. Jazz is one of the earliest forms of pop music in The United States and Jazz is a distinctively American style of music originating in the early decades of the 20th century. Its roots include Afro-American folk music traditions, such as spirituals, work songs, and blues. Jazz music is much more lively and upbeat than blues music. Jazz is often associated with swinging and swaying movements, lively atmospheres and improv. Lots of modern musicians will say they are greatly influenced by Jazz. Some of the great Jazz musicians include Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Bessie Smith, Fletcher Henderson, and Billie Holiday.  In fact, Performers like Elvis Pressley, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Grateful Dead, and Aerosmith all talk about their Jazz influences. Music styles like Rock, R&B, Hip-hop, Latin, and others that produce a swaying rhythm have been influenced by Jazz.  In today's podcast we have a very special guest, the very accomplished Loren Schoenberg. He is the Founding Director at The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, a published author, and teaches Jazz History at The Julliard School in NYC.   Always more to learn. Talk to you soon. 

This episode covers the Harlem Renaissance.  Harlem was once inhabited by Native Americans and was mainly farmland. Over time it evolved to what we know today.  I do not want to spoil all of the terrific information that Jeananne goes into, but to whet your appetite, you can look forward to learning about Strivers Row, The Apollo Theater, Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas, WEB Dubois, Alain Locke, and Marcus Garvey to name just a few headliners in this podcast.    There is always more to learn, talk to you all soon! -Jimmy & Jean

In this podcast we cover "The Roaring Twenties" and to be clear, we mean the 1920-1929 time period.  We have done individual podcasts on some of the bigger items like The 19th Amendment, Prohibition, The Automobile, and soon enough our coverage on The Harlem Renaissance and Jazz Music, just to give a spoiler or two on upcoming podcasts!   In this episode we get into fashion and the rising hemlines, entertainment in the twenties - movies are about to get audio to go with the video! We get into 20's slang. the burial of the 'unknown soldier', Ponzi schemes, and the Scopes trial, and that is not all. I do not want to steal all of Jean's thunder in the podcast.   There is always more to learn, talk to you all soon! -Jimmy & Jean

Our coverage of our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge begins with Warren G. Harding's death.  Calvin Coolidge is known for cleaning up the mess left behind by his predecessor President Harding. He is also famous for being a man of few words earning him the nickname Silent Cal. We welcome our guest Julie Bartlett Nelson from the Calvin Coolidge Museum and Library. We recorded the conversation between her and Jeananne. After finishing Harding's term, Coolidge was elected to another term of president. He ran under the slogan "Keep Cool with Coolidge". As president, Coolidge was for small government. He also wanted to keep the country somewhat isolated and did not want to join the League of Nations that formed after World War I. He was for tax cuts, lower government spending, and less aid to struggling farmers. Coolidge opted not to run for president again in 1928. Although he likely would have won, he felt he had been president long enough. Tell a friend about US History Repeated with Jimmy & Jean!  

The life and Presidency of Warren G Harding When Warren G. Harding was running for President his campaign slogan was a “return to normalcy”.  While Harding was one of the most popular presidents, he is widely considered one of the worst. We go into some debate on that at the end of the podcast, but will say for now, that perhaps he was more misunderstood.   World War One is over and now we need to go back to life. There was this need to go back to normal. To go back to the way things were before the whole world had seemed to stand on its head. Lines on maps are being redrawn, countries are gone, new countries in their place. The Spanish Flu is winding down, and this is where we pick up. We are joined by Sherry Hall, the site manager of the Harding Presidential sites in Marion, Ohio. We appreciated her contributions throughout the conversation with Jeananne.  www.hardingpresidentialsites.org There is always more to learn!   Jimmy & Jean

Welcome to our coverage of World War One. (The Great War, WW1, WWI) This is the 62nd podcast with Jimmy & Jean! We have returning for a second rodeo, Lora Vogt, Curator of Education and Interpretation at the World War One Museum and Memorial.  In this episode we discuss the Armistice, and the treaties that ended the Great War. We delve into the global changes as lines are redrawn across Europe and impacted areas around the world. Notes and source links mentioned in both parts of the podcast: Secret Coded Words List Seating Chart from Paris Peace Conference Animation video of global changes as a result of WW1 Before and After Maps  See you on the other side,  Jimmy and Jean

Welcome to our coverage of World War One. (The Great War, WW1, WWI) This is also the 61st podcast with Jimmy & Jean! 30 countries in 6 continents were involved in the conflict. We broke this into two parts.  We have a special guest podcaster, Lora Vogt, Curator of Education and Interpretation at the World War One Museum and Memorial.  On one side of the war you have the Central Powers: German Empire, Austrian Hungarian Empire, The Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. The Allies or Entente Powers was coalition of countries led by France, Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States when we enter in 1917. We discuss the beginnings of the war, US Neutrality, and how the United States enters the war.  It was more than Arch Duke Ferdinand getting assassinated, as you will see. Lots of reasons, but that was the spark that lit the powder keg for sure! The Lusitania, and the Zimmerman Note are what eventually ends US neutrality. Find out why! Notes and source links mentioned in the podcast: Secret Coded Words List Seating Chart from Paris Peace Conference Animation video of global changes as a result of WW1 Before and After Maps  See you on the other side,  Jimmy and Jean

Jimmy and Jean complete their conversation on Woodrow Wilson and have the three same guests involved with us again.  We would like to thank: Emily Kilgore, Director of Education and Development at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum Andrew Philips, Curator at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum Elizabeth Karcher, President of the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington DC.    We previously covered some of the domestic issues Wilson faced and now cover some of the foreign issues during his presidency.   We delve into the Armenian genocide within the Ottoman Empire, something Turkey still does not acknowledge to this day, as well as other items like the Mexican civil war, the US occupation of Haiti, the Russian Revolution, and the Bolsheviks. We then round out the podcast with his post presidency, failing health, and the role his wife Edith played in supporting him.  Always more to learn, so take a listen!   -Jimmy & Jean

Jimmy and Jean continue the conversation on Woodrow Wilson and have THREE guests! We would like to thank: Emily Kilgore, Director of Education and Development at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum Andrew Philips, Curator at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum Elizabeth Karcher, President of the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington DC.    While World War One breaks out (We will go into much greater detail on WWI In a separate set from Wilson) we discuss political neutrality, but economically, not so much.    We get into the election of 1916, the Espionage Act, The Sedition Act, and some interesting Supreme Court Cases that stemmed from the aftermath of the legislation.    Prohibition was passed in Wilson's presidency, and you can listen to our podcast on Prohibition which includes some LaSalle family history!   We also discuss the #SpanishFlu and that pandemic as well as how some countries handled that pandemic differently than others.    Always more to learn, so take a listen!   -Jimmy & Jean

Woodrow Wilson is a man and President whose policies and beliefs leave him with a troubled legacy. He fits into the category of former President who did some great things and he also did some terrible things. Uncomfortable conversations and discussing the full picture of historical figures is essential. His early life and upbringing helped to shape his ideals and beliefs which of course, when he became President of the United States, shaped his policies (Both domestic and foreign).   In this podcast on Wilson we get into his early life, his political rise, the election of 1812, the creation of The Federal Reserve, The Clayton Act, the beginnings of the Federal Trade Commission, the formation of the IRS, and several other pieces of legislation.    We are also joined by Emily Kilgore and Andrew Philips from the Woodrow Wilson Presidential museum and library who discuss the Federal Reserve, one of Wilson's biggest accomplishments while in office.    There is always more to learn, catch you on the other side!