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American History Hit

History Hit
American History Hit
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392 episodes

  • American History Hit

    How 'New Amsterdam' Became 'New York'

    2026-06-01 | 42 mins.
    Have you ever wondered how Harlem got its name? There are countless remnants of the Dutch colony on Manhattan island. But when did it end? And why?

    Don is joined by best selling author Russell Shorto to discuss the British takeover of New Amsterdam. Russell is the author of 'The Island at the Center of the World’, and ‘Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America'.

    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.
  • American History Hit

    Worst Siege of the Civil War: Vicksburg

    2026-05-28 | 50 mins.
    The Siege of Vicksburg was a pivotal turning point in the Civil War. Should the Union capture the stronghold, the South's hold on the Mississippi would be broken forever... But what about the lives of those trapped inside the city? And what measures did they resort to to survive the bombardment?

    Our guest today is Dr. Lindsay Privette, Associate professor of history at Anderson University. She’s the author of The Surgeon’s Battle: How Medicine Won the Vicksburg Campaign and Changed the Civil War.

    Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Tomos Delargy. 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.
  • American History Hit

    When Was the Revolutionary War Won?

    2026-05-25 | 48 mins.
    In 1775, revolutionaries went to war against the British. Seeking independence from colonial ties, they fought more than 150 battles over eight years.

    A relatively new nation of just 2.5 million people facing off against the greatest military power on the planet at that time, it seemed like a tall order. So when did the tide turn? When did it become certain that the revolutionaries would gain their independence?

    In this episode from the archive with podcast host Dan Snow and Major Jonathan Bratten of the National Guard, Don is pitting the British against the Americans once more. Join us to find out when the Revolutionary war was won.

    Edited by Aidan Lonergan, produced by Sophie Gee. The Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.

    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.
  • American History Hit

    America's War Against Pirates

    2026-05-21 | 53 mins.
    Just twenty years after independence, the United States fought a lesser-known war against the Barbary States of North Africa... some use the term 'Corsairs', others referred to them as 'Pirates'. But why was America there? How was diplomacy conducted during this time? And how did these conflicts help transform a fragile republic into an emerging naval power?

    Our guest today is Dr. Abby Mullen, professor at the United States Naval Academy. Her work includes hosting the ‘Consolation Prize’ podcast, and her book ‘To Fix a National Character: The United States in the First Barbary War, 1800–1805’, which won the ‘John R. Lyman Book Award’ in 2024.

    All opinions expressed here are Abby's, and not those of the US Naval Academy, US Department of Defense or the US Government.

    Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Tomos Delargy. 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.
  • American History Hit

    King Phillip's War

    2026-05-18 | 47 mins.
    This is one of the deadliest conflicts in North American History. But who was King Philip? What started the war? And how did it change history?

    Don is joined by Professor David Silverman from George Washington University to head back to the late 17th century.

    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.
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About American History Hit
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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