American History Hit

American History Hit

History Hit

Episodes 395
Avg. Duration 39m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.3 (1,571)
Since Aug 2022
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every Few Days
Format
Episodic
Consistency
81%
Hosting
access.acast.com

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About This Podcast

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.  


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Recent Episodes

Eisenhower's Countdown to D-Day

Jun 11, 2026 53m

On June 6, 1944, a combined Allied force carried out the largest amphibious invasion in history. They were led by an American.What was General Eisenhower's role in D-Day? How was American officer…

What Made America: The Constitution & The Franklins

Jun 08, 2026 34m

We've asked some of our favorite historians for their number one moment from these 250 years of the United States' History. For this episode, we're honored to welcome Jill Lepore back to the show.How…

Inside a Serial Killer's 'Murder Castle'

Jun 04, 2026 44m

He's one of the most famous serial killers in American history... but how much of H.H Holmes' gruesome crimes were sensationalised by the press at the time?Our guest today is Dr. Harold Schechter,…

How 'New Amsterdam' Became 'New York'

Jun 01, 2026 42m

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…

Worst Siege of the Civil War: Vicksburg

May 28, 2026 50m

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…

When Was the Revolutionary War Won?

May 25, 2026 48m

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…

America's War Against Pirates

May 21, 2026 53m

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…

King Phillip's War

May 18, 2026 47m

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…

Annexation of Alaska

May 14, 2026 45m

In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in a deal that reshaped the map of North America... but what did that moment mean for the people already living there? In this episode, we…

The Quaker Who Put Penn in Pennsylvania

May 11, 2026 54m

From being locked up in the Tower of London to founding the 5th most populous state in the country, and the city at the heart of the Revolution, today we are charting the unlikely rise of William…

Stonewall Jackson's Last Battle: Chancellorsville

May 07, 2026 42m

It was Robert E. Lee's greatest strategic triumph but it came at a heavy cost - the loss of his talismanic leader and friend Stonewall Jackson among thousands of Confederate casualties. Guiding Don…

A Day in the Life of a Puritan

May 04, 2026 53m

What if we told you that puritans were actually sex-crazed? Well maybe not crazed but definitely not opposed to it.What if we told you that, actually, the entire mainstream belief of puritans being…

George Washington's Spies

Apr 30, 2026 38m

During the Revolutionary War a vital web of intelligence was established, with General Washington at its head. Operating through coded letters, hidden signals, and a chain of ordinary civilians…

Geronimo's Rebellion and the Apache Wars

Apr 27, 2026 38m

Geronimo's name is famous across the world: the Apache warrior who led a resistance movement against the United States out in the South West for years...But what happened to Geronimo (or Goyaałé)…

The Astors, The Gilded Age & The Building of New York

Apr 23, 2026 37m

From fur traders to rulers of the New York social scene - how did the Astors rise to the top? What did it mean to be 'Old Money' in the Gilded Age? And where did that power go?Don is joined by New…

Shays' Rebellion: An Honorable Rebellion?

Apr 20, 2026 45m

Shays’ Rebellion has long been taught as a dangerous uprising, one that risked shaking the newly founded United States of America. But by tracing the events from mounting grievances to the march on…

How to Escape Alcatraz

Apr 16, 2026 46m

What was it like to live on Alcatraz? And was it possible to escape? In this episode, Don speaks to a historian with the unique experience of growing up there.Jolene Babyak's father worked on…

When the Mormons Rebelled Against America

Apr 13, 2026 41m

Driven from the United States, the Mormons journeyed West to build a new society in the desert- one that would challenge the political, economic, and moral norms of the nation they had left behind.…

The Origins of Chicago

Apr 09, 2026 47m

Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States. It's the windy city, the railroad capital, and home of countless film and tv hits.But when was it founded? Who were the first people…

Nat Turner's Rebellion

Apr 06, 2026 41m

In 1831, a rebellion erupted in Virginia that sent shockwaves across the United States, and challenged the brutal system of slavery in a way that white slave-owners had long feared. Led by an…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does American History Hit have?

American History Hit has published 395 episodes since August 2022.

Is American History Hit still active?

American History Hit is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 39m.

How do I contact American History Hit for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for American History Hit, including email and social media links.

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