BackStory with the American History Guys

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BackStory  is a weekly podcast that uses current events in America to take a deep dive into our past. Hosted by noted U.S. historians, Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Peter Onuf, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman, each episode provides listeners with different perspectives on a particular theme or subject – giving you all sides to the story and then some.

Please confirm carriage of evergreen BackStory with the American History Guys episodes by contacting Diana Williams @(434)-924-6894 or dwilliams@virginia.edu.

Moving from current headlines to drill down into U.S. history, each surprising BackStory episode features lively interviews with a diverse roster of scholars, experts, and ordinary citizens from around the country; listener calls; host discussions; and produced pieces. Topics are as diverse as college sports, reenactments, sugar, memorials, domestic terrorism, birthing, homeownership, the post office, philanthropy, protests, privacy, marriage, revivalism, and childhood—all in the context of American history.

BackStory is produced by  Virginia Humanities. Major funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities with additional corporate, foundation, institutional, and individual support.

Please visit our station landing page for upcoming episodes, promotional photos, and other information.

 


Series

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This series is for stations that want to subscribe to Backstory for WEEKLY deliveries using PRX's SubAuto system.

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188 Pieces

A collection of the best stories and features from BackStory, meant for excerpt by programs or stations.

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A collection of one-hour BackStory specials for use in station holiday programming.

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42 Pieces

Promos for stations airing upcoming episodes of BackStory with the American History Guys.

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A special three-part series of hour-long episodes exploring the causes and consequences of the American Civil War.


Pieces

Caption: “At it again,” Pope Leo XIII is depicted exerting influence “through the ballot box to the Constitution.” Puck, November 18th 1885., Credit: Library of Congress
30-second promo for BackStory episode, "Wall of Separation: Church and State in America," with 5-second music bed at end for station-specific time/...

  • Added: Dec 10, 2013
  • Length: :30
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Historian Julian Zelizer talks with host Brian Balogh about the sex scandal that brought down Wilbur Mills – one of the most powerful congressman o...

Bought by Radio Newark, PRX Remix, WEZU, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Dec 10, 2013
  • Length: 09:40
  • Purchases: 4
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BackStory Producer Andrew Parsons brings us the story of alleged murder of an illegitimate baby, which scandalized Virginia high society in the ear...

Bought by Radio Newark, PRX Remix, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Dec 10, 2013
  • Length: 09:05
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: “Testimony in the great Beecher-Tilton scandal case illustrated,” 1875 lithograph. , Credit: Library of Congress
15 years ago this month, then-President Bill Clinton was impeached by the US House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice. The c...

Bought by WUFT, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., WRPI, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and more


  • Added: Dec 06, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: “Testimony in the great Beecher-Tilton scandal case illustrated,” 1875 lithograph. , Credit: Library of Congress
30-second promo for BackStory episode, "Shocked and Appalled: A History of Scandal," with 5-second music bed at end for station-specific time/date ...

  • Added: Dec 03, 2013
  • Length: :30
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Political historian Ron Formisano explains the concerns over the power of Freemasons in the early Republic, and the political backlash it inspired.

  • Added: Dec 02, 2013
  • Length: 06:50
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Host Brian Balogh talks with historian Andrew Case about the supposed Communist conspiracy that lay behind the fluoridation of water in the mid-20t...

Bought by Radio Newark, PRX Remix, KFAI Minneapolis, and WRST-FM Oshkosh


  • Added: Dec 02, 2013
  • Length: 10:21
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Dinner at Broad Channel, in Queens, New York City, c1910, Credit: Library of Congress
As families across the United States sit down for their Thanksgiving meal, this episode of BackStory explores the meals we eat for the rest of the ...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, WRGY, and KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio


  • Added: Nov 27, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Dinner at Broad Channel, in Queens, New York City, c1910, Credit: Library of Congress
30-second promo for BackStory episode, "Three Squares: Mealtime in America [rebroadcast]," with 5-second music bed at end for station-specific time...

  • Added: Nov 26, 2013
  • Length: :30
Caption: President John F. Kennedy greets the crowd in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963, shortly before his assassination., Credit: Library of Congress.
On November 22nd, 1963, 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy was killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas – a tragedy that inspired conspira...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, WUFT, XRAY.fm, WRPI, and KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio


  • Added: Nov 22, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5