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American History Hit

American History Hit

By: History Hit
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Summary

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.


History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™


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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Episodes
  • Downfall of Richard Nixon
    Nov 12 2026

    We're repeating a classic-episode today - the downfall of President Richard Nixon. He is a complex figure. There are sides to him that get overlooked, like that he had a deeper understanding of foreign affairs than any other US President. But it's hard to see the light for the shade and the tragic fall that overshadows everything.


    Don's guest today is Professor Nicole Hemmer whose latest book is "Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s".


    Produced by Freddy Chick. Edited by Tim Arstall. 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.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • The Death Penalty in America
    Nov 9 2026

    Besides language, religion and social customs, one of the most important things that North America inherited from Britain in its early years was its legal system, including the death penalty.


    But how did capital punishment evolve after the American Revolution? How has the nation gone back and forth over its morality? Why was it ruled unconstitutional in 1972, and how did it then continue on?


    Don is joined by returning guest Cliff Sloan to discuss the history of the death penalty in America. Cliff is a professor at Georgetown Law, and has previously served in all three branches of the Federal Government.


    Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aliza Dams. 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.


    You can take part in our listener survey here.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.


    History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Crossing the Delaware: George Washington’s Greatest Victory
    Nov 5 2026

    We've all seen the famous painting of General George Washington leading his men across the icy waters of the Delaware River. But what happened next? Today, we're exploring the Battle of Trenton, where Washington struck a devastating blow against the British and their Hessian allies, and discovering how this daring victory helped turn the tide of the American Revolutionary War.


    Our guest today is Major Jonathan Bratten, Command historian with the Maine National Guard. He’s the award-winning author of ‘To the Last Man: A National Guard Regiment in the Great War, 1917-1919.’


    Produced by Tomos Delargy. Edited by Aliza Dams. 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.


    You can take part in our listener survey here.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
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