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, Iowa 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, Iowa 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.