This Day (An America 250 History Show)
Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia
To mark our 250th birthday, “This Day” presents "50 Weeks That Shaped America," a series of deep dives into the stories that brought us to this moment. "This Day" takes you beyond the head-spinning headlines of today and into the unexpected historical moments that have shaped American politics and culture. Hosted by Jody Avirgan (538), and historians Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt), and Kellie Carter Jackson (Wellesley), each episode explores a moment from that day in U.S. political history to uncover its lasting impact. On Sunday episodes, Jody, Niki and Kellie react to current news with their usual mix of humor, analysis, and historical perspective.New episodes released Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Lots more on our Instagram page, YouTube, and newsletter. Find it all at thisdaypod.com.This Day is a proud member of the Radiotopia podcast network from PRX.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 10, 2026 • 43min
Clinton, Lewinsky, FOX & Drudge [Part 1]
A look at how a 1990s White House affair collided with a changing media landscape. The rise of blogs, Drudge, talk radio and Fox reshaped news cycles. Power dynamics, secret recordings and legal maneuvers drive the narrative. The story shows how click-driven sensationalism forced mainstream outlets to follow new aggregators.
Mar 8, 2026 • 18min
The Speech That First Made Lincoln [Some Sunday Context]
A look at Abraham Lincoln's 1860 Cooper Union speech and how it transformed him from obscurity into a national figure. Conversations probe whether the talk was political launch or intellectual blueprint on slavery and federal power. They explore Lincoln's nuanced anti‑slavery stance, use of the Founders' arguments, and how New York press and charisma created unstoppable momentum.
Mar 5, 2026 • 45min
"With Malice Towards None" w/ Jamelle Bouie [Part Two]
Jamelle Bouie, New York Times opinion columnist and commentator, joins to closely read Lincoln's second inaugural address. They probe its spoken performance and simple diction. They trace how Lincoln names slavery, uses religious language, centers the suffering of the enslaved, and closes with conciliatory lines that shaped public memory.
Mar 3, 2026 • 40min
Lincoln's Second Inaugural w/ Jamelle Bouie (1865) [Part 1]
Jamelle Bouie, a columnist and commentator who writes on politics and history, joins to analyze Lincoln's Second Inaugural. He traces Lincoln’s shift from conciliation to moral reckoning. They unpack how war realities, military strategy, and political pressure shaped emancipation. Conversation also touches on inauguration day scenes, archival drafts, and surprising period details like the banquet menu.
Mar 1, 2026 • 26min
How To 250: Live from On Air Fest!
A live On Air Fest conversation about America 250 and how to cover the semi-quincentennial. Rapid-fire picks for events, time capsule ideas, and preservation worries. Debates over spectacle projects, money, and grievance politics. Practical suggestions for history road trips, abolitionist sites, and quirky detours to deepen historical connection.
Feb 26, 2026 • 29min
How Valley Forge Forged George Washington [Part Two]
A lively dive into von Steuben's Prussian background and how he transformed Continental Army training. Discussions trace his entry into Washington’s circle and the fast rollout of standardized drills. The hosts unpack France’s 1778 recognition, the British evacuation of Philadelphia, and how Valley Forge shaped Washington’s public image.
Feb 24, 2026 • 27min
Valley Forge: From Militia To US Army (1778) [Part One]
A deep look at Washington’s strategic retreat to Valley Forge and the logistics behind choosing that site. A portrait of the encampment as a makeshift town with huts, hospitals, and supply struggles. Harsh winter survival, disease, inoculation, and the roles women and Black laborers played. The arrival of a Prussian military trainer and the beginnings of a shared American identity.
Feb 22, 2026 • 34min
The Bomb And The Flag [Some Sunday Context]
Garrett Graff, author and historian known for oral histories of major events, discusses August 1945 and the decision to use atomic weapons. He describes his oral-history approach and the sources he used. Conversations cover the Manhattan Project’s industrial scale, scientists’ moral reckonings, Japan’s political turmoil that month, and the survivors’ harrowing testimonies.
Feb 19, 2026 • 35min
The Iwo Jima Mystery And The Power Of War Images [Part Two]
They dig into the mystery of who appears in the iconic Iwo Jima photograph and the decades-long corrections to those identities. The conversation contrasts the flag-raising’s triumphant image with the brutal battlefield reality that followed. They trace how wartime photos from Vietnam to Abu Ghraib reshape public opinion and consider why still images retain powerful cultural impact.
Feb 17, 2026 • 41min
"Raising The Flag On Iwo Jima" (1945) [Part 1]
A close look at the famous flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima. The hosts unpack the photograph's composition and timing without delving into analysis. They trace how the image spread across newspapers, fueled bond drives, and became a national symbol. The narrative also highlights the brutal terrain, Navajo code talkers, and the veterans who carried the photo's burden.
