This week at In The Past Lane, we talk about the American presidency – specifically the history of how US presidents have endeavored to communicate their positions on key issues of the day. To use modern political parlance, it’s the history of “spin,” that important but sometimes tawdry business of … [Read more...]
Episode 030 Presidents and the Media: The History of Political Spin
Episode 029 Spies, Traitors, & Saboteurs: Civil Liberties in Times of National Crisis
This week, In The Past Lane is in Chicago to check out a cool history exhibition and speak with John Russick of the Chicago History Museum. The exhibition, "Spies, Traitors, and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America," was originally created by the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC in the … [Read more...]
The Birth of Labor Day
Back in the late nineteenth century Labor Day meant something more than a three-day weekend and the unofficial end of summer. This unique holiday was first celebrated on September 5, 1882. On that day thousands of workers in New York City risked getting fired for taking an unauthorized day off to … [Read more...]
Episode 015 The History of the Republican Party – Convention Edition!
This week, in honor of the G.O.P. Convention, In The Past Lane explores the fascinating history of the Republican Party. I speak with historian Heather Cox Richardson, author of a superb history of the Republican party. She’ll take us on a fascinating journey through eras when the GOP was the party … [Read more...]
Episode 011 Scandal! In American History
Who doesn't love a good scandal (so long as it doesn't involve them)? This week at In The Past Lane we examine the important -- and often positive -- role scandals have played in American history. Here's the lineup: 1) a short segment on the role of scandals in US history 2) an interview with … [Read more...]
