Today we dive into the little-known true story of American castaways abandoned on the Falkland Islands during the War of... more

When Alexander Hamilton took a bullet to the abdomen on the morning of the 11th July 1804, he joined a... more

This may have been the second shortest Presidency in the history of the United States, but the term of James... more

Founding Father, first Secretary of the Treasury and focus of one of the world's first political sex scandals - we... more

Theodore Roosevelt is arguably the most masculine president in American history. So how was he influenced by the women around... more

Who really was Alexander Hamilton, and what do we actually know about his life?A Founding Father, he fought in the... more

Emerging victorious from an electoral quagmire in 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes became the 19th President of the United States.Professor Mark... more

An iconic signature on the Declaration of Independence - that is what John Hancock is best known for. But how... more

During the spring of 1921, eleven bodies were found in in rural Georgia. These men were victims of horrific murders,... more

How does a heroic general of the Civil War become one of the lowest rated Presidents (at least until recently)?To... more

Strategic brilliance? Relentless determination? Unbeatable leadership and cooperation with Lincoln? How did Ulysses S. Grant distinguish himself in the Civil... more

Al Capone is one of the most notorious gangsters in US history. His story of rags to riches, set against... more

It comprises more than half of the world's defence spending, but what is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation? How has... more

A wealthy man in his early 30s. An army man. A German immigrant. A bootlegger. A lover. Who was Jay... more

Three quarters of a million people dead in the Civil War. A country separated in to two. How do you... more

More than 200 accused, 20 executed and a village plagued with hysteria. Were the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and... more

Would the Cold War have happened if the nuclear bomb was never created? How did Gorbachev, Reagan and Thatcher reduce... more

At least 23 of the Presidents of the United States can have their ancestry traced back to Ireland.So why did... more

President and Commander-in-Chief at a major turning point in American History? Victim of a violent and public assassination? How do... more

A far-right hate group known the world over, the Ku Klux Klan emerged in the aftermath of the Civil War.... more

Inaugurated into the thick of secession and assassinated just weeks after Confederate surrender, there is no separating the story of... more

In July 1860, half a century after the importation of captive slaves was banned under federal law, a ship docked... more

When it comes to US Presidents, it’s not easy to agree on much these days. But one thing that has... more

The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life - the words you speak,... more

On February 18th, 1965, the University of Cambridge hosted one of the most legendary debates in history. Author James Baldwin... more

On 23 June 1972, a man boarded American Airlines Flight 119 in St Louis. He sat most of the way... more

The city of Tulsa is perhaps best known in history books for the events of 1921. In 36 hours, hundreds... more

From 1857 to 1861, James Buchanan held the office of President of the United States. It was a pivotal moment... more

From financial to conspiratorial to sexual, the words 'Clinton' and 'scandal' are regularly found in each others' vicinities. But why?Don... more

Where did the idea for Facebook come from? How has the site evolved? And how has it changed the world?... more

The war between the Union and the Confederacy is a major turning point in the history of the United States.... more

We're creeping closer and closer to the Civil War in our chronology of presidents, and this episode's focus did little... more

What were the Apache Wars? How did they begin? And how did the end of the Mexican-American War impact the... more

How did the 100th bomber group get a reputation for being unlucky? Who were they? And what was their role... more

Wiretapping, White House tapes and the possibility of impeachment. On June 17, 1972, a break-in at the Watergate Hotel triggered... more

How did a president lose his entire cabinet so soon after taking office? What was his role in the Westward... more

Who introduced Martin Luther King Jr. to activism? Why is the influence of mothers so often understated? And did you... more

Chaos, collusion and the Chennault Affair. What made the election of 1968 so unusual?Luke Nichter joins Don to talk about... more

Once the most popular man in America, hero of the Mexican-American war Zachary Taylor is our twelfth President and the... more

January, 1968. Fighting in Vietnam has been ongoing since the 1950s. Ho Chi Minh and the leaders of the communist... more

In the summer of 1579, Francis Drake had to land in a ‘fair and good bay’ on the western coast... more

On 17 January 1920, the 18th Amendment came into effect in the United States. It made the manufacture, sale and... more

What was it about the Kennedys that attracted so much tragedy, that many believed them to be cursed?From plane disasters... more

Is this the only president to have achieved all of their campaign promises? James K. Polk, the 11th Commander-in-Chief successfully... more

Simple living, plain dress and pacifism. This is not a lifestyle typical of the United States. So how did the... more

Why did the Boston Tea Party happen? Why Boston? And how did the events of December 1773 fit in to... more

On December 16th 1773, Bostonian colonists took a stand against the British Crown in the Boston Tea Party.In this episode,... more

He may have been the tenth President, but John Tyler - 'His Accidency' - was a pioneer in many ways.Tyler... more

The two party division of the US political system is as evident as ever as we warm up to the... more

How would the Allied forces have forced the surrender of Japan had they not dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and... more

The ninth President of the United States holds two unique records. William Henry Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address in... more

Napoleon Bonaparte. From military leader to revolutionary to Emperor of the French, his conquests and reforms have had a lasting... more

On November 22nd 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot dead. The ensuing years have been filled with questions and... more

Who was JFK? How popular was he in his lifetime? And how did his untimely death impact the world's memory... more

What makes the Gettysburg Address one of the most famous speeches in history? Did Lincoln really write it on the train?... more

The 'Little Magician', the 'Sly Fox' or - to our expert guest - a 6.5/10 president. We're onto President number... more

What is a Viking? Did they really make it to the United States? And if so, how far did they... more

During the first half of the 20th century, dozens of murders plagued the oil-rich Osage Nation. The question of who... more

If you've ever watched a Voodoo scene in a horror movie, you might be forgiven for envisioning zombies, dolls and... more

The seventh person to hold the position of President is arguably one of the most divisive.A strong-willed military hero, whilst... more