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History Episodes

Sept. 17, 2020

The Candy Men: The Story of Switzer's Licorice

Oh the wonderful smell of licorice and the giant Switzer's sign along the St. Louis riverfront! Gone but not forgotten! Patrick Murphy describes the journey and struggles of previous generations of his family as they went fro...

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Sept. 14, 2020

Emmett Till: The Murder That Galvanized the Civil Rights Movement

One of the most gruesome and heinous lynchings of the 20th century. Author Devery Anderson separates the fact and fiction of the murder of Emmett Till. His book, Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled ...

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Aug. 31, 2020

Virginia Minor: Forgotten Suffragist

In 1867, two years before Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone founded their national suffrage organizations, Virginia Minor along with four other women founded the world's first organization dedicated to ...

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Aug. 18, 2020

Women's Suffrage and a Walkless-Talkless Parade

In 1916 St. Louis was host to the Democratic convention and as delegates walked to the St. Louis Coliseum, they encountered a 12 block walkless and talkless parade of suffragists advocating for the voting rights of women. Au...

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Aug. 18, 2020

Beyond the Ballot: 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States gave women the right to vote in all elections. What role did St. Louis play in the women's suffrage movement and who were the key individuals? Katie Moon, exhibits...

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July 14, 2020

The Ballad of John Henry: St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase

Director Matthew Rice explores the truth behind the story of one of America's most popular folk heroes John Henry. The documentary draws from Scott Reynolds Nelson’s book “Steel Drivin’ Man,” and exposes continued discrimina...

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June 29, 2020

Part II: Challenging the Mythology of the Lost Cause

How much have we spent and are still spending to support the Confederacy? Brian Palmer, Peabody award-winning journalist and photographer based in Richmond, Virginia discusses "The Costs of the Confederacy" which he co-autho...

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June 26, 2020

Part III: A Historical View of Monuments and Memorials

Dr. Warren Rosenblum, Chair of the History, Politics, & International Relations (HPIR) Department at Webster University in St. Louis provides a historical perspective of monuments as artifacts of history. What are the danger...

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June 20, 2020

Juneteenth: Freedom Day - Emancipation Day - All Things Juneteenth

Lee Jordan, Midwest and State Director for National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) describes the history and activities surrounding Juneteenth. https://www.facebook.com/Juneteenth-Speaks-114193420316980/ https://www....

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June 20, 2020

Part I: Confederate Monuments-Where Do We Go From Here?

In part one, we discuss Confederate monuments and their prevalence, funding, location, timing of their installation in light of history, and what to do with them.

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June 11, 2020

Growing Up St. Louis

With over 100 interviews, Jim Merkel compiled a book of memories that takes a walk through time. What was it like to live through COVID-19? Jim recorded that information in his book along with memories of visits to the 1904...

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June 10, 2020

RED SUMMER: Turbulence in 1919

Cameron McWhirter discusses the issues that converged during the summer of 1919 which was one of the lowest points of our history. RED SUMMER reveals the ugly reality of riots, burnings, lynchings, murder, and mayhem that se...

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May 17, 2020

The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education Sys…

Natalie Wexler's book provides background of how skill-based reading instruction has widened the knowledge gap in our schools and provides insight into what a knowledge building curriculum can do to strengthen reading and wri...

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May 7, 2020

Missouri: An Illustrated Timeline

John W. Brown is truly a renaissance man. He is a television news anchor in St. Louis (Fox2), author of several books on Missouri and Orlando Florida, avid runner, inventor of Bib Magnets, talk show host on radio, and public...

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April 10, 2020

St Louis Baseball History: Baseball Historian Ed Wheatley Discusses H…

Ed Wheatley masterfully weaves the history of baseball in St. Louis. He focuses on teams of the Major League, Negro League, Khoury League, High Schools in the area, American Legion, and other Youth Leagues. What did the ballp...

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March 7, 2020

Part II-Abridged Freedom: Harriet & Dred Scott-Their Story from Their…

On March 6, 1857 the Supreme Court handed down a decision which reverberated throughout the nation. Lynne Jackson, the great, great granddaughter of Harriet and Dred Scott describes the story in detail. A story which is one o...

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March 7, 2020

Part I-Abridged Freedom: Harriet & Dred Scott-Their Story from Their …

On March 6, 1857 the Supreme Court handed down a decision which reverberated throughout the nation. Lynne Jackson, the great, great granddaughter of Harriet and Dred Scott describes the story in detail. A story which is one ...

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Feb. 27, 2020

St. Louis Media Icon Bernie Hayes

Media icon Bernie Hayes has done a few things in his life: Print and broadcast journalist radio and television announcer columnist recording artist and producer professor author news director radio station executive Midwest p...

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Dec. 27, 2019

Path of the Past: A Tank Driver's Journey Across France in World War …

Author and film maker Lou Baczewski discusses his visit to France to trace his grandfather's journey as a tank driver starting from Omaha Beach through five major historic battlegrounds, including the Battle of the Bulge and ...

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Dec. 7, 2019

GUIDESTER: Simplify Your Travel

How much time do you take to plan your travel experience? Honestly now! All of the internet searching for restaurants, lodging, and sightseeing - how much time? Guidester is way ahead of you and can plan your trip accordin...

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Nov. 5, 2019

Shadow History: Renegade Women in Film and TV and Highlights of the S…

The St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is now in year 41 and Executive Director Amy Bornstein describes the activities and authors who will be participating including Elizabeth Weitzman. In our interview, author Elizabeth Weitz...

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Aug. 27, 2019

Part II: Living a Life of Service-Memorable Moments from White House …

Life has been an adventure for Jan Burmeister. She continues to have a life full of service to people. . . but how did she go from being a clerk and receptionist at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis to answering the pe...

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Aug. 27, 2019

Part I: Living a Life of Service-Memorable Moments from White House Y…

Life has been an adventure for Jan Burmeister. She continues to have a life full of service to people. . . but how did she go from being a clerk and receptionist at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis to answering the pe...

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July 23, 2019

NASA: Reflections on Apollo 11 and Past/Future Space Flights

Dr John Blevins, SLS Program Deputy Chief Engineer at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama, reflects on the historic Apollo 11 moon mission and where we may be headed in space in the near future and what it...

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