This Day (A History Podcast)
@thisdaypod.com
We're living in unprecedented times -- sort of. A short podcast from Radiotopia. Hosted by Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and Kellie Carter Jackson. Join us for our America250 series "50 Weeks That Shaped America" -- every week in 2026. thisdaypod.com
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Next year is America’s 250th birthday, but in many ways the celebration — and the fight over how we frame history — begins right now. On @thisdaypod.com we are launching the America250 Watch newsletter. We plan to be thr home for news, analysis, and more —> open.substack.com/pub/thisdayp...
Welcome To America250 Watch!
The semi-quincentennial is here... here's how you can help us cover it.
open.substack.com
It’s here. Sign up for the newsletter now!
Our look at Seneca Falls and the long struggle for women's suffrage. Out now!
Up next on #TheContext, we continue our month-long collaboration with @thisdaypod.com: What happened when a group of reformers gathered over afternoon tea in western New York in 1848?
September 17, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Our look at Seneca Falls and the long struggle for women's suffrage. Out now!
ABSOLUTELY.
@thisdaypod.com little bit behind, but listening to the Woodstock episodes and @jodyavirgan.com and @kcarterjackson.bsky.social's reactions feel like what Bomani Jones always talks about as a "two Americas" type situation 😂
September 9, 2026 at 8:08 PM
ABSOLUTELY.
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
So excited to launch our month-long @thisdaypod.com collaboration with @kettering.org, and to do it with the great @dahlialithwick.bsky.social. Part one is up now, part two tomorrow!
In this first episode, This Day hosts Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and Kellie Carter Jackson are joined by @slate.com’s @dahlialithwick.bsky.social to unpack the fight over rights, freedom, and who the new government was built to protect.
Listen: bit.ly/4xb8Jlu
Listen: bit.ly/4xb8Jlu
Bill of Rights (Part 1): Special Series with This Day Podcast
What happens when the Founders build a government—but nearly forget freedom? This Day unpacks the Bill of Rights and democracy’s unfinished construction.
bit.ly
September 9, 2026 at 8:07 PM
So excited to launch our month-long @thisdaypod.com collaboration with @kettering.org, and to do it with the great @dahlialithwick.bsky.social. Part one is up now, part two tomorrow!
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
We recently did a two-parter on @thisdaypod.com about the 2008 crash, and then I got a chance to catch up with Alex Blumberg about his landmark This American Life story "The Giant Pool of Money," which helped many people get their head around the meltdown. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
"The Giant Pool of Money" Revisited w/ Alex Blumberg [Some Sunday Context]
Podcast Episode · This Day (An America 250 History Show) · August 30 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
September 1, 2026 at 7:26 PM
We recently did a two-parter on @thisdaypod.com about the 2008 crash, and then I got a chance to catch up with Alex Blumberg about his landmark This American Life story "The Giant Pool of Money," which helped many people get their head around the meltdown. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
🫡
@thisdaypod.com the moment I heard yall say “semiquincentennial” I knew I needed to memorize it for my trivia leave and it FINALLY CAME UP TONIGHT!
Thank you for 3 points and for the emotional victory lap I did when I was right. @jodyavirgan.com @pastpunditry.bsky.social @kcarterjackson.bsky.social
Thank you for 3 points and for the emotional victory lap I did when I was right. @jodyavirgan.com @pastpunditry.bsky.social @kcarterjackson.bsky.social
September 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
🫡
Summer break is over! We're back with a *brand new* episode in our "50 Weeks That Shaped America" series - this one on the long fight to desegregate the military. We talk Truman, Jackie Robinson, Isaac Woodard, Billie Holiday, and lots more pod.link/thisday/epis...
August 4, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Summer break is over! We're back with a *brand new* episode in our "50 Weeks That Shaped America" series - this one on the long fight to desegregate the military. We talk Truman, Jackie Robinson, Isaac Woodard, Billie Holiday, and lots more pod.link/thisday/epis...
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
Another "How To 250" video about the story behind the sign.
There are fights about the signs, language, and statues at historical sites taking place all around us. In our latest "How To 250" video, @jodyavirgan.com talks about the story behind the sign.
July 10, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Another "How To 250" video about the story behind the sign.
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
We did a two-part @thisdaypod.com earlier this summer about the aftermath of Watergate, including the rehabilitation of Nixon over the decades. Really good, in my opinion.
Pt 1 on the post-Watergate reforms pod.link/thisday/epis...
Pt 2 on the backslide pod.link/thisday/epis...
Pt 1 on the post-Watergate reforms pod.link/thisday/epis...
Pt 2 on the backslide pod.link/thisday/epis...
July 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM
We did a two-part @thisdaypod.com earlier this summer about the aftermath of Watergate, including the rehabilitation of Nixon over the decades. Really good, in my opinion.
Pt 1 on the post-Watergate reforms pod.link/thisday/epis...
Pt 2 on the backslide pod.link/thisday/epis...
Pt 1 on the post-Watergate reforms pod.link/thisday/epis...
Pt 2 on the backslide pod.link/thisday/epis...
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
This kinda happened in 1976 too - it was an open question about which of DC, NYC, or Philly was going to have the juice... DC was post-Nixon, NYC was in deep dysfunction... at least Philly had a mayor (Rizzo) just corrupt/feared/loved enough to whip everyone into shape, and Philly kinda took it.
NYC just absolutely slaughtering DC on USA 250, completely non-recoverable, we’ll spend years trying to gain back some modicum of respect.
July 5, 2026 at 12:16 AM
This kinda happened in 1976 too - it was an open question about which of DC, NYC, or Philly was going to have the juice... DC was post-Nixon, NYC was in deep dysfunction... at least Philly had a mayor (Rizzo) just corrupt/feared/loved enough to whip everyone into shape, and Philly kinda took it.
More in our episode this week on the big group writing project that was the Declaration of Independence podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
July 4, 2026 at 1:24 PM
More in our episode this week on the big group writing project that was the Declaration of Independence podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
"The second sentence of the Declaration is the second most important sentence in the English language -- the first is 'I Love You.'"
Ken Burns plans to spend his 4th of July, with his family, reading the Declaration of Independence on his porch, as he always does.
Ken Burns plans to spend his 4th of July, with his family, reading the Declaration of Independence on his porch, as he always does.
July 4, 2026 at 1:11 PM
"The second sentence of the Declaration is the second most important sentence in the English language -- the first is 'I Love You.'"
Ken Burns plans to spend his 4th of July, with his family, reading the Declaration of Independence on his porch, as he always does.
Ken Burns plans to spend his 4th of July, with his family, reading the Declaration of Independence on his porch, as he always does.
There are fights about the signs, language, and statues at historical sites taking place all around us. In our latest "How To 250" video, @jodyavirgan.com talks about the story behind the sign.
July 3, 2026 at 5:54 PM
There are fights about the signs, language, and statues at historical sites taking place all around us. In our latest "How To 250" video, @jodyavirgan.com talks about the story behind the sign.
No surprise, this week's "50 Weeks That Shaped America" episode is on the Declaration of Independence. We posted it for you a little early so you can listen ahead of the 4th of July weekend. Out now! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Declaration of Independence (Live from Boston) w/ A.J. Jacobs
Podcast Episode · This Day (An America 250 History Show) · July 3 · 55m
podcasts.apple.com
July 3, 2026 at 12:44 PM
No surprise, this week's "50 Weeks That Shaped America" episode is on the Declaration of Independence. We posted it for you a little early so you can listen ahead of the 4th of July weekend. Out now! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Writer Hanif Abdurraqib on the nostalgia trap. youtube.com/shorts/Bx_L2...
The nostalgia trap... #history #america250
YouTube video by This Day (A History Show)
youtube.com
July 2, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Writer Hanif Abdurraqib on the nostalgia trap. youtube.com/shorts/Bx_L2...
A look back at America's last big birthday celebration. The energy was a little higher in 1976... youtube.com/shorts/uCWWl...
America During its Last Big Birthday - The Bicentennial
YouTube video by This Day (A History Show)
youtube.com
July 1, 2026 at 2:48 PM
A look back at America's last big birthday celebration. The energy was a little higher in 1976... youtube.com/shorts/uCWWl...
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
Hopped the train, talked history, made a little video. Couple more in this series on the way soon!
How To 250! @jodyavirgan.com takes a visit to the Stonewall Memorial to talk about the importance of visiting historical sites... and putting yourself in the shoes of the people who made history.
It's often the specific conditions on the ground that create the key moments.
It's often the specific conditions on the ground that create the key moments.
June 30, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Hopped the train, talked history, made a little video. Couple more in this series on the way soon!
Lots of historians cited in that opinion. Not sure if we'll have Foner on soon, but we do mention him a bunch in this week's special on history books that shaped America...
@thisdaypod.com okay huge day for Eric Foner and the Second Founding! Justice Jackson’s concurring opinion in Trump v. Barbara references Foner’s work a few times….. I would do anything to hear him on the pod to discuss the amendments that shaped america……
July 1, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Lots of historians cited in that opinion. Not sure if we'll have Foner on soon, but we do mention him a bunch in this week's special on history books that shaped America...
How To 250! @jodyavirgan.com takes a visit to the Stonewall Memorial to talk about the importance of visiting historical sites... and putting yourself in the shoes of the people who made history.
It's often the specific conditions on the ground that create the key moments.
It's often the specific conditions on the ground that create the key moments.
June 30, 2026 at 12:02 PM
How To 250! @jodyavirgan.com takes a visit to the Stonewall Memorial to talk about the importance of visiting historical sites... and putting yourself in the shoes of the people who made history.
It's often the specific conditions on the ground that create the key moments.
It's often the specific conditions on the ground that create the key moments.
THE BOOKS THAT SHAPED AMERICAN HISTORY -- this week we have a two-part special, running down 250 years of books that shaped our understanding of US history. With the great Jon Meacham. Full advance audio and list of books up now for newsletter subscribers open.substack.com/pub/thisdayp...
The Books That Shaped America - Audio + List
A 250-year syllabus with Jon Meacham
open.substack.com
June 29, 2026 at 10:26 PM
THE BOOKS THAT SHAPED AMERICAN HISTORY -- this week we have a two-part special, running down 250 years of books that shaped our understanding of US history. With the great Jon Meacham. Full advance audio and list of books up now for newsletter subscribers open.substack.com/pub/thisdayp...
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
The thing I remember most about the bicentennial is the commemorative quarters. Today, what would be the point of a special coin?
Lots of folks sharing memories of the festivities in 1976 as compared to how this year is shaping up. Here's our episode about how the Bicentennial year went down... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Bicentennial Fever! (1976) [Part 1]
Podcast Episode · This Day (An America 250 History Show) · January 6 · 25m
podcasts.apple.com
June 29, 2026 at 1:57 AM
The thing I remember most about the bicentennial is the commemorative quarters. Today, what would be the point of a special coin?
Lots of folks sharing memories of the festivities in 1976 as compared to how this year is shaping up. Here's our episode about how the Bicentennial year went down... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Bicentennial Fever! (1976) [Part 1]
Podcast Episode · This Day (An America 250 History Show) · January 6 · 25m
podcasts.apple.com
June 29, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Lots of folks sharing memories of the festivities in 1976 as compared to how this year is shaping up. Here's our episode about how the Bicentennial year went down... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Still time to snag some merch ahead of the 4th of July... cottonbureau.com/people/roule...
June 25, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Still time to snag some merch ahead of the 4th of July... cottonbureau.com/people/roule...
Reposted by This Day (A History Podcast)
Can I interest you in an entire two-part podcast about this very thing?! We did a @thisdaypod.com tracing post-Watergate reforms, and how they - and Nixon's reputation - have been turned around over the years.
Pt One: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pt Two: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pt One: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pt Two: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
JD Vance: "I think Nixon's historical legacy is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, and deservedly so. I joked that if Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12 hours news story. The idea that it took down a presidency is crazy."
June 25, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Can I interest you in an entire two-part podcast about this very thing?! We did a @thisdaypod.com tracing post-Watergate reforms, and how they - and Nixon's reputation - have been turned around over the years.
Pt One: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pt Two: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pt One: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pt Two: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The 1980 Mariel Boatlift may be the rosetta stone for understanding Trump's language around immigrants. Two-part episode here pod.link/thisday/epis...
June 24, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The 1980 Mariel Boatlift may be the rosetta stone for understanding Trump's language around immigrants. Two-part episode here pod.link/thisday/epis...
See you in Boston!
Making my way up to Boston for a @thisdaypod.com live show with @pastpunditry.bsky.social @kcarterjackson.bsky.social and the great AJ Jacobs, who tells me he's going to be wearing a tricorn hat. Still tickets, doors 6, show 7, bed by 10, should be a fun night! www.wbur.org/events/10850...
‘This Day (A History Show)’ live: 50 weeks that made America
CitySpace celebrates cutting edge conversations, adventurous art, innovative ideas. CitySpace is WBUR on stage. Convening leaders in all fields for an array of offerings — readings, interviews, debate...
www.wbur.org
June 24, 2026 at 2:51 PM
See you in Boston!