In this episode of Bahr's History Hits, we explore one of American history's most compelling "what-ifs"—Robert F. Kennedy's electrifying 82-day presidential campaign in 1968.

Featuring Thurston Clarke's "The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America," we dive into a moment when politics transcended calculation and became something more—a movement that united Black and white, rich and poor, young and old in a fractured nation.

From RFK's agonizing decision to challenge President Johnson, to his legendary impromptu speech the night MLK was assassinated, to his tragic final moments at the Ambassador Hotel—this is the story of a campaign that promised to heal America's deepest divides, and the haunting question of what might have been.

Join host Michael Bahr for a journey through 1968, exploring why this brief campaign still breaks hearts and captures imaginations decades later. Whether you're a history student or just love a good story, this episode reminds us what we're still searching for in our leaders today.

#History #RFK #1960s #PoliticalHistory #AmericanHistory #Kennedy #Podcast

What makes a leader truly great? In 1783, George Washington did something that shocked the world: he voluntarily gave up absolute power. Then he did it again in 1796. This week on Bahr's History Hits, we explore how Washington's unprecedented decision to walk away—twice—established the foundation of American democracy. Featuring Joseph Ellis's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography "His Excellency: George Washington," we dive into the Newburgh Conspiracy, the emotional resignation at Annapolis, and the Farewell Address that created the template for peaceful transitions of power. From King George III's amazement to the precedents that still govern our democracy today, discover why Washington's greatest act wasn't winning the Revolution—it was knowing when to let go. Perfect for history lovers, students of leadership, and anyone wondering how democratic norms actually survive.

The filibuster—democracy’s safeguard or democracy’s kill switch? In this episode of Bahr’s History Hits, Michael Bahr unpacks the strange and surprising history of the Senate’s most controversial rule. From its accidental invention in 1805 to Strom Thurmond’s marathon speeches and today’s “silent email filibusters,” discover how this once-rare tactic became routine gridlock. Featuring Adam Jentleson’s Kill Switch, we explore what the Founders intended, how the Senate evolved, and the case both for and against the modern filibuster.

If you’ve ever wondered why everything in Washington seems stuck, this episode gives you the historical context—and the big questions—that matter today.

Was Benedict Arnold simply a villain — or a betrayed hero who made a terrible choice? In this episode, Michael Bahr examines The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy to reveal the human side of America’s most infamous traitor. We explore his battlefield brilliance, his loyalty to Washington, and the bitterness that led him to turn against the cause he once fought to the brink of death to defend.

We often think of depression as a roadblock to greatness — but what if it can also be a forge? This episode of Bahr’s History Hits connects modern conversations about mental health to Abraham Lincoln’s lifelong battle with melancholy. Drawing on Lincoln’s Melancholy by Joshua Wolf Shenk, Michael Bahr shows how Lincoln’s suffering fueled his empathy, sharpened his judgment, and gave him the moral resilience to guide the nation through the Civil War.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's tragic murder at Utah Valley University, host Michael Bahr delivers a powerful special episode examining the escalating crisis of political violence in America. From the assassination attempts on President Trump to the recent killings of Minnesota state senators, Bahr traces how our nation has moved away from its founding principles of peaceful democratic discourse.

This isn't just another political commentary—it's a heartfelt call for Americans to choose a different path. Speaking as both a historian and a Christian, Bahr confronts the machinery of hate that turns political opponents into enemies, while refusing to let righteous anger become hatred.

A must-listen for anyone seeking both political insight and spiritual hope in these divided times.

Content warning: Discussion of political violence and assassination attempts.

In this special edition of Bahr's History Hits--Michael discusses Labor Day. Why it is important, and how we can keep honoring the legacy of those who stood their ground for the rights that we enjoy!

Let's open the book--Today's Chapter starts NOW!

Impeachment gets thrown around like political confetti every election cycle, but do we actually know what it means? Spoiler alert: it's not a "you're fired" button—it's more like a giant constitutional "Are you sure about this?" lever.

Join us as we dive deep into America's impeachment history, from the framers' original vision to the dramatic cases that shaped our democracy. We'll explore Andrew Johnson's near-miss in 1868, Nixon's Watergate resignation, Clinton's perjury scandal, and bring the story current with Donald Trump's unprecedented double impeachment in 2019 and 2021.

Featured Book: Impeachment: An American History by Jon Meacham, Timothy Naftali, Peter Baker, and Jeffrey A. Engel—four historians, four cases, one fascinating constitutional crisis after another.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the founders included impeachment in the Constitution
• How Johnson survived removal by just one Senate vote
• Why Nixon resigned before impeachment could finish him
• How Clinton's approval ratings actually rose during his impeachment
• The unprecedented timeline of Trump's two impeachments

The Pattern: No president has ever been removed through impeachment. Every case reveals as much about Congress and the country as it does about the president in question.

Purchase the featured book: https://tinyurl.com/impeachmenthistory

What happens when the King of Rock 'n' Roll shows up unannounced at the White House gates? On December 21, 1970, Elvis Presley—decked out in purple velvet and gold sunglasses—walked into the Oval Office for one of the most bizarre presidential meetings in American history.

In this episode, we dive into the unlikely encounter between Elvis and Nixon, exploring how celebrity influence and political power collided in 1970s America. From Elvis's handwritten letter requesting federal agent credentials to Nixon's calculated decision to grant the meeting, this story reveals the strange ways culture and politics intersect.

Featured Book: The Day Elvis Met Nixon by Egil "Bud" Krogh—the White House aide who made it all happen.

In This Episode:

• How a restless night in LA led Elvis to the White House
• What Nixon and Elvis actually talked about in the Oval Office
• The famous handshake photo that became the most requested image in National Archives history
• Why this meeting symbolizes the blurred lines between celebrity and political influence

Links: Nixon Library Oral History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMyHw6NeXo

The Day Elvis Met Nixon by Egil Bud Krogh

https://tinyurl.com/WhenElvisMetNixon

In this episode, we dive into one of the more controversial decisions ever in American history: Gerald R. Ford's pardon of former President Nixon.

We relive the decision, discuss the pardon power, and make the case why Ford's decision was right.

Book featured; Gerald R. Ford: An Honorable Life by James Cannon