On June 19th, 1865, Texas became the last state in the country to emancipate its slaves, nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Why did it take so long for Texas to abolish slavery, and how come we let them get away with it? On its 155th anniversary, Nat explains the history behind the holiday of Juneteenth and the emancipation of slaves in America.

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The Native American civil rights movement is considered to be one of the most radical social movements of the era, but it is largely overlooked in the context of our country’s history and often forgotten by most Americans. In this episode, Nat gives a brief overview of Native American social activism during the 1960s & 70s, focusing on the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973.

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The race is off against the Soviet Union and the United States! In a time of rising tensions, science and technology paved our way into space. But WHO actually won the space race and what were we racing for? In honor of the recent SpaceX in partnership with NASA launch, Jac brings us on a journey through the first era of space exploration, the Space Race!

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Could you imagine going to jail for loving someone whose skin color didn't match yours? It wasn't too long ago that this was the case. In this episode, Jac takes you through the history of how interracial marriage rights came to be in the United States of America, and shares the story of the couple that helped make it happen.

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With heightened tensions concerning foreign interference and spies during World War I, Congress decided to enact the Espionage Act in 1918. In this episode, Nat breaks down the history of the Espionage Act and how it affected the First Amendment and our freedom of speech by examining some of the most influential Supreme Court cases during this period.

Murder, drugs, and soup kitchens? In this episode, Jac takes you through the history of the Mafia and explains the business tactics that brought them riches. 

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Before President James K. Polk, America looked a lot smaller than it does today. In this episode, Nat gives an overview of the Mexican-American War and how it changed the landscape of our country forever.

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Historical unemployment, widespread homelessness, stock market crashes, and failing crops characterized the American Great Depression; but could the immense suffering have actually been a good thing? In this episode, Jac explains the start and end of the Great Depression, differences in the lives of people going through it, and the light on the other side.

Nat covers the assassination of President William McKinley. 

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Feel like the odd one out in your friend group when it comes to talking about world events? Wish you could finally come up with the facts to debate with that schmuck at work? Tired of having nothing but the weather to bring up on the first date?