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American History Hit

American History Hit

By: History Hit
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Join Don Wildman twice a week for your hit of American history, as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today.

We’ll hear how codebreakers uncovered secret Japanese plans for the Battle of Midway, visit Chief Powhatan as he prepares for war with the British, see Walt Disney accuse his former colleagues of being communists, and uncover the dark history that lies beneath Central Park.

From pre-colonial America to independence, slavery to civil rights, the gold rush to the space race, join Don as he speaks to leading experts to delve into America’s past.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

Brought to you by History Hit, the award-winning podcast network and world’s best history channel on demand, featuring shows like Dan Snow’s History Hit, Not Just The Tudors and Betwixt the Sheets.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.

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Episodes
  • Frenemies: China & the USA, a History
    Jun 30 2025


    The People's Republic of China has only existed since 1949, but in just 75 years its relationship with the United States is in a strong position to be the most tumultuous of all.


    Don is joined by Rana Mitter for this episode of Frenemies. Rana is S. T. Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School and, with Don, he helps to unravel the ups and downs of this relationship. How did the two countries start off on the wrong foot? And how has China since become one of the U.S.'s top trading partners?


    Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.


    Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


    You can take part in our listener survey here.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • George H. W. Bush: Ending the Cold War
    Jun 26 2025

    President George H. W. Bush presided over the Gulf War, the conclusion of the Cold War, the collapse of the USSR and the fall of the Berlin Wall during what proved an eventful single term of office from 1989 to 1993. But what was his answer to the burning question of the age, the legacy of which rumbles on down to this very day: 'What next?'


    Don's guide to this pivotal presidency is Professor Jeremi Suri author of The Impossible Presidency and host of the podcast This Is Democracy.


    Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.


    Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


    You can take part in our listener survey here.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • Frenemies: Russia & the USA, a History
    Jun 23 2025

    For nearly half a century, the United States and Russia stood as adversaries, entrenched in a tense geopolitical rivalry known as the Cold War. Yet this period represents only a brief chapter in the broader, more complex history of their relationship...


    In this episode, Professor Vladislav Zubok joins Don to take us through the historic highs and lows of Russo-American relations.


    Vlad is a professor at LSE and is the author of many books including Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union and The World of the Cold War, 1945-1991.


    Edited and produced by Tom Delargy. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.


    Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


    You can take part in our listener survey here.


    All music from Epidemic Sounds.


    American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.


    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 4 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
Great podcast. enjoy the very wide variety of topics. and the experts often brought in to discuss the topic. often guest has just written a book so gives great suggestions for further research if you so desire. Great job!

American History

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Very informative and entertaining. Every time I listen to this podcast, I learn something new about the history of United States and the world.

Top Quality History Podcast

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