US History Repeated

The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt Part 1

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was the longest sitting President of the United States. His Presidency was full of challenges, ranging from The Great Depression, up through most of World War II. 
Our coverage of FDR will span a number of podcasts, and we summarize his presidency in two parts plus another sandwiched in the middle specific to "The New Deal"
Roosevelt will be prominent in the podcasts after that as we will be getting into the details surrounding WWII and delve into many of the events.
 
In the next few podcasts we have some guests. This podcast has Jeananne being joined by Jeffery Urbin of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. 
 
There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!
Jimmy & Jean

Antisemitism in the U.S. & The U.S. Response To The Rise of Totalitarian Dictators in Europe

We are starting to build toward World War II and there are things happening both at home and abroad.
As this is a US History Podcast, we talk more to the way the US views the events occuring in Europe and the US policy of Neutrality.
We cover the US response to the rise of totalitarian dictators:
Adolf Hitler in Germany
Benito Mussolini in Italy 
Francisco Franco in Spain
 
Then, we cover the rise in antisemitism both at home and abroad. The mass immigration and increasing population amidst the Great Depression begins to cause resentment at home, while there are much worse things happening over in Europe. 
Let's leave the details to Jeananne in the podcast.
There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!
Jimmy & Jean

The Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco and when it was finished in 1937, it was at one time the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today, it no longer holds that title – that belongs to a bridge in Turkey.
We list all the record holding suspension bridges that are still in existance today. Jimmy and Jean have been on 7 of the 17! How many have you been on?
The bridge was built by a team lead by Joseph B. Strauss, and would have to cover a mile of water. By the time the bridge was finished if you factor in the approaches to the bridge, it spans 1.7 miles.
Not everyone supported the construction of the bridge. For one, it was going to be costly – 25 Million to be exact. 
A Ferry company aptly named Golden Gate Ferries didn’t want the bridge to be built either. After all, how many people would need a ferry if there was a bridge they could cross instead?
It took almost a decade to garner the support Strauss needed to build the bridge. Construction began on January 5, 1933.
Built during the Great Depression, workers were paid $11 dollars a day. This was good pay for 1933 and the jobs were highly coveted. There had been calls for a long time to try to build a bridge to connect San Francisco to Marin County especially as the population grew.
There were a number of challenges to building the bridge, learn all about the project of one of the United States' and the world's most iconic bridges in our podcast!
 
There is always more to learn!
 
-Jimmy and Jean

The Hoover Dam

Our Podcast on The Hoover Dam delves into what brought about the need for the dam, the financing, planning, building, and the benefits of the dam. 
 
The Hoover Dam allowed for the regulation of water throughout the southwest United States. Prior to the dam being built, there was flood season, and drought season. Devistation, and scarcity. Learn all about this modern marvel in our podcast on The Hoover Dam.

The Great Depression

In this podcast Jimmy and Jean discuss The Great Depression and the aftermath of the stock crash. 
We will discuss economic impacts like bank runs and some of the programs put in place to prevent things like this happening again.
We get into the environmental crisis of the time, The Dust Bowl.
We get into social impacts of the depression and discuss Hoovervilles, homelessness, unemployment, food scarcity, and the perserverance of the people who adapted and made it through arguably the worst economic time in the United States.
 
There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!
-Jimmy & Jean

The Life and Presidency of Herbert Hoover Part 2

In this podcast we continue our coverage of the life and presidency of Herbert Hoover. 
 
In part two, we pick up where he is appointed Secretary of Commerce and all his accomplishments while serving that office, then we delve into his presidency, the Great Depression, as well as his many contributions after he served as president, often being asked by future presidents to help internationally in some form or fashion. 
We are again joined by Tom Schwartz, the Director of the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa who shares many details of Hoover's life in his interview with Jean.
 
Listen here and see you soon!
Jimmy and Jean

The Life and Presidency of Herbert Hoover Part 1

In this podcast we cover the life and presidency of Herbert Hoover. 
 
In part one, we begin with how he grew up, his education, his early days as a geologist, as well as his travels around the world with his wife.
 
Their travels around the world are what moved Hoover and his wife into their becoming very active in international relief efforts and other charitable works. 
 
We are joined by Tom Schwartz, the Director of the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa who shares many details of Hoover's life in his interview with Jean.
 
Listen here and see you soon!
Jimmy and Jean

The Empire State Building

The iconic Empire State Building was once the tallest building in the entire world!
Counting the spire and antenna, the building clocks in at a mighty 1,454 feet (443 meters).
It's currently the 4th tallest building in New York City, the 6th tallest in the United States, and the 43rd tallest tower in the world.
 
In this podcast we discuss how it was built, who was involved and you will be absolutely shocked at the lack of safety protocols in place!
Come join Jimmy and Jean and learn about this modern marvel built in 1931. It is almost 100 years old!
 
there is always more to learn, talk to you all soon!