Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

One of the most consequential elections in United States history, the election of 1860 was filled with drama. Third party candidates; a political party caving in on itself; concerns over what the nas…

The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is consistently ranked as one of the best presidents by historians. 

A man who oversaw the fracturing of the nation, Abraham Lincoln lived…

Often classified as a dress rehearsal for the Civil War, the raid on Harpers Ferry was a watershed moment in American History. 

Fully believing his purpose in life was to end slavery, John Brown put t…

As a group of settlers eagerly headed west in the throes of Manifest Destiny, they were being watched by a group who were convinced they posed a grave threat. 

Known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, …

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! 

I am here with a BONUS episode to help you make it through your travel week. Last year, a group of us podcasters got together to chat history, podcasting, and everyt…

One of the most contentious Supreme Court decisions in United States history, Scott v. Sanford effectively robbed Black Americans of recognition as citizens.

So just who was Dred Scott? And how did h…

A president who consistently ranks toward the bottom of the list, James Buchanan made several missteps during his tenure that furthered the country toward war. How is that a man who spent his entire …

Most history fans know at least the basics about Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, two of the most prominent and influential political leaders of the twentieth century. Significantly l…

A man who stalked his victims along the serene trails of several California state parks, David Joseph Carpenter was a career criminal who arguably should have never been free to murder seven people i…

A woman who lived enough for several lifetimes, Mary Ann Shadd Cary was one of the loudest voices in support of Canadian emigration for Black Americans.

Growing up in a household committed to racial …

The wife of fourteenth president Franklin Pierce, Jane Appleton Pierce often gets a bad rap. Seen as a woman who was unwilling to support her husband's political efforts, Jane Pierce definitely lacke…

Fourteenth President Franklin Pierce is frequently listed as one of the country's worst presidents by historians. A man who so desperately wished to keep his preferred political party intact, Pierce …

Joining me this week is Laurence Jurdem to discuss his newest book, The Rough Rider & the Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and the Friendship that Changed American History.

Dr. Jurde…

Some presidential wives are more well known than others. Throughout the nineteenth century, there are a string of women who did not leave as lasting an impact to the role of First Lady or a voluminou…

Join me this week as I dive into the life and career of Millard Fillmore.

The second "accidental president," Fillmore ascended to the office after the passing of Zachary Taylor. The two men, who had …

Welcome back to James Baldwin - Part Two!

Join me this week as I complete the story of Baldwin's life, including his ascension to the top of the literary world, his work during the Civil Rights Movem…

I am back with another listener request!
 
 James Baldwin is one of the most well known authors of the twentieth century. Growing up in Harlem during the roaring twenties and depression riddled thirtie…

Joining me this week is Professor of History at Brandeis University, Dr. Chad Williams. In this episode, we discuss his new book, The Wounded World: W.E.B. DuBois and the First World War.

The book tra…

Tensions were high in the run-up to the Civil War. Disagreements proliferated about the institution of slavery and just what should be done about it. And nowhere were disagreements and tempers high t…

In 1854, a sleepy community on the north fork of Long Island was devastated by reports of a double murder.

James and Frances Wickham appeared to have everything a young couple could want: a beautiful…