On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1965, California Senator George Murphy started a sweet tradition, literally. He began stocking his desk on the Senate floor with candy to share with his colleagues. That desk, now known as the “Senate Candy Desk,” remains a Capitol Hill tradition to this day.

Jesse Edwards shares the history, mystery, and origins behind one of the Senate’s most interesting traditions.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1965, California Senator George Murphy started a sweet tradition, literally. He began stocking his desk on the Senate floor with candy to share with his colleagues. That desk, now known as the &ldquo;Senate Candy Desk,&rdquo; remains a Capitol Hill tradition to this day. Jesse Edwards shares the history, mystery, and origins behind one of the Senate&rsquo;s most interesting traditions.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

How the Senate Candy Desk Became a Capitol Hill Tradition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ac5e40d3-326b-40b8-a4ae-b4f20149a330/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley was still a child when she began hunting to help feed her struggling family in Ohio. Before long, her extraordinary skill with a gun was helping pay off the family mortgage, winning her shooting contests, and eventually leading her to defeat professional marksman Frank Butler, the man she would later marry.

Our American Stories contributor Faith Buchanan and others tell the story of how Oakley rose from poverty to top billing in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, performing before packed crowds in New York, London, and Paris and becoming one of the most famous women of her time. Along the way, she built a career in a world dominated by men, maintained a remarkable partnership with Butler, and taught thousands of women that they could handle a firearm just as confidently as any man.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley was still a child when she began hunting to help feed her struggling family in Ohio. Before long, her extraordinary skill with a gun was helping pay off the family mortgage, winning her shooting contests, and eventually leading her to defeat professional marksman Frank Butler, the man she would later marry. Our American Stories contributor Faith Buchanan and others tell the story of how Oakley rose from poverty to top billing in Buffalo Bill&rsquo;s Wild West, performing before packed crowds in New York, London, and Paris and becoming one of the most famous women of her time. Along the way, she built a career in a world dominated by men, maintained a remarkable partnership with Butler, and taught thousands of women that they could handle a firearm just as confidently as any man.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

Annie Oakley: Sharpshooter, Showwoman, American Legend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/697cd900-fef2-4d04-a0a8-b4f500fb21b5/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Greg Hall wasn’t looking for fame when Chile’s government asked for help rescuing 33 trapped miners. A businessman and Catholic deacon from Texas, he simply believed he could make a difference. Over 69 tense days, Hall and his team drilled through solid rock to reach the men the world feared were lost. He later said it was God who guided every turn of the drill.

While the film The 33 told the story, Hall’s name was left out, which suited him just fine. For him, the miracle wasn’t the credit. It was that all 33 men saw daylight again.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Greg Hall wasn&rsquo;t looking for fame when Chile&rsquo;s government asked for help rescuing 33 trapped miners. A businessman and Catholic deacon from Texas, he simply believed he could make a difference. Over 69 tense days, Hall and his team drilled through solid rock to reach the men the world feared were lost. He later said it was God who guided every turn of the drill. While the film The 33 told the story, Hall&rsquo;s name was left out, which suited him just fine. For him, the miracle wasn&rsquo;t the credit. It was that all 33 men saw daylight again.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

When One Man’s Faith Helped Free 33 Trapped Chilean Miners

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a085d001-d3dd-467c-bba0-b4f500fb21b5/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, World War II is remembered for its tanks, bombers, and revolutionary weapons, but much of the fighting still depended on railroads, trucks, and even horses. Historian Stephen Ambrose explains how America's remarkable ability to move men and supplies helped give the Allies a decisive advantage. From the rugged Jeep and the workhorse “deuce and a half” truck to the amphibious DUKW, American vehicles transformed the way armies fought and moved. Meanwhile, despite the fearsome reputation of Germany's mechanized forces, German and Soviet armies still relied heavily on horses to carry the burdens of war.

Ambrose also explores one weapon that cast a terrifying shadow over World War II but was largely absent from Europe's battlefields: poison gas. The horrors of chemical warfare in World War I were still fresh in the minds of soldiers and commanders. Although the major powers stockpiled enormous quantities of chemical weapons, the fear of retaliation helped keep them from being unleashed.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, World War II is remembered for its tanks, bombers, and revolutionary weapons, but much of the fighting still depended on railroads, trucks, and even horses. Historian Stephen Ambrose explains how America's remarkable ability to move men and supplies helped give the Allies a decisive advantage. From the rugged Jeep and the workhorse &ldquo;deuce and a half&rdquo; truck to the amphibious DUKW, American vehicles transformed the way armies fought and moved. Meanwhile, despite the fearsome reputation of Germany's mechanized forces, German and Soviet armies still relied heavily on horses to carry the burdens of war. Ambrose also explores one weapon that cast a terrifying shadow over World War II but was largely absent from Europe's battlefields: poison gas. The horrors of chemical warfare in World War I were still fresh in the minds of soldiers and commanders. Although the major powers stockpiled enormous quantities of chemical weapons, the fear of retaliation helped keep them from being unleashed.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

Weapons of WWII With Stephen Ambrose: Jeeps, Trucks, Horses, and Poison Gas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d9c8cd33-a2e9-4491-8645-b4f500fb21b7/transcript

How the Senate Candy Desk Became a Capitol Hill Tradition

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