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On this episode of Our American Stories, before America had coast-to-coast rail lines, four men risked everything to make it possible. Known as the Big Four, they built the Central Pacific Railroad and played a crucial role in completing the first transcontinental railroad. Historian Roger McGrath shares how Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, Collis P. Huntington, and Mark Hopkins changed the course of American history with steel, vision, and sheer determination.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before America had coast-to-coast rail lines, four men risked everything to make it possible. Known as the Big Four, they built the Central Pacific Railroad and played a crucial role in completing the first transcontinental railroad. Historian Roger McGrath shares how Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, Collis P. Huntington, and Mark Hopkins changed the course of American history with steel, vision, and sheer determination.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>&nbsp;

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.

The Big Four Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/846059bb-5128-4dcc-a21f-b322014dd847/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1970s, a UCLA student named Steve Stoliar set out to track down a missing piece of Hollywood history. The film was Animal Crackers (1930), one of the early Marx Brothers movies starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, and Chico Marx. But because of a copyright issue, the film had disappeared from circulation and was nearly impossible to see.

His effort to track down the film and push for its re-release led him into direct contact with Groucho Marx and the people behind the movie. What followed helped restore a lost chapter in the history of Marx Brothers films.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the 1970s, a UCLA student named Steve Stoliar set out to track down a missing piece of Hollywood history. The film was&nbsp;Animal Crackers&nbsp;(1930), one of the early Marx Brothers movies starring Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, and Chico Marx. But because of a copyright issue, the film had disappeared from circulation and was nearly impossible to see. His effort to track down the film and push for its re-release led him into direct contact with Groucho Marx and the people behind the movie. What followed helped restore a lost chapter in the history of Marx Brothers films.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How a UCLA Student Helped Save a Lost Marx Brothers Film

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5de85eb9-901b-4310-910d-b41f015cd916/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the winter of 1838, a political argument in Congress crossed a line few thought possible. Maine Representative Jonathan Cilley and Kentucky’s William Graves met on a field just outside Washington, rifles in hand. The nation watched in disbelief as two elected officials prepared to settle a dispute the old-fashioned way.

When the smoke cleared, one man was dead, and House Resolution 8 soon followed, banning duels between lawmakers. Our regular contributor and firearms historian, Ashley Hlebinsky, revisits this little-known chapter in American history.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the winter of 1838, a political argument in Congress crossed a line few thought possible. Maine Representative Jonathan Cilley and Kentucky&rsquo;s William Graves met on a field just outside Washington, rifles in hand. The nation watched in disbelief as two elected officials prepared to settle a dispute the old-fashioned way. When the smoke cleared, one man was dead, and House Resolution 8 soon followed, banning duels between lawmakers. Our regular contributor and firearms historian, Ashley Hlebinsky, revisits this little-known chapter in American history.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

In 1838, Two U.S. Congressmen Dueled with… Rifles!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d5c5ec28-aaa9-4abf-b9f6-b41f015cd915/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the American Revolution, few family divisions ran deeper than the one between Benjamin Franklin and his son, William Franklin. While Benjamin Franklin became a leading voice for independence, William Franklin remained loyal to Britain, serving as a royal governor and standing firmly on the Loyalist side.

Our own Lee Habeeb shares the astonishing story of how Benjamin Franklin and his son ended up on opposite sides of history.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, during the American Revolution, few family divisions ran deeper than the one between Benjamin Franklin and his son, William Franklin. While Benjamin Franklin became a leading voice for independence, William Franklin remained loyal to Britain, serving as a royal governor and standing firmly on the Loyalist side. Our own Lee Habeeb shares the astonishing story of how Benjamin Franklin and his son ended up on opposite sides of history.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When Ben Franklin's Son Took the Loyalist Side in the Revolution

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7f621cf6-1eab-443d-9d9a-b41f015cd913/transcript

The Big Four Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad

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