On this episode of Our American Stories, King George III, upon hearing that George Washington planned to resign from his military commission and return to his plow stated; "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." George Washington wasn't the first man to do this though—he was simply following in the footsteps of another farmer, statesman, and victorious general from ancient Rome—Cincinnatus. Here's Professor Kenneth Calvert of Hillsdale College to tell the story of how these two men connect and why Cincinnati is named in honor of both of them.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, King George III, upon hearing that George Washington planned to resign from his military commission and return to his plow stated; "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." George Washington wasn't the first man to do this though&mdash;he was simply following in the footsteps of another farmer, statesman, and victorious general from ancient Rome&mdash;Cincinnatus. Here's Professor Kenneth Calvert of Hillsdale College to tell the story of how these two men connect and why Cincinnati is named in honor of both of them.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">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.

Why Cincinnati is Named After George Washington...and a Roman Farmer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/37bbc4d5-062c-4ce4-a2b5-b2650151d937/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, when the U.S. Postal Service introduced Parcel Post in 1913, Americans suddenly had a cheap new way to ship packages across the country. What postal officials didn't anticipate was how creatively people would use it. Families mailed eggs, butter, bees, and even entire building supplies through the postal system. In one famous case, a bank in Utah was shipped brick by brick through the mail.

Then came the children. Taking advantage of a loophole in the rules, some parents discovered it was cheaper to mail their sons and daughters than buy them train tickets. For our Rule of Law series, Christopher Warren of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum shares one of the strangest and most surprisingly true stories in American postal history.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, when the U.S. Postal Service introduced Parcel Post in 1913, Americans suddenly had a cheap new way to ship packages across the country. What postal officials didn't anticipate was how creatively people would use it. Families mailed eggs, butter, bees, and even entire building supplies through the postal system. In one famous case, a bank in Utah was shipped brick by brick through the mail. Then came the children. Taking advantage of a loophole in the rules, some parents discovered it was cheaper to mail their sons and daughters than buy them train tickets. For our&nbsp;Rule of Law&nbsp;series, Christopher Warren of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum shares one of the strangest and most surprisingly true stories in American postal history.
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When Americans Sent Their Kids Through the Mail

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b6ec7c59-23d2-4adb-91ef-b46d005a8ab2/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, the First World War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. But not before one last man fell. His name was Henry Gunther, and he died just moments before peace officially began. Why he charged forward, and how his death came to symbolize the senselessness of war's final moments, is a story often overlooked.

Craig Du Mez of the Grateful Nation Project shares the true story of Henry and the motivations that ultimately led him to become the last American casualty of a war that had already ended in words, but not yet in action.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, the First World War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. But not before one last man fell. His name was Henry Gunther, and he died just moments before peace officially began. Why he charged forward, and how his death came to symbolize the senselessness of war's final moments, is a story often overlooked. Craig Du Mez of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.herocards.us%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cc8ee2a7a9e734200a42a08decc9e68c3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639173177936182985%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ZIJTbPnGnegZGD%2B8n1DcdL7qzxgoBHGN%2FmWM9V%2BzUj0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Grateful Nation Project</a>&nbsp;shares the true story of Henry and the motivations that ultimately led him to become the last American casualty of a war that had already ended in words, but not yet in action.
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Why Henry Gunther Was the Final Casualty of WWI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b2b24b48-2947-426e-9807-b46d005a8ab5/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the Stars and Stripes became the national banner, another symbol of liberty flew over American ships. Known as the Pine Tree Flag, or the "Appeal to Heaven" flag, it was one of the earliest wartime flags of the American Revolution. In 1775, George Washington ordered it raised on six schooners that made up the first naval force of the colonies. Its white field and green pine tree drew from New England symbolism, while its motto reflected John Locke's political philosophy that, when all earthly appeals failed, justice could be sought from above.

For the colonists, it was both a patriotic emblem and a symbol of liberty at a time when independence was still a daring idea. Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, brings the story of this early American flag to life, connecting its 18th-century symbolism to the broader tradition of U.S. flags.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before the Stars and Stripes became the national banner, another symbol of liberty flew over American ships. Known as the Pine Tree Flag, or the "Appeal to Heaven" flag, it was one of the earliest wartime flags of the American Revolution. In 1775, George Washington ordered it raised on six schooners that made up the first naval force of the colonies. Its white field and green pine tree drew from New England symbolism, while its motto reflected John Locke's political philosophy that, when all earthly appeals failed, justice could be sought from above. For the colonists, it was both a patriotic emblem and a symbol of liberty at a time when independence was still a daring idea. Our regular contributor, Ashley Hlebinsky, brings the story of this early American flag to life, connecting its 18th-century symbolism to the broader tradition of U.S. flags.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

An Appeal to Heaven: The Forgotten Flag of George Washington’s Navy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/07eab315-aefc-4bb0-81c3-b46d005a8abc/transcript

Why Cincinnati is Named After George Washington...and a Roman Farmer

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