On this episode of Our American Stories, Lawrence Tureaud grew up as the youngest of 12 children in Chicago's public housing, where his mother taught him to work hard, trust God, and treat others with respect. After serving in the U.S. Army, working as a nightclub bouncer, and winning a national competition, he caught Sylvester Stallone's attention and landed the role that introduced the world to Mr. T.

The man behind the gold chains and Mohawk built his famous persona around lessons from his family, his Christian faith, and a belief that every man deserved respect. Greg Hengler shares the story of one of America's most recognizable pop culture icons.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Lawrence Tureaud grew up as the youngest of 12 children in Chicago's public housing, where his mother taught him to work hard, trust God, and treat others with respect. After serving in the U.S. Army, working as a nightclub bouncer, and winning a national competition, he caught Sylvester Stallone's attention and landed the role that introduced the world to Mr. T. The man behind the gold chains and Mohawk built his famous persona around lessons from his family, his Christian faith, and a belief that every man deserved respect. Greg Hengler shares the story of one of America's most recognizable pop culture icons.
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 Mr. T Called Himself "Mr."

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/34c29d7f-63a5-47cc-bb84-b48d01430719/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, on April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln looked forward to peace for the first time in four years. By the following morning, the president lay dead after John Wilkes Booth's assassination at Ford's Theatre. What followed became one of the largest public displays of mourning in American history.

Over the next 20 days, Lincoln's funeral train carried him 1,700 miles from Washington, D.C., back to Springfield, Illinois. Nearly 1.5 million Americans viewed his coffin, while millions more gathered along the tracks to pay their respects. Louis Picone, author of The President Is Dead, shares the remarkable story of Abraham Lincoln's final journey home.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, on April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln looked forward to peace for the first time in four years. By the following morning, the president lay dead after John Wilkes Booth's assassination at Ford's Theatre. What followed became one of the largest public displays of mourning in American history. Over the next 20 days, Lincoln's funeral train carried him 1,700 miles from Washington, D.C., back to Springfield, Illinois. Nearly 1.5 million Americans viewed his coffin, while millions more gathered along the tracks to pay their respects. Louis Picone, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1510703764%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cc28f3c31ab224f6a89c608dee429fb03%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639199066184298967%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=1A7w515inKyVxIjsq%2B2bE4envkrVeK2lQ3OIbOn1nQ0%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">The President Is Dead</a>, shares the remarkable story of Abraham Lincoln's final journey home.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Abraham Lincoln's Final Journey Home

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d58c8929-d4f1-49e9-ae93-b48d01430716/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in late 1939, thousands of Jewish refugees poured into Vilna, Lithuania, hoping to escape Nazi Germany and Soviet-occupied Poland. Moses Beckelman, a young American social worker with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, organized food, housing, and relief while searching for a way to get as many people out as possible before the borders closed.

Working alongside Dutch Consul Jan Zwartendijk and Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, Beckelman helped turn a narrow escape route into a lifeline for thousands of families. Deborah Dwork, author of Saints and Liars, shares the story of another member of the "6 Percent" who refused to stand by as Europe descended into war.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in late 1939, thousands of Jewish refugees poured into Vilna, Lithuania, hoping to escape Nazi Germany and Soviet-occupied Poland. Moses Beckelman, a young American social worker with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, organized food, housing, and relief while searching for a way to get as many people out as possible before the borders closed. Working alongside Dutch Consul Jan Zwartendijk and Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, Beckelman helped turn a narrow escape route into a lifeline for thousands of families. Deborah Dwork, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1324020342%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Cc28f3c31ab224f6a89c608dee429fb03%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639199066184265276%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Zi3UTJyfJRSRt2Ml1TrUq65RY00XABpbWONKIYZk5dg%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Saints and Liars</a>, shares the story of another member of the "6 Percent" who refused to stand by as Europe descended into war.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The 6 Percent: Moses Beckelman's Daring Mission

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9fc22c2d-f3ef-4cb3-beea-b48d01430719/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, on December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley walked into Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, where Carl Perkins was recording with Jerry Lee Lewis at the piano. Johnny Cash stopped by soon afterward. The four young musicians spent the afternoon singing together, and much of what they sang wasn't rock 'n' roll. It was gospel.

Greg Hengler shares the story behind one of the most famous jam sessions in American music history, the photograph that gave the group its "Million Dollar Quartet" nickname, and the gospel roots that united four future legends.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, on December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley walked into Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, where Carl Perkins was recording with Jerry Lee Lewis at the piano. Johnny Cash stopped by soon afterward. The four young musicians spent the afternoon singing together, and much of what they sang wasn't rock 'n' roll. It was gospel. Greg Hengler shares the story behind one of the most famous jam sessions in American music history, the photograph that gave the group its "Million Dollar Quartet" nickname, and the gospel roots that united four future legends.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins Sang Gospel Together

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bd751fbc-1bc0-4eda-b816-b48d01430717/transcript

Why Mr. T Called Himself "Mr."

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