On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1859, a pig wandered onto the wrong farm and sparked an international standoff. The United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over a single hog on San Juan Island, in what is now Washington State. History teacher and Our American Stories regular contributor Anne Clare shares the story of the strange chain of events that followed, when pride, politics, and a dead pig led to armed troops, tense negotiations, and the possibility of war.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1859, a pig wandered onto the wrong farm and sparked an international standoff. The United States and Great Britain nearly went to war over a single hog on San Juan Island, in what is now Washington State. History teacher and&nbsp;Our American Stories&nbsp;regular contributor Anne Clare shares the story of the strange chain of events that followed, when pride, politics, and a dead pig led to armed troops, tense negotiations, and the possibility of war.
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 the U.S. and Britain Nearly Went to War Over a Pig

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dc5dfc83-ea97-4284-97bb-b4630179e2f8/transcript

Marker 01

On this episode of Our American Stories, before modern sanitation, cities were filthy, drinking water was often contaminated, and diseases like cholera and typhoid killed hundreds of thousands of people. Life in even the world's greatest cities could be dangerous, all because of a problem most people would rather not talk about.

Our own Greg Hengler explores the surprising history of the toilet, sewer systems, and sanitation, tracing their evolution from ancient Rome to modern America. Along the way, he tells the story of the inventors, engineers, and public health pioneers whose overlooked innovations helped add decades to human life and made modern civilization possible.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before modern sanitation, cities were filthy, drinking water was often contaminated, and diseases like cholera and typhoid killed hundreds of thousands of people. Life in even the world's greatest cities could be dangerous, all because of a problem most people would rather not talk about. Our own Greg Hengler explores the surprising history of the toilet, sewer systems, and sanitation, tracing their evolution from ancient Rome to modern America. Along the way, he tells the story of the inventors, engineers, and public health pioneers whose overlooked innovations helped add decades to human life and made modern civilization possible.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How One Gross Invention Added Decades to Human Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7463c6f8-e18d-42ce-88b9-b464016970bb/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, before television and smartphones, there were front porches, and there were storytellers. For Dennis Peterson, the greatest storyteller he ever knew was his grandfather, Frederick Newman “Paw” Summers, an East Tennessee jack-of-all-trades whose tales could keep neighbors, friends, and family listening for hours.

Dennis, a regular contributor to Our American Stories, shares a warm tribute to the grandfather who embodied the rich storytelling tradition of Southern Appalachia and helped preserve a way of life now fading into memory.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before television and smartphones, there were front porches, and there were storytellers. For Dennis Peterson, the greatest storyteller he ever knew was his grandfather, Frederick Newman &ldquo;Paw&rdquo; Summers, an East Tennessee jack-of-all-trades whose tales could keep neighbors, friends, and family listening for hours. Dennis, a regular contributor to&nbsp;Our American Stories, shares a warm tribute to the grandfather who embodied the rich storytelling tradition of Southern Appalachia and helped preserve a way of life now fading into memory.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

My Grandfather Was the Best Storyteller I Ever Knew

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/baa3d320-ade4-4c80-8b27-b464016970ba/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, before air conditioning, summer shaped how people worked, where they lived, and which cities could survive in the heat. That all began to change in 1902, when Willis Carrier designed a machine to solve humidity problems in a printing plant. His invention transformed the air around us and reshaped modern life forever.

Jesse Edwards, a frequent Our American Stories contributor, shares the story of how this once-overlooked breakthrough became one of the most important inventions in American history.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before air conditioning, summer shaped how people worked, where they lived, and which cities could survive in the heat. That all began to change in 1902, when Willis Carrier designed a machine to solve humidity problems in a printing plant. His invention transformed the air around us and reshaped modern life forever. Jesse Edwards, a frequent&nbsp;Our American Stories&nbsp;contributor, shares the story of how this once-overlooked breakthrough became one of the most important inventions in American history.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Surprising History of Air Conditioning and the Man Behind It

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fbe69c26-76ce-4552-a24c-b464016970bc/transcript

Why the U.S. and Britain Nearly Went to War Over a Pig

Our American Stories

In 1 playlist(s)

Our American Stories

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips