American Stories with Rebecca Price Janney

Listen to the story of Memorial Day's association with red poppies

She gave her life serving the needs of American veterans

A story of William Seward, a man wing to endure his critics for a greater goal

President "Silent Cal" Coolidge gave one of American history's most inspiring speeches.

A 91 year-old Revolutionary War Soldier tells a young man what made him take up arms against the British in 1775.

The President showed a tender side of his personality when it came to soldiers, on both sides

This 16th family impacted early American history

A little known story about the Underground Railroad's most famous conductor

John Quincy Adams, once reviled for his principled stands, died with the deepest respect of his former detractors.

Noel Regney's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Carries a Message of Hope and Joy to Us in this Season of Hope

Did you ever write a letter to an unknown soldier? Here are some stories about women who wrote to wounded men in the American Civil War.

Rebecca Price Janney tells the story of the attach on Pearl Harbor and the life of the Japanese pilot who led it

This year America will observe the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, held in November 1621. How did this event become a federal holiday? Rebecca Price Janney tells the story.

The story of the creation of Blue Star Mothers is shared by permission of Karen Whiting and Jocelyn Green

Announcing the release of book five in my award-winning Easton Series from Elk Lake Publishing

In an uncertain and harsh season, Abraham Lincoln conducted himself in such a way as to encourage us today.

The outcome of WWII is a reminder that evil does not go unchecked, or ultimately triumph

This regiment fought bravely to overcome different kinds of enemies

American hearts went out to children orphaned during World War I

The story of a teacher's unusual experience during the Battle of Gettysburg

Taken from Craig Von Buseck's inspiring new book, VICTOR! THE LAST BATTLE OF ULYSSES S. GRANT, this is the story of a touching Memorial Day salute, his last. (Gratefully shared by permission of the author)

More than riots broke out on college campuses in the spring of 1970.

Letters from the Civil War still speak to us

Even in the optimistic opening years of the 20th century, there were painful reminders of the limits to human achievement.

Was a 1776 Christmas event a coincidence, or a divine appointment?

Many civilians gave all they had in the spring of 1775

The nation's first First Lady was a force to be reckoned with

This multi-disabled woman overcame nearly insurmountable odds to live a productive and inspiring life

Fanny Crosby's impressive output of songs have inspired millions across the generations, around the world.

A revolution of the spirit played a role in Japan's rebuilding after WWII.

What do Americans of the last few decades belief about life after death?

What made up the majority of beliefs about spirituality and the afterlife?

Casting off old ways, many did what was right in their own eyes

This distant mirror can help us better understand our own times.

John Kennedy ushers in a new era

Winston Churchill's Realistic Optimism in a Dark Hour

General Washington urged his men to prayer during the trying winter encampment at Valley Forge

I gave these remarks at the dedication of a DAR grave marker to Colonel Peter Kichline on November 8, 2020 at the Historic Easton Cemetery

America's post-war era was a time of anxiety, and assurance

Studs Terkel famously wrote of WWII as "The Good War." This episode tells the story of how Americans coped with the anxiety of that period.

Economically and spiritually, the decade was a depressed time, but not for all.

The Post-World War One Era Bears a Striking Resemblance to Our Own

High Hope's for the 20th century proved to be dust in the wind

What influenced American beliefs about Heaven and Hell at the dawn of the 20th century?

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Americans looked to their faith to sustain and encourage

How Americans coped with a shortened life expectancy in the 19th century

The Second Great Awakening began in highly improbable places through unlikely people.

After winning the War of Independence from Great Britain, America became fertile ground for many Utopian societies

How Americans found courage to face the sacrifices of their great Revolution

In colonial America, life was short, but there was a growing expectation of eternity.

Episode two examines who and what contributed to American afterlife beliefs

What do Americans believe about Heaven and Hell, and why? Rebecca Price Janney traces the origins of our attitudes in this multi-part series.

The Declaration of Independence

The story of Hawaii's formidable 19th c. ruler

Jefferson Davis takes leave of his dear friend Franklin Pierce

As America entered WWI, it sought former President Roosevelt's advice.

Where could inspiration be found during the societal mayhem of 1968-1970?

The inspiring story behind a popular song

A stray dog became a military hero

Symbol of a Century

A salute to that generation which continues to show us the way

This podcast is a tribute to my father, Joseph Perio, who passed into eternity April 20, 2020.

During times of crisis, children who know their family's history are more resilient than those who do not

The spring of 1970 not only brought tragedy, but amazing renewal and hope.

During the Civil War, an organization provided hope and healing for countless soldiers

Finding perspective and encouragement from past Americans during our present crisis

Her pen brought about societal change

Joe Terry of Danny and the Juniors tells his life-changing story.

A story of 20th century attorney Clarence Darrow

Hear the inspiring story of the first disabled Miss America

The inspiring story of a determined African-American child in the first years of freedo.

The revival's effects are felt

America was a mess. Then God showed up.

Rosa Parks's courage helped reverse segregation in the South

The determination of English teenager Eliza Shirley brought the Salvation Army to America

On December 17, 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful manned flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

The Assassination of John F. Kennedy

Squanto came to the rescue of the Pilgrims in 1621

Americans wondered whether the nation's best days were behind it

One man's journey from despair to hope

Robert Hunt provided inspiration and hope to the early colonists.

Find out what carried Catherine through her trials and challenges

The Cuban Missile Crisis is the closest humans have been to a catastrophic nuclear war.

The Soviet Union launches the first space satellite.

The 19th century was an age of energetic reform, including the Temperance Movement.

What motivated the Founding Fathers and Mothers to lay everything on the line for Independence?

A young seamstress creates a national treasure

Julia Ward Howe Writes the Battle Hymn of the Republic

Sometimes surprising things happen behind the scenes

How two men's lives were changed forever

The inspiring story of Apollo 13

On July 20, 1969 man first walked on the moon.

Easton witnessed one of the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence; a reenactment is held annually

The story of the Declaration of Independence

The brief, eventful life of a Native American Princess

A recap of his life in public service, and a touching gesture at it's end.

This podcast is in honor of the brave men who stormed Normandy's beaches 75 years ago.

The moving story of American POW C.J. Rosen as the war in Europe drew to a close in May 1945.

This story is about Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.

This is a story of Sojourner Truth, a powerful woman of faith who lived up to her name.

Seventy-five years ago this May, WWII ended in Europe, with the Allied liberation of the continent.

What role did faith play in the initial westward expansion?

The assassination of President Lincoln

Eighty years ago this month, Marian Anderson gave her historic Easter Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial.

The 1906 cataclysm was outside of human advancement

The touching surrender that ended the Civil War

Virginian Patrick Henry's Rousing Call to Independence

An inspiring story from the War of 1812

The battle that led to Texas independence

The first First Lady to live in the White House, she is one of two whose husbands and sons were U.S. Presidents.

The influence of George Whitefield on Benjamin Franklin is explored

Our first President's life was miraculously spared early in life

Harriet Tubman successfully rescued over 300 slaves, at great personal risk.

Elijah Lovejoy helped solidify support for abolitionism

This is about the January 27, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster.

After Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus, Martin Luther King, Jr. led a boycott that helped change society.

Throughout his public life, Ronald Reagan was known as a great communicator with a contagious sense of humor, and hope.

Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation

This story is about the January 1968 Tet Offensive, and U.S. Aviator John McCain

A surprising thing happened in the trenches that Christmas Eve.

Albert Einstein surprised a group of Princeton Seminarians with a gift at Christmas 1947.

December 7, 1941 - The Date that Has Lived in Infamy

The fate of the American Revolution hung in the balance during the trying winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge.

Here's a story you may not know about the Gettysburg Address.

The Autumn of 1620 - the Pilgrims Arrival in America

November 11, 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the end of WEI, Armistice Day

Here's a story about America's first published poet.

The humorous John Marshall, Chief Justice and Every Man

This is the story of the October 1781 surrender of the British to General Washington at Yorktown.

President Truman played a significant role in the founding of modern Israel 70 years ago. This is the touching story.

Hear the amazing story of World War One hero Sgt. York

This is the story of William Penn and his vision for the New World

This is a story about a turning point in the struggle to create the United States Constitution, September 17, 1787

The story of September 11, 2001

Hear the story of President William McKinley's assassination, September 5, 1901

Hear the amazing story of the August 1776 Battle of Brooklyn in which the new nation faced a severe, first test.