Skip your American history class and head straight for these 6 podcasts instead

The United States’ comparatively short life is filled with fascinating people, action-packed history, and a whole lot of gumption. While history classes aren’t always known for thrilling retellings of U.S. history, these American history podcasts sure are.

We have gathered some superb American history podcasts that are telling us stories we never knew, connecting the past and the present, and getting us excited about history again. Whether it’s the plot to steal Lincoln’s body, the history of the filibuster, or the Affair of Poisons, these 6 American history podcasts have it all.

American History Tellers

If you’re going to start anywhere, you can’t go wrong with “American History Tellers.” Typically over the course of five to seven episodes, Lindsay Graham (not the senator) brings us through the most pivotal moments in American history. From Prohibition to the Cold War, to the Philippine-American War and the 1870s plot to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body, “American History Tellers” is the cream of the crop.

Throughline

From NPR, “Throughline” finds the link between past and present. It’s not just retelling history; it’s finding all of the ways history has been interpreted and all of the ways it’s affecting us now. They’ve looked into the filibuster to see how we can make space for disagreement without endless stalemates, the Civil War and the possibility of us finally achieving agreement on one shared history, Eugene V. Debs and the founding of American Socialism, and more.

History Unplugged Podcast

“History Unplugged Podcast” answers every single question we have about history: listeners call in to ask Scott Rank, PhD whatever it is they want to know. He also speaks with authors about whatever it is they’re experts in, whether it’s America’s most decorated traitor Robert E. Lee, the assassination attempts on U.S. Presidents, the history of WASPs, and much more.

History That Doesn’t Suck!

No podcast title has ever been truer. History teachers are either the most boring or the most popular teachers in school, and you truly never know what you’re going to get. Luckily, we know exactly what we’re getting with Professor Greg Jackson. “History That Doesn’t Suck” is one of the most popular history podcasts of all time, with over 100 episodes recorded about the most interesting parts of American history.

History Daily

Host Lindsay Graham, who you may recognize from a number of different podcasts he hosts (“American Scandal,” “American History Tellers,” and “American Elections: Wicked Game“), is now bringing you “History Daily.” Just as it states, “History Daily” gives you a 20-minute history lesson six days a week, letting us know what happened on this day in history however many years ago. Hear about the Affair of Poisons of 1680, the Cold War Spy Swap, and beyond.

Stuff You Missed in History Class

A certified classic, “Stuff You Missed in History Class” has a little bit of everything. Seriously, as one of the first of many “Stuff” podcasts from iHeartPodcasts, this podcast has recorded over 2,000 episodes. Hosts Holly and Tracy have been bringing us the “greatest and strangest” history since 2008.