‘No Crime Day,’ opening Al Capone’s vault, a space shuttle disaster, and more: ‘One Year’ rewinds back to 1986
Slate Podcasts’ “One Year” brings listeners through America’s struggles and people’s stories, focusing on 1 year each season. Josh Levin hosts this season all about 1986 in episodes examining the year’s most jaw-dropping moments, forgotten narratives, and lesser-known stories you might not have heard yet. Levin is looking at 1986’s most transformative moments, ranging from culture and politics to religion, science, and more. Each season explores how the nation’s past impacts the present.
Stream “One Year’s” episodes in any order with past seasons covering 1977 and 1995. Tune in for new perspectives from folks who experienced events firsthand in episodes running less than an hour on average.
1986 saw staggering excess on Wall Street and the allure of cineplexes contrasting with widespread deprivation and hardship across America. This season will discuss the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, opening Al Capone’s vault, and stories that echo in our modern era. Hear about a school hostage crisis in Wyoming, an unlikely American who became a Soviet propaganda star, and more.
In 1986, violent crime rates skyrocketed in cities like Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. Detroit was called the murder capitol of the nation with 648 homicides. The crimes affected every resident’s safety, and the city was on edge. Episode 1 explains basketball player Isiah Thomas’ plan to change Detroit and asked the city’s criminals to stop committing crimes on “No Crime Day,” a call to obey laws for 24 hours.
Thomas joined the first episode to share about growing up in Chicago, his journey to becoming an athlete, playing basketball for Indiana University’s Hoosiers, joining the Detroit Pistons, and more. Listeners will also learn more about Detroit’s unrest, the nation’s growing drug trade, why Isiah wanted to use his platform for a crime-free initiative, and thought “No Crime Day” was worth a try.
We recommend “One Year” for fans of “Slow Burn,” another history series from Slate Podcasts. Tune in for new episodes wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
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