It's October 29rd. This day in 1892, Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland are locked in a presidential election rematch, but not out on the campaign trail in the final days of the election. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how the campaigns both took a pause after Harrison's wife died -- and ask whether we need to do all this campaigning anyway. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-...
Oct 29, 2024•16 min
It's October 23rd. This day in 1800, Alexander Hamilton penned a letter titled "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams." Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Lindsay Chervinsky to talk about why Hamilton wrote the scathing letter, and how it played into the politics of the time, just weeks before that year's election. Lindsay's new book is " Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic " This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotop...
Oct 24, 2024•22 min
It's October 22nd. This day in 1984, Ronald Reagan served up one of the most memorable lines in political history when he said that he would not "exploit, for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience." Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the line was so effective, and how deep the concerns over Reagan's mental fitness really were in the 1984 election. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned...
Oct 22, 2024•19 min
On Sundays between now and the election, we're going to dip into the 2024 race to talk about the latest events -- plus offer some historical perspective. And these will all be video episodes! So if you'd like to watch the conversation, visit our YouTube page. www.youtube.com/@ThisDayPod Today, Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the increasingly addled nature of Trump's rallies; how Howard U is treating the Kamala run; and a very unfortunate reference to Arnold Palmer's penis size. Then they're joine...
Oct 20, 2024•34 min
We continue our look at the history of television ads in American elections. This episode, how ads got so negative, and who watches TV ads anymore anyway? This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.com You can also find our newsletter, merch store, transcripts, and lot more on our site. Get...
Oct 17, 2024•26 min
As we wrap up our very informal "media ecosystem week" we take a look at the history of television ads in American elections. This episode, how Madison Avenue execs crafted the first ads for Eisenhower, and how the Johnson "Daisy" ad changed the game in 1964. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website:...
Oct 15, 2024•20 min
On Sundays between now and the election, we're going to dip into the 2024 race to talk about the latest events -- plus offer some historical perspective. And these will all be video episodes! So if you'd like to watch the conversation, visit our YouTube page. www.youtube.com/@ThisDayPod Today, Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the coin-flip nature of the race, Barack Obama's scolding message to Black men, and more. Then they're joined by Nayeema Raza, co-host of Semafor's Mixed Signals podcast. Thi...
Oct 13, 2024•49 min
We're kicking off a series of episodes about the media environment during the election season. Today, a look at the birth of FOX News Channel. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Slate's Josh Levin to talk about the launch of FOX News in October 1996. They discuss how the tensions between journalism and partisanship were present in the channel from the very beginning -- but got supercharged with the 2000 election and the post-9/11 Bush presidency. Josh's new season of Slow Burn is called "The R...
Oct 10, 2024•33 min
It's October 8th. This week in 2008, John McCain announced that he was suspending his campaign in order to focus on dealing with the fallout of the financial crisis. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why McCain felt it was necessary to stop running for president -- and how the move ultimately backfired on him. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support...
Oct 08, 2024•18 min
On Sundays between now and the election, we're going to dip into the 2024 race to talk about the latest events -- plus offer some historical perspective. And these will all be video episodes! So if you'd like to watch the conversation, visit our YouTube page. www.youtube.com/@ThisDayPod Today, Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Liz Cheney's endorsement of Kamala Harris, whether notable endorsements change the election, and why this race feels like it's in a bit of a state of stasis. This Day In Esot...
Oct 06, 2024•37 min
It's the October before a presidential election, which means that some final twists and turns are surely on the way. Jody, NIki, and Kellie were recently joined by comedian Josh Gondelman at This Day's first ever live show, at WBUR's CitySpace in Boston. They talked about the history of October Surprises, from gaffes to unforseen world events, to pure shenanigans. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned ...
Oct 03, 2024•23 min
It's the October before a presidential election, which means that some final twists and turns are surely on the way. Jody, NIki, and Kellie were recently joined by comedian Josh Gondelman at This Day's first ever live show, at WBUR's CitySpace in Boston. They talked about the history of October Surprises, from gaffes to unforseen world events, to pure shenanigans. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned ...
Oct 01, 2024•37 min
It's September 26th. This day in 1988 George HW Bush holds a rally in Boston featuring police officers who were supporting his campaign -- a stunt meant to rattle his opponent Michael Dukakis, the Governor of Massachusetts. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the back-and-forth police press conferences that ensued, and the larger question of why Republicans have tended to own the "tough on crime" and pro-police mantle. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Y...
Sep 26, 2024•22 min
It's September 24th. This day in 1881 (actually, September 22nd) Vice President Chester Arthur assumes office after James Garfield dies from an assassination. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how Arthur was really no one's first choice, but nevertheless rose to meet the moment and gravity of the situation. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support th...
Sep 24, 2024•13 min
It's September 22nd. This day in 1796, a letter from George Washington appeared in the Philadelphia Daily American Advertiser announcing that he would not be seeking a third term for president. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the significance of Washington's announcement, how it's often mis-remembered as an actual address -- and why it mattered that he went straight to the people to proclaim his intentions. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your supp...
Sep 22, 2024•17 min
It's September 19th. This day in 1859, New York City declared victory in the war on pigs. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why there were so many pigs on the island of Manhattan, and how the city's expansion created an enormous amount of tension around race, class, health and gentrification. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support the show directly...
Sep 19, 2024•18 min
It's September 17th. This day in 1995, Oregon Senator Bob Packwood resigns before he can be expelled for decades of sexual misconduct. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss Packwood's long record of abuse, which he chronicled in detail in his own diaries -- and why it took so long to finally hold him accountable. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support ...
Sep 17, 2024•18 min
This day, in 1947, Georgia holds a special election that finally - finally - brings an end to a period in which the state had three people claiming the governor's office. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how Georgia ended up in this constitutional crisis, and the many shenanigans that ensued within the halls of the capitol. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you ...
Sep 12, 2024•18 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It features comedian Josh Gondelman -- so today we're rerunning and episode with Josh from 2020. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.com Get in touch if you have any ideas for future t...
Sep 10, 2024•20 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's September 8th. This day in 1969, a group called "New York Radical Women" holds a protest at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the wake of the protest, a very persistent story emerged, despite no evidence to support it: that women burned their bras in protest. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Cristen Conger of "Unladylike" to talk about the protest, how the bra burn...
Sep 08, 2024•28 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's September 5th. This day in 1838, Frederick Douglass makes a two-day escape from Maryland to New York City. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how perilous Douglass's trip was, and how he was able to navigate the route from Baltimore to Delaware to Pennsylvania and finally New York. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independe...
Sep 05, 2024•18 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's September 3rd. This day in 1901, Vice President Teddy Roosevelt gives remarks in which he refers to his notion that one should "speak softly and carry a big stick." Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss where Roosevelt got that phrase, and how it came to really embody American-style imperialism in the first decades of the 20th century. They also touch on other famous presidential quotes. This Day In...
Sep 01, 2024•17 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's August 29th. This day in 1987, an arson burns down the house of the Ray brothers, three HIV-positive children who had contracted the virus through blood transfusions. Jody, NIki, and Kellie are joined by Eric Marcus of "Making Gay History" project to discuss why there was so much fear and ignorance around AIDS in that era -- and how even children became targets of abuse. Be sure to check out ...
Aug 29, 2024•24 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's August 27th. This day (technically the 28th) in 1957, Senator Strom Thurmond embarks on what would be the longest filibuster in Senate history, arguing against civil rights legislation that would expand the vote for Black americans. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Thurmond decided to take his stand, how he filled the 24 hours and 18 minutes of talking, and answer the all-important question...
Aug 27, 2024•17 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's August 25th. This day in 1928, representatives from the major world powers sign on to a treaty that states that promised to not use war to "resolve disputes or conflicts of whatever nature... or of whatever origin." Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the Kellogg-Briand treaty, why there was such a thirst to outlaw war in the wake of WWI, and why the treaty ultimately failed. Plus: Why do we not h...
Aug 25, 2024•26 min
** Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now !** Welcome to Conventions Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, as the Democrats are meeting in Chicago, we are looking at conventions, which are very strange affairs! Today, an episode from the archives about a legendary DNC moment. /// It’s August 23rd. On this day in 1964, Mississippi activi...
Aug 22, 2024•21 min
** Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now !** Welcome to Conventions Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, as the Democrats are meeting in Chicago, we are looking at conventions, which are very strange affairs! Want to watch the video version of this episode? Visit our new YouTube channel at youtube.com/@ThisDayPod To mark conventions w...
Aug 20, 2024•15 min
** Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now !** Welcome to Conventions Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, as the Democrats are meeting in Chicago, we are looking at conventions, which are very strange affairs! Want to watch the video version of this episode? Visit our new YouTube channel at youtube.com/@ThisDayPod To mark conventions w...
Aug 18, 2024•23 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's August 15th. This day in 2017, President Donald Trump gave a press conference in which he offered remarks about the violence that took place in Charlottesville, VA a couple days before. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the roots of the white supremacist rallies and violence in Charlottesville, as well as Trump's comments that there were "very fine people on both sides." Those comments have sinc...
Aug 15, 2024•28 min
Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now ! It's August 13th. This day in 1846, Henry David Thoreau is thrown in jail -- for one night -- for refusing to pay his back taxes. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Thoreau objected to the poll tax, and how his political stances intersected with the more personal work that emerged from his two years living on Walden Pond. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from ...
Aug 13, 2024•16 min
