The 50 States · Sharon McMahon | America's Government Teacher

States

Every state has a person, an untold story, or a quirk that sets them apart. Let's dive in, as Sharon digs through some of the lesser known histories to share a story related to each of the 50 States and U.S. territories.

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North Carolina: How Quakers Shaped the State with Lee Ann Miller

In this episode, Lee Ann Miller joins Sharon to hear the connection between Edward R. Murrow, famous American Broadcast Journalist, and a North Carolina Quaker community that organized and ran a large portion of the Underground Railroad.

New York: The Schuyler Family Connection with Sharon McMahon

Sharon dives into the history of one of New York’s most prominent families during the birth of the nation: the Schuylers. Hamilton has made famous the Schuyler sisters, but did you know that Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy were just three of the fifteen children born to Philip and Catherine Schuyler?

New Mexico: The Land of Enchantment with Austin Graff

Sharon tells travel writer Austin Graff fascinating stories about New Mexico and its 60-year journey in becoming a U.S state. New Mexico – or the land of enchantment, as some call it – is home to ancient cultures and breathtaking landscapes.

New Jersey’s Dinosaur: the Hadrosaurus foulkii

Sharon shares the fascinating story behind New Jersey’s Hadrosaurus foulkii, the first full dinosaur skeleton to be discovered anywhere in the world. The skeleton was unearthed in 1858 when naturalist William Parker Foulke was vacationing in Haddonfield, New Jersey.

New Hampshire: From School Room to Space Shuttle with Dani Coke

Sharon sits down with Danielle Coke to learn about the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 1986. This story narrated from the perspective of America’s cherished ordinary heroes, Sharon C. McAuliffe, a school teacher from New Hampshire who was selected by NASA to become the first teacher in space.

Nevada: The Wild Rise of Sin City with Sharon McMahon

Sharon walks through the history in Las Vegas, America’s “Sin City.” The Las Vegas strip hasn't always been glitz and glamour. Its history is marked by brushes with Spanish settlers, mafia, wall street millionaires, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the U.S. government.

Nebraska: The World Needs More of Mildred Brown with Brittany Ratelle

Sharon is joined by Brittany Ratelle to talk about the life and legacy of Mildred Brown. Though Mildred is not in most history books, she should be! Mildred was a savvy businesswoman and the owner of the Omaha Star newspaper in the 1930s.

Montana: The Unlikely Fort Shaw Basketball Champions with Sharon McMahon

Sharon shares a story only the buffest of history buffs will know about Montana in this solo episode. In the early 1900s, Indigenous children were taken from their families to attend residential schools where they were assimilated into European culture.

Missouri: The Little House Like You've Never Heard with Natalie Franke

In this episode, Sharon is joined by Natalie Franke, founder of the Rising Tide Society and author of the new book “Built to Belong”, to learn about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” children's book series in the episode for Missouri.

Mississippi: Medgar Evers and the Civil Rights Movement

In this episode, Sharon tells the courageous story of Mississippi native Medgar Evers. Medgar was a well-known and well-liked man who was involved in many organizations throughout his time in college, and following this, he became involved in the NAACP and the Civil Rights movement of the 1950’s.

Minnesota: The Exclave with Raphi Nussbaum

Sharon speaks with Raphi Nussbaum about Angle Inlet, Minnesota, a tiny community in North America’s Lake of the Woods. Angle Inlet is an exclave of American Territory that is entirely surrounded by water, Ontario, and Manitoba.

Michigan: Exploring the Magic of Michigan with Sharon McMahon

In this episode, Sharon explores the rich ecosystem of the state of Michigan. Known as the “Great Lakes State” Michigan is comprised of two peninsulas that are separated by the Straits of Mackinac, called the Lower Peninsula, and the Upper Peninsula (UP).