America: A History
Liam Heffernan
Recent Episodes
In this special festive bonus episode, Liam & guests discuss their own personal Christmas traditions, their favourite screen Santa Claus and what, if anything, we would change or add to the myth of Santa.
Happy holidays everyone!
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Special guest for this episode:
- Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia, and author of The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman.
- Brian Earl, creator and host of Christmas Past
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Highlights from this episode:
- The importance of traditions like Santa Claus in family celebrations.
- Brian explains the Christmas Goose.
- Tom reflects on the evolution of Santa Claus in modern holiday culture and media.
- How children's understanding of Santa changes as they grow older.
- The fleeting nature of childhood magic during Christmas celebrations.
- The portrayal of Mrs. Claus and her evolving role.
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie
What's the History of Christmas in America?
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Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
- Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
- Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner or email [email protected] for more info
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas, Babbo Natale, Kanakaloka, Papa Noel, and Saint Nicholas - just some of the names used for a figure who has become synonymous with Christmas around the world. But who is this jolly fat man with the beard, and what makes him so American? In this episode, as we deck our halls and get ready for the holidays, I want to know… who is Santa Claus?
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Special guest for this episode:
- Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia, and author of The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman.
- Brian Earl, creator and host of Christmas Past
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Highlights from this episode:
- The figure of Santa Claus emerged as a distinct character in early 19th century America, influenced by various European traditions.
- Santa Claus is primarily associated with generosity and kindness, contrasting with earlier gift-bringing figures who had more sinister traits.
- Coca-Cola played a significant role in popularizing the red-suited image of Santa, although he was already depicted in red in earlier literature.
- The evolution of Santa Claus reflects a blend of cultural influences, including Dutch, German, and British traditions.
- Father Christmas and Santa Claus have merged over time, leading to a shared image of a benevolent gift-bringer.
- The commercialization of Santa Claus began as early as the 1820s, intertwining with seasonal marketing strategies in America.
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Additional Resources:
READ: The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman by Thomas Ruys Smith
LISTEN: Christmas Past by Brian Earl
READ: The Children's Friend
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie
What's the History of Christmas in America?
...
Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
- Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
- Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner or email [email protected] for more info
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
In this special festive bonus episode, we jump in our Christmas movie time machine and chat about everything from It's a Wonderful Life to Klaus with a stop at 34th Street and more, and discuss our personal holiday favourites.
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Special guest for this episode:
- Dr. Vaughn Joy, an academic who recently completed her PhD at UCL on mid-century Hollywood politics through a case study on Christmas films
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Highlights from this episode:
- The significance of Christmas films in American culture.
- The artistic merits and cultural implications of Klaus.
- Different versions of Miracle on 34th Street reveals cultural shifts.
- Nostalgia's role in remaking classic Christmas films in the 1990s.
- Klaus as a standout modern Christmas film.
- Christmas movies can reflect and shape American beliefs over time.
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie
What's the History of Christmas in America?
...
Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
- Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
- Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner or email [email protected] for more info
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to dust off those old DVDs, whip up some egg nogg, and cosy up on the sofa with a festive film.
From It's a White Christmas to Miracle on 34th Street, there's nothing quite like losing ourselves in a holiday favourite, but why do Christmas films resonate so much? Is the genre more important than we like to think? And ultimately… what can Christmas films really tell us about America?
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Special guest for this episode:
- Vaughn Joy, an academic who recently completed her PhD at UCL on mid-century Hollywood politics through a case study on Christmas films.
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Highlights from this episode:
- Christmas films serve as a cultural lens reflecting American values, traditions, and social dynamics.
- The genre of Christmas movies often combines sentimentality with deeper societal critiques and historical contexts.
- Films like 'It's a Wonderful Life' convey collective national trauma while promoting themes of togetherness.
- The debate over whether 'Die Hard' qualifies as a Christmas movie highlights the subjectivity of genre definitions.
- Hollywood Christmas films can both mirror and shape the ways people celebrate the holiday season.
- The evolution of Christmas films illustrates changing American identities and the commercialization of holiday traditions.
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Additional Resources:
Review Roulette | Vaughn Joy | Substack
Christmas movies: that time of year when home is where the heart is
What 'It's a Wonderful Life' Teaches Us About American History | Smithsonian
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie
What's the History of Christmas in America?
...
Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
- Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
- Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner or email [email protected] for more info
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
In this bonus episode, we take a deeper look at the complex relationship between religion and American identity, particularly in the context of the Bible Belt, with help from Dr. Megan Hunt.
We discuss the stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood, including the portrayal of the religious middle-class housewife, and how these depictions reflect broader societal issues in the South PLUS the controversial narrative presented in J.D. Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy," examining the implications of his portrayal of his background as he transitions into a political figure.
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Special guest for this episode:
- Dr. Megan Hunt, a cultural historian of the modern United States at Edinburgh University, whose new book, Southern by the Grace of God, is available
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Highlights from this episode:
- The Bible Belt is a complex cultural landscape deeply intertwined with American identity.
- Historically, many settlers in North America sought religious freedom, shaping the region's character.
- Post-World War II America saw a surge in overt religiosity as a political statement.
- Media representations often reinforce stereotypes about religion and the Bible Belt in America.
- The portrayal of Southern women in Hollywood reflects both cultural traditions and historical complexities.
- J.D. Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy' has sparked controversy for its portrayal of Appalachian identity.
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Additional Resources:
Southern by the Grace of God by Megan Hunt
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
https://www.dukeupress.edu/reconstructing-dixie
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
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Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
- Individuals - support the show with a one-off or monthly donation: https://america-a-history.captivate.fm/support
- Universities & Colleges - become an academic partner or email [email protected] for more info
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.