I thought I would bring your attention to a US history podcast series I discovered recently.
In each episode of “Backstory”, U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf, and Brian Balogh speak to other historians about a current topic and its history. Onuf, who is a specialist in the revolutionary and early national periods, interviews historians who have researched 18th century topics. Ayers handles the 19th century historians and Balogh deals with 20th century history. See here.
Past podcasts have examined the history of the U.S. Census, past financial crises, the history of Thanksgiving, and the history of courtship.
That’s right, courtship. In the most recent podcast, Temple University historian Beth Bailey is interviewed about her research into the history of courtship. Here is the, er, teaser for her interview.
Considering the stereotypes about Puritan New England, you might be surprised to learn that sweethearts in the 18th century were not only allowed to sleep together before marriage – they were encouraged to! The catch? They had to do it within the parents’ home. It was known as “bundling,” and although sex was theoretically not involved, the practice coincided with a huge increase in premarital pregnancy… In this episode, the History Guys explore three centuries of pre-marital intimacy. Did economic considerations used to play a greater role in coupling? In what ways have dating practices challenged class & racial boundaries? Has the idea of “romance” itself morphed over time?
The Past Speaks 