logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2021
18m 54s

Old Enough To Fight, Old Enough To Vote ...

JODY AVIRGAN & RADIOTOPIA
About this episode

It’s July 1st. This day 1971, North Carolina voted to ratify the 26th amendment, which lowered the national voting age from 21 to 18.

Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the long fight to lower the voting age, and how it was often tied to an argument about the age at which Americans were sent to war. Plus: should the age be 17 or 16 or even lower?

Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory

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 topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Follow us on social @thisdaypod

Our team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Julie Shapiro, Executive Producer at Radiotopia

Up next
Jul 10
The Death Of The DOE (1868)
It's July 10th. This day in 1868, the federal government officially dismantled the Department of Education -- it would be more than a 100 years before it was re-established.Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why there was a federal push to promote education in the wake of the Civil W ... Show More
18m 31s
Jul 8
The Mormon King Of Beaver Island (1850)
It's July 7th. This day in 1850, a man by the name of James Strang has proclaimed himself the true inheritor of the Mormon church -- and set up a colony on Beaver Island in Michigan.Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss a time of religious awakening in America, how Strang convinced his ... Show More
20m 9s
Jul 6
How America250 Is Coming Together (Part 2)
We continue our conversation about the America250 celebrations planned for 2026 -- which are kicking off in earnest this July 4th. We know a lot about who is tasked with putting this celebration together, and what that may indicate.The big news is that we are announcing the launc ... Show More
24 m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Origins of the Civil War
The war between the Union and the Confederacy is a major turning point in the history of the United States. But why did it happen? From slavery and states' rights, to economic, legislative, moral, and political issues, in this episode, Don and Professor Adam Smith explore how the ... Show More
34m 54s
Mar 2024
18th Century Graffiti: Sex, Murder & Rebellion
Whether it's a declaration of love, anger or rebellion against the government, graffiti can give us incredible insight into the social history of everyday people. By the 18th century it's recognised by authorities a serious social problem and a threat to their positions of power. ... Show More
48m 37s
Dec 2021
How Julius Caesar Changed Time
We’re finishing off 2021 with what is perhaps Julius Caesar’s greatest legacy. It’s not a military victory or battle, but one of the many political reforms that truly has stood the test of time: the Julian calendar. Before, calendars were largely based on the lunar calendar, and ... Show More
46m 4s
Mar 2023
He May Not Be Perfect, But He's Perfect for DC: The Story of Marion Barry
This week on Historia Obscura: how a once well-respected civil rights leader experienced one of the greatest falls from grace in American political history. Special thanks to Patreon subscribers Barbara, Lisa Chase, and Tom! Subscribe to my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/hist ... Show More
18m 21s
Feb 2022
154. The Most Disastrous Party in History
We've all been to some terrible ones, but what is the most disastrous party in human history?  Not at all inspired by recent political events, Tom and Dominic have whittled our listener suggestions down to the ten parties that they think are the most calamitous - tune in to hear ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 2024
1992: The year politics broke
We’re living in an era of extreme partisan politics, rising resentment, and fractured news media. Writer John Ganz believes that we can trace the dysfunction to the 1990s, when right-wing populists like Pat Buchanan and white supremacist David Duke transformed Republican politics ... Show More
44m 59s
Mar 2024
The Jacobite Succession - Who should really be King of the UK?
Join me on my historic tour of Scotland, May 15th-21st. MARCH 25th is the LAST DAY TO BOOK: https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/united-kingdom/united-kingdom-with-lindsay-holiday-may-2024Fans of the hit show Outlander or of Scottish history in general have likely heard of Bonnie Pr ... Show More
33m 25s
Jun 2024
History Daily: The Discovery of China’s Terracotta Army & The Execution of King Louis XVI
I'm on vacation, and I hope you'll get some time away soon, too! Our featured podcast today is one that you'll 100% want to listen to on your summer travels: History Daily. Each weekday on History Daily, host Lindsay Graham (not the senator) takes you back in time to explore a mo ... Show More
36m 7s
Jun 2024
463. Mad Elections (Part 1)
"Good God I am shot! I shall die!"The colourful kaleidoscope of British elections from 1265 to their early 20th century incarnation, has seen some of the most critical, shocking, and downright farcical moments of western democracy. None more so than during the 17th, 18th and 19th ... Show More
54m 44s
Sep 2022
The Queen & US Presidents
We had plans today to release the first two episodes of American History Hit but due to the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II last week, we’ve decided to take some time and do something a little different. You’ll hear those episodes on Thursday September 22, until then here ... Show More
6m 50s