April 8, 1974. On a humid night in Atlanta, Hank Aaron is poised to make history. On the all-time home run leaderboard, Aaron is tied with the legendary Babe Ruth. With one swing of the bat, he can break Ruth’s record. But not everyone in America wants to see this happen; the threats against Aaron’s life have warranted FBI protection. Yet in front of 54,000 ... Show More
Jun 15
Malcolm Gladwell on Reconstruction’s Unfinished Questions
June 15, 1865. German-American statesman Carl Schurz is traveling to Washington to meet with President Andrew Johnson when he stops at a friend’s home in Philadelphia. That night, during a séance, a teenage medium claims to summon the spirit of Abraham Lincoln… and delivers Schur ... Show More
35m 29s
Jun 8
Why the Crusades Became Cool Again
June 8, 1191. The Crusaders and Muslim forces are locked in battle over the city of Acre. On one side is Saladin, the great Muslim leader who has already recaptured Jerusalem. On the other, an armada arrives carrying England’s king: Richard the Lionheart.The Crusades will become ... Show More
26m 59s
Jun 1
How Higgins and His Boats Won the War
June 6, 1944. As thousands of Allied soldiers prepare to storm the beaches of Normandy, they climb down rope nets into small wooden landing craft bobbing in the dark waters of the English Channel. Within hours, these boats will carry them into the largest amphibious invasion in h ... Show More
30m 17s
Nov 2022
Jackie Robinson Tries Out for the Majors (History This Week Replay)
April 16, 1945. Jackie Robinson is ready. He’s won a tryout with the Boston Red Sox, and if he makes the team, he will become the first player to break baseball’s long-standing racial divide. Robinson puts his supreme athletic skills on full display… but never hears back from the ... Show More
29m 3s
Mar 2022
David Ortiz: How to Swing for the Fences
A new baseball season is finally getting underway—bringing with it our enduring optimism. Baseball has helped see us through wars, depressions, and pandemics. It’s seen Jackie Robinson break down the color barrier 75 years ago this April, and players like Juan Marichal and Robert ... Show More
42m 41s
Jan 2021
Reflections On Henry "Hank" Aaron
One of the greatest baseball players of all time, and a civil rights icon, passed away last Friday at age 86. Today, five writers from The Athletic who knew Henry Aaron, grew up idolizing him, and drew inspiration from him join us to reflect on his incredible life and legacy.See ... Show More
20 m
Nov 2021
The Brian Snitker Story Begins And Ends With Loyalty
Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros to win their first World Series title since 1995. And one person who was clearly taking in the moment was their 66-year-old manager, Brian Snitker, who has been with the organization since the 1970’s. Today, we’re ... Show More
19m 26s