logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
49m 34s

President Zachary Taylor

History Hit
About this episode

Once the most popular man in America, hero of the Mexican-American war Zachary Taylor is our twelfth President and the subject of this episode.


To find out what Taylor managed to achieve in his 16 months in office, and how his presidency was marred with debates over the spread of enslavement across the newly won West, Don speaks to Cecily Zander from Texas Woman's University.


Produced by Freddy Chick and Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.


Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.


Don’t miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORYHIT1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/


You can take part in our listener survey here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Crime of the Century: Who Kidnapped Charles Lindbergh Jr?
<p>The Lindbergh Kidnapping is one of the most influential crimes in American history; it plunged a national hero into an investigation which changed the way America thought about law, justice, and “celebrity” forever.</p><br><p>In this episode, we’ll look at what happened inside ... Show More
51m 38s
Nov 20
What was the Satanic Panic?
<p>Why were more than 12 thousand cases of satanic abuse brought in the 1980s? Was the Prince of Darkness walking among us then? Or did something else cause the panic?</p><br><p>Joseph Laycock joins Don for this episode to discuss the so-called Satanic Panic, from daycares to new ... Show More
36m 30s
Nov 17
What if the Texas Republic survived?
<p>In 1845, the Republic of Texas stood at a crossroads. In our history, they chose to join the USA… but what if they chose another path? Was this even possible? What impact would this have had on life within Texas? And how would it have impacted its neighbours?&nbsp;</p><br><p>T ... Show More
41m 32s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Lawrence of Arabia
<p>The famed British officer who fought alongside Arab guerrilla forces in WW1. Best known for his legendary exploits as an intelligence officer in the Middle East, Thomas Edward Lawrence was also an archaeologist, scholar and photographer. His life was one of adventure and espio ... Show More
59m 29s
Sep 2023
President Thomas Jefferson
<p>Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, so how did it work out when he became the leader of this nation that he was so instrumental in founding?</p><br><p>For the third episode in American History Hit's special series about the Presidents, ... Show More
42m 7s
Jan 2024
William the Conqueror
<p>When his cousin King Edward the Confessor died childless, Duke William of Normandy saw the throne of England as his birthright. But one man stood in his way, Harold Godwinson, whom Edward had named as king on his deathbed.</p><br><p>In the third episode of our special series e ... Show More
42m 8s
Nov 2023
Gunpowder Plot: Tudor Origins
<p>The Gunpowder Plot is one of the hinge events of British history - an act of terror the roots of which stretch back to the Tudor period and Henry VIII's break with Rome. It's a story of Holy War, divided loyalties and religious hatred. And it has never been more timely.&nbsp;< ... Show More
56m 32s
Jan 2024
Alexander The Great Sex's Life
<p>Was he as great in bed as he was at conquering the Persian empire?</p><br><p>Whether he even had time for it, is another question. In today's episode, we're revisiting a conversation Kate had with History Hit's Tristan Hughes, host of our sister podcast The Ancients.</p><br><p ... Show More
47m 1s
Mar 2024
Abraham Lincoln's Sex Life
<p>Abraham Lincoln is often thought of as the most loved president in America's history, but how much do we know about his personal life?</p><br><p>Furthermore, how much do we know about his sexuality, and the potential he might have been gay?</p><br><p>Joining Kate today are Cal ... Show More
38m 44s
Nov 2023
Mary, Queen of Scots
<p>This is the story of the incredible rise and fall of Mary, Queen of Scots. She was queen of Scotland, she was queen of France, and she could have been queen of England. She led armies, lived as a fugitive, became embroiled in love affairs and spent nearly two decades in jail.< ... Show More
41m 55s
Feb 2024
The FDR Assassination Attempt (1933)
<p>It’s February 15th. This day in 1933, in Miami, Giuseppe Zangara pulled out a pistol and, while yelling “too many people are starving!” fired at President-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt.</p> <p>Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Zangara was trying to kill FDR, the others who ... Show More
17m 11s
Mar 2023
He May Not Be Perfect, But He's Perfect for DC: The Story of Marion Barry
<p>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/h ... Show More
18m 21s
Mar 2024
The Ask President Carter 1-900 Number (1977)
<p>It’s March 5th. This day in 1977, President Jimmy Carter and CBS’s Walter Cronkite took phone calls, unfiltered, from Americans all over the country who had dialed into 1-900-242-9611.</p> <p>Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss what happened during the Dial-A-President experiment, ... Show More
16m 53s