Cavalcade of America

In No Turning Back, the inaugural episode of Cavalcade of America, the audience is invited to explore the transformative power of the telephone. Sponsored by the Bell System, the program features a live demonstration with Indiana Governor Paul V. McNutt, who makes a call to his f…

Ep 1

In the inaugural episode of Cavalcade of America, titled No Turning Back, the story unfolds in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. Master Bradford gathers the remaining settlers to announce that the Mayflower will soon depart, offering them a chance to return to England. As the set…

Ep 2

In The Will to Conquer Distance, we witness the ambitious journey of Theodore Judah, a young engineer who dreams of connecting the East and West of America through a transcontinental railroad. Set in 1860, Judah believes that despite the formidable Sierras, a pass exists where ir…

Ep 3

In this episode of Cavalcade of America, the year is 1889, and the excitement of the Oklahoma land rush is palpable. Molly Ness, determined to secure a home for her children, decides to join the fray and stake her claim amidst fierce competition. With the government opening two m…

Ep 4

In The Will to Rebuild, listeners are taken back to Sacramento in November 1852, where the town faces the aftermath of devastating floods and a catastrophic fire. The episode highlights the tenacity of its residents, who, despite repeated destruction, are determined to rebuild th…

Ep 5

In this episode of Cavalcade of America, the story unfolds in the Plymouth colony where Faith Hollister, a widow, is determined to secure an education for her son, Jeremy. As she binds him to a wealthy family for seven years, her insistence on schooling becomes a pivotal moment i…

Ep 6

In Woman's Emancipation, part of the Cavalcade of America series, the narrative unfolds in the early 1830s, focusing on the legal and social constraints faced by women, particularly married women. Through the character of Mrs. Dean, listeners are introduced to the harsh realities…

Ep 7

In Willingness to Share, the narrative unfolds in 1774 Virginia as young Charles Randolph learns about the dire situation in Boston due to a blockade. The episode emphasizes the collective effort of the colonies to support Boston, showcasing their determination to alleviate suffe…

Ep 8

In this episode of Cavalcade of America, the spirit of self-reliance is vividly illustrated through the struggles of the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620. After a grueling 65-day voyage, they find themselves off course and must confront the reality of landing in an unfamilia…

Ep 9

In Heroism in Medical Science, we explore the life of Dr. Crawford W. Long, a young physician in 1842 Georgia who challenges the norms of his time by claiming he can perform surgery without causing pain. As he discusses his discovery of ether with skeptical friends, he prepares t…

Ep 10

In The Will to Explore, the audience is transported to the early 19th century as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on their monumental expedition across the American wilderness. With a group of 45 brave souls, they navigate the treacherous Missouri River and the vast, un…

Ep 11

In Defiance of Nature, set in 1810, a young farmer named Peter discovers that surveyors are marking out a route for a canal intended to connect Lake Erie with the Hudson River. This ambitious project promises to revolutionize transportation and agriculture in New York, but it fac…

Ep 12

In The Humanitarian Urge, the story unfolds in 1874 New York City, where Mrs. Etta Wheeler, a voluntary missionary, becomes aware of a child's suffering next door. Despite the laws that seem to protect familial privacy, she refuses to stand by as a child is abused. Her quest lead…

Ep 13

The episode titled Declaration of Independence from Cavalcade of America transports listeners to June 1776 in Philadelphia, where a crowd gathers to discuss the growing calls for independence from British rule. Amidst the political fervor, characters like Mr. Dickinson and young…

Ep 14

In this episode of Cavalcade of America, titled Women in Public Service, we follow Jane Adams and her friend Ellen as they embark on a mission to help the impoverished residents of Chicago's south side in the late 1800s. They establish a settlement house, Hull House, where they a…