American Essence
Explore the essence of America with The Epoch Times | Discover insightful articles and stories that capture the spirit of American culture, history, and values.
LATEST EPISODES
Nov 13, 2026
250 Years Ago: The Battle of White Plains
As British forces sweep through New York, George Washington’s struggle to save his army leads to a showdown at White Plains.
Nov 13, 2026
A Pennsylvania Forge Is Preserving the Craft of Metalworking With Every Piece of Handmade Giftware
For over a century, the oldest forge in America has been making ornaments and trinkets that often become treasured family heirlooms.
Nov 11, 2026
Hickam on Oahu: A Concealed Courtyard Shelters a Pearl Harbor Attack Memorial
In this installment of ‘History Off the Beaten Path,’ we visit a Hawaiian Air Force Base courtyard protected as a historical reminder and solemn memorial.
Nov 11, 2026
Edgar Stillman Kelley: America’s First Artist-in-Residence
An American classical composer takes his place in an educational institution.
Nov 8, 2026
‘Infantry Wins Battles; Logistics Wins Wars’: A Salute to the Veterans Who Work Behind the Scenes
From the quartermasters of the Revolution to the unsung movers of the 20th century, a tribute to the quiet dedication that preserves our freedom.
Nov 8, 2026
Discover Frederic Edwin Church’s Patriotic ‘Our Banner in the Sky’
Scholars believe that Church created this compelling composition in response to the Civil War's outbreak.
Nov 7, 2026
Nuclear War Averted: When a False Alarm Nearly Cost America Everything
In ‘This Week in History,’ America and Canada established NORAD to protect the countries, but a simple error almost did the opposite.
Nov 7, 2026
Velvet Glove, Fist of Steel: Ronald Reagan’s Berlin Wall Speech
This installment of 'When Character Counted' spotlights a man, four one-syllable words, and a turning point in history.
Nov 2, 2026
George E. Whiting: Uncommon Organist and Composer of Organ Music
New England born and bred, this musician worked with the amazing Boston Six.
Nov 1, 2026
James Eads, the Self-Taught Genius Who Conquered the Mississippi
In this installment of 'Profiles in History,' we see how a former riverboat worker built America's most daring bridge.
Oct 31, 2026
How Ansel Adams Narrowly Captured His Most Famous Photo
In ‘This Week in History,’ Ansel Adams was commissioned to photograph America’s national parks, resulting in an impromptu iconic image.
Oct 31, 2026
‘John Adams’ Attends to a Less Celebrated President
One of the modern era’s most esteemed historians delves deep into America’s second president’s life to show what stirred and steadied him.
Oct 30, 2026
‘Colter’s Run’: The Foot Race That Meant Life or Death
This installment of 'When Character Counted' takes us into the 19th century's first decade and inside an astonishing story of survival and the human spirit.
Oct 30, 2026
Oliver Lee Ranch House, a Home Despite the Dangers of the Time and Place
In this installment of ‘History Off the Beaten Path,’ the historic home of a renowned New Mexico rancher reveals much about the Wild West.
Oct 29, 2026
Amy Beach: America’s Lady Composer
In this installment of ‘The Brilliant Boston Six,’ we meet a major player and composer who developed her own sound.
Oct 29, 2026
Homespun: Fireside Poets and 19th-Century Family Entertainment
Before the internet, TV, and radio, reading literature and poetry aloud was an immensely popular form of entertainment.
Oct 27, 2026
WWII Sugar Rationing Was No Halloween Treat
With limited resources but plenty of imagination, Americans won the war on sweets.
Oct 26, 2026
250 Years Ago: The Battle of Valcour Island, Britain’s First Invasion From Canada
Benedict Arnold stalls the British invasion by way of an improvised navy, setting the stage for the Saratoga victory one year later.
Oct 26, 2026
Edward MacDowell: America’s Romantic Composer
In this installment of 'The Brilliant Boston Six,' we meet a musician whose work awakened America’s classical tradition.
Oct 24, 2026
The Long, Evolving Efforts to Honor America’s Four Great Presidents
In ‘This Week in History,’ grossly underestimated in both time and cost, the Mount Rushmore National Monument was finally completed.
Oct 24, 2026
The Spirit of American Landscape Painting
American artist Thomas Moran revered the country’s landscape on a spiritual scale.
Oct 23, 2026
Frances Kelsey: The Doctor Who Saved Countless Children From Birth Defects
In this installment of 'When Character Counted,' we meet a pharmacologist whose lifesaving "No" prevented untold tragedies.
Oct 23, 2026
Pioneering American Samplers and Pictorial Needlework
Early American women embroidered all aspects of their faith, family, virtue, and patriotism.
Oct 23, 2026
Craig Morgan Releases ‘My Country’
The country singer’s latest album features patriotic songs and reimagined hits.
Oct 21, 2026
Marian MacDowell: The American Clara Schumann
In this installment of ‘The Brilliant Boston Six,’ we meet Marian MacDowell, who established the MacDowell Colony.
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