America The Bizarre

We discuss the life story of Norma McCorvey, the woman famously known as Jane Roe in the historic Roe v. Wade case, and her journey of becoming the face of the pro-choice movement and then her switch to becoming a prominent activist for pro-life groups. 

Congress passes legislation to bomb the sky in an effort to make some rain.

Gordon Hirabayashi refused to comply with America's Japanese Relocation order to an internment camp. Instead, he fought all the way to the Supreme Court and when ordered to prison, hitchhiked all the way from Seattle to Tucson because the government didn't have the money to send him.

America the Bizarre will return with new episodes on March 11th. Until then, answer this week's presidential trivia for a chance to win a free t-shirt. Submit your answer to bizarreusa@gmail.com or through the contact form at americathebizarre.com

An enslaved man named Onesimus gave Cotton Mather information to create America's first smallpox inoculation, however, it was immediately met with push back and conspiracy theories.

In 1839, a group of slave captives revolted against the slave ship's crew in an effort to secure their freedom which ultimately led to a fight in the Supreme Court.

A 19th-century spiritualist believed that he could trap the second-coming of christ in a machine in order to save humanity.

The Willie Dee had the worst luck of any battleship during WWII that led to them almost blowing up FDR.

During World War II, some conscientious objectors chose to serve their country by signing up as human guinea pigs in scientific trials that starved them, infested them with lice, and gave them hepatitis. 

Colonel Duckworth bet a bunch of British pilots that he could fly his single-engine plane in and out of a hurricane. The loser had to buy the winner a cocktail.

David S. Terry was a judge that had a reputation for having a hot temper and occasionally slashing at witnesses with his bowie knife. His second wife liked to do the same with a loaded pistol and they got into some trouble with US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Fields.

We discuss Dr. Lytle S. Adams, a dentist and part-time inventor that was inspired by his New Mexico vacation to use bats in his revenge plot against Japan for Pearl Harbor.

In this episode, we go back to the time that America tried to both bomb the moon and then store nuclear weapons on the moon. 

John Colter was a true American mountain man.  One day he found himself caught by 800 Blackfeet warriors and had to run for his life. Oh, and he was completely naked. 

Professor Buettner-Janusch was one of the first Americans to study lemurs and was very successful until he started using his research lab to make party drugs.

We discuss the history of Squanto, why he spoke perfect English when the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, and his continuing relationship with the Pilgrims.

Martha "Mouth of the South" Mitchell was taken hostage and drugged in order to keep her quiet about Nixon's involvement with Watergate.

Victoria Woodhull was a clairvoyant and the first woman to run for president in the United States.

The reason America doesn't use the metric system is a combination of pirates and the French snubbing us. 

Major Rathbone failed to save Lincoln's life during his assassination. Rathbone carried the guilt with him until it took over with lethal consequences.