Join us in this captivating episode of Explaining History as we delve into the remarkable life of Isaac Murphy, a legendary African American jockey, and his experiences during the Reconstruction Era (1861-96). This week Nick is joined by esteemed historian and author Katherine Mooney, who provides an insightful look into the untold stories of this pivotal period in American history. Together, they discuss the challenges faced by African Americans following the Civil War, the complexities of race
Reading time:
1–2 minutes

Explaining History Podcast
For more than a decade, the Explaining History Podcast has helped listeners around the world make sense of modern history. What began in 2012 as a simple experiment—short, accessible episodes explaining major historical events—has grown into a long-running library of carefully researched, thoughtful explorations of the 20th and 21st centuries.
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Every week I publish one piece connecting a current event to its historical roots — free, every Tuesday. Paid subscribers get two additional deeper dives and full archive access.
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