Radio Days

Theater of the Mind

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Destination Freedom

101 episodes · 1948–1951 · WMAQ Chicago, NBC · Historical

Illustration: a transcription disc label made for Radio Days, not an original disc
Illustration: a transcription disc label made for Radio Days, not an original disc

Play Destination Freedom on Radio Days

Richard Durham wrote these half-hour biographies of Black Americans, from Crispus Attucks and Harriet Tubman to the people making history in his own day, for WMAQ in Chicago from June 27, 1948. Oscar Brown Jr., Fred Pinkard, Janice Kingslow and Studs Terkel were in the casts, and Hugh Downs announced. Durham left in 1950, and the series went on under other writers until 1951.

Sources: Destination Freedom, Wikipedia

Episodes

Tap a year to see its episodes, then a title to play it on Radio Days.

194825 episodes
  • The Knock-Kneed Man June 27, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    The first show: the life of Crispus Attucks, the first man killed in the Boston Massacre.
  • Railway to Freedom July 4, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Independence Day: the early life of Harriet Tubman.
  • Dark Explorers July 11, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Black explorers who helped open the New World.
  • The Story of Denmark Vesey July 18, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Denmark Vesey, who fought to end slavery decades before the Civil War.
  • The Making of a Man July 25, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Frederick Douglass, a slave who fought for the freedom of his people. Part one of two.
  • The Key to Freedom August 1, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Frederick Douglass, editor and abolitionist. The conclusion.
  • The Heart of George Cotton August 8, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Pioneering Black surgeons Dr. Ulysses Dailey and Daniel Hale Williams.
  • Truth Goes to Washington August 15, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 28 min
    Sojourner Truth: mystic, abolitionist and fighter for women's suffrage.
  • Arctic Autograph August 22, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Matthew Henson and the expedition to the North Pole.
  • The Story of 1875 August 29, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Charles Caldwell, a senator who had been born a slave.
  • The Poet of Pine Mill September 5, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    James Weldon Johnson as a young teacher in the rural South.
  • The Father of the Blues September 12, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    The story of W. C. Handy.
  • Boy with a Dream September 19, 1948 · 28 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Shakespeare of Harlem September 26, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Langston Hughes, told with several of his poems.
  • Citizen Toussaint October 3, 1948 · 31 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Little David October 10, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Joe Louis, heavyweight champion of the world.
  • The Boy Who Was Traded for a Horse October 17, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    George Washington Carver, the great agricultural scientist.
  • Echoes of Harlem November 7, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Duke Ellington and how he built his band.
  • One Out of Seventeen November 14, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Educator Mary McLeod Bethune, who appears at the end of the program.
  • The Rime of the Ancient Dodger: The Story of Jackie Robinson November 21, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 28 min
    Jackie Robinson's story, told partly in verse.
  • Investigator for Democracy November 28, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 28 min
    Walter White, executive secretary of the NAACP.
  • Autobiography of a Hero December 5, 1948 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Dorie Miller, a Navy mess steward who won the Navy Cross for bravery.
  • The Pied Piper Versus Paul Revere December 12, 1948 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Choir Girl from Philadelphia December 19, 1948 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Mike Rex December 26, 1948 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
194935 episodes
  • Maiden Speech January 2, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • The Boy Who Beat the Bus January 9, 1949 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Peace Mediator February 20, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Dr. Ralph Bunche, United Nations mediator between the Arabs and the Israelis.
  • The Houses That Paul Built February 27, 1949 · NBC · 30 min
    Architect Paul Williams, who became one of the nation's leading designers.
  • Do Something! Be Somebody! March 6, 1949 · 28 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Up from Slavery March 13, 1949 · NBC · 28 min
    Booker T. Washington, who became the leading Black educator of the South.
  • Black Boy March 20, 1949 · NBC · 30 min
    The life of Richard Wright, author of Native Son.
  • Transfusion March 27, 1949 · NBC · 27 min
    Dr. Charles Drew, who developed the blood bank.
  • Pagan Poet April 3, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    Poet Countee Cullen, a leading voice of the Harlem Renaissance.
  • Woman with a Mission April 10, 1949 · NBC · 30 min
    Ida B. Wells, the journalist who led a campaign against lynching.
  • Before I Sleep April 17, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Help the Blind May 1, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • The Ballad of Satchel Paige May 15, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 28 min
    Satchel Paige, with ballads and song.
  • The Saga of Melody Jackson May 29, 1949 · NBC · 30 min
    Henry Armstrong, the only boxer to hold three world titles at once.
  • Anatomy of an Ordinance June 5, 1949 · 31 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Negro Cinderella June 12, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Ghost Editor June 19, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Harriet's Children June 26, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    The first-anniversary show, with excerpts from the first year and a message from Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson.
  • Norfolk Miracle July 3, 1949 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Tales of Stack O'Lee: Black Folklore Hero July 17, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    The legend of Stack O'Lee, from a folklore collection.
  • The John Henry Story July 24, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    John Henry, the steel-driving man of folk legend.
  • The Trumpet Talks July 31, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 31 min
    The early life of Louis Armstrong.
  • The Long Road August 7, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Mary Church Terrell, who fought for equal rights for women, Black Americans and all people.
  • Black Hamlet, Part 1 August 14, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    King Henri Christophe, liberator of Haiti. Part one of two.
  • Black Hamlet, Part 2 August 21, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    How Henri Christophe ended slavery in Haiti. The conclusion.
  • Segregation Inc August 28, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    A documented report on segregation in the nation's capital.
  • The Saga of Blanche K. Bruce September 4, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Blanche K. Bruce, a Mississippi printer in Reconstruction who became a United States senator.
  • The Tiger Hunt September 11, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Poet in Bronzeville September 18, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • A Garage in Gainesville September 25, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Execution Awaited October 2, 1949 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Father to Son October 9, 1949 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Of Blood and the Boogie October 16, 1949 · WMAQ Chicago · 29 min
    The story of Chicago boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, though he doesn't appear himself.
  • Keeper of the Dream October 30, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • The Man Who Owned Chicago November 6, 1949 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
195020 episodes
  • The Birth of a League January 15, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    The Great Migration north and the founding of the Urban League.
  • Recorder of History February 12, 1950 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Premonition of the Panther March 12, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 31 min
    Welterweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson.
  • The Liberators: William Lloyd Garrison March 26, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 31 min
    William Lloyd Garrison, the Boston printer who published The Liberator.
  • The Buddy Young Story April 9, 1950 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • The Fifth District Crime Fighter April 16, 1950 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Dance Anthropologist April 23, 1950 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • The Shy Boy June 11, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Fats Waller, seen through the eyes of his teacher, James P. Johnson.
  • The Angel of Federal Street June 25, 1950
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Kansas City Phone Call July 2, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    Nat King Cole, told through a teenage fan.
  • Mr. Jericho Adjusts a Claim July 9, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 28 min
    William Nickerson, Jr., founder of the Golden State Life Insurance Company.
  • Last Letter Home August 13, 1950 · WMAQ Chicago · 31 min
    Wilbur Evans and the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group in World War II.
  • Magic Words October 15, 1950 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “To Cold War Ideas.”
  • The Golden Circle November 12, 1950 · NBC · 30 min
    Paul Revere returns from the shadows to warn that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
  • Breakdown November 19, 1950 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Michael Shipkoff.”
  • The Price November 26, 1950 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Mackton and Winston of Company `d.”
  • Matthew Lyon December 10, 1950 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • United Nations December 17, 1950 · NBC · 30 min
    Paul Revere introduces a story of democracy against communism.
  • Peace on Earth December 24, 1950 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Frank Johnson Story.”
  • John, Alma, Johnny and Myra December 31, 1950 · NBC · 30 min
    A Latvian family of displaced persons celebrates their first New Year in America.
195121 episodes
  • Nathan Hale Story January 7, 1951 · NBC · 30 min
    The man who paid the ultimate price for freedom, Nathan Hale.
  • Dwight David Eisenhower January 14, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Anna's Story (January 1951) January 21, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Freedom of Assembly February 4, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Jeff Maxwell Story.”
  • Forced Confession February 18, 1951 · NBC · 30 min
    A story about due process of law.
  • Anna Zenger February 25, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • The Benjamin Drake Story March 4, 1951 · NBC · 30 min
  • Dick Draper Story March 11, 1951 · NBC · 30 min
    A story about the right to quit and take a new job, and a power-hungry union boss.
  • Thomas Wright, American Citizen March 18, 1951 · NBC · 30 min
    The right to live where we choose.
  • Citizen Whitney March 25, 1951 · NBC · 30 min
    The right to worship as we see fit.
  • The Jones Family April 8, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Fred Custer Story April 15, 1951 · 29 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Reverend Brown's Acre April 22, 1951 · NBC · 27 min
    Paul Revere speaks about freedom in America.
  • Korean Frontline April 29, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Open for Business May 13, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Judge Farwell's Story May 19, 1951 · 28 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
  • Anna's Story (May 1951) May 26, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title.
  • Russell Thomas Story June 2, 1951 · WMAQ Chicago · 30 min
    A coal miner who knew he had the right to a job of his choosing.
  • Crisis in Avondale June 9, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “The Avondale Story.”
  • Decision June 16, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Mike Yankovich, Minnesota Miner.”
  • Wanted: A Witness June 23, 1951 · 30 min
    Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.