American Moments with Oliver North
Hosted by LtCol Oliver North, USMC (Ret.)—combat-decorated Marine, historian, and Founder of Freedom Alliance—this series brings to life the defining events and heroes that shaped America’s character. From the Constitution to the “Miracle on Ice,” these stories honor the courage, patriotism, and innovation that make America the greatest nation on earth.
American Moments with Oliver North
Cure For Polio
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In this episode of American Moments with Oliver North, Oliver North reflects on one of the most frightening public health crises in American history, the battle against polio. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, this devastating disease struck fear into families across the nation, impacting thousands of children with paralysis and loss of life.
Discover how Americans came together in an extraordinary display of unity and compassion through the March of Dimes, transforming small donations into a powerful national movement. From President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leadership to Dr. Jonas Salk’s groundbreaking vaccine, and the selfless decision to share it freely, this episode highlights how courage, innovation, and generosity helped defeat a global threat.
Explore how this moment in history reminds us that when Americans unite with purpose, even the greatest challenges can be overcome.
I'm Oliver North on behalf of Freedom Alliance. As we celebrate the 250th birthday of our great nation, we're recalling some of the significant moments in the history of these United States. In the late 1940s and early 50s, millions of American parents, mine among them, were apprehensive about an invisible enemy stalking schools, playgrounds, and public swimming pools. It was a malady that didn't care about your address or your income. It was an ancient disease called poliomyelitis or polio. It mostly impacted children, looked like the flu, but often resulted in paralysis or even death. In 1952, 58,000 American families faced the nightmare of polio. Over 5% would die, another 36% would suffer some form of permanent paralysis. But ultimately, the story of polio is one of victory over a deadly disease because Americans united in a positive purpose. In 1921, Franklin Roosevelt, then a prominent 39-year-old political figure, was partially paralyzed by what his doctors diagnosed as polio. For the rest of his life, he was confined to a wheelchair for mobility and wore heavy braces on his legs in order to stand. On January 3rd, during his second term as America's chief executive, he created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, the NFIP, and decided that if he depolio would begin with a dime. The March of Dimes, a term for the NFIP program, was coined by entertainer Eddie Cantor.
SPEAKER_03I said we may lick infant paralysis one day with this march of dimes. President Roosevelt said, Eddie Cantor, you may not know it, but you just got yourself a slogan.
SPEAKER_00Americans in every walk of life began filling envelopes with dimes and sending them to the White House.
SPEAKER_02We don't know how lucky we are and how much we have to be thankful for with our health and our happiness.
SPEAKER_01Judy, and that's why we should do all that we can to help all of those who can't help themselves.
SPEAKER_02Can I put a dime in your envelope?
SPEAKER_01Oh, you know that you can. And that's what every good American should do. Join the March of Dimes. Send yours to President Franklin Roosevelt in the White House.
SPEAKER_02Washington, D.C.
SPEAKER_00It was the start of grassroots philanthropy, a national movement. The pocket change of a nation started out providing iron lungs to help polio victims breathe, braces for weakened limbs, and money for research who would ultimately eradicate polio. The American people self-funded a medical miracle. And to honor that cause, FDR's image was put on our 10-cent piece in 1946. In the late 1940s and early 50s, the March of Dimes funded research by Dr. Jonas Sauk at the University of Pittsburgh. He created a vaccine and was so confident in it that he first tested it on himself and his children. In 1954, a massive trial was conducted on 1.5 million children across the United States, Canada, and Finland. Participants became known as polio pioneers. And when news broke out the vaccine worked, there was a global sigh of relief. Dr. Sauk gave us something else, something more. When asked to own the patent to the vaccine, one that would be worth many millions of dollars, he didn't look for a payout.
SPEAKER_03Who owns the patent on this vaccine? Well, the people, I would say. There is no patent. This is. Could you patent the sun?
SPEAKER_00Jonas Sauk's selflessness and the subsequent work of Dr. Albert Saban, who created a pill form of the vaccine, were keys to ending polio's worldwide terror. The efforts of these men and the generosity of a caring public showed the world that we, the people of America, the most generous on earth, can do the impossible, even end a deadly global plague with our spare change and open hearts. That's a powerful message on our 250th birthday. We hope you've enjoyed this edition of American Moments. Please visit freedomalliance.org for more great moments in American history.