Dave Does History

On this episode of Dave Does History , we explore the boldest land deal in American history—the Louisiana Purchase. Signed on April 30, 1803 , this momentous decision doubled the size of the young republic, redrew the map, and set the United States on a course for continental dominance. But it was more than a bargain—it was a gamble filled with political controversy, diplomatic drama, and far-reac...

Welcome to Dave Does History , with a special year-long focus on the Liberty! 250 series, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. From the causes of the American Revolution to the enduring meaning of liberty, this is not your high school history class. It is history the way it should be: honest, riveting, and vital to understanding today’s world.

Today on Dave Does History , we journey into the remarkable life of James Monroe — soldier, statesman, and the Last Founding Father to serve as President. Often overshadowed by louder names, Monroe quietly forged a nation, expanded its borders, and warned the Old World to keep its hands off the New. From the bloody fields of Trenton to the bold declaration of the Monroe Doctrine, his story is one...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we march back to 1805 and the windswept shores of Derna, Libya, where a handful of U.S. Marines etched their place in American legend. From the burning sands of the desert to the thundering guns offshore, the Battle of Derna was the first time the Stars and Stripes flew in victory on foreign soil. Join Dave as he explores the grit, glory, and gamble behind th...

Today on Dave Does History , we set sail with Esek Hopkins, the fiery, flawed, and first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy. Before John Paul Jones declared he had not yet begun to fight, Hopkins was already in the thick of it—raiding British ports, outmaneuvering orders, and making enemies in Congress. But his story is no straightforward hero’s tale. From triumph in Nassau to tragedy aboa...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we journey back to April 25, 404 BCE—the day the mighty city of Athens fell and the Peloponnesian War came to a crushing end. After nearly thirty years of conflict, starvation, and political chaos, Sparta stood triumphant and Athens bowed to a brutal new order. We will explore the final moves of the war, the rise of Lysander, and the long-term fallout for Gre...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we turn the clocks back to April 24, 1183 BCE—the day Troy burned. Join Dave as he walks through the smoldering ruins of the legendary city, uncovering the epic tale of gods, warriors, betrayal, and a giant wooden horse. From Achilles’ wrath to Aeneas’ escape, this story shaped empires and echoed through time. Drawing from Homer, Virgil, and archaeological cl...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we mark the birthday of James Buchanan—America’s only bachelor president and, many say, its most ineffectual. Born April 23, 1791, Buchanan entered office with unmatched experience and left it as the nation shattered into civil war. What went wrong? Was he a victim of circumstance or a man who mistook inaction for wisdom? Join us as we explore Buchanan’s trag...

Pope Francis has died, and the world now turns its eyes to the smoke above the Sistine Chapel. In this episode of Dave Does History , Dave Bowman joins Bill Mick to break down the ancient—and often misunderstood—process of the papal conclave. From medieval roof removals to modern-day power plays, Dave explores the rituals, rules, and raw politics of picking the next pope. Was it always this secret...

Today on Dave Does History , we journey back to the sacred soil of the Palatine Hill for the story that launched an empire. From the flames of Troy to the she-wolf’s lair on the banks of the Tiber, discover how Aeneas, Romulus, and Remus forged the foundations of Rome—not just as myth, but as history, taught and believed by the American Founding Fathers. Join Dave as he channels Livy, pierces the...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we dive into the fiery moment that launched America onto the global stage—the 1898 declaration of war against Spain. From the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine to the explosive headlines of Hearst and Pulitzer, we explore how media, politics, and patriotism collided to send the United States into war. Was it a fight for Cuban freedom—or the birth of an em...

In episode of Dave Does History , we take you to Lexington Green on the morning of April 19, 1775—the moment the American Revolution began. But this is more than musket fire and marching redcoats. It is the story of Ebenezer Bowman, a seventeen-year-old who stood his ground and helped ignite a war for independence. Join Dave as he explores not just America's history, but his own legacy. From a...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we explore the meaning and importance of preserving monuments and historic sites—especially those that make us uncomfortable. From the international mission of ICOMOS and UNESCO to a personal journey through Hamburg, South Carolina, Dave shares why even the most controversial markers of the past deserve to be remembered, not removed. Join us as we uncover how...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we salute one of America’s greatest unsung heroes—Joe Foss. From dust-choked South Dakota fields to the war-torn skies over Guadalcanal, Foss became a WWII flying ace, Medal of Honor recipient, governor, football commissioner, and NRA president. His story is not just about dogfights and medals—it is about grit, service, and what it truly means to be an Americ...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we journey to the windswept heights of Masada, where nearly two thousand years ago, Jewish rebels made their final, fateful stand against the Roman Empire. Was it mass suicide, martyrdom, or myth? Host Dave unpacks the powerful story passed down from Josephus, explores the archaeological evidence, and examines how Masada became a national symbol—and a caution...

In 1561, the skies over Nuremberg erupted in what witnesses described as a celestial battle—spheres, rods, crosses, and a massive black spear appeared above the city at dawn. Was it divine warning, extraterrestrial war, or misunderstood natural phenomenon? This week on Dave Does History , we explore Hans Glaser’s famous broadsheet, the Reformation-era mindset behind it, and how this event morphed...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we confront one of the darkest and most overlooked chapters of Reconstruction—the Colfax Massacre of 1873. Over a hundred Black men were killed defending their right to vote and hold office in a small Louisiana parish. Their killers walked free. We dig into the political chaos, the brutal events of Easter Sunday, and the Supreme Court decision that crippled f...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we fire up the rockets and revisit one of the boldest gambles in American spaceflight: the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. This was not a test run—it was the first flight of a brand-new spacecraft with astronauts aboard. We will meet Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen, unpack the mission’s high-stakes challenges, and explor...

This week on Dave Does History , we dive into the story behind the birth of the United States Navy Submarine Force. On April 11, 1900, the Navy quietly purchased a strange, cigar-shaped vessel called Holland VI , changing naval warfare forever. We explore the life of inventor John Philip Holland, the trials of his revolutionary design, and how one stubborn Irish schoolteacher reshaped the future o...

On April 10, 1963, USS Thresher —the Navy’s most advanced nuclear submarine—slipped beneath the Atlantic for deep-dive trials... and never resurfaced. In this episode of Dave Does History , we explore the events of that fateful day, the suspected cause of the disaster, and how the loss of 129 souls reshaped the U.S. Navy forever. It’s a story of innovation, tragedy, and transformation. Listen now...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we journey back to April 9, 1865 — the day the guns finally fell silent at Appomattox Court House. It wasn’t just the end of a war; it was the beginning of reconciliation. We’ll walk the weary roads with Lee’s starving army, sit inside the McLean House where Grant offered mercy, and witness the quiet dignity that defined one of America’s most powerful moments...

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , we head north—way north—to uncover the bizarre moment when the United States almost claimed part of Greenland. It started with a bad map, involved a lost Danish expedition, and ended with two frostbitten heroes proving the truth. From mistaken geography to geopolitical consequences, Dave unpacks how a simple cartographic error nearly redrew...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we uncover the oily roots of America’s first major political scandal: Teapot Dome. Long before Watergate, this 1920s tale of secret deals, bribes, and backroom betrayals rocked the nation and shook public trust in government. Join Dave as he explores how a dusty Wyoming oil field, a red-faced Cabinet secretary, and a few well-connected oil barons brought sham...

Join Dave Does History as we explore the life and legacy of Renaissance master Raphael—born in 1483 in the cultured court of Urbino, and destined to become one of the most beloved painters in Western art. In this episode, we uncover how Raphael rose from orphaned prodigy to the Pope’s favorite artist, creating timeless masterpieces like The School of Athens and the iconic Madonnas. With insight, w...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we shine a long-overdue spotlight on Benjamin Harrison V—Founding Father, Virginia governor, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Born into privilege at Berkeley Plantation, Harrison stood tall—literally and politically—among the giants of his age. He helped shape the birth of America, raised a future president, and left behind a legacy that still e...