Dave Does History

Step back in time to one of the most pivotal moments of the American Revolution in this riveting episode of Dave Does History . Join us as we relive the daring Christmas night of 1776, when General George Washington led his ragtag Continental Army across the icy Delaware River for a surprise attack that changed the course of history. With vivid storytelling, sharp analysis, and a touch of humor, w...

The Dave Does History Crew takes you back to Christmas Day, 1492, when Christopher Columbus’s flagship, the Santa María , ran aground off the coast of Hispaniola. What began as a navigational mistake turned into the construction of La Navidad, the first European settlement in the Americas. But this wasn’t the triumph Columbus envisioned. Within a year, the settlement was reduced to ashes, leaving...

Eggnog, whiskey, and rebellion—what could possibly go wrong? In this episode, we dive into the wild and chaotic tale of the Eggnog Riot of 1826 at West Point. What started as a covert Christmas celebration turned into a full-blown riot, complete with drunken cadets, smashed furniture, and a near miss with total catastrophe. Join us as we uncover how a seemingly innocent holiday tradition challenge...

It’s December 1776, and the American Revolution is hanging by a thread. George Washington is plotting his daring crossing of the Delaware River, but success depends on one critical element: keeping the British and Hessian forces distracted. Enter Colonel Samuel Griffin and his scrappy militia in Mount Holly, New Jersey. In this episode, we unravel the little-known story of the Battle of Iron Works...

In the early months of World War II, deep beneath enemy waters, the crew of the USS Silversides faced an unimaginable challenge: an emergency appendectomy performed without a doctor, using improvised tools, and under constant threat of enemy attack. Join us as we dive into the incredible story of Pharmacist’s Mate Thomas A. Moore, who defied the odds to save his crewmate’s life in one of the most...

In the blood-soaked chaos of 69 AD—the infamous Year of the Four Emperors—Rome teetered on the brink of collapse. With Nero gone and three failed emperors in his wake, the empire was desperate for stability. Enter Vespasian, the unassuming general from Judea whose rise to power was as improbable as it was transformative. In this episode, we unravel the gripping story of how Vespasian emerged from...

Meet Arthur Lee: the overlooked diplomat, revolutionary thinker, and the man who helped secure France’s crucial support during America’s fight for independence. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating life of the youngest Lee sibling from Virginia—a fiery intellectual who took on British oppression with his pen and forged alliances with his grit. From his role in the 1778 Treaty of Alliance...

In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary life of Mary Livermore—teacher, abolitionist, Civil War heroine, and trailblazer for women’s suffrage. From her early days witnessing the horrors of slavery to organizing monumental relief efforts during the war, Mary’s story is one of grit, determination, and boundless compassion. We’ll explore how this "strong-minded woman" raised millions for Union...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most haunting decisions in U.S. Supreme Court history: Korematsu v. United States . Against the backdrop of World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor, fear gripped the American West Coast—and Japanese Americans became targets of suspicion, not for what they had done, but for who they were. This is the story of Fred Korematsu , a young man who refused to a...

On this episode of  Dave Does History , we delve into one of the most brutal episodes of World War II—the  Malmedy Massacre , which occurred on  December 17, 1944 , during the Battle of the Bulge. Dave Bowman takes us through the chilling events when  Joachim Peiper ‘s Waffen-SS troops executed over 80 unarmed American soldiers at a crossroads near Malmedy, Belgium. While the massacre should be et...

On December 16, 1944 , the quiet Ardennes forest erupted into chaos as Hitler launched a desperate and audacious offensive to turn the tide of World War II. In this episode, we delve into the dramatic opening day of the Battle of the Bulge, exploring how German forces achieved complete surprise and shattered Allied lines. From the fierce resistance of the 99th Infantry Division at Elsenborn Ridge...

On December 15, 1944 , one of America’s most iconic bandleaders vanished without a trace. Glenn Miller, the king of swing and leader of the Army Air Forces Band, was en route to Paris to perform for Allied troops when his small plane disappeared over the English Channel. In this episode, we unravel the mystery of his disappearance, explore his profound contributions to music and the war effort, an...

On December 14, 1972 , astronaut Eugene Cernan took his final steps on the Moon, leaving behind the last human footprints on its dusty surface—marking the end of the Apollo program and an era of human exploration. Apollo 17, the final mission to the Moon, was a journey of scientific discovery, human achievement, and emotional farewell. In this episode, we’ll dive into the final Extravehicular Acti...

What happens when a people are torn from their homeland and thrust into the chaos of exile? In this episode, we recount the tragic voyage of the Duke William , a deportation ship that sank on December 13, 1758, with over 360 Acadians aboard. Through vivid storytelling, we delve into the larger context of the Expulsion of the Acadians, the fateful final days at sea, and the remarkable selflessness...

In September 1787, after months of deliberation, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia presented a new Constitution to the states for ratification. Pennsylvania, hosting the convention, was poised to play a critical role in the unfolding drama. The state was a microcosm of the broader national debate, encapsulating the tension between the desire for a strong central government and the fear...

Step into the world of George Mason, a Founding Father whose ideas shaped the very fabric of American liberty—yet whose name often lingers in the shadows of history. In this episode, we uncover the fascinating life of a man who championed the rights we hold dear, from free speech to a fair trial, while refusing to sign the Constitution he helped craft. Why would a man so integral to America’s foun...

On a cold December evening in 1935, a fearless journalist stepped out of his car, groceries in hand, and into a storm of bullets that would end his life in an instant. Walter Liggett wasn’t just any journalist—he was a muckraker, a truth-teller, and a relentless critic of corruption in the highest echelons of power. From exposing mobsters to taking on a sitting governor, Liggett made enemies in bo...

In this gripping episode of Dave Does History , we set sail for the South Atlantic to recount the dramatic events of December 8, 1914 —the Battle of the Falkland Islands. After a humiliating defeat at Coronel, the British Royal Navy was out for revenge, and Admiral Doveton Sturdee’s squadron wasn’t about to let Germany’s Maximilian von Spee escape unscathed. Join us as we dive into the chaos and c...

Born into one of America’s most storied families, Hamilton Fish III carved his own legacy through military valor, political service, and a relentless dedication to honoring veterans. In this episode, we dive into Fish’s remarkable life, from leading the Harlem Hellfighters during World War I to his pivotal role in establishing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Explore how his advocacy helped shape...

On December 6, 1917 , the USS Jacob Jones became the first American destroyer sunk by enemy action during World War I, torpedoed by the German submarine U-53. In this gripping episode, we dive into the harrowing story of the ship’s final moments, the heroic actions of her crew, and the surprising humanity displayed by the German commander, Hans Rose. From the icy waters of the North Atlantic to th...

In this electrifying episode of  Dave Does History , we step into the tense and turbulent world of Ancient Rome as Cicero delivers his Fourth Catiline Oration. With the Republic hanging by a thread and conspiracy in the air, Cicero’s masterful rhetoric rallies the Senate to decisive action. What was at stake? Who were the players? And how did this moment shape Rome’s history—and its downfall? Join...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we dive into the dramatic impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. It’s 1804, and the young American republic is grappling with questions of power, partisanship, and the independence of its judiciary. Chase, a brash Federalist with a sharp tongue, finds himself targeted by Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican allies. Was his trial a...

In this episode of  Dave Does History , we dive into the bold proclamation that shaped the destiny of the Americas: the Monroe Doctrine. Delivered by President James Monroe on  December 2, 1823 , this policy warned European powers to keep their hands off the Western Hemisphere. But what drove the United States—a young nation still finding its footing—to make such a daring statement? We explore the...

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable life of Leon Wachholz, a Polish pioneer in forensic medicine whose groundbreaking innovations continue to shape the field today. From his early years in Kraków and his rise as a renowned professor at Jagiellonian University to his groundbreaking contributions like the Wachholz-Sieradzki test for detecting carbon monoxide poisoning, Wachholz's life was...

In this gripping episode of Dave Does History , we uncover the shocking story of U-852 and its infamous commander, Kapitänleutnant Heinz-Wilhelm Eck. This German U-boat became a symbol of wartime brutality when Eck ordered the massacre of survivors from the British steamer SS Peleus . We explore the harrowing events leading to this unprecedented war crime, the daring capture of U-852 off the Somal...