Dave Does History

On November 29, 1963 , President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In this episode, we explore the reasons behind the commission’s creation, the key figures involved—like Chief Justice Earl Warren, Gerald Ford, and Allen Dulles—and the ambitious goals they set out to achieve. How did this group of leaders attempt to uncover the...

Join us as we explore the fierce clash at Cane Hill, Arkansas, during the American Civil War. On November 28, 1862 , Union forces under Brigadier General James G. Blunt launched a daring surprise attack on Confederate troops led by Brigadier General John S. Marmaduke. Discover how this dramatic battle, fought in the rugged terrain of the Ozarks, became a pivotal moment in the struggle for control...

In this episode, we delve into the life and legacy of Richard Strauss, one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century, whose iconic  Also Sprach Zarathustra  continues to captivate audiences worldwide. But Strauss’s story is more than music—it's a tale of moral ambiguity, artistic brilliance, and survival under the Nazi regime. Join us as we explore the triumph of  Also Sprach Zarathustr...

In this powerful episode, we explore the gripping and controversial trials of John Demjanjuk, the retired Ohio autoworker accused of being a Nazi war criminal. Beginning with the 1986 trial in Israel, we uncover the accusations that linked Demjanjuk to atrocities at the Sobibor extermination camp and of being the notorious "Ivan the Terrible" of Treblinka. We delve into the historical and cultural...

In this episode, we go where no man had gone before, covering the remarkable life and career of Jeffrey Hunter, the actor who left an indelible mark on Hollywood and science fiction history. Best known for his roles as Captain Christopher Pike in  Star Trek  and Jesus Christ in  King of Kings , Hunter's story is one of talent, ambition, and untapped potential. From his Midwestern upbringing and ea...

In this episode of  Dave Does History , we delve into one of the most pivotal and dramatic standoffs in early American history: the Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833. This was no ordinary political disagreement—it was a high-stakes showdown that brought the United States to the brink of disunion. At the center of it all were two towering personalities: President Andrew Jackson, the tough-as-nails...

In this episode, we explore the life and presidency of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. From his humble beginnings in New Hampshire to his meteoric rise in politics, Pierce seemed destined for greatness. Yet, his time in office is often regarded as one of the most tumultuous and divisive in American history. We’ll delve into the personal tragedies that haunted Pierce, the...

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life and legacy of Voltaire, the French Enlightenment thinker who wielded his pen like a sword. From his early battles with censorship and imprisonment to his exile in England and his rise as one of Europe's most influential voices, we trace Voltaire's journey as a champion of reason, freedom, and justice. Discover the stories behind his scathing sa...

In this captivating episode, we delve into the extraordinary life and legacy of Abigail Adams—wife, mother, advisor, and revolutionary thinker. From her modest upbringing in colonial Massachusetts to her pivotal role as the wife of President John Adams, Abigail’s story is one of resilience, intellect, and advocacy. Through her vivid letters and unwavering partnership with John, Abigail emerges as...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we delve into the life and legacy of Emperor Diocletian, a transformative figure in Roman history. Proclaimed emperor on November 20, 284 CE, Diocletian inherited a fractured empire on the brink of collapse. From his humble beginnings in Dalmatia to his meteoric rise through the ranks of the Roman military, we explore the man behind the reforms that redefined...

In this special episode of  Dave Does History  on  Bill Mick Live , Dave Bowman takes us on a journey to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, revisiting the battlefield, the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, and the timeless significance of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Through vivid storytelling, personal anecdotes, and deep historical insight, Dave brings to life the events of July and...

Born in rural Georgia in 1883, Carl Vinson’s half-century in Congress reshaped America’s military and secured its naval dominance for generations. Known as the "Father of the Two-Ocean Navy," Vinson’s tireless advocacy for shipbuilding, naval aviation, and military preparedness laid the foundation for victories in World War II and Cold War dominance. In this episode, we dive into Vinson’s early li...

Denver wasn’t always the Mile High City. In this episode, we journey back to November 17, 1858, to explore how a rough-and-tumble patch of land at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River became the beating heart of Colorado. Discover the determination of General William Larimer Jr., the gold rush fever that drove settlers westward, and the fierce rivalry with Auraria that shaped...

On November 16, 1907 , Oklahoma officially became the 46th state in the Union, bringing together the Oklahoma and Indian Territories into one proud state. In this episode, we dive into the rich history of these two distinct regions, the leaders who fought for statehood, and the struggles and compromises that shaped the new state’s identity. We’ll explore the Land Run of 1889, the Native American p...

In this episode, we’re traveling back to the early 1900s, where baseball rivalries ran hot, double plays stung, and a poet named Franklin Pierce Adams captured it all in a few simple lines. Baseball’s Sad Lexicon may be short, but this poem has become part of baseball’s soul, memorializing the heartbreak that Giants fans felt every time the legendary trio—Tinker, Evers, and Chance—turned a would-b...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we dive into one of the most remarkable moments of Alexander the Great’s campaign: his crowning as Pharaoh in Egypt. Join us as we explore the young Macedonian conqueror’s journey into the ancient land of Egypt, his reception as a liberator, and the symbolic gestures that earned him the loyalty of the Egyptian people. We'll recount the Siege of Gaza, the crow...

On November 13, 1002 , Æthelred the Unready, King of England, took a drastic step that changed the course of English history: he ordered the massacre of Danish settlers throughout his kingdom. In this episode, we look into the chaotic world of 11th-century England, where Viking invasions, Danegeld payments, and cultural clashes fueled tensions between Anglo-Saxons and their Danish neighbors. We'll...

In today’s riveting segment of Dave Does History on  Bill Mick Live , Dave Bowman takes us on a journey exploring the chilling implications of Nazi ideology and why historical memory is vital. Using Adolf Hitler’s calculated policies in 1938 and his fascination with Napoleon’s mistakes as a starting point, Dave discusses why merely “knowing” history isn’t enough. Bowman argues that it’s our failur...

On November 11, 1918 , the world stood on the brink of peace, but for thousands of American soldiers on the front lines in France, the war’s final moments were anything but peaceful. In this episode, we recount the last morning of World War I, when American “doughboys” were ordered to launch one final push just hours before the guns would fall silent. Explore the intense atmosphere in the trenches...

On November 9th and 10th , 1938, a storm of hatred erupted across Germany and Austria in a brutal event known as Kristallnacht, or “Night of Broken Glass.” In this episode, we revisit that dark turning point when the Nazi regime transitioned from persecution to violence against Jewish communities, leaving streets filled with shattered glass and shattered lives. We explore the build-up to Kristalln...

On November 9, 1799 —or as the French Revolutionary calendar marked it, 18 Brumaire, Year VIII—Napoleon Bonaparte executed a bold coup that would change the course of French history. In this episode, we dive into the chaotic final days of the French Revolution, where distrust and division plagued the government. With France weary from years of political upheaval, Napoleon returned from his militar...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we take you back to 1861 for a tense diplomatic showdown that could have changed the course of the American Civil War. Known as the Trent Affair, this crisis began when a Union warship intercepted a British mail ship carrying Confederate diplomats, sparking outrage in Britain and bringing the two nations to the brink of war. How did President Lincoln navigate...

On November 7, 1940 , the Tacoma Narrows Bridge twisted, buckled, and fell into Puget Sound in a dramatic collapse that shook the engineering world. Known as “Galloping Gertie,” this suspension bridge was meant to symbolize the forward momentum of infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest. Instead, it would stand as a painful lesson in design and wind engineering.

In this episode of Dave Does History , we explore the high-stakes presidential election of 1900, a pivotal moment in America’s journey onto the world stage. Incumbent President William McKinley, riding a wave of economic prosperity and national pride after the Spanish-American War, faces off against William Jennings Bryan, the populist firebrand pushing against imperialism and advocating for the c...

The 1912 election was nothing short of a seismic event in American political history. Not just for the fierce competition among Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, and Debs, but for how it fundamentally reshaped American politics. This was a battleground of ideologies, a “Clash of the Titans,” that put forth stark choices about the role of government, social reform, and the future of democracy amid rapidly c...