Plausibly Live - The Dave Bowman Show

April 1st isn't just for pranksters—it's for historians with a wicked sense of humor. In this episode, Dave peels back the glittery nonsense of April Fools’ Day to uncover its shadowy (and often fictional) past. From Chaucer’s chicken to a Flemish prank poem, and the legendary hoax that duped the Associated Press, it all leads to one irresistible conclusion: we should be calling it Boskin...

Today on Dave does History on Bill Mick Live , we head back to 1805 for one of the most dramatic courtroom showdowns in American history—except this trial did not involve a criminal, it involved a Supreme Court Justice. Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration and a fiery Federalist, was impeached by Jefferson’s allies for turning his courtroom into a political soapbox. Was it a righteous reckoni...

Today on  Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , we’re diving into the life, legacy, and legend of one of America’s most peculiar presidents—Grover Cleveland. You might not think much about the man who was both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, but Cleveland was one of the most unique and controversial figures to ever occupy the White House. Born on this day in 1837, he was the firs...

Celebrating Florida Day!

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , we take a hard look at one of the most important Supreme Court cases in American history— Marbury v. Madison . You might remember our recent discussion about the Election of 1800 and John Adams’ infamous “Midnight Judges.” Well, this is the moment when that political showdown reached its explosive conclusion, and the Supreme Court emerged wi...

Lincoln County, New Mexico, in the late 19th century was a place where money and power went hand in hand, and those who held them ruled with an iron fist. At the heart of this system was “The House,” a monopoly run by James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy. Their business, LG Murphy & Co., controlled everything from cattle sales to dry goods, banking, and even law enforcement. If you wanted to do bus...

On this episode of Bill Mick Live , it’s Tuesday, which means Dave Does History—and today, we’re taking on one of the most infamous political tricks in American history: gerrymandering. The term was coined on February 11, 1812, when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed off on a redistricting plan that reshaped voting districts to benefit his party. A satirical cartoonist noticed that one d...

Step back into Gold Rush-era San Francisco, a city teeming with fortune seekers, rogues, and visionaries. In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , we explore one of the most fascinating figures in American history—Emperor Norton I, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Once a wealthy businessman, Joshua Norton’s fortunes crumbled after a disastro...

In this captivating episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, Dave Bowman takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the legal, historical, and cultural ramifications of birthright citizenship. This discussion dives into the heart of the 14th Amendment, unpacking its revolutionary impact on defining citizenship in the United States, while tracing its origins back to the Reconstruction E...

In this special episode of  Dave Does History , host Dave Bowman dives into the revolutionary impact of the USS Nautilus, launched on January 21, 1954, as the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. From its groundbreaking design and Admiral Hyman Rickover’s visionary leadership to its operational challenges and Cold War-era accomplishments, this episode explores how the Nautilus redefined submar...

Wars often evoke images of grim battlefields, valorous deeds, and tragic losses. Yet, there was one war in American history where the most significant injury was a sheriff’s deputy stabbed with a penknife, and the fiercest “battles” featured taunts shouted across a river. This was the Toledo War—a boundary dispute between Michigan Territory and Ohio in 1835 and 1836, which historians aptly describ...

Dive into the murky waters of American presidential transitions in this episode of Dave Does History . From John Adams' infamous "midnight judges" to the executive maneuvers of Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and even Donald Trump, Dave unravels the calculated actions taken by outgoing presidents to constrain or influence their successors. Alongside Bill Mick, Dave explores the motivatio...

In this gripping episode of Dave Does History , Dave Bowman takes listeners back to December 17, 1944, a day that saw both the brutality of war and the resilience of memory. Focusing on the Malmedy Massacre —a horrific war crime during the Battle of the Bulge—Dave delivers a masterful, unflinching account of how over 80 unarmed American soldiers were executed by Joachim Peiper’s Waffen-SS forces....

On this episode of Dave Does History , titled "Pardon Moi?" , Dave Bowman takes us deep into the fascinating and often controversial history of presidential pardons. Starting with George Washington’s groundbreaking decision to pardon rebels from the Whiskey Rebellion, Dave examines how this unique executive power—granted by Article II of the Constitution—has shaped American politics and justice. F...

What happens when the music swells, the soldiers snap to attention, and history pivots on a single decision? In this episode, we march into a world where leadership, accountability, and sacrifice collide—through the lens of Ulysses S. Grant, the Cold War, and the scars of modern warfare. Dave Bowman pulls no punches as he connects the dots between the past and the present, questioning what it trul...

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , Dave Bowman dives into one of the most transformative moments in American history: the Election of 1800. Known as the "Revolution of 1800," this pivotal event marked the first peaceful transfer of power between opposing political parties and tested the young republic's capacity to endure fierce ideological divides. Dave unpacks the bitter ca...

In this episode of Plausibly Live - The Dave Bowman Show , Dave dives into the controversial pardon of Hunter Biden. What does this decision mean in the context of presidential pardon power and political strategy? With his characteristic candor, Dave unpacks the historical use (and misuse) of pardons, media statements, and the political fallout of this polarizing move. He also explores the claim t...

On this special Thanksgiving edition of The Florida Roundtable , Bill Mick sits down with historian Dave Bowman for a fascinating dive into the origins of Thanksgiving as we know it today. Discover the incredible story of Sarah Josepha Hale, the determined writer and editor who campaigned tirelessly for decades to transform Thanksgiving from a regional harvest festival into a unifying national hol...

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 No...

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...

In this episode of Plausibly Live – The Dave Bowman Show , "The Buford Vision," we delve into the pivotal moments leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of Union Brigadier General John Buford. Dave dissects the scene from the film Gettysburg , capturing Buford's gritty determination and his understanding of the high stakes at play if the Union loses the high ground on July 1, 1863...

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , Dave Bowman takes listeners back to one of the most pivotal elections in U.S. history—the election of 1912. It wasn’t just a contest between candidates; it was a clash of ideologies that would shape the nation for decades to come. With four influential contenders—incumbent William Howard Taft, former president Theodore Roosevelt, Democrat Wo...

In today’s riveting episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live , Dave Bowman takes us back to October 28/29, 1923 , to recount the harrowing tale of the USS O-5 submarine disaster. In the murky waters of the Panama Canal, the O-5 collided with a freighter and quickly sank, trapping crew members beneath the waves. Torpedoman Second Class Henry Breault’s courageous decision to dive back into the...

In this heartfelt episode, "Ain't Baseball Great?" Dave Bowman reminisces about his unlikely and profound connection to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a relationship that dates back to October 1978. With nostalgia, he revisits unforgettable moments in Dodgers history—like Bob Welch's iconic strikeout of Reggie Jackson in '78, the tension-filled 1981 postseason, and the legendary '88 season. But it’s mor...

Hawley Harvey Crippen, an American homeopathic doctor, became infamous for his role in one of the most sensational murder cases of the early 20th century. Born in Michigan in 1862, Crippen moved to London, where he lived with his wife, Cora, a music hall performer. Their relationship was troubled, and in 1910, after Cora mysteriously disappeared, Crippen claimed she had returned to America. Suspic...