The Dave Bowman Show

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we turn our attention to a man many have forgotten—but whose actions echo through every peaceful transfer of presidential power in American history. John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States, never won the office by vote, yet he forever changed the presidency. From Virginia aristocrat to accidental Commander-in-Chief, Tyler’s term was riddled with...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we turn our attention to a man many have forgotten—but whose actions echo through every peaceful transfer of presidential power in American history. John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States, never won the office by vote, yet he forever changed the presidency. From Virginia aristocrat to accidental Commander-in-Chief, Tyler’s term was riddled with...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we saddle up and ride west—far west—to the rugged terrain of New Mexico in 1862. While most folks picture Civil War battles back east, there was a fiery clash in the high desert that proved just as pivotal. Known as the “Gettysburg of the West,” the Battle of Glorieta Pass was a bold Confederate gamble to seize the Southwest—and its gold. But what unfolded i...

In the wake of the Civil War, America faced a new battle—not for territory, but for the soul of the republic. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to secure basic rights for newly freed African Americans, but President Andrew Johnson had other ideas. His veto of the bill ignited a fierce showdown with Congress, laying bare the deep rifts in post-war America. This article explores the Act’s introduct...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we are heading back to 1351 for one of the most curious, chivalrous, and downright cinematic episodes of the Hundred Years’ War—the Combat of the Thirty. Picture it: thirty knights loyal to England, thirty to France, meeting under a lone oak tree in Brittany for a fight to the death—not for land, not for gold, but for honor. Or so the story goes. Was it a no...

This morning on *Dave Does History*, we head back to 1805 for a political showdown that nearly shattered the balance of power in America. Supreme Court Justice **Samuel Chase**—a signer of the Declaration and a fiery Federalist—stood trial in the Senate, impeached by Jefferson’s allies for partisan bluster from the bench. But was it justice, or just politics? Today we unpack how a bitter feud betw...

Born Erik Weisz in 1874, Harry Houdini became the most famous escape artist in history—and one of the most fascinating figures of the early 20th century. In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we explore the real man behind the myths: from his daring milk can and water torture cell escapes to his battles with spiritualists, his short-lived film career, and even his aviation adventures. Houdini wa...

Spring allergies, legal absurdities, and subterranean TikTok fame—this episode of *What the Frock?* has it all. Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod tackle the politics of impeachment, the dysfunction of healthcare bureaucracy, and whether axing the Department of Education would actually improve anything. They also uncover the bizarre tale of a janitor turned bio-terrorist and a Virginia woman digging unautho...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we ride back to a moment that quietly transformed the modern world—March 23, 1857—when a bearded mechanic named Elisha Otis cut the rope and changed the skyline forever. Long before skyscrapers kissed the clouds, one man's bold demonstration made it possible to go up without fear of coming down. Join us as we explore how a wooden platform, a steel spring, an...

On this episode of Dave Does History, we head back to 1765, when Parliament passed a law that lit the fuse of American rebellion—the Stamp Act. It was more than a tax on paper; it was a bold assertion of control over the colonies. What followed was outrage, protest, and the first sparks of unity among the American people. Join me as we unpack the motives behind Britain’s decision, the colonists’ f...

In March of 1943, Nazi Germany was on the defensive. The catastrophe at Stalingrad had shattered the myth of Hitler’s invincibility, and inside the German military, resistance was brewing. Among those who saw Hitler as a threat to Germany’s survival was Rudolf-Christoph von Gersdorff, a decorated officer willing to sacrifice himself to end the dictator’s reign. On March 21, during a Heroes’ Memori...

Baseball has always been a game of tradition, but every so often, someone comes along who challenges the status quo. In the early 1900s, Amanda Clement did just that—not by swinging a bat, but by making the calls. She was the first woman ever paid to umpire a baseball game, stepping onto the field with authority in an era when women weren’t even supposed to be there. Her story isn’t just about bas...

On March 19, 1945, the USS *Franklin* (CV-13) became the most heavily damaged U.S. aircraft carrier to survive World War II. While launching airstrikes near Japan, she was devastated by a surprise enemy attack, igniting catastrophic fires and explosions that killed over 800 sailors. Against all odds, her crew fought to keep her afloat, defying the odds in one of the most harrowing survival stories...

**Grover Cleveland: The Man, The Myths, The Mustache** Grover Cleveland is the **only U.S. president to serve two nonconsecutive terms**—but how did he lose the White House, only to win it back four years later? In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we dive into Cleveland’s **rise as an anti-corruption reformer, his scandal-filled first campaign, his brutal 1888 defeat, and his disastrous second...

On March 17, 1973, a moment unfolded on the tarmac of Travis Air Force Base that would become one of the most iconic images of the Vietnam War era. Captured by Associated Press photographer Slava "Sal" Veder, the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph known as Burst of Joy depicts what appears to be the pinnacle of a joyous reunion. Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm, recently released from captivity as a prison...

What does it take to make a truly great villain? Is it power, evil intent, or just a misguided sense of righteousness? On this week's episode of What the Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod embark on a deep and often hilarious journey into the nature of villainy—both fictional and real. From the dark corridors of film and literature to the absurdity of modern-day politics and sports scandals, the duo...

James Madison, born in 1751, became a crucial figure in American history as “Father of the Constitution.” He advanced Enlightenment ideals, fought for religious liberty, and played key roles in the Constitutional Convention and the drafting of the Bill of Rights. His presidency faced challenges, including the War of 1812, but his legacy endures through democratic principles and structured governan...

In March 1917, the Russian Empire collapsed under the weight of war, famine, and revolution. Tsar Nicholas II, once the absolute ruler of one-sixth of the Earth's landmass, found himself powerless, stranded on a train, and forced to sign away his throne. His abdication ended 300 years of Romanov rule and set Russia on a path toward chaos, Bolshevism, and ultimately, the Soviet Union. How did a mon...

In the depths of the Cold War, America’s Strategic Air Command kept nuclear-armed bombers in the sky around the clock, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. But on March 14, 1961, a B-52F Stratofortress on airborne alert out of Mather Air Force Base faced a catastrophic failure over California’s Central Valley. With two hydrogen bombs onboard, the crew battled extreme heat, decompression, and fuel...

For over two centuries, *Encyclopaedia Britannica* was the gold standard of knowledge, the go-to reference for students, scholars, and anyone looking to settle a debate before Google existed. From its Scottish Enlightenment origins to its dominance in American households, *Britannica* evolved with the times—expanding, modernizing, and eventually shifting online. But how did it rise to such authori...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we dive into one of the deadliest engineering failures in American history—the collapse of the St. Francis Dam on March 12, 1928. Built to quench Los Angeles’ growing thirst, the dam was hailed as a triumph until it gave way in the dead of night, sending a 140-foot wall of water roaring through San Francisquito Canyon. Hundreds perished, entire towns were wi...

On March 11, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the **Lend-Lease Act**, a move that provided billions in aid to Allied nations and pushed the U.S. closer to World War II—without a formal declaration. But just three years earlier, the **Ludlow Amendment** nearly changed everything, proposing a **national referendum before America could go to war**. In this episode, we explore how FDR fought to kill...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we set sail for the **Battle of the Aegates**, the dramatic climax of the **First Punic War** in 241 BCE. Rome, battered but relentless, launches a final naval gamble against Carthage, determined to break their stranglehold on Sicily. With newly built quinqueremes, improved tactics, and sheer Roman grit, the fleet of **Gaius Lutatius Catulus** faces off agai...

he Extended Version – because some stories just can’t be crammed into a soundbite. In this episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod break down the ongoing battle between long-form podcasts and short-form radio. Spoiler: they’re on the right side of history. Along the way, Rabbi Dave finally gets answers to his Lord of the Rings questions, Friar Rod dissects the Gene Hackman fiasco, and...

In March 1862, history was made in the waters of Hampton Roads. The age of wooden warships came to a crashing halt as two ironclad titans, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, clashed in a battle unlike any seen before. The stakes? The Union blockade, Confederate survival, and the future of naval warfare itself. Smoke filled the air, cannons roared, and for the first time, iron met iron on the op...