The Dave Bowman Show

In this episode of Dave Does History, we take you back to December 29, 1170, to uncover the dramatic and world-changing story of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. At the heart of medieval England’s most infamous murder is a clash of titans: King Henry II, a ruler determined to consolidate power, and Thomas Becket, his former friend turned unwavering defender of the Church. Their personal fe...

In this festive yet chaotic post-holiday episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod dive into the bizarre "dead zone" between Christmas and the New Year, a time where no one seems to know what day it is—or why football games happen every night. From Hanukkah celebrations and holiday hangovers to fiery debates about homelessness statistics and airplane crashes, the duo tackles it all with...

She wasn’t just an actress. Nichelle Nichols was a force of nature who shattered barriers and opened new frontiers for women and people of color. From her groundbreaking role as Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek to her tireless efforts recruiting diverse astronauts for NASA, Nichols lived a life dedicated to inspiring others to dream bigger and aim higher. In this episode of Dave Does History, we expl...

If you were to ask me to name the scientists who have most impacted my own life and views of the Cosmos, at the very top of that list would be Johannes Kepler. Since I was introduced to him on Sunday, October 12, 1980, he has been a constant foundation for understanding the later works of Einstein, as well as my enjoyment of science fiction and of cosmology. I first met Kepler on the third episode...

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, we...

Today the Dave Does History team 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, lea...

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 middle 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 daring...

When Tigers Would Smoke is an episode that’s equal parts insightful, irreverent, and downright quirky. Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod bring their signature mix of humor and sharp commentary to this week’s biggest headlines, baffling mysteries, and some truly oddball science. The result? A rollercoaster ride through the absurdities of modern life, politics, and even predatory squirrels. Kicking things of...

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 aba...

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 etched in...

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 t...

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, and...

Join Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod in this week’s episode of What the Frock?, where drones over New Jersey take center stage! Are they government experiments, foreign surveillance, or Princeton kids pulling a fast one? The duo dives into government denials, AI conspiracies, and Elon Musk’s comments on the F-35, sprinkling in some classic humor and offbeat theories. Plus, they tackle the Army-Navy game,...

In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore the final moonwalk of the Apollo 17 mission, the last crewed mission to the Moon, launched on December 7, 1972. After over 22 hours of scientific exploration, astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon, made his poignant final steps as the crew completed their final EVA. We’ll uncover the significance of Apollo 17’s discoveries, inclu...

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 o...

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 this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, 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...

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...

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...