The Dave Bowman Show

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 pu...

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 cro...

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 dive 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 failure...

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 9/10, 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 Kristallnacht, the...

Here’s an episode description for Spotify and iTunes for the latest *What the Frock?* episode: --- In this candid post-election episode of *What the Frock?*, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod dive deep into America’s current political climate, tackling everything from election anxiety to celebrity endorsements, the unexpected consequences of social media, and the changing nature of modern campaigns. They s...

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 military...

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 Plausibly Live – The Dave Bowman Show, titled “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,...

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 co...

The 1912 election was a pivotal moment in American political history, marked by intense competition among Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, and Debs, each presenting distinct ideological visions. Roosevelt’s Progressive Party advocated for active government intervention in social issues, while Wilson’s platform sought to dismantle monopolies for a competitive free market. Taft's conservative approach alien...

Benjamin Robbins Curtis, born in 1809, was the first Supreme Court Justice with a law degree and a prominent dissenter in the Dred Scott decision. His arguments advocated for African American citizenship and emphasized Congress's authority over slavery. Curtis's principles of justice and judicial courage remain influential in contemporary discussions on civil rights and equality.

In this episode, we delve into the fearless life and tragic death of Olympe de Gouges, one of the most outspoken and controversial figures of the French Revolution. A playwright, activist, and early feminist, de Gouges dared to challenge the male-dominated political order by demanding liberty and equality not only for men but for women too. Her Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Cit...

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Daniel Boone, born November 2, 1734. Boone wasn’t just a frontiersman—he became the face of American expansion and adventure. From exploring Kentucky’s untamed wilderness to founding Boonesborough, Boone’s courage and skills left a mark on early America. Join us as we uncover the real man behind the myth, his daring escapades, and the stories that shaped a...

On November 1, 1872. Susan B. Anthony, a fierce advocate for women’s rights, walked into a polling station in Rochester, New York, and cast a ballot—an act that would lead to her arrest, a high-profile trial, and a bold stand on her right to vote as a U.S. citizen. Today, we’re looking at what motivated Anthony to vote, the events of that day, her trial, and the legacy her actions left behind.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we’re traveling back to October 30, 1938—the night that a single radio broadcast turned America upside down. Orson Welles, an ambitious young director, took to the airwaves with a dramatization of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, and before the night was over, countless Americans believed their world was under attack by Martians. From Welles’ inventive appro...

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 s...

On October 28, 1919, Congress made history by overriding President Woodrow Wilson’s veto of the Volstead Act, ushering in one of America’s most controversial social experiments: Prohibition. In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore how the Volstead Act became law, the powerful temperance movement behind it, and the explosive consequences that followed. From the optimism of reformers to the...

Celebrate the birthday of one of America’s most iconic figures, Theodore Roosevelt, in this episode where we walk through his extraordinary life, from his rugged days on the Dakota frontier to the heights of the presidency. Discover how Roosevelt’s bold spirit and relentless determination reshaped the American landscape and influenced the nation’s role on the world stage. We’ll talk about his earl...

In this latest episode of What the Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod dive into the bizarre trend of comparing political figures to Hitler, dissecting the frenzy in the media and the public's baffling reactions. They explore the persistent echoes of Godwin's Law, the internet's unofficial rule on Nazi comparisons, and take a humorous yet critical look at recent headlines. They also ponder AI’s growi...

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. From his early rise to power amidst World War II to his ambitious modernization plans through the White Revolution, Pahlavi’s reign was marked by both progress and controversy. We dive into the grand spectacle of his 1967 coronation, a symbolic high point meant to showcase Iran’s strength and his autho...