Dave Does History

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...

On Dave Does History , we explore the life and legacy of Benjamin Robbins Curtis, born on November 4, 1809. As the first Supreme Court Justice with a law degree, Curtis made history not only for his credentials but for his courageous dissent in the infamous Dred Scott decision. His dissent argued fiercely for equal citizenship and federal authority over slavery in the territories, setting a founda...

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...

On Dave Does History , we explore the life and legend of Daniel Boone, born on November 2, 1734 . Known as the quintessential frontiersman, Boone’s daring explorations and contributions to early American expansion turned him into a symbol of the pioneering spirit. From his adventures in the Kentucky wilderness to founding Boonesborough and his legendary encounters with the Shawnee, Boone’s life ca...

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. B...

Join Dave Does History as we uncover the fascinating origins of Halloween! From the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain to medieval “Dances of Death” and Allhallowtide, we’ll explore the deep roots of this beloved holiday. Discover how Halloween evolved into the trick-or-treating, costume-filled celebration we know today. Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or curious about its spooky past, this...

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 a...

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...

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 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...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we explore one of the most remarkable naval engagements of World War II: the Battle off Samar. Against overwhelming odds, the brave sailors of TAFFY-3 faced down a vastly superior Japanese fleet in a desperate fight for survival. We'll cover the strategic situation leading to the battle, the heroism of commanders like Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague and Commande...

In this episode, we take you back to October 24, 1886 , when the British cargo steamer Normanton sank off the coast of Japan, leading to the tragic loss of 25 Japanese passengers. We’ll explore the actions of the ship’s crew, the exoneration of the captain, and the injustice that ignited a national movement in Japan. From the formation of the Great Empire of Japan Marine Rescue Group to the legacy...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we find one of the most pivotal moments of World War II—the Second Battle of El Alamein. Fought between October 23 and November 4, 1942 , this decisive clash marked a major turning point in the North African Campaign. Join us as we explore the battle’s background, the key figures like General Bernard Montgomery and Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, and the brutal d...

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...

In this thrilling episode of  Dave Does History , we take you to the heart of the Battle of Trafalgar, fought on  October 21, 1805 . Admiral Horatio Nelson, Britain’s legendary naval commander, confronts the combined Franco-Spanish fleet led by Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve. We’ll walk through the build-up to the battle, examine the strategic moves of both sides, and explore the bold decisions...

On this episode of Dave Does History , we tackle one of the most controversial and pivotal moments in college football history: the Johnny Bright Incident. On October 20, 1951 , during a heated game between Drake University and Oklahoma A&M, star African American quarterback Johnny Bright was brutally attacked on the field in a targeted, racially motivated hit. Despite national outrage and pho...

In this episode of Dave Does History , we dive into the extraordinary life of Cassius Marcellus Clay, a 19th-century abolitionist, politician, and diplomat who stood up for his beliefs, even at the risk of his own life. Born on October 19, 1810, Clay’s fierce opposition to slavery shaped his political career in Kentucky, led him to start an anti-slavery newspaper, and formed the backbone of his re...