Dave Does History

In this episode, we unravel the life and legacy of James Ussher, the 17th-century scholar whose meticulous work on biblical chronology pinpointed the date of Creation to October 23, 4004 BCE. From his rise as a young academic prodigy in Dublin to his role as a key religious figure during turbulent times, Ussher’s story is one of intellect, faith, and perseverance. Join us as we explore the methodo...

Today we journey back to ancient Rome to explore the life of Marcus Tullius Cicero—a man whose words shaped empires and whose ideals still resonate today. Born in a tumultuous era of political corruption and social upheaval, Cicero rose from humble beginnings to become Rome’s greatest orator and a staunch defender of the Republic. We’ll delve into his dramatic confrontations with Catiline, his une...

Trapped between a river and a relentless British army, George Washington and his ragtag Continental forces faced what seemed like certain defeat on a freezing January night in 1777. In this episode of Dave Does History , we take you to the banks of Assunpink Creek in Trenton, New Jersey, where the second battle of Trenton played out in a fiery clash of strategy, grit, and sheer determination. Disc...

Today we journey to the farthest corner of the South Atlantic to uncover the story of Bouvet Island—the most remote, uninhabited place on the planet. Discovered on New Year’s Day 1739 by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier, this icy volcanic island was “lost” for decades thanks to a cartographic error. From the high seas drama of its rediscovery to its peculiar status as a Norwe...

December 31, 1941 : The Pacific Fleet is in shambles, its battleships resting in the muddy depths of Pearl Harbor after Japan's devastating surprise attack. Enter Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, a calm and pragmatic leader handpicked by FDR to steer the Navy through its darkest hour. In this episode, we dive into the remarkable story of Nimitz’s assumption of command aboard the USS Grayling, a submarin...

In the waning days of Imperial Russia, a single man became the center of a storm that shook the Romanov dynasty to its core. Grigori Rasputin, a self-proclaimed holy man from the frozen reaches of Siberia, transformed from an obscure peasant into one of the most influential—and hated—figures in Tsar Nicholas II’s court. To the desperate Tsarina Alexandra, he was a godsend, a healer who calmed her...

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...

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 exp...

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, w...

The Dave Does History Crew 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, leaving...

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 early months 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...

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 a...

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 et...

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...

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, an...

On December 14, 1972 , astronaut Eugene Cernan took his final steps on the Moon, leaving behind the last human footprints on its dusty surface—marking the end of the Apollo program and an era of human exploration. Apollo 17, the final mission to the Moon, was a journey of scientific discovery, human achievement, and emotional farewell. In this episode, we’ll dive into the final Extravehicular Acti...

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...

In September 1787, after months of deliberation, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia presented a new Constitution to the states for ratification. Pennsylvania, hosting the convention, was poised to play a critical role in the unfolding drama. The state was a microcosm of the broader national debate, encapsulating the tension between the desire for a strong central government and the fear...

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...