History Dispatches

History Dispatches

History Dispatches is a daily history show hosted by father and son duo Matt and McKinley Breen. The show covers people, places, events and even objects from throughout history. While any topic is fair game, Matt and McKinley hold a soft spot for the offbeat and wacky stories that most people don’t know about.

Episodes

Great Molasses Flood

June 13, 2025 • 11 mins
In January of 1919, a tank containing millions of gallons of molasses burst in the north end neighborhood of Boston. The resulting flood claimed over 20 lives, millions of dollars in damage, and took months to clean up. This is the story of the Great Molasses Flood of Boston. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Molasses_Flood https://www.boston.gov/news/100-years-ago-today-molasses-crashes-through-bostons-north-end ...
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Iron Brigade

June 12, 2025 • 15 mins
The Iron Brigade is the story of one of the finest fighting forces in United States history. Made up of 'western men' from Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, the brigade would sustain the highest casualty rate of any unit in the American Civil War. Sources "The Iron Brigade, A Military History" by Alan T. Nolan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Brigade" Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_American_Soldier,_18...
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When the Creator of Sherlock Holmes Saved a Man from Prison

June 11, 2025 • 13 mins
In 1903, George Edalji was falsely accused of maiming several animals, and sentenced to seven years in prison. However, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, would take up the case, and exonerate an innocent man. Sources "The Man Who Would Be Sherlock: The Real Life Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle" by Christopher Sandford Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Conan_Doyle#/media/File:Arthur_Conan_Doyl...
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The Goat Who Sailed Around the World - Twice

June 10, 2025 • 11 mins
In July of 1771, famed naval explorer Captain James Cook returned to England after circumnavigating the world. And he had great praise and admiration for one of his crew - who had completed a second circling of the world. That crew member was a goat - who is only known to history as the Well-Traveled Goat. This is her story. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Well-Travelled_Goat https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2019/04...
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Sicilian Expedition

June 9, 2025 • 27 mins
In 415 BC, the city state of Athens would embark on a campaign to conquer the island of Sicily. However, a series of decisions would turn this idea from bad, to worse, to one of the worst disasters in military history. This is the story of the Sicilian Expedition. Sources "The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition" By Donald Kagan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Expedition Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/...
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Doctor Samuel Mudd

June 6, 2025 • 19 mins
In the early morning hours of April 15, 1865, Dr. Samuel Mudd had a man come to his home with a fractured fibula. Mudd set the man’s injury. That man was John Wilkes Booth - the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Mudd would claim not to have known Booth - or have been a part of the assassination plot. He said he was just a doctor doing his job. But was that true? This is the story of Dr. Samuel Mudd. Sources https://en.wi...
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Kemper Rebellion of 1804

June 5, 2025 • 14 mins
In 1804, in the bayous of modern day Louisiana, three brothers would embark on a campaign of burning and pillaging against the Spanish government. They did this out of spite - and the desire to declare a republic. Sources "Republic of Scoundrels" by Jane Plummer, the chapter 'The Troubled Trio' History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? ...
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Heist of the Stone of Scone

June 4, 2025 • 26 mins
On December 25, 1950, in the early morning hours, four Scottish students from the University of Glasgow broke into Westminster Abbey in London and removed the Stone of Scone - a symbol of Scottish nationhood and independence - which had been taken by England’s King Edward 650 years earlier. This is the story of the Heist of the Stone of Scone. Sources "The Taking of the Stone of Destiny" by Ian Hamilton https://en.wikipedia....
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Stone of Scone

June 3, 2025 • 13 mins
From the mid 800s until 1296, a 300 pound block of sandstone would be where every Scottish monarch was crowned. But after it was stolen by the British, this nondescript piece of rock would go on to have a remarkable journey. This is the story of the Stone of Scone. Sources https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stone-of-Scone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_of_Scone Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Replica_of_t...
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Great Smog of London

June 2, 2025 • 15 mins
On Dec. 5, 1952, a thick layer of smog settled over the city of London - which was not an unusual thing. But due to cold weather, windless conditions and collected airborne pollutants - this fog remained until Dec. 9. The result was England’s worst Air Pollution disaster ever - with more than 10,000 people dying from respiratory issues. This is the story of the Great Smog of London. Sources https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/co...
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Battle of Karánsebes: When the Austrian Army Attacked Itself

May 30, 2025 • 10 mins
In late 1788, an Austrian army on the march came across some people selling large quantities of alcohol. When the cavalry started buying the liquor, the infantry wanted in on the action. But some people don’t like to share, and when shots were fired, the melee descended into one of the worst friendly fire incidents in history. This is the story of the Battle of Karánsebes. Sources "The Brassey's Book of Military Blunders" by...
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The Teddy Bear

May 29, 2025 • 17 mins
Teddy bears are cute and cuddly. Children cling to them for comfort. They have inspired countless books and stories and songs. They are the backbone of a $12 billion industry. Most of us probably know the Teddy Bear is named after a beloved US President - but beyond that - what do we really know? This is the story of the Teddy Bear. Sources https://corporate.steiff.com/en/steiff-teddy/history/ https://www.nps.gov/thrb/learn/...
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The Denver Spiderman

May 28, 2025 • 24 mins
Steve Silverman from the Useless Information Podcast joins us to tell the story of a gruesome and unusual murder. In Denver, Colorado, 1941, a man was found murdered in his own home. The weird part - all the doors and windows were locked from the inside. The question - how was the killer able to make his getaway. This is the story of the Denver Spiderman. Steve Silverman, Useless Information Podcast - https://uselessinformation....
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Halifax Explosion

May 27, 2025 • 16 mins
On Dec. 6, 1917, the French cargo ship SS Mont-Blanc collided with a Norwegian vessel in the harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Mont-Blanc, loaded with high explosives, caught fire and exploded, devastating the Richmond district of Halifax. Nearly 1800 people were killed, and 9,000 injured. The blast was the largest human-made explosion at the time. Sources The Canadian Encyclopedia - https://www.thecanadianencyclop...
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The Liberty Bell

May 26, 2025 • 14 mins
The Liberty Bell is one of the most iconic pieces of American symbolism. Despite a crack that has rendered it useless for over a century, it still represents American liberty and freedom. But why? This is the story of the Liberty Bell. Sources National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm US History.org - https://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/ Image by William Zhang: https://com...
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Robert Emmet and the Speech from the Dock

May 23, 2025 • 18 mins
On September 19, 1803, Irishman Robert Emmet was convicted of treason for his role in a failed uprising earlier that year. Accordingly, Emmet was executed - another in a long line of Irish rebels. Except Robert Emmet did one thing that would bring him lasting fame. At his trial, he gave an impassioned speech - one of the finest - that would inspire Irish nationalists to this day. This is the story of Robert Emmet and his famed Spee...
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Theft of the Mona Lisa

May 22, 2025 • 15 mins
In 1911, a man disguised as a maintenance worked walked into the Louvre right before it opened. He proceeded to steal the Mona Lisa, and go uncaught for two years. The theft turned the painting from well-known, to the most famous work of art in history. This is the story of the theft of the Mona Lisa. Sources "The Thefts of the Mona Lisa" by Noah Charney Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa#/media/File:Mona_Lisa,_b...
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Sinking of the USS Indianapolis

May 21, 2025 • 18 mins
On June 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was returning from a secret mission - the delivery of the nuclear bomb that would ultimately be dropped on Hiroshima. In the early morning hours the cruiser was struck by two torpedoes. The ship sank in 12 minutes. Nearly 1200 men went into the ocean. Only 316 came out alive. This is the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Sources "The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis Triggere...
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Pony Express

May 20, 2025 • 14 mins
Before 1860 to send a letter from the east to west coast would take months. However, in April of 1860 the Pony Express was created, and riders on horseback could cross the American frontier in just 10 days. This extreme feat would become ever enshrined in the American West. This is the story of the Pony Express. Sources "The Saga of the Pony Express" by Joseph J. Di Certo Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Express#/me...
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Ark of the Covenant

May 19, 2025 • 13 mins
The Ark of the Covenant was one of the most sacred objects to the Israelites. It represented God's presence on Earth. Yet most people’s knowledge of the ark comes from a movie - Raiders of the Lost Ark. So what exactly was the fabled Ark of the Covenant? Sources "What is the Ark of the Covenant? - https://www.livescience.com/64932-the-ark-of-the-covenant.html Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant" Ima...
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