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
Jonathan the Tortoise: The world's oldest living land animal
In 1882 a 50-year old tortoise from the Seychelles was brought to the tiny island of St. Helena as a gift to the governor. That tortoise, who was later dubbed Jonathan, is still alive and well today, making him over 190 years old, and the world's oldest living land animal.
Sources
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/at-190-jonathan-the-tortoise-is-the-worlds-oldest-living-land-animal-1
Alexis St. Martin and the gunshot that changed science
In 1822, a young man, Alexis St. Martin, was accidentally shot in the stomach. Miraculously, he survived, and even more amazing was the hole between his chest and stomach became permanent. This allowed a US Army surgeon - William Beaumont - to spend a decade studying St. Martin’s digestive system, making Beaumont the "Father of Gastric Physiology". This is the very weird story of the gunshot that
Marcus Aurelius: The philosopher emperor
They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. And while that is often true, sometimes you can get someone in power who genuinely wants to help their people. Such was the case with the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He was a man who was thrust onto the imperial throne, and forced to spend his time fighting - when all he wanted to do was study philosophy and govern his people. This is the story of Ma
Project Habakkuk: the iceberg aircraft carrier
In World War II, the allies struggled to fend off U-boat attacks on shipping in the North Atlantic. A major issue was a lack of air support. Planes didn’t have the range to provide protection to the merchant fleets in the icy north. And then, someone had an idea. What if you converted an iceberg into an airbase? And even better - what if you could build an entire aircraft carrier out of ice. This
10-Cent Beer Night: What could go wrong?
Here is a free idea for you. If your sports team is having a bad season and no one is coming to games, throw a cheap beer night! It is a tried and true promotion method and one that the Cleveland Indians implemented in 1974. Specifically a 10 cent beer night. And it worked, drawing a crowd of thousands. The only problem was Cleveland got a little more than they bargained for when the game devolved
Shroud of Turin: Unraveling the truth
In Turin, Italy, there is a cloth that is one of the most recognized holy relics in Christianity. It is a linen cloth that bears a faint image of a man who appears to have undergone crucifixion. Could this have been the burial robe of Jesus? This is the story of the Shroud of Turin.
Sources
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jesus-burial-cloth-or-medieval-forgery-dna-evidence-further-
North Sentinel Island: The World's Most Isolated People
Few places on Earth remain as mysterious and inaccessible as North Sentinel Island. Deep in the Bay of Bengal and surrounded by tropical waters, this small island is home to one of the world's last uncontacted peoples - the North Sentinelese. They are a people who have fiercely resisted outside contact for thousands of years. Their isolation has sparked fascination, controversy, and endless specul
Curse of Tippecanoe: The Deadly Presidential Prophecy
What if the highest office in the United States came with a deadly curse? For more than a century, Americans noticed an eerie pattern: presidents elected in years ending in zero seemed doomed to die in office. From William Henry Harrison to John F. Kennedy, the so-called Curse of Tippecanoe - or Tecumseh's Curse - has become one of the most enduring legends in American history. But was this a supe
Viking Shield Maidens: Fact, Fiction, or Both?
Take a look at any piece of media about Vikings, or a fantasy world inspired by them, and chances are you are going to see a shield maiden - a female warrior carrying a sword and shield into battle. Were these women truly Viking warriors who fought alongside men in battle, or were they figures born from myth and legend? Ancient chronicles, Norse sagas, and remarkable archaeological discoveries hav
The Centennial Light: The Bulb That Refused to Burn Out
In a fire station in Livermore, California, a small light bulb has been glowing for more than a century. Known as the Centennial Light, it has witnessed the rise of automobiles, two world wars, the dawn of the space age, and the emergence of the digital era, all while continuing to shine. Its extraordinary lifespan has made it a symbol of durability and sparked endless questions about how early li
Haymarket Affair: Blood, Bombs, and Labor Rights
On the evening of May 4, 1886, a labor rally in Chicago's Haymarket Square turned into one of the most controversial events in American history. What began as a peaceful gathering in support of workers demanding an eight-hour workday ended in chaos when a bomb exploded among police officers attempting to disperse the crowd. The blast and the gunfire that followed left 11 people dead and many more
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: Wonder or Myth?
Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, none may be more mysterious than the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Described by ancient writers as a breathtaking oasis of terraces, trees, and flowing water rising above the Mesopotamian landscape, the gardens have captured imaginations for more than two thousand years. Yet despite their fame, no definitive archaeological evidence has ever confirmed the
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Encore)
On Nov 10, 1975, a storm swept over Lake Superior. For hours and hours, the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald was tossed and battered. Then, a little after 7:00 pm, contact was lost with one of the biggest and most celebrated vessels to ever sail the Great Lakes. This is the story of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald
https://shipwreckm
The 335 Year War (Encore)
For 335 years the Netherlands - maybe - fought a long, protracted war against the Isles of Scilly, in the English Channel. It would drag on and on, costing a grand total of zero lives, and only ended when someone bothered to figure out if they were actually still at war. The is the story of the 335 Year War.
Sources
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/The-335-Year-War-the-
The Rosetta Stone - the Key to Unlocking Egypt's Past (Encore)
On July 15, 1799, French soldiers discovered a large stone slab along the Nile Delta. They knew it was something special. But no one at the time realized it was the key to opening up the vast history of ancient Egypt. This is the story of the Rosetta Stone.
Sources
https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-know-about-rosetta-stone
https://arce.org/resource/rosetta-stone-
Catacombs of Paris (Encore)
Beneath the city of Paris lies a network of tunnels stretching hundreds of miles - many of which are not totally explored. Their origin dates back to the Middle Ages, and today are home to a massive cemetery. This is the story of the Catacombs of Paris.
Sources
https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/history/site-history
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/strange-maps-paris-catacombs
Bobbi Gibb - the First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon (Encore)
On an April morning in Boston in 1966, despite being told she was physically incapable of running 20+ miles, Bobbi Gibb slipped into the crowd of 500 runners. Three hours and 21 minutes later, she became the first woman to ever run the fabled Boston Marathon.
Sources
https://www.sportsmuseum.org/curators-corner/bobbi-gibb-marathon-pioneer/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobbi_Gibb
http://ww
Last of the Mammoths
Wooly mammoths are one of the quintessential animals of the Ice Age, and they died out about 10,000 years ago - or so that is what most people think. In reality, not all of them did. In fact a few pockets of mammoths hung on for thousands of years, and didn't die out until after writing was invented and the pyramids were built. This is the story of the last of the mammoths.
Sources
https://w
Battle of the Bogside
In August of 1969, the festering discontent felt by Irish Catholics in Northern Ireland would erupt into three days of fighting in the city of Derry - in an area called the Bogside. When the rioting was done, the British army was deployed for the first time in more than 40 years - and the Troubles had officially begun. This is the story of the Battle of the Bogside.
Sources
https://www.youtu
Typhoid Mary
Mary Mallon was a simple cook - no one special. At least until she was identified as the very first asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever. In her life she unknowingly infected hundreds of people. As a result, she was quarantined against her will for decades. This is the story of Typhoid Mary.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3959940/
https://medicalmuseum.health.mil/microgr
Church of Bones - Sedlec Ossuary
Near the town of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic is a gothic chapel that many say resembles something out of a horror film. The chapel holds the bones of upwards of 70,000 people. And the bones are the chapel’s furnishings and decorations, including things such as a wreath of skulls, and a chandelier made up of every bone in the human body. This is the story of the Sedlec Ossuary - the Church of
American War Movies
The film industry loves a good war movie. It’s usually a way to put action and heroics on the big screen. As we observe Memorial Day in the United States - which is to honor those who died in the military - we share with you some of our favorite war movies.
Sources
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wings_poster.jpg
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Apollo 1 Disaster
On Jan. 27, 1967, three astronauts boarded Apollo 1 to conduct a launch simulation test. What followed next was one of the most devastating moments in NASA's history. This is the story of the Apollo 1 Disaster.
Sources
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-1/
https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/apollo-missions/apollo-1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_1
Image: https://commons.wik
Max von Pettenkofer - the Father of Modern Hygiene
Hygiene is a critical component to one's health. But our understanding of hygiene goes back only to the mid-19th century, where a Bavarian chemist, Max von Pettenkofer, turned hygiene principals from a series of old wives tales to a hard science. This is the story of Max von Pettenkofer, the father of modern hygiene.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2723483/pdf/12199_2008_Art
Exploding Whale of Florence
In 1970, a 45 foot long, eight ton whale washed up on the beach near Florence, Oregon. Local officials weren’t sure what to do with the stinking, decomposing whale - so they decided to get rid of it by blowing it up with half a ton of dynamite. This is the story of the Exploding Whale of Florence.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_whale
https://www.xplodingwhale.com/
https:/
The Frank Slide
In the early morning hours of April 29, 1903, an enormous landslide in the mining town of Frank, Alberta, swept down the mountainside, killing dozens of people, and leaving half of the town buried. The worst part, if the town had listened to local lore, it could have been preventable.
Sources
https://www.geoinstitute.org/news/case-study-frank-slide
https://ags.aer.ca/our-science/turtle-moun
Henry Knox and the Guns of Ticonderoga
In late 1775, British and American forces were locked in a stalemate around Boston. The British were dug in, and the Americans lacked the heavy artillery to unseat them. And that’s when a Boston bookseller - 25 year old Henry Knox - suggested that artillery recently captured at Fort Ticonderoga be hauled overland to Boston. The only problem was that Fort Ticonderoga was more than 300 miles away, a
Sergeant Gander
Military units often have mascots, but not many are as impactful as Sgt. Gander, a massive Newfoundland dog donated to the Royal Rifles of Canada. Sgt. Gander was the quintessential military dog - and his actions during World War II saved many lives during the Battle of Hong Kong.
Sources
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canada/sergeant-gander-and-his-handler-memorial
htt
Oseberg Viking Ship
The Oseberg ship is one of the finest surviving examples of a viking longship. It was discovered - along with two bodies - in a large burial mound at the Oseberg farm near Tønsberg, Norway. This is the story of the Oseberg ship - one of the finest relics from the Viking Age.
Sources
https://www.vikingtidsmuseet.no/english/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oseberg_ship
https://www.britannica.c
Christ College Fire of 1867
In late 1867, the Headmaster's house at Christ College, New Zealand, caught on fire. This was not uncommon at the time, but what is uncommon is this fire involved a quack fire chief, false accusations, and a comedy of errors.
Sources
"College!: a history of Christ's College" by Don Hamilton
Special thanks to Taurapa
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Gargoyles
Gargoyles are creepy. They are twisted, leering, tortured looking statues. Their mouths are often wide open - and serve as the exit of a water spout. So what is the story behind this unnerving bit of architecture? Was the gargoyle a ward against evil? Or was it something more sinister? This is the story of the gargoyle.
Sources
https://mymodernmet.com/what-is-a-gargoyle/
https://www.ancient
Goiânia Cesium 137 Incident
In September of 1987 two looters in Goiânia, Brazil, stole an unattended device carrying the highly radioactive Cesium 137. After breaking open the device, the radioactive material spread throughout the city, causing massive panic and taking four lives.
Sources
https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub815_web.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goi%C3%A2nia_accident
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Owney the Postal Dog
Owney the Postal Dog was a stray terrier mix adopted as a mascot by the Albany, New York, post office around 1887. Owney loved to ride on the mail trains - and went on to travel over 140,000 miles throughout the United States - and even around the world.
Sources
https://americacomesalive.com/owney-the-post-office-dog/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owney_(dog)
Image: https://commons.wikime
History of the Marathon
Running a marathon is extremely impressive feat, but still fully attainable by most people with some grit and dedication. But its distance - at 26.22 miles or 42.195 km - is a little bit odd. So, why is the marathon as long as it is? That history goes back to a battle fought in ancient Greece, an army running a long distance, and some British royalty wanting to see the start of the race in 1908. T
Anna May Wong
In the 1920s and 1930s, Anna May Wong, an American actress of Chinese descent, rose to international fame while starring in films such as the Thief of Baghdad and Shanghai Express. Her career spanned vaudeville, film, television, stage, and radio. This is the story of Anna May Wong - Hollywood’s first star of Chinese descent.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_May_Wong
https://www.w
Pirate Movies
Since the birth of cinema, Pirates have been a part of the movies. Good pirates, bad pirates, fun pirates - they come in all shapes and sizes. Today we are going to talk about pirates in the movies - by discussing our favorite - and least favorite - pirate movies of that last century.
Sources: the minds of the hosts
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Reconquista
In 711, the Moors crossed from Morocco into Spain - conquering all of Portugal, most of Spain, and even parts of France. What followed was a nearly-800 year long campaign by a variety of European kingdoms to expel the Muslim invaders. This is the story of the Reconquista.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconquista
https://www.britannica.com/place/Al-Andalus
Image: https://commons.wik
Purchase of Alaska
In 1867, the United States - led by Secretary of State William Seward - agreed to purchase the territory of Alaska from the Russian government - for $7.2m. Many people mocked the purchase - saying the land was useless. They called it "Seward's Folly" or "Seward's Icebox". Little did they understand what had been acquired. This is the story of one of the best buys ever made by the United States gov
Silver Mines of Athens
Just to the east of Athens are silver mines known as the Mines of Laurion. These mines, while abandoned today, were a critical component to the ancient Athenian empire. However, their biggest contribution came in 483 BC, with the discovery of a rich vein, which gave the city a choice: Distribute the profits to the entire city or build a navy. And their choice saved the Athenian Republic. This is t
Silver Mines of Potosi
In 1545, the discovery of silver at the small South American village of Potosi would change the world. Over the next quarter of a century, 150,000 tons of silver would be extracted from the Potosi mines, and silver would fuel Spain’s enormous empire - and facilitate the globalization of the world’s economy. This is the story of the Silver Mines of Potosi.
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Gregorian Calendar
Every single day has something in common. It has a date, whether that is July 4, October 7, or even the rare February 29. And that is thanks to the calendar, known as the Gregorian Calendar, and used by almost the entire world. Its efficiency and simplicity means that worrying about calendar drift is a thing of the past. But all this goes back to the mid-16th century when many in the Catholic Chur
Piasa - Monster of the Mississippi
According to legend, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, there is a monster. It has horns like a deer, terrible red eyes, a long, twisting tail, and is covered in scales. This fearsome creature was seen in 1673 - painted on the bluffs above the Mississippi - by Father Jacques Marquette - one of the first Europeans to travel down the length of the great river. This is the st
Hopewell Earthworks
For several hundred years across the Ohio River Valley a civilization we know as the Hopewell Culture moved a lot of dirt. This dirt was moved into mounds and earthworks built with extreme precision and astounding size. This is the story of the Hopewell Earthworks.
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El Palo Alto
In 1769, a Spanish explorer camped under a tall, distinctive redwood tree along the banks of the San Francisquito Creek. Little did he know that tree would go on to become a living landmark - and the namesake for the city that grew up around it. This is the story of El Palo Alto - the tree that would define a community.
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The Original Ponzi Scheme
It takes a special art to get something named after you, positive or negative. Such is the case with the Ponzi scheme - one of the largest and most successful scams of all time. Charles Ponzi orchestrated this scam in the early 1920s, suckering thousands of people, and swindling $20 million. This is the story of the original Ponzi scheme.
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Indestructible Jack Lucas
In 1942, 14-year old Jack Lucas lied about his age to join the Marines - even bribing a notary to attest he was 17. Tired of missing out on the action, he later abandoned his unit to join another marine detachment - which was bound for Iwo Jima. He then joined in the invasion of the island - and in the process - became the youngest Marine to ever receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. He did th
The East German Hot Air Balloon Escape
In September of 1979, two East German families escaped to the west using a very unconventional method - a hot air balloon. It was an escape that required failed prototypes, a near disaster, and raw gumption. This is the story of the East German Hot Air Balloon Escape.
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War of the Golden Stool
In 1900, a British colonial official demanded an African tribe - the Ashanti - give him a holy relic as a symbol of their capitulation to the English Crown. They refused - and instead took up arms against the British. The end result was thousands dead. This is the story of the War of the Golden Stool.
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Milwaukee Bridge War
The city of Milwaukee began as a collection of three towns around the mouth of the Milwaukee River. None of these communities liked each other very much, and vied for supremacy over the area. This competition would turn into open conflict, and the main target, was the cities' bridges. This is the story of the Milwaukee Bridge War.
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Florentine Diamond
The Florentine Diamond is a 137-carat diamond, known for its long association with European royalty. However, after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 - the diamond disappeared. And it would remain that way until November of 2025 - when the fate of the famed gem would be revealed. This is the story of the Florentine Diamond.
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St. Olga of Kyiv
Saints, in the Christian tradition, are people that are in heaven and can influence the world. Most saints are there for their kindness, generosity, piety, or any number of good traits. And then there is St. Olga of Kyiv, who, as regent of Kievan Rus, avenged her husband by burying enemies alive, burning envoys, and torching entire cities in the name of revenge. This is the story of St. Olga of Ky
Cher Ami - the Hero Pigeon
In darkest hours of World War I, more than 500 American troops were surrounded by the Germans in the Argonne Forest in France. They were facing furious fire - and were subject to artillery fire from their own forces. The American commander would need a hero to get word to his comrades to stop the shelling - and get his troops rescued. And a hero would step up. Or should we say - fly up. This is th
Ocracoke Island Cemetery
The British flag flies in many places around the globe, but one of the most unlikely is a small cemetery on Ocracoke island in North Carolina. Its origin dates back to WWII, and the location has been permanently leased to the British Government. This is the story of the British cemetery on Ocracoke Island.
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Haitian Independence Debt
In 1804, Haiti gained its independence. Two decades later the fledgling nation was struggling for international recognition. That is until they struck a deal with France - agreeing to pay 150 million francs to their former colonial master. But this huge debt would be a burden that dragged down the nation’s economy - the ramifications being felt to this very day. This is the story of Haiti’s Indepe
Collision of the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm
On July 25, 1956, on a foggy night, human error and a freak accident caused two ocean liners, the SS Andrea Doria and the MS Stockholm, to collide. The collision killed 51 people. Despite being over a hundred miles from shore, and only half the lifeboats usable, quick thinking, and fast acting rescue ships saved the remaining 1,600 lives. This is the story of the collision of the SS Andrea Doria a
Humphrey the Wayward Whale
In 1985, a Humpback whale deviated from its normal migration route on the way to the waters of Alaska from Mexico - and made its way into San Francisco Bay and up the Sacramento River. The whale - named Humphrey - became an International celebrity. It would take the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, researchers, scientists, and even the US Coast Guard, Army and Navy to lure Humphrey back to the o
Doctor Riots of 1788
Before modern medical standards to study the human body, many doctors and physicians stole corpses to carry out their research. Unfortunately, this was not looked too kindly upon by the general public. In 1788, a bad joke from one of these physicians turned an upset crowd into a riotous one, ending with thousands besieging a New York hospital, and several deaths. This is the story of the 1788 Doct
Katyn Massacre
In early 1940, Soviet officials - including Joseph Stalin - authorized the execution of more than 25,000 Polish military and civilian leaders - in order to purge the nation of potential opponents. It is a crime that has been shrouded in blood, lies, and deception - the effects continuing to reverberate to this day. This is the story of the Katyn Massacre.
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Johnny Ramensky: the Gentleman Safecracker
It takes special skill to be a burglar and safecracker. It takes even more skill to escape from prison...half a dozen times. And you need a whole lot of charisma to become a folk hero. Need more? Why not fight some Nazis while you’re at it. This is the story of the infamous safecracker Gentlemen Johnny Ramensky.
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Monet Izabeth – the first American woman to ski solo, and unsupported, to the South Pole
In January of 2026, Monet Izabeth completed a 57-day expedition in Antarctica, becoming the first American woman to ski solo, and unsupported, to the South Pole. In this episode, we interview her, and find out about her journey to not only reach the South Pole – but also all the challenges leading up to expedition.
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Berlin Airlift
There is an old adage that says infantry wins battles, but logistics win wars. And the Cold War was no different. When the Soviet Union cut off all land and river access to West Berlin, the Americans and British organized the Berlin Airlift. Over the course of 15 months over 278,000 flights delivered more than 2.3 million tons of cargo to keep the besieged city afloat. It is one of the greatest lo
Saint Patrick's Battalion
In the Mexican-American War a unique detachment of soldiers was put together. It consisted of, mostly, Irish immigrants. And the amazing thing was they fought for Mexico - not the United States. This is the story of the Batallón de San Patricio - or Saint Patrick’s Battalion.
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Nazca Lines
If you flew over the Nazca Desert in southern Peru, you would be astounded to see hundreds of miles of lines drawn into the earth. These lines created massive shapes - including animals and plants. The designs - called geoglyphs - were made more than 2,000 years ago. But who made them? And why? Was it aliens? This is the story of the mysterious Nazca lines.
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Patriot War
In 1837 and 1838 many parts of British Canada were aflame with rebellion. To help quash this rebellion the United States sent support, fighting alongside the British army. However, fighting alongside the Canadian rebels was the Hunters Lodge - a secret society intent on helping the Canadians fight for freedom. This is the story of the Patriot War.
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Robert Johnson: King of the Delta Blues
Robert Johnson died in 1938 at the age of 27. He only recorded 29 songs in his lifetime. Yet he is widely recognized as the King of the Delta Blues. His singing, guitar playing and songwriting have influenced musicians to this day. Yet the man’s life was filled with mystery. Was he murdered by a jealous husband? And what about that pact that he supposedly made with the devil? This is the story of
Esperanto Language
The root of most conflict is misunderstanding and miscommunication. But what if there was a universal language that everyone could speak? Would such a language help avoid communication problems. To a dress this, in 1887, Ludovic Zamenhof created a brand new language: Esperanto. This was a constructed language to try and facilitate communication across ethnic and geographic lines. Today it is spoke
The Story of Gunpowder
We like things that go boom. Cannons, fireworks, dynamite - you name it. Explosive blasts - big and small - have an 'aha' factor that’s hard to deny. The source of all those booms goes back nearly 2,000 years to the alchemists of ancient China. This is the story of gunpowder.
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Berlin Wall
In 1961, the Soviet backed East German government grew tired of its citizens fleeing into West Berlin. And thus, the East Germans began construction of a fortified wall that would completely surround West Berlin from the world. This wall would become the most notable - and hated - symbol of the Soviet era. This is the story of the Berlin Wall.
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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
One of the worst ecological disasters in the 21st century was the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Thanks to greed, mismanagement, and poor practices, an explosion on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico caused the deaths of 11 people, and nearly 5 million barrels of oil spilled into the ocean, costing billions of dollars in damage and untold harm to the environment. This is the story of the Deepwater Hor
The Birdman of Coorong - John Francis Peggoty
In the 1890s in South Australia, a murdering bushranger terrorized the area of Coorong. However, this was not a large scary outlaw on horseback - but instead, a small man wearing gold jewelry and riding an Ostrich. This is the story of John Francis Peggotty - the Birdman of Coorong.
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A Year of Mistakes
One year ago today we dropped the first 10 episodes of History Dispatches. And except for a single week, we have released one episode every single weekday. And while we try our best, we are far from perfect. This is a catalog of every mistake - that we know of - from the past year.
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Charles Whitman: The Texas Tower Sniper
On August 1, 1966, Marine veteran Charles Whitman murdered his mother and his wife, then went to the 28th floor observation deck of the University of Texas Austin's main building. When he was done,17 people were dead and 31 injured - making it one of the nation's worst shootings of all time.
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Pyramids of Meroë
The nation with the most pyramids is not Egypt but its neighbor to the south, Sudan, with over 250. However, these were not built by the ancient Egyptians, but by the Kingdom of Kush, from 800 BC to the 4th century AD went on a pyramid building boom. And the crown jewel of these sites is the Pyramids of Meroë - a cemetery with 147 pyramids and the final resting place to dozens of Kushite kings. Th
Greensboro Sit-ins
On Feb. 1, 1960, in Greensboro, NC, four young black students went into a Woolworth’s department store, sat at the lunch counter and ordered food. They were denied service. But instead of going home and not returning - the men came back the next day. And the next. And the next - until thousands of people were staging sit-ins all over the south in protest of segregated seating at restaurants. This
War of the Worlds Broadcast
For the Halloween special of Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre on the Air, in 1938, they performed a radio adaptation of HG Wells’ landmark science fiction novel 'War of the Worlds.' The only problem is that it was so realistic, it caused panic amongst listeners, who thought a Martian invasion was imminent. At least, allegedly. This is the story of the 'War of the Worlds' broadcast.
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Dolly the Sheep
On July 5, 1996, a Finn-Dorset sheep was born at the Roslin Institute in Scotland. The sheep’s name was Dolly - and she was the first mammal ever cloned from an adult somatic cell. This is the story of Dolly - the sheep that made history.
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Destruction of Melos
Being a democracy we often think of Athens as the good guys of ancient Greece. And in some ways they were - if such a label can be applied to a two and a half thousand year old civilization. But in other ways they were absolutely evil. Such as when they decided that their voluntary organization to help defend Greece now had mandatory membership, and defiance meant total destruction. This is the st
Whisky War
In the far north the Kennedy Channel - which is the border between Greenland and Canada - lies tiny Hans Island. The island was claimed by the two neighbors - but it was so inconsequential - no one really bothered with the specifics of who owned what. That was until 1984, when Canadian soldiers landed on the island - raised their flag - and - to help cement their claim - left a bottle of whisky. T
Pride Flag
One of the most internationally recognized symbols is the pride flag. While today it is synonymous with gay rights, it did not come from nowhere. It is the brainchild of the San Francisco based Gilbert Baker, whom many have declared the gay Betsy Ross. This is the story of Gilbert Baker, and the pride flag.
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History of the Oreo
One of the most beloved and tasty sweet treats all over the world is the Oreo cookie. More than 40 billion Oreos are consumed each year - making it the most popular cookie in the world. This is the story of the Oreo.
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