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.
…
continue reading
Matt And Mckinley Breen Podcasts
In 1893, a newspaper in northern Wisconsin reported the discovery of a Hodag - a mythical creature associated with Paul Bunyan. Reports of the creature would continue to pop up over the next few years - until one was captured and put on display at the local county fair. However, interest from the scientific community quickly revealed the Hodag to b…
…
continue reading
Under a hot afternoon sun in 216 BC, the great Carthaginian general Hannibal scored one of the greatest victories in military history. Outnumbered by 30,000 men, he lured the Roman army into a trap, surrounded and destroyed the entire army. This is the story of the Battle of Cannae. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
…
continue reading
In the early 1900s, one man proved essential to polar exploration. This man took part in multiple expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic - including the first traversing of the Northwest Passage by ship, and the first journey to reach the South Pole. Explorer Roald Amundsen said the man, “has rendered greater and more valuable service to the Norwe…
…
continue reading
In 1667, the Treaty of Breda was signed, ending the Second Anglo Dutch War. However, this treaty was so impactful that it solidified the golden age of the Dutch Republic for the next century, and gave England control over what would become the United States. This is the story of the Treaty of Breda. Sources https://opil.ouplaw.com/page/492 https://…
…
continue reading
Alcohol and ships have gone hand-in-hand ever since humans have set out onto the oceans. In time, drinking became an honored ritual - and even a right. But in the 1600s, alcohol consumption within the British Navy became so troublesome a new concoction was developed to curb the excesses of the sailors. This was the combining of rum with water. This…
…
continue reading
For over 1,000 years a massive, natural log jam covered great swaths of the Red River in Louisiana. Known as the Great Raft, it was integral part of the Caddo culture. Unfortunately, it also made the river unnavigable for ships. As such the United States government attempted to clear it, and only managed to do so thanks to the use of high explosive…
…
continue reading
In 1962, the film Dr. No was released, introducing the world to one of the world’s greatest - and most enduring secret agents. Over the next 60+ years, James Bond would be portrayed by seven different men in 27 films. This is the story of the men who have played Bond. James Bond. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond https://en.wikipedia…
…
continue reading
1
Deborah Sampson - America's First Female Soldier
19:08
19:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:08
In 1782, 22-year old Robert Shirtliff enlisted into the Continental Army to defend her young country. Robert would serve for a year, including seeing combat near Tarrytown, and being wounded. This would be a typical story of a revolutionary war soldier. Except that Robert Shirtliff was an alias for Deborah Sampson. This is the story of the American…
…
continue reading
In September of 1940, near Montignac, France, an 18-year old boy and his dog went to investigate a hole left by an uprooted tree. What they found was a network of caves - hidden from the world for 20,000 years. These caves feature some of the most magnificent pre-historic art that exists in the world today. This is the story of the Lascaux cave. So…
…
continue reading
In 2024, the video game Concord released to the public after eight years of development and hundreds of millions of dollars spent. After release it would stay online for just two weeks, becoming one of the biggest flops in not just video game history, but any entertainment medium. Sources https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/08/23/a-year-ago…
…
continue reading
In the late 1800s, a young woman from Pennsylvania arrived in New York City with dreams of being a news reporter. It took her four months to land her first assignment - a shattering undercover expose of the city’s mental institution for women. Many more adventures would follow, and the woman, Nellie Bly, would go on to become one of the nation’s mo…
…
continue reading
1
William Buckley - The Wild Man of the Australian Wilderness
16:08
16:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:08
After being wrongly accused and sentenced to prison, William Buckley managed to make a daring escape. He slipped into the Australian wilderness, and was saved by several Australian Aboriginal tribes. He spent the next 32 years among them, before returning to British society. This is the story of William Buckley. Sources https://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/…
…
continue reading
The Resolute Desk has been used by American Presidents since 1880, and resided in the Oval Office for nearly 50 years. So, where did this stout wooden desk come from? And where did it get its formidable name? You might be surprised that all those answers rest with a British exploration vessel from the 1850s. This is the story of the Resolute Desk. …
…
continue reading
In the mid 1950s, Australian-born Joan Anderson brought back an innocuous bamboo hoop from her home country to the United States. She would dub it the hula hoop, and present it to a major toy manufacturer. What followed was the hula hoop craze. Unfortunately, she did not see a single penny from the wildly popular toy. This is the story of Joan Ande…
…
continue reading
In 982 AD, Vikings came to Greenland. Several colonies were established, and for more than 400 years there was a Scandinavian presence on the island. But then, there was silence. And when Europeans finally returned - they found nothing but the ruins of farmhouses and churches. This is the story of the Vikings of Greenland. Sources https://en.wikipe…
…
continue reading
John Basilone served in the United States Army, then enlist in the Marine Corps just before the outbreak of WWII. He earned a Medal of Honor on Guadalcanal, conducted war bond tours stateside, and gave his life on Iwo Jima. This is the story of John Basilone - perhaps the greatest United States Marine to ever where the uniform. Sources https://www.…
…
continue reading
By kissing the famed blarney stone a person is said to be imbued with the gift of gab. But what is the story behind his fanciful tale? Did the stone come from the Holy Land? Or Scotland? Did it involve Queen Elizabeth or Robert the Bruce? This is the story of the Blarney Stone. Sources https://blarneycastle.ie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_…
…
continue reading
From 1819 to 1846, James Holman traveled throughout the world - going to every continent - except Antarctica - and circumnavigating the globe. It’s estimated he traveled 250,000 miles in his days - making him one of the most well-traveled people in the world. And the even more amazing thing is that Holman was blind. This is the story of James Holma…
…
continue reading
During the American Civil War a group of inventors and privateers got together to build a submarine. The result was the H.L. Hunley. Launched in 1864, the Hunley would go on to be the first submarine in history to sink an enemy vessel. It then disappear without a trace for 130 years. This is the story of the H.L. Hunley. Sources https://www.history…
…
continue reading
In 1992, one of Great Britain’s most revered and trusted brands - Hoover - began a marketing campaign giving away two plane tickets to the United States - a value of 600 pounds at the time - if you bought at least 100 pounds worth of appliance products. If that seems like an insanely bad idea - you are right. This is the story of the Hoover Flight …
…
continue reading
One of the most iconic and influential toys ever is the simple Lego brick, with a history stretching back over a century. The Lego has captured the hearts and minds of millions - kids and adults alike. They are a simple, elegant toy with infinite complexity and creativity. This is the history of legos. Sources https://www.lego.com/en-us/history Ima…
…
continue reading
On August 2, 1943, a patrol boat commanded by a young John F. Kennedy was rammed by a Japanese destroyer in the waters of the Solomon Islands. Despite his own injuries, the 26-year old Kennedy spent the next week attempting to get himself and the surviving crew to safety. He even used a life jacket strap clenched between his teeth to tow an injured…
…
continue reading
We celebrate today - Halloween - by diving into the history of the zombie. From Haitian voodoo folklore, to one of the cornerstones of horror movies, serious and silly alike, this is the history of zombies. Sources "The undead in culture and science," by Nugent C, Berdine G, Nugent K. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/12/13/250844800/zoi…
…
continue reading
On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 was in route from Montreal to Edmonton when the plane - astonishingly - ran out of fuel midway through the flight. The crew would thus have to glide the Boeing 767 - and their 61 passengers - from an altitude of 41,000 feet - to an emergency landing at an old Air Force base in Manitoba - which had recently be…
…
continue reading
For decades the New World screwworm fly devastated agriculture across the southern United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. At least until the 1950s when a strange combination of radiation, and releasing billions of the very fly they sought to eradicate into the wild. And today, the screwworm has all but disappeared from North A…
…
continue reading
In 1847, a group of former slaves from the Americas established the nation of Liberia on the west coast of Africa. Many people hailed the move as an option for other blacks in the Americas. And while that sounds all well and good, it would be a much more complex and divisive effort. This is the story of the establishment of Liberia. Sources "https:…
…
continue reading
On a summer day in 1184 a large group of nobles and clergy were gathered in Erfurt, modern day Germany, debating control over the city. The event was being presided over by the son of the Holy Roman Emperor. All was normal until the floor gave way and dozens of people fell into the cesspit below the castle. 60 people died, many drowning in human wa…
…
continue reading
1
Oleg Gordievsky - MI6's most valuable Cold War Spy
44:57
44:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:57
In 1983, the Kremlin became convinced NATO was preparing to strike first with nuclear weapons. However, British Intelligence had a man inside London’s Soviet Embassy who discovered just how dangerously close the world was to nuclear war. His warnings to MI6 and Washington may be the only reason the Cold War didn’t go hot. This is the story of Oleg …
…
continue reading
In the Middle Ages a cult emerged based up around a dog - a greyhound - named Guinefort. The dog had saved the life of a baby from poisonous snake - but had then been killed by the baby’s father - a knight - who thought the dog had attacked his child. The local people would embrace the heroics of the animal - and proclaim him a saint. This is the s…
…
continue reading
Around 1772, in Lyon, France, a man who today is known only as Tarrare was born with an absolutely insatiable appetite. He would eat garbage, live cats, dead bodies, and even allegedly a toddler. He was a medical marvel that became a street performer, and even got noticed by the French army for the potential to be a spy. This is the story of Tarrar…
…
continue reading
On April 21, 1980, Rosie Ruiz stunned the world by winning the women’s crown at the Boston Marathon with a record time. The only problem was she had actually only run about one mile of the race - making it one of the great frauds in sports history. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_Ruiz https://www.thisisjogon.com/videos/this-is-the-templ…
…
continue reading
While a young man and on his way to college none other than Julius Caesar's ship was attacked by pirates. He was captured for ransom. But rather than a normal experience, he treated his captors like his servants, and told them exactly what he was going to do to them when he was freed. And in true Caesar fashion, he did exactly that. Sources https:/…
…
continue reading
On July 3, 1940, British forces attacked French ships at the naval base at Mers-el-Kébir on the coast of Algeria. The attack was part of a British plan to neutralize French ships to prevent them from falling into German hands after the Allied defeat in the Battle of France. The British attack killed nearly 1,300 French servicemen, and sank and dama…
…
continue reading
Beautiful Jim Key was no ordinary horse. This remarkable creature could preform tricks, do basic math, recognize written words, and even write names. And he did this with the help of his trainer and friend - Doctor William Key - a former slave, self-taught veterinarian, and animal rights activist. This is the story of Beautiful Jim Key, the world's…
…
continue reading
Grace Hopper was a trailblazer. An American mathematician, she would go on to be known for her contributions to computer programming, software development, and the design and implementation of programming languages. She enjoyed a long and influential career in the computer industry - as well as the United States navy - rising to the rank of rear ad…
…
continue reading
In the summer of 1917 two girls would photograph the remarkable. Proof of fairies, dancing in the beautiful Cottingley Beck in England. The photos were so convincing that they became a national sensation, convincing the millions that they were indeed proof of the magical. And it took half a century for the truth to come out. This is the story of th…
…
continue reading
On August 6, 1855, in Louisville, Kentucky, a bitter rivalry between the Democrats and the Nativist Know-Nothing Party erupted in a series of riots. Protestant mobs attacked Irish and German Catholic neighborhoods - leaving 22 people dead, dozens injured, and more than 100 homes and businesses torched and looted. This is the story of Bloody Monday.…
…
continue reading
Three tales of historic explosions including the Tunguska Incident, the 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa, and the Halifax Explosion. Have a blast checking these out. Enjoy this compilation of Season 1 episodes while we get ready for the new season of History Dispatches. Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Krakatoa_eruption_lithograph.jpg History Dis…
…
continue reading
Three stories of humanity's attempts to reign in animals. This includes the Great Emu War, the Alberta Rat Campaign, and Project Isabela. Enjoy this compilation of Season 1 episodes while we get ready for the new season of History Dispatches. Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-rat-on-green-grass-12964769/ History Dispatches is part of the Airwav…
…
continue reading
Three stories from Ancient Egypt, including the Library of Alexandria, the Lost Army of Cambyses, and the Rosetta Stone. Enjoy this compilation of Season 1 episodes while we get ready for the new season of History Dispatches. History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on History Dispatche…
…
continue reading
By Matt and McKinley Breen
…
continue reading
Three episodes featuring audacious robberies. This includes the Great Maple Syrup Heists, the Theft of the Mona Lisa, and the Heist of the Irish Crown Jewels. Enjoy this compilation of Season 1 episodes while we get ready for the new season of History Dispatches. History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interest…
…
continue reading
The largest, deadliest conflict in human history is World War II. Claiming tens of millions of lives it is a story unlike any other. Listen as we delve into the overview of this most awesome conflict, and journey through the European theater of the war. Sources https://wwiifoundation.org/timeline-of-wwii/ https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/a…
…
continue reading
On October 18, 1968, at the summer Olympics in Mexico City, American long jumper Bob Beamon leaped into history - literally. On his first attempt, Beamon would not only set a world record in the long jump - he would obliterate it - in one of the most astounding moments in sports history. This is the story of Bob Beamon and his record setting long j…
…
continue reading
In the second half of the fifth century BC, the Athenian general and statesmen, Alcibiades, would lead an absolutely incredible life. He acted as a key advisor for Athens, their rival Sparta, and both cities exiled him. All while kicking up scandals, and loving every second of it. This is the story of Alcibiades. Sources "The Life of Alcibiades" by…
…
continue reading
From 1764-1767 a monster terrorized the province of Gévaudan in south central France. It’s believed that 113 people were killed - many with their throats ripped out - by the mysterious creature. It is a mystery that still haunts the region to this day. This is the story of the Beast of Gévaudan. Sources https://www.geriwalton.com/the-beast-of-gevau…
…
continue reading
For decades the roadsides of America were dotted with curious red signs. Always appearing in a sequence of four or five, and usually with a witty or clever saying, they became synonymous with American motoring culture, and an icon of mid-century American highways. This is the story of the Burma-Shave signs. Sources https://www.backwoodshome.com/fee…
…
continue reading
While the American Civil War would answer the question of slavery once and for all, its bloody overture would take place five years earlier, when the territory of Kansas would go to war with itself to determine if it should be a free or slave state. It was a brutal guerrilla conflict that would claim dozens of lives. This is the story of Bleeding K…
…
continue reading
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most famous monuments of antiquity - and nearly every person has heard about it - and seen it. But what is the history of the Sphinx? When was it built? And why? This is the story of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Sphinx_of_Giza https://www.history.com/articles/the-sphinx…
…
continue reading
For more than a decade, the energy company Enron was at the top of the food chain. Named Forbes most innovative company six years in a row, it had a stock price of nearly a hundred dollars a share. The company was raking in hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. Or so everyone thought. Then, in late 2001, the entire house of cards came crashing…
…
continue reading
