History

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.

Latest Episodes:

Ocracoke Island Cemetery Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

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.

Sponsor

Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

Sources

https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/missions/battleoftheatlantic2/bedfordshire.html

https://www.ocracokepreservationsociety.org/ops-events/britishcemetery

https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/2073156/ocracoke-island-british-cemetery/

Image: By Sedna10387 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ocracoke_Part_2_030.JPG

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haitian Independence Debt Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

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 Independence Debt.

Sponsor

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_independence_debt

https://www.theglobalist.com/haiti-and-the-dominican-republic-one-island-two-worlds/

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Traité_France_Haïti_1825.jpg

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Collision of the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

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 and the MS Stockholm.

Sponsor

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Andrea_Doria

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1971/august/andrea-doria-stockholm-disaster-accidents-dont-happen

https://noblemaritime.org/andrea-doria-home

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrea_Doria_sinking_2.jpg

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Humphrey the Wayward Whale Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

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 ocean. And the best part is that - in 1990 - Humphrey did it again. This is the story of Humphrey the Wayward Whale.

Sponsor

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_the_Whale

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/humphrey-the-whale-bay-area-saga-20281317.php

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article312218999.html

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doctor Riots of 1788 Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

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 Doctor Riot.

Sponsor

Sources

https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/the-anatomy-riot-of-1788/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/gory-new-york-city-riot-shaped-american-medicine-180951766/ ; https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/live/files/739-mjur-i05-2015-9-niemeyerpdf

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_Interrupted_Dissection.jpg

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katyn Massacre Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

Sponsor

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyn_massacre

https://warsawinstitute.org/katyn-massacre-mechanisms-genocide/

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny Ramensky: the Gentleman Safecracker Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

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.

Sponsor

Sources

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/amazing-glasgow-crime-tale-notorious-25314176

https://www.thenational.scot/news/14864606.a-parcel-of-rogues-gentle-johnny-ramensky-the-safecracker-who-used-his-skills-to-battle-the-nazis/

http://peterman.org.uk/fourpetermen.htm

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monet Izabeth – the first American woman to ski solo, and unsupported, to the South Pole Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

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.

Sponsor

Links

Website: https://www.monetizabeth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monet.izabeth

Support Monet Izabeth: https://gofund.me/e529e5e3a

Image: by Sara Jenner courtesy of Monet Izabeth

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Berlin Airlift Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

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 logistical achievements in history. This is the story of the Berlin Airlift.

Sponsor

Sources

https://media.defense.gov/2012/Jun/27/2001330007/-1/-1/0/Report%20on%20the%20Airlift.pdf

https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/197518/berlin-city-held-hostage/

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/berlin-airlift

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade#/media/File:C-54_landing_at_Tempelhof.jpg

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saint Patrick's Battalion Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

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.

Sponsor

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Battalion

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/mexican-american-war-irish-immigrants-deserted-us-army-fight-against-america-180971713/

History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices