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:

The Liberty Bell May 26, 2025

Show notes

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://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liberty_Bell_2017a.jpg

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Robert Emmet and the Speech from the Dock May 23, 2025

Show notes

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 Speech from the Dock.

Sources

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Emmet

Speech from the Dock: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Speech_from_the_Dock_(Emmet)

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RobertEmmetWatercolor.png

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Theft of the Mona Lisa May 22, 2025

Show notes

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,_by_Leonardo_da_Vinci,_from_C2RMF_retouched.jpg

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Sinking of the USS Indianapolis May 21, 2025

Show notes

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 Triggered the Worst Shark Attack in History - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/sinking-uss-indianapolis-triggered-worst-shark-attack-history-25715092/

Surviving the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis - https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/surviving-sinking-uss-indianapolis

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Indianapolis_(CA-35)"

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Indianapolis_(CA-35)_underway_in_1944_(stbd).jpg

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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Pony Express May 20, 2025

Show notes

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#/media/File:Pony_Express_Poster.jpg just the top portion

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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Ark of the Covenant May 19, 2025

Show notes

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"

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_West_-_Joshua_passing_the_River_Jordan_with_the_Ark_of_the_Covenant_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist May 16, 2025

Show notes

In 2011-2012, a gang of thieves orchestrated the theft of 3000 tons of maple syrup - valued at nearly $19m Canadian dollars - from a storage facility in Quebec. Adjusted for inflation, it is the biggest theft in Canadian history. This is the story of the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.

Sources

The Sweetest Heist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adCQ9cwYA8o

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Canadian_Maple_Syrup_Heist

‘The Sticky’ true story: Inside the real Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist - https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/the-sticky-true-story-canadian-maple-syrup-heist-rcna182982

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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Divorce of Catherine of Aragon May 15, 2025

Show notes

Catherine of Aragon and Henry the VIII have one of the most important marriages, and divorces in history. But why did it take Henry separating England from the Catholic Church to do something as simple as a divorce? Turns out Cathrine was a shrewd and feisty woman that did everything to protect her position. This is the story of the divorce of Cathrine of Aragon.

Sources

"Catherine of Aragon: The Spanish Queen of Henry VIII" by Giles Tremlett

Katherine of Aragon: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/katherine-of-aragon/#gs.ln8ows

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catherine_of_Aragon_(1485-1536).jpg

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Moctezuma's Gold May 14, 2025

Show notes

On the night of June 30, 1520, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his troops attempted to escape from Tenochtitlan. The Spanish loaded themselves down with eight tons of treasure. However, their escape didn't go well. The result was what the Spanish called La Noche Triste - the Night of Sorrows. At least half of Cortes’ men were killed - and all the loot was gone. This is the story of Moctezuma’s Gold.

Sources

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sad_Night_(Noche_Triste)_(Conquest_of_Mexico)_Painting.jpg

The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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The Peshtigo Fire - History's Deadliest Wildfire May 13, 2025

Show notes

October 8, 1871, the same night as the Chicago Fire, a massive blaze was spreading a few hundred miles north. It would level millions of acres, and claim more than 1200 lives, making it history's deadliest wildfire. This is the story of the Peshtigo Fire.

Sources

"The Great Peshtigo Fire; An Eyewitness Account" by Peter Pernin

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peshtigo_fire

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

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