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:

Great Chicago Fire May 12, 2025

Show notes

On October 8, 1871, the city of Chicago was mired in a drought with only one inch of rain over the past three months. And it was in these dry, parched and windy conditions that a fire started. It would rage for two full days, killing more than 300 people, consuming 17,500 buildings and homes, and cause more than $220 million in damage. This is the story of the Great Chicago Fire.

Sources

The Great Chicago Fire and the Web of Memory: https://greatchicagofire.org

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

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chicago_in_Flames_by_Currier_%26_Ives,_1871_(cropped).jpg

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

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Thrasybulus - the man who saved Athenian democracy May 09, 2025

Show notes

In 404 BC, democracy was in tatters. Athens was under the control of tyrants and hope was draining. But one man, Thrasybulus, would defy the odds, return from exile, and restore democracy to Athens.

Sources

"Thrasybulus and the Athenian Democracy: the Life of an Athenian Statesman" by R J Buck

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

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bust_of_%22Thrasybulus_Athenienses%22_1935_-_1080x1350.jpg

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

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The Death of Glenn Miller May 08, 2025

Show notes

From 1938-1942, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra had 16 number one records and 69 top 10 hits. He was one of the most popular musicians of the era. And then, in December of 1944, Miller boarded a plane in England bound for Paris. He was never seen again. This is the story of the death of band leader Glenn Miller.

Sources

National Museum of the United States Air Force: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196150/maj-glenn-miller-army-air-force-band/

NPR: 80 years later, Glenn Miller's sudden disappearance remains unsolved - https://www.npr.org/2024/12/13/nx-s1-5206680/glenn-miller-disappearance-unsolved-80-years-later

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

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

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

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Zheng Yi Sao - the Pirate Queen of Southeast Asia May 07, 2025

Show notes

In the first decade of the 1800s the South China Sea became a hotbed for piracy, with the largest pirate fleet ever assembled defeating the Chinese and Portuguese navy. This fleet was led by an unlikely admiral - the prostitute turned pirate queen Zheng Yi Sao.

Sources

"Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790–1810", by Dian Murray

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E9%84%AD%E4%B8%80%E5%AB%82.jpg

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

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1883 Eruption of Krakatoa May 06, 2025

Show notes

On August 27, 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa exploded. It was a blast heard more than 3,000 miles away. 70% of the island and its surrounding archipelago were destroyed. More than 36,000 people died. It is one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history. This is the 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa.

Sources

The Atlantic: The Volcanic Eruption of Krakatoa: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1884/09/the-volcanic-eruption-of-krakatoa/376174/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1883_eruption_of_Krakatoa

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:De_uitbarsting_van_de_Krakatau,_KITLV_5888.tiff?page=1

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

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The Pleasant Valley War - America's Bloodiest Family Feud May 05, 2025

Show notes

In 1887, Pleasant Valley, Arizona, became the battlefield for the bloodiest feud in American history. It would leave dozens dead, and slaughter two entire families. This is the Pleasant Valley War.

Sources

"Pleasant Valley War" by Jinx Pyle

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasant_Valley_War#/media/File:Grabill_-_The_Cow_Boy.jpg

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

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Wu Zetian - China's Only Female Emperor May 02, 2025

Show notes

Throughout history there has only been one woman to rule the Chinese empire. This was Wu Zetian - who rose from the rank of imperial concubine - to that of emperor of China. Her rise to power was a very bloody trip.

Sources

"Empress Wu Zetian: the only woman to rule China, and who would be hated for it" - https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/empress-wu-zetian-china-rule-life-reputation/

"Wu Zhao: Ruler of Tang Dynasty China" - https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/wu-zhao-ruler-of-tang-dynasty-china/"

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

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

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Joshua Glover: Freedom Found May 01, 2025

Show notes

In the mid-1850's a young man named Joshua Glover was a slave in Missouri. He would escape, and settle in Wisconsin - only to be recaptured, freed by an abolitionist mob, and escape again to Canada once and for all. His story caused a clash between federal and state courts, and helped spark the establishment of the Republican Party - who main goal was to end slavery in America.

Sources

"Finding Freedom: The Untold Story of Joshua Glover, Runaway Slave" by Walter T. McDonald, Ruby West JacksonFile:Prison_Break_of_Fugitive_Slave_Joshua_Glover.jpg

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

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The Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

On July 10, 1985, in the harbor of Auckland, New Zealand, a bomb planted on the Greenpeace ship - the Rainbow Warrior - went off - opening a hole in her hull. A few minutes later, another bomb exploded. The ship sank within minutes - and one person was dead. So who was behind the bombing? Extremists of some kind? Political enemies? The answer would shock the world.

Sources

"The Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior" - https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/about/our-history/bombing-of-the-rainbow-warrior/

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

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Schip_Rainbow_Warrior_van_Greenpeace_in_Scheveningen,_Bestanddeelnr_930-2632.jpg

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

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Jan Žižka - the one-eyed general who never lost a battle Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

In 1419, Jan Žižka would help lead the Hussite Revolution. He led armies of peasants against professional knights using amazing tactics, and gunpowder, cementing himself as one of history's greatest military commanders.

Sources

"Warrior of God: Jan Zizka and the Hussite Revolution" by Victor Verney

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_%C5%BDi%C5%BEka#/media/File:Zizka_tabor_statue.jpg

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

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