Dave Does History

In this episode of Dave Does History, we journey back to April 9, 1865 — the day the guns finally fell silent at Appomattox Court House.

It wasn’t just the end of a war; it was the beginning of reconciliation. We’ll walk the weary roads with Lee’s starving army, sit inside the McLean House where Grant offered mercy, and witness the quiet dignity that defined one of America’s most powerful moments.

This is the story of how a nation tore itself apart—and how, in a single afternoon, it began the long road toward healing.

Available now on Spotify, iHeart Radio, and iTunes.

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, we head north—way north—to uncover the bizarre moment when the United States almost claimed part of Greenland.

It started with a bad map, involved a lost Danish expedition, and ended with two frostbitten heroes proving the truth. From mistaken geography to geopolitical consequences, Dave unpacks how a simple cartographic error nearly redrew the Arctic.

Join us as we explore survival, sovereignty, and the enduring value of getting your facts straight—even when they’re buried under two feet of ice.

Catch it now on Spotify, iTunes, and the iHeart Radio app.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we uncover the oily roots of America’s first major political scandal: Teapot Dome.

Long before Watergate, this 1920s tale of secret deals, bribes, and backroom betrayals rocked the nation and shook public trust in government.

Join Dave as he explores how a dusty Wyoming oil field, a red-faced Cabinet secretary, and a few well-connected oil barons brought shame to the Harding administration.

From Navy fuel reserves to Senate showdowns, this scandal has it all.

Subscribe now on Spotify, iHeart Radio, or iTunes and dig into the corruption that changed American politics forever.

Join Dave Does History as we explore the life and legacy of Renaissance master Raphael—born in 1483 in the cultured court of Urbino, and destined to become one of the most beloved painters in Western art.

In this episode, we uncover how Raphael rose from orphaned prodigy to the Pope’s favorite artist, creating timeless masterpieces like The School of Athens and the iconic Madonnas.

With insight, warmth, and a touch of humor, we dive into the world of beauty, balance, and brushstrokes that shaped the High Renaissance—and left a legacy that still resonates today. Raphael did not roar—he sang.

On this episode of Dave Does History, we shine a long-overdue spotlight on Benjamin Harrison V—Founding Father, Virginia governor, and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Born into privilege at Berkeley Plantation, Harrison stood tall—literally and politically—among the giants of his age. He helped shape the birth of America, raised a future president, and left behind a legacy that still echoes today.

Join us as we uncover the life, wit, grit, and patriotism of a man who helped light the fire of liberty—and whose descendants kept that flame burning in the White House.

Available now on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and iTunes.

On this episode of Dave Does History, we turn our gaze to ancient Rome and the stormy life of Emperor Caracalla—warrior, builder, butcher, and the man behind one of the bloodiest family feuds in imperial history.

Born into power and raised on ambition, Caracalla ruled an empire with a sword in one hand and a scowl carved into marble. From the grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla to the chilling murder of his own brother, this episode dives into the legacy of a ruler both feared and fascinating.

Subscribe now on Spotify, iTunes, or iHeart Radio—history like Rome, never dull.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we saddle up and gallop into one of the most iconic yet short-lived chapters of the American West—the Pony Express.

Born out of urgency and ambition in 1860, this daring mail service bridged nearly 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, linking East to West in just ten days. Though it ran for only 18 months, its legend endures.

We’ll explore the facts, the folklore, and the fearless riders—including my own great-grandfather, Francis Marion Holt—who carried the nation's hopes on horseback, even as the telegraph wires closed in.

This is the true ride of the Pony Express.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we dive into one of the most pivotal speeches in American history—President Woodrow Wilson’s April 2, 1917 address to Congress, calling for a declaration of war against Germany.

With a nation divided and neutrality hanging by a thread, Wilson laid out his case in moral and measured tones. Why did America finally join the Great War? What tipped the scales—from sunken ships to secret telegrams?

Join us as we explore the speech, the drama in Congress, and the lasting legacy of Wilson’s words. History is calling—and this time, it declared war.

April 1st isn't just for pranksters—it's for historians with a wicked sense of humor.

In this episode on Bill Mick Live, Dave peels back the glittery nonsense of April Fools’ Day to uncover its shadowy (and often fictional) past. From Chaucer’s chicken to a Flemish prank poem, and the legendary hoax that duped the Associated Press, it all leads to one irresistible conclusion: we should be calling it Boskin Day.

Tune in for history, hilarity, and a few paper fish stuck to your back. Trust nothing. Laugh anyway.

On this episode of Dave Does History, we journey back to March 31, 1870—one day after the Fifteenth Amendment was certified.

In a small town called Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a man named Thomas Mundy Peterson quietly made history. Born to an enslaved mother and a free father, Peterson became the first African American to cast a vote under the new constitutional protections of the Fifteenth Amendment.

His vote may have been cast in a local election, but its impact echoed across a divided nation.

This is the story of a single ballot that helped redefine American democracy.