You’ve got a headache, you pop an aspirin. No big deal,right?

But behind that little white pill is a wild history—one packed with ancient remedies, corporate battles, wartime intrigue, and scientific breakthroughs.

From willow bark in the time of Hippocrates to a Germanchemist in the 19th century who changed medicine forever, aspirin’s journey is anything but boring. It’s been a battlefield drug, a key player in a WWI espionage scandal, and a lifesaver for millions battling heart disease.

In this episode of Dave Does History, we dig into the surprising twists and turns of aspirin’s past, the corporate wars over itsname, and its unexpected second act as a heart medicine. It’s a story of science, power, and, honestly, a little bit of luck.

 So grab a bottle—maybe not literally—and join us as we uncover the fascinating history of the world’s most famous painkiller.

Boston, 1770—a city simmering with unrest, where frustration boiled over into something deadly on the night of March 5th.

British troops had occupied the town for two years, their presence a constant reminder of colonial subjugation. When a street scuffle between an apprentice and a British sentry escalated into chaos, Crispus Attucks, a sailor and dockworker of African and Native descent, found himself at the center of history. What happened next would be remembered as the Boston Massacre—a moment that would fuel the coming revolution.

Today on Dave Does History, we dive into the tension, the gunfire, and the aftermath of that fateful night. Who was Crispus Attucks? Was he a leader, a victim, or both? And how did his death help shape America’s path to independence?

Stick around as we unpack the legend, the reality, and the legacy of the first man to fall in the fight for freedom.

Florida: land of beaches, gators, and the occasional headline that makes you wonder if reality is just a suggestion. But beyond the theme parks and retirees, Florida has one of the wildest, weirdest, and most fascinating histories in the United States. From Spanish conquistadors and pirate hideouts to NASA rocket launches and Florida Man headlines, this state has seen it all.

Now Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, we’re diving into the fun, bizarre, and unexpected moments that have shaped Florida—from the myth of the Fountain of Youth to a city that once tried to secede from the U.S.. We’ll uncover forgotten stories, strange laws, and legendary figures who helped turn Florida into the unpredictable powerhouse it is today.

So grab your sunscreen, watch out for gators, and join us as we explore the history that makes Florida as unique as its headlines!

On today’s episode of Dave Does History, we’re diving into the extraordinary life of Elisabeth Abegg, a woman who defied the Nazis with nothing more than her conscience, courage, and a quiet determination to do what was right.

A history teacher by trade and a Quaker by conviction, Abegg refused to bow to Nazi tyranny, instead dedicating herself to saving Jewish lives. Forced out of her job for opposing Hitler’s regime, she turned her Berlin apartment into a sanctuary, personally sheltering Jews and coordinating an underground rescue network that helped around 80 people escape certain death. She risked everything—lying to the Gestapo, forging documents, even selling her own belongings to fund escapes. Miraculously, she was never caught.

After the war, her heroism was recognized by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations.

Today, we remember her quiet defiance and ask: What would we have done in her place?

On this episode of Dave Does History, we’re diving into the life of one of the most legendary figures in American history—Sam Houston.

Born on March 2, 1793, the same day Texas would later declare its independence, Houston's story is packed with adventure, war, politics, and a whole lot of Texas grit. From his time living with the Cherokee to his stunning victory at San Jacinto, his fight to bring Texas into the Union, and his bold stand against secession, Houston never backed down.

Join us as we unravel the life of the man who helped shape the Lone Star State!

Ever wondered how the chainsaw went from a gruesome medical tool to the go-to gadget for lumberjacks and DIY warriors?

In this episode of Dave Does History, we uncover the bizarre origins of the chainsaw—spoiler alert: it wasn’t invented for cutting trees.

From 18th-century surgeons wielding hand-cranked saws in childbirth (yes, really) to modern forestry and backyard projects, this tale is equal parts horrifying and hilarious.

Join Dave as he explores the evolution of this powerful tool, its unexpected beginnings, and why he's relieved his own chainsaw experience involved fence posts and not obstetrics.

On this episode of Dave Does History, we take you to the final days of the Aztec Empire and the tragic end of its last emperor, Cuauhtémoc.

The Spanish conquest of Mexico wasn’t just a battle of swords and muskets—it was a brutal clash of civilizations, betrayal, and survival against impossible odds. Cuauhtémoc, a young and fearless ruler, stood as the last line of defense against Hernán Cortés and his army of conquistadors. He fought with every ounce of strength he had, but the fall of Tenochtitlán in 1521 was only the beginning of his suffering.

Captured, tortured, and ultimately executed on February 28, 1525, Cuauhtémoc's story is one of resilience, defiance, and sacrifice. But his legacy didn’t end there.

Tune in as we uncover the gripping details of his final stand and what his memory means to Mexico today. Listen now on Spotify and iTunes!

Andersonville wasn’t just a prison—it was a death sentence. In the final years of the Civil War, when prisoner exchanges ceased, thousands of Union soldiers found themselves trapped in Camp Sumter, better known as Andersonville.

Designed for 10,000 men, it would eventually hold more than 32,000, crammed into a filthy, disease-ridden stockade where starvation, sickness, and cruelty ran rampant. Nearly 13,000 would perish in its walls, victims of neglect, malnutrition, and outright brutality.

The name Andersonville became synonymous with suffering, and in the aftermath of the war, its infamous commandant, Henry Wirz, was one of the only Confederate officers tried and executed for war crimes.

This episode of Dave Does History delves into the horrors of Andersonville—its origins, its grim conditions, the men who endured it, and the legacy that still lingers today. A story of suffering, survival, and the darkest depths of humanity, this is history you won’t soon forget.

Buffalo Bill Cody was more than just a showman—he was a bridge between the untamed frontier and the modern world, a man who lived through the transformation of the West and ensured that its stories would not be forgotten.

As a child growing up in Denver, I often visited his final resting place on Lookout Mountain, where he overlooks the land he once roamed. He was my hero, a towering figure of the American West, and those visits only deepened my admiration for him. Though I have not lived in Denver since the late 1970s, my childhood memories of standing at his grave, reflecting on his incredible life, remain vivid.

He was, and remains, one of America’s great frontier figures, a man who embodied the spirit of adventure, resilience, and reinvention that defined the West.

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, we take a hard look at one of the most important Supreme Court cases in American history—Marbury v. Madison. You might remember our recent discussion about the Election of 1800 and John Adams’ infamous “Midnight Judges.” Well, this is the moment when that political showdown reached its explosive conclusion, and the Supreme Court emerged with a new, game-changing power: judicial review.

Chief Justice John Marshall didn’t just decide whether William Marbury got his job—he redefined the power of the Supreme Court itself. With a legal sleight of hand, Marshall ruled that a part of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional, marking the first time the Court struck down a law passed by Congress. This decision set the precedent that allows the Supreme Court to determine what laws stand and what laws fall.

Fast forward to today, and judicial review remains one of the most debated aspects of American government. From Dred Scott to Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade to Dobbs v. Jackson, the Supreme Court has used this power to reshape American society—for better or worse.

So, who really runs the government? The people? Congress? The President? Or nine unelected judges? We’ll break it all down and explore why Marbury v. Madison still matters right now. Tune in for history, controversy, and a few surprises along the way.