The Election of 1824 wasn’t just another presidential contest—it was a political brawl that exposed the fractures in the so-called “Era of Good Feelings.”

Four candidates, all claiming the banner of the Democratic-Republican Party, fought for control of the White House, but none secured an electoral majority. Enter the House of Representatives, where backroom deals and personal vendettas determined the outcome. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but John Quincy Adams took the presidency, thanks to what Jackson’s supporters called a “corrupt bargain.”

Today, we break down the election that changed everything—and set the stage for modern American politics.

In the final months of World War II, Soviet pilot Mikhail Devyataev pulled off one of the most daring escapes in history. Captured by the Nazis and imprisoned in a brutal labor camp on the island of Usedom, he faced near-certain death. But instead of waiting for fate to take its course, he did the unthinkable—he and a group of fellow prisoners hijacked a Heinkel He 111 bomber and flew to freedom. This is the incredible true story of how one man turned the enemy’s own war machine against them, outwitting the Nazis and changing the course of history.

This episode of Dave Does History dives into the legal and political firestorm ignited by Chisholm v. Georgia, a case that dared to question state immunity and ended up forcing the first major amendment after the Bill of Rights. When the Supreme Court ruled that states could be dragged into federal court by private citizens, the reaction was swift—Congress and the states wasted no time in slamming that door shut. We break down the case, the crisis, and how the 11th Amendment reshaped American law.

Aaron Burr was one of the most controversial figures in early American history—a war hero, politician, and vice president whose ambition led to both greatness and infamy. Best known for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel, Burr’s story didn’t end there. His life was marked by political intrigue, a treason trial, and a failed scheme that still sparks debate. Was he a traitor or a visionary ahead of his time? This episode explores Burr’s rise, his conflicts with Hamilton and Jefferson, the infamous duel, and his dramatic downfall, revealing a man who shaped—and was ultimately undone by—his own relentless ambition.

The **Immigration Act of 1917** was one of the most sweeping and controversial immigration laws in American history. Passed over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto, it imposed a literacy test, expanded the list of “undesirable” immigrants, and created the Asiatic Barred Zone, effectively shutting out most of Asia from immigration to the U.S.

This episode dives into the political battles, the rising tide of nativism, and the long-term impact of the law on American immigration policy. How did fear, war, and shifting national identity shape this legislation?

And what lessons does it hold for today? Let’s break it all down.

This episode of "Dave Does History" delves into the life of Emperor Norton I, a self-proclaimed monarch of San Francisco during the Gold Rush era. After losing his fortune, Joshua Norton redefined himself as an emperor, issuing progressive proclamations. His legacy endures, with ongoing efforts to honor him in the city he loved.

On February 3, 1943, in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, four chaplains aboard the **SS Dorchester** made the ultimate sacrifice. As a German torpedo sent the overcrowded troopship to its doom, Methodist minister **George L. Fox**, Jewish rabbi **Alexander D. Goode**, Dutch Reformed minister **Clark V. Poling**, and Catholic priest **John P. Washington** gave their life jackets to others, choosing faith and unity over survival. Their final act—standing together, arms linked in prayer—became an enduring symbol of selflessness. This episode honors their legacy, the men they saved, and the establishment of **Four Chaplains Day**.

Albert Sidney Johnston was one of the most intriguing figures of the Civil War—hailed by Jefferson Davis as the Confederacy’s finest general, yet doomed by fate at the Battle of Shiloh. In this episode, we explore his life, from his early military career in Texas and the U.S. Army to his fateful decision to join the South. Was his death truly the turning point of the war, as Davis claimed, or was his reputation larger than his actual impact? Join us as we unravel the story of a warrior whose legacy remains one of history’s greatest “what ifs.”

In this episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod tackle the madness of modern conspiracy culture, from the Blackhawk helicopter crash in D.C. to the internet’s obsession with turning every tragedy into a grand cover-up. They also roast NOAA’s ridiculous Groundhog Day rankings, debate government waste, and discuss the latest NFL officiating fiasco. Meanwhile, in Canada, an unfortunate bar patron learns the hard way why you don’t drop trou in the cold. It’s a wild mix of satire, skepticism, and frozen regrets—tune in for the laughs, stay for the truth bombs.

February 1, 1968. In the chaos of the Tet Offensive, a single gunshot on a Saigon street changed the way Americans saw the Vietnam War.

Captured in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Eddie Adams, the execution of Nguyễn Văn Lém by General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan became one of the most infamous images in history.

But what’s the real story behind that moment? In this episode, we dig into the war, the men involved, the media firestorm, and the lasting impact of this haunting image. Was it justice, murder, or just another casualty of war?