Plausibly Live! - The Official Podcast Of The Dave Bowman Show

In the depths of the Cold War, America’s Strategic Air Command kept nuclear-armed bombers in the sky around the clock, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. But on March 14, 1961, a B-52F Stratofortress on airborne alert out of Mather Air Force Base faced a catastrophic failure over California’s Central Valley. With two hydrogen bombs onboard, the crew battled extreme heat, decompression, and fuel exhaustion before making a desperate escape. In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we unravel the harrowing true story of the Yuba City B-52 crash—one of the Cold War’s closest brushes with disaster.

For over two centuries, *Encyclopaedia Britannica* was the gold standard of knowledge, the go-to reference for students, scholars, and anyone looking to settle a debate before Google existed. From its Scottish Enlightenment origins to its dominance in American households, *Britannica* evolved with the times—expanding, modernizing, and eventually shifting online. But how did it rise to such authority, and why did its print empire ultimately fall? In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we explore the fascinating journey of *Britannica*, its impact on education, and its fight to remain relevant in the digital age. Join us for the story of knowledge itself!

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we dive into one of the deadliest engineering failures in American history—the collapse of the St. Francis Dam on March 12, 1928. Built to quench Los Angeles’ growing thirst, the dam was hailed as a triumph until it gave way in the dead of night, sending a 140-foot wall of water roaring through San Francisquito Canyon. Hundreds perished, entire towns were wiped out, and the disaster forever changed dam safety in the U.S. What went wrong? Who was responsible? And what lessons did we learn? Let’s uncover the shocking truth.

On March 11, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the **Lend-Lease Act**, a move that provided billions in aid to Allied nations and pushed the U.S. closer to World War II—without a formal declaration. But just three years earlier, the **Ludlow Amendment** nearly changed everything, proposing a **national referendum before America could go to war**. In this episode, we explore how FDR fought to kill the amendment, why most Americans supported it, and how its passage could have altered history. Would the U.S. have entered WWII at all? Join us as we unpack one of history’s biggest **"what-ifs."**

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we set sail for the **Battle of the Aegates**, the dramatic climax of the **First Punic War** in 241 BCE. Rome, battered but relentless, launches a final naval gamble against Carthage, determined to break their stranglehold on Sicily. With newly built quinqueremes, improved tactics, and sheer Roman grit, the fleet of **Gaius Lutatius Catulus** faces off against Carthage’s desperate relief force. How did this battle reshape the Mediterranean world? What lessons did Rome learn that set the stage for future domination? Strap in for a high-stakes clash on the stormy seas of history!

he Extended Version – because some stories just can’t be crammed into a soundbite. In this episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod break down the ongoing battle between long-form podcasts and short-form radio. Spoiler: they’re on the right side of history. Along the way, Rabbi Dave finally gets answers to his Lord of the Rings questions, Friar Rod dissects the Gene Hackman fiasco, and both take a skeptical look at the latest national security absurdities. Meanwhile, the Epstein files remain locked away (shocking), post-Zelensky meeting PTSD is a thing, and—because we’ve apparently lost the plot—calling someone “bald” is now considered sexual harassment. And just when you think it can’t get stranger, an OnlyFans twist enters the chat. Buckle up for history, headlines, and hilarity as the guys make sense of the madness—one extended rant at a time.

In March 1862, history was made in the waters of Hampton Roads. The age of wooden warships came to a crashing halt as two ironclad titans, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia, clashed in a battle unlike any seen before. The stakes? The Union blockade, Confederate survival, and the future of naval warfare itself. Smoke filled the air, cannons roared, and for the first time, iron met iron on the open sea. This wasn’t just a battle—it was a revolution. Today, we dive into the epic showdown that changed everything: the Battle of Hampton Roads.

Bramwell Booth was born (March 8, 1856) into a mission, raised in a movement, and shaped by a cause that would change the world. As the eldest son of William and Catherine Booth, the fiery founders of The Salvation Army, he grew up immersed in an organization that saw faith as action and charity as warfare. Yet, his journey from devoted son to embattled General was anything but smooth. His leadership brought both triumph and controversy, ultimately redefining the Army’s future. In this episode of Dave Does History, we explore Bramwell Booth’s life, legacy, and the power struggles that nearly broke the movement.

March 7—twice in American history, this date became a defining moment in the nation’s struggle with justice and unity. In 1850, Daniel Webster stood before the Senate and gave a speech that would go down in history as both a plea for national survival and a tragic compromise with slavery. Fast forward 115 years, and on that very same day, marchers in Selma, Alabama, took to the streets in the fight for voting rights—only to be met with clubs, tear gas, and brutality on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. These two events, seemingly worlds apart, are actually pieces of the same story—the long, painful road toward justice in America. On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we connect the dots between Webster’s compromise and the Civil Rights Movement, exploring how past decisions shaped future reckonings. What lessons do these two March 7ths hold for us today? Let’s find out.

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 German chemist 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 its name, 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. Today, on Dave Does History, 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?

In this episode of What The Frock?, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod pull on some serious Holmesian strings, unraveling everything from ancient biblical mysteries to modern media madness. Did Adam and Eve really last only nine hours in the Garden of Eden? And was it even an apple? The guys dive into how easily misinformation spreads—whether it’s Joy Behar calling Elon Musk “pro-apartheid” or the bafflingly vague Epstein files release. They also dissect Ukrainian President Zelensky’s disastrous White House visit, where his tracksuit diplomacy backfired spectacularly. Plus, Major League Baseball’s Robo Ump is here—is this the future of the game, or just another way to ruin a good argument? With a mix of humor, history, and hard-hitting skepticism, this episode is all about questioning everything. If you’re tired of taking headlines at face value, What The Frock? is the podcast for you. Tune in and start pulling those threads!

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!

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 Educatio

In early 1917, a single intercepted message changed the course of history. The Zimmermann Telegram, a secret German proposal to Mexico, promised lost U.S. territories in exchange for an alliance—an audacious gamble that backfired spectacularly. When Britain exposed it, American outrage erupted, pushing the U.S. into World War I. In this episode, we unravel the intrigue, deception, and unintended consequences of Germany’s diplomatic blunder that sealed its fate and reshaped the world.