

History Dispatches
Matt and McKinley Breen
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 1, 2025 • 16min
United States Camel Corps
In the mid 1850s the United State Army embarked on an unusual experiment - use camels to move troops and supplies throughout the southwestern deserts. Several dozen camels were purchased and they were led by some Greek pioneers, the leader of which was named Hadji Ali, or Hi Jolly. And though the US Camel Corps would be a failure, its story would never die, with Hi Jolly becoming a legend. This is the story of Hi Jolly and the United States Camel Corps.
Sources
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/Directors-Select-Articles/The-United-States-Army-Camel-Corps-1856-66/
https://helleniccomserve.com/philiptedro.html
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
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Aug 29, 2025 • 30min
Battle of New Orleans
On Jan. 8, 1815, 8,000 British regulars began an assault on the city of New Orleans. When the smoke cleared - literally - more than 2,000 British troops were dead or injured. American casualties were less and 100. It was the most devastating defeat for England in the War of 1812. This is the story of the Battle of New Orleans.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_New_Orleans
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/war-1812/battles/new-orleans
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_New_Orleans.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 28, 2025 • 16min
New Coke
In 1985 the Coca-Cola Company embarked on one of the worst product launches in history. They cast aside their iconic brand and taste in favor of chasing trends, and in the process disillusioned their most loyal customers. This is the story of New Coke.
Sources
https://www.coca-colacompany.com/about-us/history/new-coke-the-most-memorable-marketing-blunder-ever
https://www.thebrandingjournal.com/2025/02/new-coke/
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Coke_can.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 27, 2025 • 16min
Fighting Jack Churchill
World War II gave us many unique characters. One of the most eccentric was British army officer Jack Churchill. What made him so interesting? Perhaps it was his penchant for carrying a bow and arrow while on patrol. Or maybe it was the Scottish broadsword he carried on commando raids. Or perhaps it was the bagpipes he played to rally his men. This is the story of Fighting Jack Churchill.
Sources
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Fighting-Jack_Churchill/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/mad-jack-churchill-a-rare-breed-of-warrior/
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lt_Col_Jack_Churchill.tif?page=1
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 26, 2025 • 13min
Mike the Headless Chicken
In 1945 an ordinary chicken in Fruita, Colorado, was about to have an extraordinary day. His head was chopped off, but instead of dying, like most things do when decapitated, he survived for an astounding 18 months. He would go on a tour of the United States - generating thousands of dollars for his owners. This is the story of Mike the Headless Chicken.
Sources
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34198390
https://modernfarmer.com/2014/08/heres-chicken-can-live-without-head/
https://www.life.com/animals/life-with-mike-the-headless-chicken-photos-of-a-famously-tough-fowl/
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicken_without_a_head.png
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 25, 2025 • 16min
Mysterious Origins of the Newport Tower
In Newport, Rhode Island, a round stone tower sits atop a hill overlooking the city and waterfront. To many people, the intricately built tower has been as long as they can remember. And that leads us to the question of when exactly was the tower built. Was it by the early colonists? Or does it predate Europeans arriving in these waters? This is the mystery of the Newport Tower.
Sources
https://www.wpri.com/dont-miss/mysterious-newport-tower-shines-bright-on-winter-solstice/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Tower_(Rhode_Island)
Image: By Ajay Suresh - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Newport_Tower_-_Newport,_RI_(51488606239).jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 22, 2025 • 14min
History of Chess
One game that has stood the test of time more than most is Chess. On an 8x8 grid, and 32 figurines, the game has enraptured the minds of kings and peasants, generals and poets, for over a millennia. This is the story of the game of chess.
Sources
"The Immortal Game: A History of Chess" By David Shenk
Image: By Alan Light - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChessSet.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 21, 2025 • 17min
Eddie Gaedel: The Smallest Player in Baseball History
On August 19, 1951, 26 year old Eddie Gaedel stepped up to plate during a major league baseball game. He would promptly take a walk on four straight pitches - then be replaced at first base by another player. Eddie Gaedel never played another game. The reason - he was only 3’7” tall. This is the story of Eddie Gaedel - the smallest person to ever play Major League Baseball.
Sources
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Eddie-Gaedel/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Gaedel
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 2025 • 20min
Year of the Four Emperors
After the death of Emperor Nero and a century of stability, the Roman Empire was plunged into chaos. In the space of a single year four different men would hold the imperial throne, and tens of thousands of people would lose their lives. This is the story of the Year of the Four Emperors.
Sources
"The Year of the Four Emperors" by Kenneth Wellesley
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Year_of_the_Four_Emperors.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 19, 2025 • 21min
Remember the Maine!
On Jan. 25, 1898, the American armored Cruiser the USS Maine sailed into Havana harbor. Three weeks later, an explosion ripped through the vessel - killing more than 250 sailors and marines. Although the cause of the explosion was unknown, it would be the catalyst for America’s intervention in Cuba - and war with Spain - leading to the battle cry, “Remember the Maine”.
Sources
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/spanish-american-war/sinking-of-uss-maine.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Maine_(1890)
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Maine_(ACR-1)_starboard_bow_view,_1898_(26510673494).jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


