

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

Jul 9, 2025 • 16min
Catacombs of Paris
Beneath the city of Paris lies a network of tunnels stretching hundreds of kilometers. Many of which are not totally explored. Their origin dates back to the Middle Ages, and today are home to a massive cemetery. This is the story of the Catacombs of Paris.
Sources
https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/history/site-history
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/strange-maps-paris-catacombs; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mines_of_Paris
Image: Vlastula at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catacombes_de_Paris.JPG
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
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Jul 8, 2025 • 16min
Lost Army of Cambyses
In 525 BC, an army of 50,000 Persians - under the orders of King Cambyses II - set out from Thebes into the western desert of Egypt. Their goal was to subjugate the Oracle of Amun at the Siwa Oasis. The army was never seen again, and legend is that the entire army had been swallowed by a sandstorm. This is the story of the Lost Army of Cambyses.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Army_of_Cambyses
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-lost-armyfound-at-las_b_372293
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cambyses_II-lost-army.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
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Jul 7, 2025 • 17min
Hildegard of Bingen: The Mystic Visionary Nun
Throughout the 1100's the abbess Hildegard of Bingen was one of the most influential figures in medieval Europe. An astounding theologian, scholar, writer, and musician, she was also wrote hundreds of letters to numerous popes, kings and emperors. All while being overcome with mind melting visions from God.
Sources
Hildegard of Bingen by Fiona Maddocks
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hildegard_von_Bingen.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
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Jul 5, 2025 • 17min
The Execution of King Louis XVI - From History Daily
The Execution of King Louis XVI as brought to you by wonderful History Daily. Host Lindsay Graham takes us on a dramatic recreation of the events of that fateful day in 1793 - when the French Revolution took a step that few had ever imagined. This episode is presented in partnership with History Daily. Thanks to Lindsay Graham and his team.
https://www.historydaily.com
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hinrichtung_Ludwig_des_XVI.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

Jul 4, 2025 • 26min
Nathan Hale
On the morning of September 22, 1776, 21 year old Nathan Hale was escorted to the gallows in New York City near modern-day 66th St. and Third Avenue. He was to be hanged for being a spy. When given a chance for some final words, he was reportedly to have said one sentence that would resonate to this day. 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.' This is the story of Nathan Hale.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Hale
"Nathan Hale," by M. William Phelps
https://nypl.getarchive.net/media/last-words-of-captain-nathan-hale-the-hero-martyr-of-the-american-revolution-5cee80\
Image: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. (1800 - 1910). Nathan Hale. Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-d863-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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

Jul 3, 2025 • 13min
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
In late afternoon on March 25, 1911, a small spark would ignite on the 8th floor of the Triangle Factory. The spark would turn into a blaze that would leave 146 dead. And the worst part is that almost all of these deaths were preventable. This is the story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.
Sources
Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David Von Drehle
Image: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Image_of_Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire_on_March_25_-_1911.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

Jul 2, 2025 • 20min
Edward Carter: The Long Road to a Congressional Medal of Honor Award
Edward Carter was an American soldier of mixed race. He fought the Japanese in Shanghai. The fascists in Spain. And the Nazis in Europe. And on March 23, 1945, Carter single-handedly wiped out two machine gun nests, a mortar team, killed six Germans, and captured two more, despite being wounded five times. For his actions, Carter would - ultimately - receive the Congressional Medal of Honor - although it would take more than 50 years to be recognized. This is his incredible story - which is filled with tragedy and heartbreak - as well triumph.
Sources
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_A._Carter_Jr.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3347931/medal-of-honor-monday-army-sgt-1st-class-edward-carter-jr/
https://www.nps.gov/people/edwardcarterjr.htm
"Honoring Sergeant Carter: A Family's Journey to Uncover the Truth About an American Hero" by Allene Carter and Robert L. Allen
Image: Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_Carter_USArmy.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

Jul 1, 2025 • 15min
Pope Joan: The Legendary Female Pope
Explore the captivating legend of a female pope who reportedly ruled disguised as a man in the 1200s. This tale, though fictional, influenced perceptions of women in the Catholic Church for centuries. Delve into how Pope Joan's story transitioned from myth to a cautionary narrative, shaping societal views and challenging traditional authority. Discover the cultural impact of her legend and its implications for women's roles within the church, along with the eventual debunking of her existence.

Jun 30, 2025 • 20min
Adventures of the Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup - hockey's greatest prize - is meant to be experienced - by the fans and the players. As a result, the treasured trophy has been through many, many adventures in its 130+ years. It’s been lost, stolen, tossed in a river, and even used as a flower pot. These are the Adventures of the Stanley Cup.
Sources
https://www.nhl.com/news/stanley-cup-has-strange-and-colorful-past
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Cup
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditions_and_anecdotes_associated_with_the_Stanley_Cup
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1930_Stanley_Cup.jpg
History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com
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Jun 27, 2025 • 15min
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Taking 200 years to build the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world's most iconic structures. Built in wet soil, engineers have been fighting gravity for nearly a thousand years. And seemingly by sheer willpower, the structure still stands today.
Sources
https://www.towerofpisa.org/; https://www.britannica.com/topic/Leaning-Tower-of-Pisa
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pisa/interventions.html
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_in_the_1890s.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


