PodcastsHistoryHistory Dispatches

History Dispatches

Matt and McKinley Breen
History Dispatches
Latest episode

289 episodes

  • History Dispatches

    Collision of the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm

    08/04/2026 | 19 mins.
    On July 25, 1956, on a foggy night, human error and a freak accident caused two ocean liners, the SS Andrea Doria and the MS Stockholm, to collide. The collision killed 51 people. Despite being over a hundred miles from shore, and only half the lifeboats usable, quick thinking, and fast acting rescue ships saved the remaining 1,600 lives. This is the story of the collision of the SS Andrea Doria and the MS Stockholm.

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    Sources

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Andrea_Doria

    https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1971/august/andrea-doria-stockholm-disaster-accidents-dont-happen

    https://noblemaritime.org/andrea-doria-home

    Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrea_Doria_sinking_2.jpg

    History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

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  • History Dispatches

    Humphrey the Wayward Whale

    07/04/2026 | 14 mins.
    In 1985, a Humpback whale deviated from its normal migration route on the way to the waters of Alaska from Mexico - and made its way into San Francisco Bay and up the Sacramento River. The whale - named Humphrey - became an International celebrity. It would take the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, researchers, scientists, and even the US Coast Guard, Army and Navy to lure Humphrey back to the ocean. And the best part is that - in 1990 - Humphrey did it again. This is the story of Humphrey the Wayward Whale.

    Sponsor

    Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

    Sources

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphrey_the_Whale

    https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/humphrey-the-whale-bay-area-saga-20281317.php

    https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article312218999.html

    History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • History Dispatches

    Doctor Riots of 1788

    06/04/2026 | 16 mins.
    Before modern medical standards to study the human body, many doctors and physicians stole corpses to carry out their research. Unfortunately, this was not looked too kindly upon by the general public. In 1788, a bad joke from one of these physicians turned an upset crowd into a riotous one, ending with thousands besieging a New York hospital, and several deaths. This is the story of the 1788 Doctor Riot.

    Sponsor

    Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

    Sources

    https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/the-anatomy-riot-of-1788/

    https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/gory-new-york-city-riot-shaped-american-medicine-180951766/ ; https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/live/files/739-mjur-i05-2015-9-niemeyerpdf

    Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:An_Interrupted_Dissection.jpg

    History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • History Dispatches

    Katyn Massacre

    03/04/2026 | 22 mins.
    In early 1940, Soviet officials - including Joseph Stalin - authorized the execution of more than 25,000 Polish military and civilian leaders - in order to purge the nation of potential opponents. It is a crime that has been shrouded in blood, lies, and deception - the effects continuing to reverberate to this day. This is the story of the Katyn Massacre.

    Sponsor

    Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

    Sources

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyn_massacre

    https://warsawinstitute.org/katyn-massacre-mechanisms-genocide/

    History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
  • History Dispatches

    Johnny Ramensky: the Gentleman Safecracker

    02/04/2026 | 18 mins.
    It takes special skill to be a burglar and safecracker. It takes even more skill to escape from prison...half a dozen times. And you need a whole lot of charisma to become a folk hero. Need more? Why not fight some Nazis while you’re at it. This is the story of the infamous safecracker Gentlemen Johnny Ramensky.

    Sponsor

    Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active.

    Sources

    https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/amazing-glasgow-crime-tale-notorious-25314176

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/14864606.a-parcel-of-rogues-gentle-johnny-ramensky-the-safecracker-who-used-his-skills-to-battle-the-nazis/

    http://peterman.org.uk/fourpetermen.htm

    History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com

    Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at [email protected]

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About History Dispatches

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.
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