History Dispatches (Matt and McKinley Breen)

In 1898, Olof Ohman, a Swedish immigrant, was clearing some land in Minnesota, and came upon a large stone slab with some intricate runes - the kind used by Norse Vikings centuries earlier. After the runes were deciphered, it was determined that the runestone dated back to 1362, and marked the furthest western exploration of the legendary Viking explorers. This is the story of the Kensington Runestone. Sources "The Kensington Runestone Hoax" - https://ahotcupofjoe.net/2023/07/the-kensington-rune-stone-hoax/ Wikepedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Runestone Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KensingtonStone.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1980s, the United States video game industry was in a golden age. Arcades and home consoles were making billions of dollars and the market was full of incredible titles. And then overnight, it would all come tumbling down. This is the story of the video game crash of 1983. Sources "Before the Crash: Early Video Game History" edited by Mark J.P. Wolf "The Ultimate History of Video games" by Steven Kent Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Atari-2600-Wood-4Sw-Set.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

West Virginia, 1921, saw 10,000 miners begin a march to push for better pay and conditions, as well as recognized unions. They would be stopped on the slopes of Blair Mountain - but not until after several days of bitter fighting. It was the largest armed uprising in the United States since the Civil War. This is the story of the Battle of Blair Mountain. Sources "The battle of Blair Mountain: the story of America's largest labor uprising," by Robert Shogan Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blair-miner.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On September 7, 1695, English pirate Henry Avery led one of the most daring pirate attacks - and most lucrative - in history. And to top it all off - he got away with it. Sources Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every "Enemy of all Mankind" by Steven Johnson Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_Every.gif The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first months of WWII, millions of Polish citizens and soldiers were deported to the Soviet Union. As prisoners of war, hundreds of thousands perished from cold, starvation and execution. But after the German invasion of Russia, these exiles and prisoners were crafted into an army to fight the Nazis. The man to lead them was Wladyslaw Anders. This is the tale of Ander’s exiled Polish army. Sources "An Army in Exile: The Story of the Second Polish Corps" by Władysław Anders Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C5%82adys%C5%82aw_Anders Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Władysław_Anders.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1066 is a pivotal year in Western history as it marks the the Battle of Hastings - in which the Normans, under William, defeated the English, led by King Harold Godwinson. But many people don’t realize that just a few weeks before the Battle of Hastings there was a different fight - this between the English and the Norwegians - the latter led by the legendary King Harald Hardrada. This is the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Sources "1066: The Year of the Conquest" by David Howarth Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stamford_Bridge Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arbo_-_Battle_of_Stamford_Bridge_(1870).jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On June 28, 1969, in New York City, a known gay bar called the Stonewall Inn was the site of a police raid - a common occurrence at that time. But this time, it backfired. Police lost control of the situation when anger turned to fury and soon, a multi-day riot broke out. The end result was the beginning of the gay liberation movement in the United States. Sources "The Stonewall Riots" by Laurie Collier Hillstrom Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stonewall_Inn_raid_sign_pride_weekend_2016.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On January 30, 1661, Oliver Cromwell, one time Lord Protector and ruler of the English Commonwealth, was hanged for treason. After being cut down, his head was chopped off, and placed on a 20-foot pole above Westminster Hall. While that sounds nasty, the truly weird thing is that Oliver Cromwell had died three years earlier. In this episode, we take you on the story of the Head of Oliver Cromwell. Sources "The macabre tale of Oliver Cromwell's head" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j8vn2ne70o Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell%27s_head Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Narrative_relating_to_the_real_embalmed_head_of_Oliver_Cromwell,_now_exhibiting_in_Mead-Court,_in_Old_Bond-Street_Fleuron_T135438-1.png The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the evening of Nov. 4, 1605, a man in a cloak, hat and riding boots was discovered in a small storage room - called an undercroft - directly under Westminster Palace in London. Hidden in the room were 36 barrels of gunpowder. The man was Guy Fawkes. His plan was to blow up Parliament. This is the story of the Gunpowder Plot. Sources "Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot" - https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/guy-fawkes-and-the-gunpowder-plot/#gs.lflwi2 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot Image: Photo by Gary Rogers - https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000438892/ The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 2,000 years ago, in Alexandria Egypt, Ptolemy II had a dream - to establish the greatest library the world had known. What emerged was one of the grandest institutions ever built, and the forerunner to all modern libraries. This is the story of the Library of Alexandria.  Sources "Libraries in the Ancient World" by Lional Casson Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Alexandria Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancientlibraryalex.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 15, 1799, French soldiers discovered a large stone slab along the Nile Delta. They knew it was something special. But no one at the time realized it was the key to opening up the vast history of ancient Egypt. This is the story of the Rosetta Stone. Sources British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-know-about-rosetta-stone "The Rosetta Stone: Unlocking the Ancient Egyptian Language" - https://arce.org/resource/rosetta-stone-unlocking-ancient-egyptian-language/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_Stone Image: @Hans Hillewaert - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosetta_Stone.JPG The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year was 865 AD, and the largest viking army ever assembled landed on the shores of England. What ensued was 20 years of pillage and conquest that was only stopped by the young king of Wessex, Alfred the Great. Sources "Alfred the Great" by David J. Sturdy Image: Author and @Steve Daniels - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Statue_of_King_Alfred_in_Wantage_Market_Square.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saint Patrick holds the honor of being one of the most celebrated saints in history. But behind all of the celebration, shamrocks and myths, there is a real person. A man who lived 1,500 years ago and forever changed the history of Ireland, and the world. Sources "Saint Patrick Retold" by Roy Fletchener Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Patrick Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lá_Fhéile_Pádraig_Sona_Duit_-_Happy_Saint_Patrick%27s_Day.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine trying to rob a stagecoach. Now try to do it 29 times - with nothing but an unloaded shotgun, a flour sack mask, and your wits. Then do it without firing a single shot, and maintaining the highest level of decorum you can imagine. That is the story of Black Bart, the Wild West’s gentlemen bandit. Sources "Gentleman Bandit: The True Story of Black Bart, the Old West's Most Infamous Stagecoach Robber" by John Boessenecker Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Bowles_aka_Black_Bart.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On June 15, 1921, Texas-born Bessie Coleman took to the sky in her airplane - and in the process, became the first black woman and first Native American to earn a pilot's license in the United States. In this episode, we look at this aviation pioneer. Sources Cradle of Aviation Museum: https://www.cradleofaviation.org/history/history/women-in-aviation/bessie-coleman.html Saturday Evening Post: https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2025/02/the-high-flying-feats-of-bessie-coleman/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Coleman Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bessie_Coleman_in_1923.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History Dispatches debuts Monday, March 17. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1967, on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers hosted the Dallas Cowboys for the NFL Championship - the coldest game in NFL playoff history. This is the story of the legendary Ice Bowl. Sources Cowboys vs. Packers: The Ice Bowl | 1967 NFL Championship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe0XChUkWgU Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NFL_Championship_Game The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1933, a small brass plate was discovered near San Francisco - not far from where famed English privateer Francis Drake had supposedly landed back in 1579. It fit the description of a plate reportedly left by Drake - making it potentially one of the great relics of North American Exploration.  Sources Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake%27s_Plate_of_Brass Science Beat: Drake's Plate -- the end of the mystery? https://www2.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/NSD-Drakes-plate.html" Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1583_portrait_of_Sir_Francis_Drake.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1941, an exiled Polish army would find itself in Iran. There it would adopt an orphaned bear cub who would go on to serve the army as their mascot, fellow soldier, and their friend. Sources "The bear who was a private in the Polish army" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4nd3n33yeo Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojtek_(bear) Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_badge_of_the_22nd_Artillery_Support_Company_of_the_2nd_Polish_Corps.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the boiling summer of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, one women started to dance in the street. But this was no ordinary dance. She continued until her feet were bloody And soon, she was joined by hundreds of other dancers, dancing until they passed out from exhaustion or death. Sources "A Time to Dance, a Time to Die" by John Waller Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Die_Wallfahrt_der_Fallsuechtigen_nach_Meulebeeck.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over 4,000 years ago, the high priestess Enheduanna put pen to clay and wrote the Exaltation of Inanna, making her the earliest known named author in world history. Sources "Documents that changed the way we live" by Joseph Janes Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enheduanna Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Disk_of_Enheduanna.JPG The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1855, an American newspaperman, lawyer and doctor, William Walker, led a small, private army to Central America, and within a year, was recognized as the President of Nicaragua. Walker’s actions would unite people from five nations to rise up against him. This is the story of the Filibuster War. Sources "William Walker's Wars" by Scott Martelle Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Walker_(filibuster) Image - Library of Congress: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Walker_by_Brady.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1932, the Australian army began a military campaign to take on a horde of menacing invaders. These swarms of great beasts threatened the nation’s food supply, and the livelihoods of thousands of decent Australians. This is the Great Emu War.  Sources "The Great Emu War: When Australians Lost to Flightless Birds: https://www.thecollector.com/great-emu-war/ The Real Story Behind Australia’s Great Emu ‘War’ Of 1932 (And Why They Lost—Twice): https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2024/12/26/the-real-story-behind-australias-great-emu-war-of-1932-and-why-they-lost-twice/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu_War" Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Natural_History,_Birds_-_Emu.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former president Ulysses S Grant was penniless and dying. He was racing against the clock in order to complete his memoirs - and ensure the financial security of his family. The result would be one of the greatest pieces of non-fiction ever written. This is the story of U.S. Grant's memoirs. Sources "The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant," by Ulysses S. Grant "The Complete Annotated Edition by Ulysses S. Grant," Edited by David S. Nolen, John F. Marszalek, Louie P. Gallo Image: https://www.loc.gov/item/2002736661/ The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1866, a Swedish chemist came up with a concoction that went boom. And it would change the world - in ways no one could imagine. This is the story of Alfred Nobel and the creation of dynamite. Sources Nobel Prize Website: https://www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobels-life-and-work/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel" Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AlfredNobel2.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On May 16, 1975, Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei reached the summit of Mount Everest - and in the process became the first woman to ever climb the highest point on earth. Sources Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junko_Tabei Women in Exploration: https://womeninexploration.org/timeline/junko-tabei/ Junko Tabei, first to summit Everest in 1975: https://www.jobradshaw.co.uk/blog/junko-tabie-pioneering-mountaineer-and-first-women-to-summit-everest" Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Junko_Tabei_85_(3to4).jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 6, 1907, at Dublin Castle, in Dublin, Ireland, Sir Arthur Vicars, the Ulster King of Arms, opened up his safe in his office library. In doing so, he revealed the theft of Jewels of the Order of St. Patrick - more commonly known at the Irish Crown Jewels. The theft of the jewels - which today would be worth in the millions - has never been solved. Sources "Royal Raid: The curious case of the Irish Crown Jewels" - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-62924392 "The Theft of the Irish Crown Jewels" - https://dublincastle.ie/the-theft-of-the-irish-crown-jewels/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Crown_Jewels Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Irish_Crown_Jewels.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sidi Mubarak Bombay grew up a slave - taken from his home in Africa to India. But that didn't stop him from being one of the most accomplished explorers and travelers of Central Africa. Over a period of 20 years, Bombay traveled = with the most famous African explorers, including Richard Francis Burton, Henry Morton Stanley, David Livingston, and Richard Speke. Sources Black Past: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/sidi-mubarak-bombay-a-k-a-mbarak-mombee-1820-1885/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidi_Mubarak_Bombay Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Sidi_Mubarak_Bombay._Across_Africa_%281877%29.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1950's, Alberta, Canada, was under attack. By Rats! In response to an invasion of rats, the government of Alberta embarked on one of the most successful pest control campaigns in history. Sources "History of rat control in Alberta" - https://www.alberta.ca/history-of-rat-control-in-alberta Image: Poster released by the Alberta Department of Public Health circa 1948. (A17202b/Provincial Archives of Alberta) The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monopoly is a game of crushing your opponents. You ruthlessly gobble up properties, drive your foes into bankruptcy, and emerge as a victorious real estate mogul. But the popular game actually has deeper roots - all the way back to 1902. And what’s amazing is that it was actually created as an anti-capitalist learning tool. Sources "Lizzie Magie and the history of Monopoly" - https://blogs.bl.uk/business/2023/03/lizzie-magie-and-the-history-of-monopoly-1.html "The secret history of Monopoly: the capitalist board game’s leftwing origins" -https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/apr/11/secret-history-monopoly-capitalist-game-leftwing-origins Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Monopoly Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monopoly-board.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early 2000's, Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour took to the skies piloting a Cobra heliocopter, defying the odds of everyone saying she can't. This is the story of Captain Vernice Armour, the first African-American female combat pilot. Sources https://www.unsungheroeseducation.com/Transcripts/Vernice%20Armour%20Interviews.pdf Image (cropped from original): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-120518-M-HF911-372.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks would have enough. Sitting on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she was told to give up her seat. She said no. Sick and tired of decades of segregation, racism and oppression, she would sit defiantly. This would lead into some of the most pivotal moments in the American civil rights movement. Sources Montgomery Bus Boycott - https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/montgomery-bus-boycott "The Rebellious life of Rosa Parks" by Jeanne Theoharis Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosa_Parks_in_watercolour.png The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the mid-1800s, Great Britain fought two wars against China. The reason was not to conquer territory. Or get gain valuable resources. No, this was to force Chinese officials to allow British-grown opium to be imported into their country. So perhaps we can call this the story of the ruthless English drug lords. Sources "Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the End of China's Last Golden Age" by Stephen R. Platt "The Opium Wars in China" = https://asiapacificcurriculum.ca/learning-module/opium-wars-china Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Destroying_Chinese_war_junks,_by_E._Duncan_(1843).jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1719, Daniel Defoe published the book, “The LIfe and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.” The story is about a sailor who is stranded on an island for more than 20 years. It has gone on to be one of the most popular novels in western literature. In this episode, we tell the story of Alexander Selkirk, the man many believe to be the inspiration for Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Sources "The Real Robinson Crusoe" - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-real-robinson-crusoe-74877644/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Alexandria Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Selkirk_reading_his_Bible.png The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In May of 1527, 20,000 mutinous soldiers of Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire descended on Rome. What would follow was the absolute devastation of the city and its population, the gutting of the power of the Papacy, and the end of the High Renaissance era. Sources Medievalists.net: https://www.medievalists.net/2022/06/sack-rome-1527/ Smart History: https://smarthistory.org/sack-of-rome/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(1527) Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sack_of_Rome.jpg The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final days of the Second World War, one of the conflict's strangest battles took place. A group of French politicians, German soldiers, and American tankers teamed up to defend a castle from an attack by the SS. This is the story of the Battle of Castle Itter. Sources "The Last Battle: When U.S. and German Soldiers Joined Forces in the Waning Hours of World War II in Europe" by Stephen Harding The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For five decades John Chapman wandered the American frontier, from Pennsylvania to Illinois, planting thousands of apple trees and changing the American frontier. In the process, he established himself as one of America’s most foundational myths. This is the story of Johnny Appleseed. Sources "Johnny Appleseed: the man, the myth, the American story," by Howard Means Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=637870 The Explorers Podcast is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on the Explorers Podcast? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices