History Dispatches

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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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In January of 2026, Monet Izabeth completed a 57-day expedition in Antarctica, becoming the first American woman to ski solo, and unsupported, to the South Pole. In this episode, we interview her, and find out about her journey to not only reach the South Pole – but also all the challenges leading up to expedition.

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Links

Website: https://www.monetizabeth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monet.izabeth

Support Monet Izabeth: https://gofund.me/e529e5e3a

Image: by Sara Jenner courtesy of Monet Izabeth

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

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