Resolute Desk episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 14, 2025 · 18 MIN

Resolute Desk

from History Dispatches · host Matt and McKinley Breen

The Resolute Desk has been used by American Presidents since 1880, and resided in the Oval Office for nearly 50 years. So, where did this stout wooden desk come from? And where did it get its formidable name? You might be surprised that all those answers rest with a British exploration vessel from the 1850s. This is the story of the Resolute Desk. Sources https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/treasures-of-the-white-house-resolute-desk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolute_desk https://www.thoughtco.com/the-resolute-desk-4121120 Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photograph_of_President_Reagan_working_at_his_desk_in_the_Oval_Office_-_NARA_-_198593_(cropped).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

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 14, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Resolute Desk

0:00 18:03

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of History Dispatches?

This episode is 18 minutes long.

When was this History Dispatches episode published?

This episode was published on November 14, 2025.

Can I download this History Dispatches episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!