The Adventures of Davy Crockett (a special episode for Gabriel Zamora)

[Music] This is Angela Odell and you are listening to real cool history for kids. A podcast show featuring history told from a distinctly biblical worldview perspective. Welcome to an adventure! [Music] Welcome to episode 177 of Real Cool History for Kids. This episode is for Gabriel Zamora, who wanted to hear the story of Davey Crocket. Okay guys, before I even start, I need to apologize for my voice. I've been sick for the last couple of weeks. And my throat is still not 100%, but I'm going to do my best, okay? I promise it really is me. So, our story about Davey Crocket. Davey Crocket is one of the most well-known frontiersmen in American history. But his life was much more than just the tall tales and legends that you might have seen in the movies. His story is one of perseverance, courage, and standing up for what is right, even when it's difficult and even when it doesn't turn out the way you really wanted to. Davey Crocket was born in 1786 in what is now the state of Tennessee. At that time, Tennessee was still part of the American frontier. Life there was pretty difficult, okay? Very, very different from what it is today. There were no gracious doors and there were no paved roads, and it was not easy to get what you needed. Families had to rely on their own hard work to survive. Well, Davey grew up in a really big family, and from a young age, he learned how to work. His father struggled financially, and when Davey was still a boy, he was sent away to work for other people to help support the family. Davey, unfortunately, didn't receive much schooling. As a young teenager, Davey ran away from home to escape the harsh conditions. He spent months on his own, traveling and working wherever he could. During that time, he learned how to take care of himself, and how to make wise decisions in difficult situations. Eventually, he returned home, but he was no longer just a boy. He had become a strong, independent, and capable young man. As a young man, Davey married and began building a life for himself. He worked hard to provide for his family, often hunting, to supply the food. Davey was known as a great hunter. He could move quietly throughout the forest, and read tracks, animal tracks, and scat, and understood the land in a way that very few people could. As he grew older, Davey became known not only for his skill, but also for his character. People trusted him. They knew he would speak honestly, and do what he believed was right. During the early 1800s, the United States was still a very young country, and there were many conflicts as it expanded westward. These were the years of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the country was gaining much, much new property and territory. Davey volunteered to serve as a soldier during the Creek War. This war was part of a much larger and deeper and much more complex struggle. As settlers moved into the lands, that native American tribes had long called their home. Davey's role in the war was mainly as a scout. He traveled through difficult terrain, gathered information, and helped guide others. This required courage and patience and a deep understanding of the wilderness, which is what Davey had. After his time as a soldier, Davey made a surprising decision. He entered politics. At first, he served in local government, helping make decisions for his community. Later, he was elected to the United States Congress. Now, Davey Cruckett was not like most politicians. He didn't use complicated language or tried to impress people with grand speeches. He spoke in the same plain and simple way he would talk to his neighbors. People appreciated that. They trusted him because he was real and didn't put on heirs. While serving a Congress, Davey showed a great deal of courage. At one point, he strongly stood against the law, called the Indian Removal Act. Many people supported this law, but Davey believed it was wrong, to force the Native American families to leave their homes. Even though his opinion was unpopular, he chose to stand by what he believed was right. That kind of courage isn't easy. It takes strength to stand alone, when others disagree. Hey guys, I'm going to take a quick break right here in the middle of our story about Davey Cruckett to give a shout out to a special friend who just had his 9th birthday, Nicholas Carlson, and his whole family. Nicholas's mom says this. We all listen to all of your podcast episodes and many of them several times. Nicholas's favorite stories are about wars, especially about World War I and World War II. His favorite episode though is the Winter War. He even presented on this war between the Soviet Union and Finland during one of our homeschool community days. Thank you for your kind words. This episode is made possible in part by our wonderful Patreon members. Thank you guys for helping keep real cool history for kids on the air and free for everyone. Also, I want to give an update on the two celebrating 250 years of Liberty projects. The brand new edition of My Country, My State, My Responsibility is going to be in stock and shipping within the next couple of weeks you guys are so excited. The Chronicles of Liberty book, book one, will be close behind it. Now let's get back to our story about Davey Cruckett. Eventually Davey lost his seat in Congress. But instead of giving up, he chose a new path. He decided to head west to Texas. Yes, Davey was ready for an adventure. But he had no idea that he was heading toward the last adventure of his lifetime. At that time, Texas was part of Mexico. And there was growing tension between the settlers living there and the Mexican government. Many settlers wanted independence. In conflict began to rise. Davey Cruckett joined others who were willing to fight for Texas. And this decision would lead him to the most famous moment of his life, the Battle of the Alamo. In 1836, Davey Cruckett and a small group of defenders took refuge in a mission called the Alamo. There were about 200 men inside, including well-known figures like William B. Travis and James Buie. You guys may have already heard the episode about the Alamo, but if you haven't, I encourage you to take the time to listen. It's episode 96 of Real Cool History for Kids. The men in the Alamo were surrounded by a much larger Mexican army led by General Santa Ana, who had thousands of soldiers. For nearly two weeks, the defenders held their ground. They took turns standing guard, preparing defenses and encouraging one another. They knew they were outnumbered and they understood that help might not arrive in time. Still, they stayed. In the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the Mexican army launched a final attack. The battle was so intense and it did not last very long. The defenders fought bravely, but they were overwhelmed. Davey Cruckett died there, along with the other defenders of the Alamo, you guys. Their stand became one of the most remembered moments in American history. People began to say, "Remember the Alamo as a way of honoring their bravery and their sacrifice." and that phrase became a powerful reminder of courage and determination in the face of unbeatable odds. After his death, David Krockett's story continued to grow. People told stories about his adventures, some of them chewed and some of them were stretched just a little, just a little over time. And stories were told about his incredible strength, his hunting skills and his fearless spirit. These stories turned him into a legend of the American frontier and some of these legends were told through movies where families watched David Krockett, king of the wild frontier, who could grin a bar right out of a tree. But behind the legend was a real man, right? He was someone who worked hard from a young age and he was someone who learned from his mistakes. He was someone who chose to stand up for what he believed was right. And David Krockett's life reminds us that courage often comes from developing grit and resilience over a lifetime of challenges, a lifetime of decisions. David's life reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses. It's one I quote often, Joshua 1.9. Be strong in courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the larger God will be with you wherever you go. And I am remembering that today you guys as I am struggling to speak clearly after being sick for so long. I am thankful that God gives courage. And when I am determined to do something, to accomplish something, that God is right there giving me what I need. I will not be discouraged. I will finish strong, right? I am going to finish strong so you guys can hear the rest of the story. So David Krockett's life was marked by perseverance and courage. He used the abilities God gave him. And he chose to stand firm and what he believed was right. His story is a powerful reminder that our choices matter. And that courage is something that we can practice every day. It also reminds us to keep standing for what is right, even if we feel like what we say or do doesn't really matter enough to make a difference. History is full of all kinds of brave people who probably felt like they failed in some way. For David, it was standing against the Indian Removal Act and then later fighting at the Alamo. He didn't keep it from happening. But do you know what he did accomplish you guys? His life accomplishment was leaving a legacy of standing up and not backing down and not giving in and not giving up in impossible situations. And now it's time for this episode's birthday shoutouts. Are you ready? Happy birthday to Tani Clues who turned seven on April 2nd. Happy birthday to Goldie Walzak who turned six on April 2nd. Happy birthday to Austin Richards who turned six on April 3rd. Happy birthday to Evelyn Orth who turned eight on April 4th. Happy birthday to Linus Longren who turned eight on April 5th. Happy birthday to Elijah Gordon who is turning four on April 8th. Happy birthday to Tessa Burke who is turning six on April 9th. Happy birthday to Corbin Deeson who is turning 14 on April 10th. Happy birthday to Patrick Ryland more head the third who's turning eight on April 10th. Happy birthday to Riley Stillwell who's turning eight on April 10th. Happy birthday to Fiona Milchelry who is turning four on April 11th. Happy birthday to Justice Singer who is turning 11 on April 11th. Happy birthday to Molina Engel who is turning four on April 12th. Happy birthday to Adam Bauer who is turning three on April 13th. Happy birthday to Hope St. Fonte who is turning four on April 13th. Happy birthday to Thomas Filer who is turning six on April 13th. Happy birthday to Carson Brown who is turning one on April 14th. And happy birthday to Grayson Asp who is turning four on April 14th. Happy birthday to all of you from the real cool history for kids family. I hope you all have enjoyed this adventure in history today. Remember to keep exploring and to keep asking questions and always remember history is full of all kinds of real adventure and really cool stories. I'll meet you here soon for our next episode of real cool history for kids. Until then with the help and the grace of Jesus our Savior. Be the best you ever.