Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, November 1, 2026
When asked by a listener for historical figures who deserve a movie or TV show, Gary highlights Robert Smalls. He details Smalls's life as a slave who stole a ship to sail to Union lines during the Civil War, later becoming a Black captain in the Navy and a member of Congress.
“He was the slave who stole a ship, sailed it to the Union lines during the Civil War, became the first black captain in the American Navy, and then one of the first black members of Congress.”