This week, we stepped back into the world of undercover FBI operations with the man, the myth, the legend… Bob Hamer. Bob always gives us the wildest stories when he’s in the tent and this time was no exception. From shootouts at Dennys to taking down the Italian Mafia, Bob has done it all. Let’s look back at this weeks episode!🕵️‍♂️

But first, Today In History

War: On January 3, 1961, President Eisenhower closed the U.S. embassy in Havana, severing diplomatic ties with Cuba amid rising tensions with Castro's regime, seen as a communist threat. This decision followed Castro's demand to reduce U.S. embassy staff, accusing it of espionage. Relations had soured since Castro's rise in 1959, with fears of his alignment with the communist bloc. After Castro's 1960 trade deal with the Soviet Union, the U.S. supported Cuban exiles to overthrow him, leading to Castro's nationalization of foreign assets and U.S. trade reductions. The diplomatic break marked the end of U.S. efforts to resolve the issues diplomatically.

War: On January 3, 2020, Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, was killed by a US drone strike near Baghdad Airport. The strike had a resemblance to WWII's Operation Vengeance, which killed Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The assassination attempt also killed four PMF members, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Soleimani was en route to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, carrying Iran's response to a Saudi message aimed at reducing tensions. His remains were identified by a distinctive ring that he always wore on his finger.

Religion: On January 3, 1521, Martin Luther, a German theologian who became the central figure of the religious and cultural movement known as the Protestant Reformation, was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. Before this happened, Pope Leo X had issued a bull of excommunication aimed at stripping Luther of his civil rights and protection. Due to the complex political and religious climate of the time, Luther was summoned by political leaders rather than directly by the pope or a church council. Emperor Charles V gave Luther a chance to reconsider his beliefs at the Diet of Worms. Luther stood firm and refused to abandon his views, which led to the application of the papal bull.

Crime: On January 3, 1990, Matthew Stuart revealed to Boston prosecutors that his brother, Charles, was responsible for murdering his wife, Carol, on October 23, 1989. Matthew admitted to helping hide the gun used in the crime. Days after the confession, Charles Stuart died by suicide. Before this confession came, the murder sparked national outrage because Charles falsely claimed that an African American man had robbed and shot them in a poor Boston neighborhood. Charles, a fur salesman, called for help, claiming both he and Carol had been shot. Carol, who was pregnant, died, and their baby also died shortly after. Charles had a serious stomach wound but survived. The case was widely covered, highlighting racial tensions and criticisms of liberal policies.

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- Jaime