The true story behind Edward Zwick's Defiance is laid out in this brisk, straight-to-the-point account of the Bielski brothers, the leaders of a large, organized Jewish resistance effort during World War II. Escaped Jews from the ghettoes of Eastern Europe joined together in the woods under the leadership of Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski, and for over two years they created their own hidden society of approximately 1200 people. This History Channel installment gathers together survivors of the partisan movement to tell stories, some of which are incredibly moving, such as the escape of Mike Stoll and his sister Bella from a train headed to a concentration camp. Another survivor recalls escaping the horror of the ghetto and coming upon the Bielskis in their forest enclave, where Jews were no longer under the heel of the enemy: "The whole camp was… something of a dream." The documentary's brevity means we don't get much depth on how the Bielski partisans actually survived from day to day, although a couple of the interviewees are frank about what they had to do to keep going. But this is balanced by the value of actually hearing the voices and seeing the faces of those who were there; when one woman sings a song of the camp, the decades suddenly collapse. As a companion piece to Defiance, it suggests the Zwick film was faithful to the facts, and to this story of heroism under terrible circumstances.
A history of film censorship in the U.S. looks at the impact of production codes. Included: how the rules affected the careers of actors and directors, and the making of the "Our Gang" comedies and "Gone with the Wind."
Mary Shelley created a monster in 1818, and writers, actors and filmmakers haven't been able to get enough of it ever since. The history of the creature on and off the screen includes clips from Thomas Edison's 1910 filmization to Kenneth Branagh's 1994 treatment, plus interviews with Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Roger Corman and others.
The largest ship ever built is christened in Ireland before a cheering crowd of 100,000. Witness the disaster this trek becomes as numerous iceberg warnings go unheeded and the ship sinks in the icy North Atlantic.
Overpacked lifeboats edge away from the crippled liner as futile SOS signals flare into the night - leaving 1,500 passengers to a watery grave. Also, witness the courageous deep sea expedition to unearth Titanic's secrets.
This breathtaking overview of World War II documents the savage global fighting that began with Germany's 1939 invasion of Poland and ended over the skies of Japan in 1945. Actual footage from the European, North African and Pacific theatres dramatically shows how the Allies defeated the Evil Axis of Power. Then discover the details of the Desert War in North Africa. See how untested American Troops defeated Rommel's seasoned Africa Corps in 1943, and learn why the victory was a first step towards winning the war.
For 36 days in 1945, 82,000 Americans from all branches of the service fought the Japanese for possession of the volcanic island of Iwo Jima.
Atomic weapons tests spur dissent.
It was 1935. Benny Goodman and the Big Band sound shared the waves with the Lone Ranger. FDR was getting the New Deal off the ground. A series of dramatic personal interest stories captured the public's imagination. The year of newsreels provided compelling coverage of the trial of Bruno Hauptmann in the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. The assassination of Louisiana Governor Huey Long, and a nation in morning for favorite son Will Rogers killed in an aviation crash with aviator Wiley Post. This and more as Year By Year Presents: 1935.
Aidan Quinn narrates this documentary of the struggle of Irish immigrants in the United States. Topics includes Irish involvement in the American Revolution, the Age of Jackson, the Mexican and Civil Wars, the California Gold Rush, and the building of American cities.
Heroes ascend, as FDR is elected and Amelia Earhart flies across the Atlantic, and "Scarface" Al Capone is sent to jail on a tax beef.
Trace the invincible carrier of the U.S.S. Intrepid and the men who fought and died while battling on her decks. This documentary has never-before-seen footage of the Intrepid in action and includes first-hand accounts from aviators, astronauts, gunners, and officers, as well as commentary by General Colin Powell and U.S. Senator John McCain. It also features millionaire Zachary Fisher, the man who single-handedly saved the Intrepid from being turned into scrap, financing the venture to transform the ship into the world's largest naval museum. Seventeen storeys tall and three football fields long, the magnificent Intrepid was one of America's fiercest warships and saw a wide range of action -- from the WWII battle for the Leyte Gulf, to the deadly struggle in Vietnam, to the peacetime recovery of American space capsules.
In the jungles of Vietnam, soldiers decorated palm trees and gave makeshift gifts to comrades. In the bitter chill of Valley Forge, Washington's men wrote longing letters home to family and loved ones who prayed for their safe return. In the blistering sands of Desert Storm, USO Santas cheered the homesick troops. CHRISTMAS AT WAR is a fascinating look at the way fighting men have dealt with the season of peace throughout history. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, it is a testament to the strength and flexibility of the human spirit. Hear the words of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers in letters to home. See rare footage of Christmas celebrations in World War II, from Europe's frozen battlefields to South Pacific islands. Discover incredible tales of unspoken cease-fires, when enemy troops have discarded their uniforms and hostilities for one night. It's an intimate, moving look at the way fighting men reconcile the reality of war with the celebration of peace, an unforgettable portrait of humanity at its most human.
More than 50 years after its construction, the Golden Gate is still regarded as one of the world's great engineering marvels. It took 25 million man-hours and 80,000 miles of cable to complete. But the cost in human life was even greater.
Seven years after the fact, the true story of Desert Storm is coming into view. Despite the dominance of the Coalition victory, the outcome was by no means certain when the fighting began. DESERT STORM: THE ULTIMATE WAR uses the testimony of many high ranking American officers to tell the complete tale of the first real test of the new military. Among the fighters interviewed are Army Major General Paul J. Kern (Ret.), Naval Admiral R. Stanley Arthur (Ret.), Marine Major General Michael Myatt (Ret.), Army Vice Chief of Staff General Ronald H. Griffith and Air Force pilot and former POW Colonel Dave Eberly. In their remarkable stories, an intimate portrait of the war emerges, much different from the sanitized version the world saw nightly on CNN. Learn of the revolutionary weapons systems that lived up to their billing in their first real test and those that didn't. Trace the progress of the war through stunning combat footage and the testimony of Lt. General Bernard E. Trainor, USMC Ret., co-author of The General's War: The Inside Story of the Gulf War. And discover how the lessons learned in Iraq have already reshaped the American military, further honing a fighting force transformed since Vietnam.
Detailed and fascinating documentary telling the history of the famous German battleship of World War II. The urgent British hunt and the German ship's efforts to escape are described through vintage film and recollections of both British and German veterans of the battles.
Discover the story of the men behind one of the oldest and most renowned financial service organizations in the world in this documentary from the filmmakers at The History Channel. Their names were Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser, and together these three pioneering reporters would serve as the co-founders of the Dow Jones and it's flagship publication The Wall Street Journal. As their remarkable story plays out, leading financial figures such as Lou Dobbs and Louis Rukeyser weigh in on the legacy that Dow, Jones, and Bergstresser left behind while discussing the evolution of the Dow Jones Industrial Average ad its unique evolution over the previous decades.
The history of lighter than air transportation culminating in the Hindenburg explosion which gets thoroughly covered and analyzed.
History Sunday Presents: Most Decorated: The Nisei Soldiers. It was on December 8th 1941, one day after Pearl Harbor that the United States declared war on Japan. That was also the start of an undeclared war against many Japanese-Americans. More than 100,000 Japanese-immigrants and their children were taken from their homes and put in relocation centers or internment camps. But despite the humiliating treatment, several thousand young Japanese men desparately wanted the chance to fight for their adopted country. On our program Gerald McRaney tells the story of two combat units made up almost entirely of Nisei: second generation Japanese-Americans. Their loyalty was and patriotism questioned was questioned by fellow soldiers, until the Nisei saw action in Italy and France.
A battle history of Hispanic Americans involved in every major conflict in American history.
The battles against the Japanese were among the deadliest in military history. But Allied soldiers fighting against the Empire of Rising Sun had a 17.5% better chance of surviving than those held in Japanese POW camps! MURDER UNDER THE SUN is a comprehensive look at some of the most shocking and disturbing stories from World War II the Japanese war crimes. By the summer of 1942, the Japanese had captured over 320,000 prisoners. For the next three-and-a-half years, those who survived would live through unimaginable physical, mental and emotional torture. Chilling interviews with former POWs, including Staff Sergeant Lester Tenney, author of My Hitch in Hell, reveal the cruelty and torture that defined life in the Japanese camps. Learn the truth behind some of the most famous stories of World War II, and see footage from the landmark trials where Japanese officers and leaders were sentenced for their actions.
"Titanic - Anatomy of a Disaster" is an original Discovery Channel production that looks into not only the history but the mystery surrounding the sinking of Britain's most luxurious passenger liner. Having assembled a unique investigative team of oceanologists, marine engineers, archaeologists, microbiologists, metallurgists, engineers, writers, historians and movie makers, Discovery Channel spent many months unraveling this mystery. Discover the truth about one of history's greatest disasters. Touted as unsinkable prior to its maiden voyage, the manner in which the Titanic sank has long been a source of debate. Watch as scientists and researchers combine underwater archaeology, forensic science, metallurgy and other disciplines to get to the bottom of this 90-year-old mystery. In the frigid North Atlantic night, on the fourth night of its maiden voyage the "unsinkable" R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg on its starboard side and went down. But exactly how did the vessel sink? This investigation narrated by Martin Sheen, takes you on an extraordinary research and recovery expedition to uncover the truth. In Titanic: Anatomy of a Disaster, you'll take part in the first expedition to use science to piece together the the Titanic's final hours. First, follow a group of investigators as they dive to the site and analyze the clues to separate fact from fiction. Then, through dramatic re-enactments, computer animation and other state of the art techniques, see how these scientists faithfully recreate the iceberg damage and the sinking process to discover what might have been done to prevent it.
It is the world's most widely read and revered book, regarded as the Word of God by the faithful and a fascinating historical document by scholars. But what are the facts behind the creation of this immortal text?This two-volume set chronicles new scientific research and theological insight into the origin of the Holy Scriptures. Leading Biblical experts journey back to the land and the times of the Bible's very creation to probe its most profound mysteries: Did Moses really write the Torah? What secrets does the oldest existing piece of the Bible reveal? And what hints of its genesis can the Dead Sea scrolls tell us? From ancient Qumran to Jerusalem and from Galilee to Egypt, the clues this unique inquiry uncovers will intrigue and inspire the faithful and scholarly alike!
The origins of Halloween are explored in this engrossing program on the subject. A ghoulish array of costumes, make up, and decoration descend on communities every year on October 31st, but few people are aware of how the celebration came to exist. Harry Smith attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery in THE HAUNTED HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN, which delves into the 3,000 years of hoopla that traditionally unfolds when October comes around. As the history is explained, so are various failed attempts to co-opt the festival by various religious groups; but the most compelling revelation is how little the festival has changed over the centuries. A marvelous way to gain a historical perspective on this entertaining holiday, Smith's program is almost as fun as carving a pumpkin, donning a spooky costume, and undertaking a little trick or treating!
An examination of the history, culture and legacy of Japan's storied warriors. See how the nation was continually wracked by civil wars, with the only peace coming when the most powerful samurais were able to claim the title of shogun and rule with an iron hand over their cowed adversaries. Explore the strict code of bushido these ancient warriors lived by, and hear period accounts of the greatest battles and most storied fighters.
The documentary traces the evolution of the celebration of Christmas from ancient times until the present day. It is sprinkled with comments from such luminaries as Jean Shepherd, Alan Dundes and Forrest Church, among others, and makes liberal use of film and television clips from It's a Wonderful Life, Mickey's Christmas Carol, rare silent film versions of A Visit from St. Nicholas, the film A Christmas Story, and a seldom seen, extremely low-budget, 1949 television version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (which is, however, mistakenly identified as having been made in 1958). Several aspects of Christmas are touched on - the bringing of Christmas trees to England and to the U.S., the writing of A Visit from St. Nicholas (aka. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas), the evolution of Santa Claus, and the writing of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.
They are the last refuge for the desperate, a place where a man's past is forgiven and forgotten and one of the most difficult and demanding fighting forces on earth. No other force has captured the imagination of so many men as the French Foreign Legion.From the desert sands of Algeria to the beleaguered airstrip at Dien Bien Phu, the Legion has held together through good times and bad because of a strong sense of brotherhood and loyalty to the cause. And they have fought in some of history's most storied battles. THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION is a thrilling trip through the bloody history of this fabled fighting force. Journey back to Napoleonic France to uncover its origins, and follow its growing legend through the decades. See how men were drawn to theLegion by its promise that when a recruit signs up, his past is forgotten, but his future is France's. Die and you die a hero, live and all past sins are forgiven. From Beau Geste to its surprising survival in the modern world, this is the gripping story.
The amazing works of art and architecture known as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World serve as a testament to the ingenuity, imagination and sheer hard work of which human beings are capable. They are also, however, reminders of the human capacity for disagreement, destruction and, possibly, embellishment. As soon as ancient writers compiled a list of “seven wonders,” it became fodder for debate over which achievements deserved inclusion. Ultimately, human hands joined with natural forces to destroy all but one of the wonders. Furthermore, it is possible that at least one of the wonders might not have existed at all. Still, all seven continue to inspire and be celebrated as the remarkable products of the creativity and skill of Earth’s early civilizations.
It is the richest burial site ever discovered in the Western Hemisphere: a massive royal tomb on the outskirts of Sipan, Peru, where the ancient treasures of the Moche civilization rested undisturbed for centuries. But in 1987, a sudden flood of priceless gold and silver artifacts was the first clue that a major new find had been made not by archaeologists, but by grave robbers who were selling the spoils of an ancient, little-known people. TOMBS OF SIPAN tells the incredible tale of archaeologists and art-dealers, investigators and looters that led to one of the most important archaeological finds in history. The case was broken when one looter, upset with his take, confessed and turned in the others. The thieves and many stunning artifacts were captured, but most importantly, they revealed the location of their trove. From the saga of their discovery to the ongoing investigations, this is the remarkable saga of the TOMBS OF SIPAN.
A detailed history of the war between Chicago's North Side and South Side organized-crime gangs during the Prohibition era, leading up to the infamous "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre".
This epic struggle had a more profound effect on civilization than any other war in history. New countries had to be built on the ruins of a continent. It was the end of kings, empires and innocence, and the beginning of weapons like the U-boat, the machine gun, the tank and poison gas. Graphic footage captures the horrors of trench warfare in battles like Verdun, where over one million men died. Riveting commentary from leading experts details the awesome effects of new technology on the battlefield, and the revolutionary changes that the end of the war brought including the near-inevitable rebirth of Germany as a military force to be reckoned with in World War II.
Beyond the barbecues and fireworks, this documentary delves into the history and traditions of the Fourth of July. The occasion dates back to America's first Independence Day celebration, which took place after the Declaration of Independence was read in Philadelphia in 1776. Although parties have taken place every year since, July 4 wasn't declared a holiday until 1941. Learn more facts and see footage from festivities around the country.
The South Atlanta, September 1942. A trans-ocean liner carrying 3000 passengers was sunk in these waters. The German U-Boat that torpedoed her, then embarked on one of the most remarkable rescue missions in maritime history.
From the Freemasons to Yale's exclusive Skull and Bones, this is a penetrating look at the enigmatic world of SECRET SOCIETIES. What do 13 signers of the Constitution and 15 presidents have in common with Duke Ellington and Mozart? All of them along with many other influential figures were members of the world's largest and oldest secret society, the Freemasons. A favorite subject of conspiracy theorists worldwide, this vast organization is familiar to many, but known by few. SECRET SOCIETIES unravels mysteries and legends surrounding the Masons and another famous society, Yale University's prestigious Skull and Bones club. Explore tales of plots, victims and conspiracies, and hear from insiders what really goes on behind the closed doors of these organizations. In a violation of his oath, a "secret Bonesman" reveals details of some of the most important Skull and Bones ceremonies, while conspiracy theorists explore the seemingly pervasive influence of the Masons in Western society. See a word-for-word re-enactment of the Freemason's most essential ritual, and the most detailed re-creation of the Skull and Bones' initiation rite ever filmed.
At times, it has been among the most powerful and largest fraternal organizations in America, boasting up to four million members. It has survived for more than a century by wrapping its doctrine of hate and intolerance around the sacred cloth of Christianity and the fabric of American patriotism. The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History goes beyond the flaming crosses and beneath the robes, to reveal the dark heart of this controversial organisation.
This episode chronicles the decline of Rome, how its power shifted to the east to the new capital of Constantinople, a move cemented by the plundering of the city of Rome in 410 A.D. and how the influence of the ancient empire is still felt today.
The image of the Highland soldier, in his tartan kilt and sporran, is known and admired throughout the world. He has become the symbol of Scottishness: a heroic warrior, marching proudly to the skirl of the bagpipe, ready to fight and die for the honor of his regiment, his clan and his country. But history reveals a very different picture. Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Highlander was seen as a treacherous and barbaric savage. He was despised, even by his own countrymen, and hunted like an animal. Laws prohibited the wearing of his tartan, the playing of pipes - even his Gaelic language and his clan names were reviled. This program looks beyond the myth to tell the true and often tragic story of the Highland Clansman.
They lived by the code of chivalry and woke to the sounds of trumpets. They owed their position and power to the lords whose desperate striving for glory and land rocked Europe for centuries. FOOT SOLDIER: THE MEDIEVAL SOLDIER is a unique look at the lives of the common soldier in the countless and continual wars of the Middle Ages. Drawing on ancient accounts of battles, rare artworks, the latest discoveries and groundbreaking scholarship, a complete account of the lot of these overlooked soldiers emerges. Told in a refreshing, vibrant style, THE MEDIEVAL SOLDIER marches into the heart of history, showing what it was like to fight with the sword and bow and arrow in the armies of feudal lords. Relive some of the storied encounters of the age through dramatic re-enactments, and get an eye-opening look at life beyond the battlefield, where clothes and food were often hard to come by, and the only constant was struggle. From storming castles to weathering the elements and fighting off disease (the deadliest killer of all), this is a captivating introduction to the dangerous and difficult world of THE MEDIEVAL SOLDIER.
In Ireland, March 17th is a feast day honoring the bishop who Christianized the island; but in America it's a boisterous celebration of Irish heritage. We'll march up New York's Fifth Avenue with over 150,000 celebrants at the largest and oldest parade on the day all Americans are Irish. With Andrew Greeley and Frank McCourt.
Looking back at 1937. Included: aviatrix Amelia Earhart disappears over the Pacific; civil war breaks out in Spain.
The is the story of the fort the war and the flag that inspired the national anthem.
It was a centerpiece of the Cold War. The space race between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. resulted in some of the most significant scientific and engineering advances in human history. But it was also marred by tragedy. And while the stories of American mishaps--such as the fire that claimed the lives of three Apollo astronauts in 1967--are well documented, the failures of the Soviet space program remained closely guarded secrets until only recently. Filled with rare, never-before-seen footage from Soviet archives and interviews with insiders like Ronald Sagdeev, Mikhail Gorbachev's science advisor, SECRETS OF SOVIET SPACE DISASTERS brings these long-hidden stories to light. See how personal rivalries, shifting political alliances and bureaucratic bungling led to the more than 150 deaths as well as the eventual failure of the Soviet space program itself.
Documentary that tells the story of the 101st Airborne, one of the Army's most decorated divisions. First formed during World War I as the 101st division, it became the 101st Airborne in World War II. The 101st stormed the beaches at Normandy, fought in Operation Market Garden and was instrumental in the Battle of the Bulge. It was involved in the integration of Central High School in Little Rock in 1957. During Vietnam it was renamed the 101st Air Cavalry Division as it went to battle in the attack helicopters that have become their trademark in succeeding conflicts such as the Persian Gulf War, Somalia and the Balkans.
Drawing on one of the largest libraries of combat footage on earth, this program details how the Allies finally won the Pacific War. The stunning sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and the European colonies in Southeast Asia was the beginning of six months of unbroken conquests for the forces of Imperial Japan. But finally the Allied forces rallied, and they began the long fight to win back the Pacific. The Allies began their first strategic offensive against Japan with landings on the Solomon Islands and Admiral Halsey's Battle of the Bismarck Sea helped neutralize the Japanese Offensive. These along with millions of small triumphs in bloody foxholes, in flaming cockpits, in blasting gun turrets all helped bring victory to the Allied Forces during WWII. THE BATTLES THAT DOOMED JAPAN chronicles the bloody island hopping campaign that eventually turned the tide of World War II. Stunning combat footage captures the brutality of the fight for the Solomon Islands, the epic engagement at Midway and the crucial campaign fought by the British forces in Burma. We'll also see what happened in overlooked encounters like the battle for Port Moresby and the short-lived Japanese attack on the Aleutian islands! And we'll examine the increasingly desperate tactics that marked Japan's final effort to deny the inevitable as the end drew near. From the cockpits to the foxholes, this is a detailed look at the pivotal moments that helped bring World War II to a close.
As the newly opened feature movie "Dick" does a humorous take on the Nixon administration, The History Channel looks back at Richard M. Nixon's resignation from the presidency.
The 1991 Halloween Gale
The battle of the Little Big Horn -- "Custer's Last Stand" -- has been examined and re-examined so many times that it would seem the subject has been exhausted. But LITTLE BIG HORN: THE UNTOLD STORY proves otherwise. The product of over twenty years of research by Dr. Herman J. Viola, Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian Institution, this study draws on some of the most impressive source material imaginable, including restored footage of the first-ever reconstruction of the battle, filmed in 1908 with many of the Native Americans who took place in the real fight. The Red Horse drawings--40 vivid color portraits made by an eyewitness--offer another privileged view of the famous battle. But perhaps most intriguing are the on-camera accounts of Dr. Medicine Crow, who as a young man knew five of the six Crow scouts in Custer's employ, as well as Sioux and Cheyene.
From the Nazi blitzkrieg in 1939 to the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, the Axis tide rolled unchecked -- until a series of battles that spelled doom for Hitler and his allies.
The Underground Railroad, "the first civil rights movement," was no mere act of civil disobedience. The secret network of guides, pilots, and safe-house keepers (the Railroad's "conductors") was built by runaway slaves who, over the decades, communicated their experiences through songs and secret gestures, and were supported by abolitionists (many of them former slaves) who risked their own freedom to help free the enslaved. The "passengers" risked their lives. A wealth of photos, documents, and commentary by modern historians provides the broad lines of history, but it comes alive in the individual stories of conductors and passengers, among them abolitionist and historian William Still, called the "Father of the Underground Railroad," and Henry "Box" Brown, who mailed himself to freedom in a cargo crate. They (and many others) take their place beside Harriet Tubman ("the Moses of her people") and Frederick Douglass as courageous heroes in America's first integrated social movement.
Documentary based on a book by Robert Utley, the former chief historian of the National Park Service, that looks at the American mountain men of the early 19th century. The small but distinctive group included trappers and traders such as Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Tom Fitzpatrick and Jedediah Smith. By the 1830s, they helped map the Rockies, the Great Plains, the Mexican Southwest, the disputed Oregon territory and California.
The real story behind Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor is an account of remarkable military daring, startling military blunders and still-controversial political decisions made at the highest levels. December 7 1941 was a turning point in history. The world was forever changed after the fateful attack on Pearl Harbour. It was the most daring naval and army manoeuvres of all time. In less than two hours without warning a swarm of Japanese fighter planes, each bearing a red sun soared over pearl harbour, Hawaii. At 7.53am a Japanese commander radioed to his pilots, "Tora, Tora, Tora!" In a matter of minutes, bombs and torpedoes fell from the sky paralysing U.S pacific naval forces. The day of infamy began with an intricate well-planned attack and a thunderous roar. The shock and anger over the surprise raid rallied a divided nation together more than any other event known to modern man.
They were unlikely allies, bound together on the principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." But despite fighting on opposite sides of the globe and the ideological divide that separated them, Germany and Japan cooperated extensively throughout World War II. Using government documents, the recollections of soldiers and commentary from leading historians, SAMURAI AND THE SWASTIKA tells the long-overlooked story of the strategic alliance between the Axis powers. See how Japan supplied Germany with much-needed raw materials for the war, while German engineers shared sophisticated rocket and jet-propulsion technology with their Japanese counterparts. Jointly, they supported anti-English uprisings in India, giving aid and military supplies to Bose Chandras, a dissident Indian general, and his guerilla army. And in perhaps the boldest scheme of all, they conspired to destroy the Panama Canal and cut off America's Pacific war from its crucial Atlantic supply operations. Here, sophisticated computer animations bring this bold scheme to life in astonishing detail. From the origins of their alliance to a seized shipment of Uranium bound for Japan at the end of the war, this is a compelling look at how the Axis powers supported each other throughout World War II.
See how an overweight Venezuelan boy, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, turned himself into a swaggering, cold-blooded killer. He was public enemy #1 throughout much of the 1970s, the criminal mastermind thought to be behind the hijacking of the El Al jet at Entebbe, Uganda, and the attacks on the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic games. But his deadliest job occurred years later, with the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. CARLOS THE JACKAL separates myth from reality to in this fascinating and authoritative portrait of the notorious terrorist. Only now, six years after his dramatic arrest in the Sudan by French Secret Agents, can the complete story be told. With the help of David Yallop and John Follain, the authors of Jackal, we'll see how an overweight Venezualan boy transformed himself into a swaggering, cold-blooded killer. Vincent Cannistraro, the former director of the CIA's Counter-Terrorism Unit, details the decades-long effort to hunt down the Jackal, and examines the trail of death and destruction he left behind. And we'll see how the Jackal's actions seemed more effective at burnishing his own myth than at championing the cause of Palestinian independence. This is the definitive story of one the most infamous terrorists of all time.
A fun-filled glimpse into the not so distant history of video games. Since inception, the gaming industry has been a driving force in computer technology and video games are one of today’s dominant entertainment mediums.
In 1864, General Grant doggedly pursued Lee's forces. On June 3, the two sides met at Cold Harbor, a crossroads near Richmond, where Grant hurled his men against entrenched breastworks, losing 7,000 in 20 minutes. Fighting on, he won victory 10 months later. Hastening the South's end, Cold Harbor ushered in an era of trench warfare.
Re-accounts of the days of Abraham Lincoln from his days in office.
The era about which the Bible is written was an era of earthquakes, floods and other disasters. Bible stories tell of Noah and the flood, the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the ten plagues that forced an Egyptian pharaoh to free Hebrew slaves. Are the Biblical accounts based on fact? Controversial evidence is explored to validate these Biblical claims and whether there may be a parallel to modern disasters.
He is one of the greatest artists of all time, a man whose name has become synonymous with the word "masterpiece": Michelangelo Buonarotti.Creator of unparalleled works of art painted on canvas and plaster, carved in marble and built from stone, Michelangelo created a legacy of art treasured by the world: The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the heroic marble sculpture of David, and the central plan for Saint Peter's Cathedral in Rome. Was he the tortured and lonely man who suffered agonies in pursuit of his art, as he is often portrayed? Art historians, museum curators and Renaissance experts help dispel the mysteries surrounding the man whose glorious works inspire us to this day. Examine the broad canvas of Michelangelo's life and legacy to probe the very soul of the artist who was recognized as a genius in his own lifetime.
A & E goes behind the scenes for a rough-and-tumble look at the people and history behind today's most flamboyant sport-pro wrestling. In addition to interviews with Jesse the Body Ventura, Hulk Hogan, Andr+ª the Giant and many others, you'll be treated to clips of some of the sport's earliest stars.
Narrated by Harry Smith, DEAR HOME: LETTERS FROM WWI chronicles the experiences of American soldiers and supply clerks, pilots and postal workers from draft day to homecoming, how they clung to pen and paper as their only connection to home, and how the war left them forever changed.
As a war, it was small, nasty and suspicious. As news, it was a godsend. The Spanish-American War did many things it united an adolescent nation and paraded its global ambitions for all to see, while heralding the descent of a tired empire. In this unique program, the conflict comes to life as it was presented to people at that time through the accounts of newspapers nationwide. From the slow buildup of public sentiment against Spain to the sensationalistic coverage of the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine, the forces, personalities and events of the war that secured America a place on the world stage are relived. Marvel at the fiery rhetoric of "yellow journalism" pioneer William Randolph Hearst, and learn of the many errors and outright fabrications that marred the coverage of the conflict. And ride along with Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders as they charge up San Juan Hill, all according to the reporters of the day. It's a revealing look at the power of the press and its often problematic influence in the real world, where reporters can be as effective in spurring events as presenting them.
The History Channel's "History's Mysteries" examines the real story behind one of the most popular and enduring heroes of all time: Robin Hood. A trip through Sherwood Forest and interviews with scholars uncover clues to the fact behind the fiction. How did these stories come to be? Was Robin Hood a real man? If so, was he a champion of the poor or just a greedy bandit? The answers may surprise you.
With only a motley group of Creoles, freed blacks, local Native Americans, and poorly armed frontiersman, General Andrew Jackson defeats the same forces that brought Napoleon down - effectively ending the War of 1812.
The internet is the defining technology of our time. An historic revolution in communications for the human race that is changing the world. But where did the internet come from? How did it get started? And who built this essential tool and playful toy to millions? And where is it going?
History is filled with words that carry meanings quite from the original. The small quaint town in Poland called Auschwitz is known as Genocide. Our program documents when on at Auschwitz told by the survivors and the Germans that worked there.
For over 4,000 years, adherents of the world's monotheistic faiths have wrestled with the question of God. This extraordinary, feature-length film, based on Karen Armstrong's acclaimed book of the same name, traces that elusive and fascinating quest. A HISTORY OF GOD examines the familiar images of deity as presented in the Bible and Koran and traces the evolution and interrelation of the various Christian, Jewish, and Islamic interpretations of the divine figure. Through balanced analysis of historic and holy texts and extensive use of ancient art and artifacts, we'll follow the long road to today's understanding of God and what the journey--and the destination--have to tell us about humanity and its never-ending search for meaning and comfort. From the time of Abraham to the present, this is a thought-provoking look at the God at the heart of the world's three great monotheistic religions.
One of the most compelling stories of World War II concerns the origins of the unlikely alliance between the Axis powers. While many people imagine that the union was forged along the lines of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," the real story is far more complicated.LAST SECRETS OF THE AXIS picks up where the popular HISTORY CHANNEL special THE SAMURAI AND THE SWASTIKA left off, examining the remarkable historical confluence that led to the rise of German-Japanese cooperation. At the heart of story is Karl Haushofer, a geography professor (and the man who coined the term "geopolitics"). The program explores the professor's convoluted role, following him from the origins of the Reich to the Nuremberg Trials. LAST SECRETS also reveals details of many overlooked engagements, including a coup in Iraq, backed by German and Italian forces, that had the long-term goal of establishing a Persian Gulf base for Japanese submarines!From unsung battles to back-room dealings, this is a compelling examination of the LAST SECRETS OF THE AXIS.
Counterfeiting is a crime of contradictions. It's the lazy man's road to riches, yet it can take an enormous amount of effort. It's perceived as a victimless offense, yet it's deployed as a weapon of war. And though too much counterfeiting can undermine a nation's economy, counterfeiters throughout history have been hailed as local heroes. Take a 2600-year journey through the history of counterfeiting that introduces legendary characters, reveals incredible stories and features interviews with experts from both sides of the law--including Secret Service agents and a convicted counterfeiter. See evidence of ancient Greek counterfeiting, get the inside scoop on the current re-design of U.S. currency, and discover the ins and outs of the never-ending, billion dollar cat-and-mouse game between forgers and feds. The fact is, making a buck and faking a buck have always gone hand in hand!
For millions of people around the world, street gangs are a way of life. And for some, they hold the keys to survival itself. STREET GANGS: A SECRET HISTORY examines the history, psychology and role of these groups in America throughout the years, from their first appearances in urban immigrant communities to the sophisticated operations that are expanding the influence of gangs like the Crips and Bloods deep into the heartland today. Current and former gang members reveal what attracted them in the first place, and offer an unflinching look at gang life. Much of what is revealed may come as a surprise to people whose idea of gangs has been shaped in equal parts by the often-sensational press coverage and the romanticized visions presented in films like West Side Story. At the heart of America's street gangs is a love of family, a sense of belonging, and, for the less fortunate, the knowledge that the gang is always waiting with open arms.
This documentary is the true story of nuclear weapons lost by the United States in various accidents during the Cold War.
For the first forty years the U.S. submarine program lacked direction and a clear mission. This changed with the advent of the fleet boat which coincided with World War II. Bigger, more powerful, and faster than most of the classes before it, the Gato class positioned the Silent Service for greatness. A Century of Silent Service examines the exploits of daring submarine captains and crews. Highlights include the remarkable accomplishments of commerce raiding, penetrating harbors, and rescuing pilots such as President George Bush (interviewed in the program). As WWII ended it appeared the submarine had found its role in the U.S. Navy. That would soon change when one diminutive man with colossal vision would advance submarines into the atomic age. Capt. Hyman Rickover proposed building a nuclear reactor--itself very new technology--into a submarine. The result would produce a vessel that could remain submerged almost indefinitely and travel underwater at record speeds. Once again, a new class of submarine would be created in time for a new war, the Cold War.
Part II introduces us to the nuclear attack submarine and its world shattering partner, the ballistic missile boat. With more emphasis on stealth and lethality than ever before, the U.S. Submarine Force took on the Soviet Union in an undeclared war of detection and avoidance. American subs were able to track and remain undetected for weeks. American submarines were a prime factor in the containment strategy that brought the U.S.S.R. to collapse. Strategic submarines made over 3,000 deterrent patrols during the Cold War while safely and reliably controlling the nuclear weapons under their responsibility. Today, the Submarine Force enters its second century of service conducting complex operations demanding a stealthy, mobile, high-endurance platform with great firepower.
Interviews include "The Pomfret is Missing" by President Jimmy Carter, "The Holland's Mascot" by Capt. Harry H. Caldwell, "Narrow Escape" by Capt. Edward L. Beach, "Depth Charge Attack" by MOMM2 Len Belhke and "Life Begins at Forty Fathoms" by RADM Eugene P. Fluckey.
Robert Kennedy was on the verge of a presidential run when he was struck down just as his brother before.
Story of a P-47 Thunderbolt unit of the 362nd Fighter Group, filmed in color during the last days of World War II as requested by "Hap" Arnold. Features pilots of the 362nd FG through color footage from March 1945 through the end of the war. Unvarnished and uncompromising, this color film - shot from remote cameras on the planes themselves and specially-equipped bombers following the strike teams - is an extraordinary documentary of the air war over Europe. Includes never-before-seen footage, modern narrations and interviews with the pilots.
The most famous aerial fighting group of World War II, the Black Sheep Squadron officially shot down 100 planes and may have unofficially shot down another 100. Led by Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, the self-proclaimed "bad boy" of the Marines, in point of fact, the only so-called "screw-up" in the famed unit. The Black Sheep were a motley group of fly boys who rallied around their commander who inspired them where it counted most in combat.
The first exploration in colour of the Korean War, this programme allows you to experience the terror, courage, blood and chaos that was everyday life for the soldiers and civilians in Korea. De-classified footage, personal films and photographs of veterans are all used to demonstrate the suffering and heroism both sides experienced.
As Hitler rolled across Europe, millions of Jews and political enemies of the Third Reich were maliciously exterminated. Yet many more would have died were it not for the bravery of a few foreign service diplomats. Years before D-Day, men like Switzerland's Carl Lutz, Portugal's Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Hiram Bingham of the U.S., and Germany's George Ferdinand Duckwitz secretly issued visas, falsified papers, and cut backroom deals to rescue the damned from the Nazi clutch.
A dangerous experiment with time and space. A mystery more live than ever.
This series from the History Channel explores some of the most dangerous and deadly natural disasters of all time, including this episode on the infamous Mount Vesuvius volcano. In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the famed city of Pompeii and also Herculaneum.
Based on the book by the same name, this lyrical treatment of Irish history is revealed through stunning photography of its lush countryside and reenactments of historic events--from the ancient Celts to the Williamite War, and onto the bloody Easter Rising and the life of the revolutionary Michael Collins. This episode aired on the History Channel as a preview for the History International channel.
During World War II, German intelligence spread its tentacles across the globe, operating throughout occupied and neutral Europe, and even as far afield as the United States. We'll see how German intelligence proved a formidable foe, and how in the end it was totally compromised from its center. This program provides an overview of German espionage from 1870 to 1945. The origins and development of the secret 'services' which Germany used to collect intelligence and to counter the activities of other countries are discussed. There are famous spies and unknown operatives involved in the dangerous and mundane activities of the professional "spy". A useful contrast to the fabulous world of Hollywood spies and secret agents, this documentary explores the unglamorous but nonetheless dangerous world of the espionage agent.
Britain's Special Air Service rescues hostages held by Iraqi-backed gunmen inside London's Iranian Embassy.
The B-29 bomber, which saw action almost exclusively in the Pacific Theater during World War II, represented a giant leap forward technologically from the B-17s and B-24s that flew over Europe. And while the crews of these older bombers won fame for their exploits, the B-29 flyers didn't enjoy the same accolades, for the public perception was that their seemingly perfect planes allowed them to perform their missions with impunity. As UNSUNG HEROES OF THE B-29s reveals, the truth was far more complicated,. The perfect missions from high above Japanese defenses were balanced by scores of dead-low bombing runs without guns into the face of determined kamikaze defenses. Captured crews suffered horribly in Japanese prison camps. And the rush to develop the B-29 claimed scores of lives in hurry-up testing, where design and manufacturing flaws were paid for in blood before the plane even entered active service. UNSUNG HEROES OF THE B-29 also includes a blow-by-blow account of the mission to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima from Paul Tibbets, the pilot.
Documentary of the little-known Americans who defended Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Commanded and trained by Green Berets, the Mobile Strike Force, also known as "Mike Force," was a roving SWAT team on call to rescue platoons and camps under attack during the Vietnam War. The Mike Force was assigned the perilous mission of rushing into situations in which the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong had already established substantial battle advantages. Made up primarily of indigenous forces, the Mike Force was often the difference between life and death for soldiers, civilians and cities that would have otherwise been lost as casualties of war.
During the Vietnam War, stealth, bravery and commitment to duty were attributes of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRPS) -- the "men with painted faces." Taking risks far beyond conventional units and going deep behind enemy lines, LRRPS sacrificed manpower for stealth, serving as the eyes and ears of their units while on some of the most hazardous patrols in U.S. military history.
From the beginning of the Persian Gulf War, the United States not only had greater technological advantages but had superior special operations teams. Navy SEALS, Green Berets and Army Rangers covertly gathered intelligence and performed numerous duties during the war. From SCUD-hunting to combat search and rescue, the program tells the story of the special operations units and their activities and adventures in the Gulf War.
Documentary about the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Recondo School, where volunteers received on-the-job education that was all too real. Recondo School was established by the Green Berets during the Vietnam war to train recruits for special operations. The program reveals what it took to survive the school, what kind of men volunteered and how their education gave them the skills to survive long-range patrol missions in the jungles of Vietnam.
From World War II through Vietnam to the present, the Green Berets rank among the elite of the Special Operations Forces of the world. The program explores the history and traditions of this group of soldiers: who they are, where they came from, what they do and how they perform missions impossible for conventional units.
Over 140 years have passed since the end of the Civil War. But for many people, the war still rages. For some, it lives on because their ancestors fought or were enslaved. For others it lives on when they re-enact epic battles. Still others march carrying banners and flags of defiance. Here is the complete story of the war that is still happening almost a century and a half later.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, this documentary looks back on an uneasy time in world history. This first "battle" of the cold war started with the Soviet blockade of Berlin, a move to force the Western Allied powers to abandon thier post World War II control of West Berlin. The Soviet blockade included all rail, road and water communications. On June 26, 1948, the United States and Britian began a year-long effort, documented here, to supply West Berlin by air. By July, the Soviet army had increased into 40 divisions - against eight for the West. The blockade ended on May 12, 1949. This is the story of the blockade, told by those involved. They describe the enormous logistical effort to transport some 2.3 million tons of food, fuel and equipment -- a battle the Western powers won. And when it was over, the former Allies formed NATO, the Soviets created the Warsaw Pact, and the Cold War grew even colder.
From Mississippi riverboats to poker to Powerball, this is the history of gambling in America. It was once considered a vice. Now, it is legal in one form or another in 48 states. Many states themselves sponsor it with lotteries, Powerball jackpots and scratch-to-win cards. But the essential truth about gambling remains the same--there are always more losers than winners. Americans have always been willing to risk all for the big payoff. HIGH ROLLERS shows how the 1895 invention of the slot machine changed gambling forever, and how time-honored, once-legitimate activities such as horse racing, three-card monte, and poker and casino games went underworld. Examine the tension between our love of games of chance and our moralizing prohibitions, from the era of Mississippi riverboat gambling to the Wild West, where Wild Bill Hickok was killed during a poker game. Travel to Las Vegas, the town that sold its soul to create a high-stakes gambling extravaganza. And get an intimate look at the growth of the latest trend--Native American run casinos that have changed the face of gambling. From smoke filled rooms to "family entertainment," this is an eye-opening look at how we choose to lose, and hope to win.
The Vietnam War claimed millions of lives and divided America.
In its day, the Titanic was a technological wonder. People were so enthralled with the largest moving man-made object in the world that they truly believed it unsinkable. Until it slipped out of sight on April 15, 1912. In a 90-minute special filled with spectacular footage of both recent and archival expeditions, we explore the history of the ship and the technology that finally found it and enabled exploration and salvaging dives.
The CIA, DEA, Centra Spoke and Delta Force track down cocaine cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar.
This two-hour documentary concentrates on the destruction of the World Trade Center's twin towers. Combining TV news tapes, interviews, still photos, and computer graphics, the program re-creates the horrible moment when a jet crashed into Tower I, followed closely by another suicide attack on Tower II. The rest of the program concerns itself with the cleanup of the rubble, the forensic evidence found during this process, an analysis of why the towers collapsed so quickly, and reactions of those nearest to "ground zero."
The true story of the Christmas Day truce between opposing British and German forces that took place in No Man's Land during World War 1. Told through archive interviews and reconstructions of the event.
The world of the Ancient Greeks lives on today through its mythology. For countless generations prior to biblical times, tales of gods and goddesses were passed down by storytellers and interwoven into traditions and philosophies. Each city devoted itself to particular gods. But these gods also had human frailties. Where did the pantheon originate? Did any of the stories in Greek mythology actually occur? We look at new archaeological evidence that supports the possibility.
Follow the career of the legendary Confederate raider and visit the ship's final resting place at the bottom of the English Channel. She was known as "the ghost ship." During the Civil War, the CSS Alabama sailed over 75,000 miles and captured more than 60 Union vessels. But her career came to an end in June of 1864 when she was sunk by the USS Kearsarge off the coast of Northern France, where the Alabama had gone for repairs. RAISE THE ALABAMA! descends into the murky depths of the English Channel with the marine archeology team led by the renowned Gordon Watts. 200 feet beneath these foreign waters, the legendary Confederate ship is surrendering her secrets, despite weather conditions that make it safe to dive only a few days a year. The program also documents the Alabama's extraordinary career, from her construction in Liverpool to the surprise attacks that made her the scourge of Union shipping and the valiant, 90-minute battle with the Kearsarge. Confederate and Union documents, contemporary accounts and the testimony of noted scholars brings the complete story of the CSS Alabama to life.
It is the second largest of the world's great religions, and the fastest growing. Its name comes from the word for peace, yet to many Westerners it is synonymous with terror. INSIDE ISLAM lifts the veil of mystery surrounding a misunderstood faith. Trace its roots back to the Hebrew Bible and discover how the Five Pillars, the religion's central tenets, helped spread Islam to the far corners of the world. Find out what the Qu'Ran says about war, violence and suicide, and how these words have been co-opted by extremists. And hear from experts like Khaled Abou el Fadl (author of Speaking in God's Name), who explore the challenges facing Islam today, including a crisis of authority and deep divisions among many sects. Illuminating, important and objective, INSIDE ISLAM exposes the heart of a faith mired in controversy.
Biblical Disasters is a fascinating journey that crisscrosses the Holy Land in search of evidence supporting the contention that the scriptural sagas were based on actual events. We'll meet with archeologists and biblical scholars who are convinced that this is the case, and examine the findings that they use to bolster their position. Of course, there are more than a few dissenters, and their views are made clear in extensive interviews.
Heroes who fight tax collectors and moral crusaders, or just common criminals? Like it or not, America was built by rumrunners, moonshiners, and bootleggers--even founding father John Hancock was a smuggler. In the 1920s, Prohibition turned fishermen into rumrunners and two-bit gangsters into millionaires, and moonshine haulers in their souped-up cars helped create NASCAR. Rare archival footage and photos help weave the compelling tale of our nation's love-hate relationship with illegal alcohol.
Ronald Reagan has been off the world stage since his letter to Americans announcing that he suffers from Alzheimer's. But his impact on the U.S. and the world lives on. In a series of intimate interviews, including Nancy Reagan and the Reagan children--Patti Davis, Ron Reagan, and Michael Reagan--we present the private stories of a very public man. Fellow leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev, also appear, along with intimates who tell behind-the-scenes stories about key turning points.
A riveting special that reveals the never-before-told stories of eyewitnesses, including amateur and professional photographers, caught in the horror of the World Trade Center tragedy. Images captured by many of the photographers are seen for the first time on television. Together, they provide startling and intensely personal firsthand accounts of that fateful day--stories of terror, hope, and survival.
The programme is centered on the director of security of Morgan Stanley, Rick Rescorla, who predicted an attack on the World Trade Center and led hundreds out of the South Tower before dying in its collapse.
It is 3450 BCE. Egypt is in chaos. Nomadic tribes maraud the desert, clashing in bitter conflict for control of land and wealth. Into the struggle steps one man who unites the warring factions and lays the foundation for the greatness of Egyptian civilization. His name is King Scorpion. He is more than a Hollywood action hero, he is real, and is one of the founding Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Evidence in King Scorpion's recently discovered tomb, and primitive writing in a remote location in Egypt's Western desert, is revealing that the foundation for Pharaonic Egypt begins earlier than previously believed. The evidence is forcing scholars to rewrite history, establishing a whole new dynasty of Egyptian kings, Dynasty Zero. The quest to uncover the Real Scorpion King is a journey to the origins of Egyptian Civilization and the birth of history.
From his conversion to the 1968 announcement that his bones had been found, this is a comprehensive study of the "fisher of men."
K-141 Kursk was an Oscar-II class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine of the Russian Navy, lost with all hands when it sank in the Barents Sea on 12 August 2000. Kursk was a Project 949A Антей (Antey, Antaeus, also known by its NATO reporting name of Oscar II). It was named after the Russian city Kursk, around which the largest tank battle in military history, the Battle of Kursk, took place in 1943. One of the first vessels completed after the end of the Soviet Union, it was commissioned into the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet.
Former KGB, CIA and FBI agents analyze six recent, high-profile cases where double agents compromised America's security.
The varied and interesting lives of the mothers of America's presidents, and the influence they had on their famous sons.
Dinosaurs roamed and ruled earth for more than 150-million years, then suddenly vanished leaving only fossils to fascinate and befuddle us. In a feature-length unique approach to historical analysis of these creatures, we don't focus on the latest technology or the most controversial theory. Instead, we look chronologically at what we've gotten wrong about dinosaurs throughout the short history of scientific study of these magnificent, misunderstood creatures, and see where paleontologists are digging today.
The world believes that the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended World War II. The world is wrong. Join Jim B. Smith, author of "The Last Mission," as he recounts his journey aboard The Boomerang, a B-29 Superfortress on the last and longest mission that really ended the war. Smith was aboard this last mission, which destroyed a precision target 270 miles northwest of Tokyo nine days after Hiroshima and six days after Nagasaki. On August 14,1945, en route to Japan's last oil refinery, B-29s from the 315th Bomb Wing flew over Tokyo, causing a blackout. On the ground, a desperate Major Kenji Hatanaka and a group of rebellious Japanese military officers began a coup d'etat, and tried to find and destroy a recording slated to broadcast the next day--Emperor Hirohito announcing surrender. Their objectives were to kidnap Emperor Hirohito, and then order the armies to continue the war. Any extension of the war by the Japanese after their official acceptance of peace on August 14, 1945 would have brought unthinkable consequences. See how the air strike unwittingly collapsed the coup, saved Tokyo from nuclear strike, and ended WWII. As a stream of American B-29B bombers approached Tokyo, Japanese air defenses, fearing the approaching planes signaled the threat of a third atomic bomb, ordered a total blackout in Tokyo and the Imperial Palace, completely disrupting the rebels' plans. Smith and his fellow crewmembers completed the mission, and a few hours later, the Emperor announced the surrender over Japan's airwaves, dictating the end of the war.
Led by a former schoolteacher named Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge regime killed between 15 and 40 percent of the Cambodian population in a brutal attempt to transform the nation into a classless society. At the heart of this orchestrated campaign of terror was a death camp known by the code name S-21. Untold thousands of prisoners entered S-21. Only seven escaped alive.INSIDE POL POT'S SECRET PRISON is a harrowing look at one of the most purely evil institutions of the 20th century. Riveting interviews with former guards, executioners and two survivors paint a picture of the unspeakable horrors that were commonplace at S-21. The incredibly detailed prison archives open a window into the Khmer Rouge's program of genocide, raising the question of why no one has been prosecuted so far for the crimes against humanity committed in Cambodia.INSIDE POL POT'S SECRET PRISON also includes an interview with journalist Nate Thayer, who interviewed the ailing former dictator just months before his death
In 1961, 24 brave men gave their lives in a superhuman effort to save the the Soviet Union's first ballistic missile submarine - and the world - from environmental catastrophe. This is their story.
No battle in the 10 years of the Vietnam War received more agonized attention from home-front America and its leaders than did the siege of Khe Sanh. The 77-day siege was a political chess game, with the lives of unsung heroes as pawns who paid the price every day. The battle was so fierce that skeletons of the enemy dead hung in the triple lines of barbed wire. During the siege the U.S. Air Force launched a massive aerial bombardment called "Operation Niagara" to support the Marine base. President Johnson was adamant Khe Sanh would not become another Dien Bien Phu. Subsequently, the combined aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines dropped over 100,000 tons of bombs (equivalent to the destructive force of five Hiroshima-size atomic bombs) onto the surrounding areas of Khe Sanh in an attempt to prevent its overthrow. This was roughly 1,300 tons of bombs dropped daily, or five tons of bombs for every one of the estimated 20,000 NVA soldiers killed. Watch the personal, up-close i
When Ronald Reagan denounced the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire", some thought it frank, some thought it excessive. Not until after 1995 did we realize how applicable his words were. The President of Kazakhstan opened a western inspection of the worlds largest Anthrax plant.
They were the knights of medieval Japan. An elite of warriors who seized the power for more than 700 years. Masters of the sword and the bow, and subjected to an ironclad ethical code, proved their ferocity in combat. They threw out the foreign invaders and fought among them for land, status, honor and power. His legacy of martial arts and self-discipline has lasted to this day. They were, the samurai.
An Israeli treasure hunter recounts his 15-year quest to recover a trove of diamonds. In 1988, an international terrorism expert named Yaron Svoray began covertly searching the forest hills outside an ancient walled village near the French-German border. He hoped to uncover a fortune in buried diamonds left there at the end of World War II. In 1945, two American GIs in the 7th Army had killed a group of German SS officers as they were dividing up 40 uncut diamonds. The GIs took the priceless gems and buried them in a foxhole, planning to return at the end of the war. They never made it back. BLOOD FROM A STONE, based on Svoray's book of the same name, details how he found out about the trove and took up the search for the diamonds--a quest that would consume 15 years and lead him from South African mines to the diamond centers of Amsterdam and Antwerp, the Jewish ghettos and shtetls of Eastern Europe, and the Nazi death camps. Before his journey's end, Yaron would discover something far greater, more momentous and life altering than the monetary riches that had motivated his search.
Fall of Richmond; Lee's harrowing retreat; surrender at Appomattox Court House; Lincoln's assassination; reconstruction.
Encompassing the western half of the Mississippi River basin, the Louisiana Territory was acquired from France in 1803. At less than three cents per acre for 828,000 square miles (2,144,520 square km), it was the greatest land bargain in U.S. history. The purchase doubled the size of the United States, greatly strengthened the country materially and strategically, provided a powerful impetus to westward expansion and confirmed the doctrine of implied powers of the federal Constitution.
The death of President Kennedy thrust Lyndon Johnson into the nation's highest office--and a new chapter in a bitter feud with Robert Kennedy. One of the greatest rivalries in U.S. history, this feature-length look at their tumultuous relationship features never-before-heard oral histories and LBJ's White House telephone recordings. We reveal how the Kennedys saw Johnson as a threat to the New Frontier, while LBJ nursed a deep-seated fear of being overshadowed by an increasingly mythologized JFK legacy.
In ELLIS ISLAND, immigrants of every ethnic background recall their extraordinary adventures, from the treacherous passage across the sea to the daunting challenge of starting life over in a new land. Historians explore the island's sometimes insensitive policies, including the casual Americanization of names. Firsthand accounts along with interviews from the Ellis Island Oral History Project reveal what the immigration experience was actually like. And rare photographs and films tell the stories of the famous people who passed through its doors many of whom would change America forever.
A sickly, asthmatic child who became a world adventurer and renowned politician, with jobs ranging from cowboy to Police Commissioner of New York City to the 26th President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt contained almost literary contradictions: He was both a social reformer who fought the abusive power of corporate monopolies and an advocate for war who sought to extend American power across the globe. The History Channel's enormous biography Teddy Roosevelt: An American Lion follows this prickly personality from such low points as the death of his mother and first wife on the same day to his rapid political rise to his tumultuous presidency (which was launched by the assassination of President McKinley and included trust-breaking, labor conflicts, environmental reform, brokering an end to war between Russia and Japan, and setting in motion the Panama Canal) to his failed attempt at creating a third political party. It's fascinating viewing, told through photographs, films from the time, dramatizations, and interviews with Roosevelt's descendants, academics, and former President Bill Clinton.
The true story of “Black Hawk Down” through the memories and voices of the American Special Forces survivors. Also included are Somali militiamen as they recount their harrowing experiences of battle.
In the months and years following the end of the World War Two, Allied forces faced a series of bombings and attacks in occupied Germany. Nazi loyalists attempted to derail the rebuilding process by killing any Germans collaborating with the enemy. And the mysterious SS-Werewolves underground organization boasted of the coming rebirth of the Party.
This 2-hour documentary is based on the best-selling book by historian Jay Winik. It covers the last few weeks of the Civil War from President Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration to the surrender at Appomattox; it concludes with the assassination of Lincoln and the final laying down of arms by the Confederacy.
On July 15th, 1942, a squadron of two B-17 bombers and six P-38 fighters bound for Iceland crash-landed in Greenland after getting lost in a blizzard. The crews were rescued, but the planes remained, eventually entering aviation lore as the "Lost Squadron." In 1981, two adventurers from Atlanta, Pat Epps and Richard Taylor, set out not just to find these planes, but to restore them to their former glory.
An examination of the minds of two of the 20th century's most brutal dictators and mass murderers--Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. Based on recent psychological and medical studies, the program explores the personalities of these ruthless leaders, who were directly responsible for millions of deaths--their paranoia, suspiciousness, cold-bloodedness, sadism, and lack of human feeling. Includes interviews with Martin Bormann's son and Hitler's butler.
Documents the United States' space program with insights from the flight engineers, project managers, flight controllers, astronauts, and others involved inside the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Speakers include Chris Kraft, Gene Kranz, Jim Lovell, Jerry Bostick, Ed Fendell, Gene Cernan, John Llewellen, John Aaron, Glynn Lunney, Wally Schirra, and Gerry Griffin. It takes the viewer from the Launch of Sputnik through the moon missions. Based on the Gene Krantz's book of the same name. Narrated by Scott Glenn.
A history of superheroes in comic books, from the first appearance of Superman in the 1930s to today's morally-conflicted, violent anti-heroes.
This feature-length History Channel documentary surveys the tumultuous but colorful history of Hawaii, the 50th state in the Union. Utilizing a combination of elements including maps, illustrations and archival footage, the program travels back in time by several centuries and touches on events including the area's initial discovery, its first contact with outsiders (and the culture clash that erupted as a consequence of this), the arrival and influence of figures including King Kamahameha and Captain Cook, the voyages of the Polynesians and much more - before ultimately discussing the area's incorporation as one of the United States in August 1959.
Ever since images of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay were first broadcast, the methods used to interrogate suspects in the War on Terror have come into the spotlight. This 2-hour history of modern interrogation methods uses a groundbreaking combination of reality TV and historical documentary. We pit a group of volunteers who think they can keep a secret against a team of military interrogators; and reveal stories of the 20th century's most influential interrogators and those they tried to break.
Product Description Its forests stretch from Europe to the Pacific. Its winters have vanquished the mightiest armies ever mustered. Its people have borne the excesses of some of history's most notorious rulers. RUSSIA: LAND OF THE TSARS illuminates the imperial past of the world's largest nation. At the heart of this epic tale are the figures whose names have become legend: Ivan the Terrible who expanded the empire at the rate of 50 miles-and innumerable lives-a day; Peter the Great whose sweeping reforms westernized the nation; and Catherine the Great whose rule was marked by conquest change and controversy. Filmed on location throughout Russia enriched by exclusive visits to important sites and museums and filled with commentary from renowned scholars this is a kaleidoscopic captivating portrait of a land that has endured centuries of despair and rebellion innovation and conflict. DVD Features: 3 Episodes of A&E's Award-Winning Series Biography: Peter the Great: The Tyrant Reformer Ivan the Terrible: Might and Madness Rasputin: The Mad Monk; Tsar Timeline; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection From the Back Cover Its forests stretch from Europe to the Pacific. Its winters have vanquished the mightiest armies ever mustered. Its people have borne the excesses of some of history's most notorious rulers. RUSSIA: LAND OF THE TSARS illuminates the imperial past of the world's largest nation. At the heart of this epic tale are the figures whose names have become legend: Ivan the Terrible, who expanded the empire at the rate of 50 miles--and innumerable lives--a day; Peter the Great, whose sweeping reforms westernized the nation; and Catherine the Great, whose rule was marked by conquest, change and controversy. Filmed on location throughout Russia, enriched by exclusive visits to important sites and museums, and filled with commentary from renowned scholars, this is a kaleidoscopic, captivating portrait of a land that has endured centuries of despair and rebelli
This documentary is a captivating account of the defense of Wake Island by a small contingent of United States Marines and civilian contractors. From December 8th until December 23rd, 1941 the defenders thwarted an aerial attack and an attempted amphibious landing from a naval task force before finally being overwhelmed by the third attempt by the Japanese Imperial Navy. Five surviving Marines, one surviving construction contractor and others walk the viewers through the battle and the aftermath of the battle. A truly superb story of American heroes at the outset of World War II, narrated by Will Lyman.
Giants appear in almost every culture throughout history-they've wrestled gods, conquered empires, and inspired heroes to rise in stature. From real-life figures such as Andre the Giant and former basketball player George Muresan (who stands 7'7"), to authors Carol Rose (Giants, Monsters & Dragons) and Paul Robert Walker (Big Men, Big Country), Giants: Friend or Foe? plunges into the myths, legends, and realities of these imposing figures. Examine the role that such famous tales as David and Goliath and Paul Bunyan played in their respective cultures; hear from director Ray Harryhausen, who helmed the legendary films Gulliver's Travels and Clash of the Titans; and see how the existence of real-life giants is far less romantic than it is for their fictional counterparts. From the pages of myth to the annals of medicine, HISTORY presents a comprehensive look at these larger than life figures.
Stealth fighters and bombers are among the key weapons that could be deployed in a possible U.S. campaign against Iraq.
Saddam Hussein was notorious for being meticulous and paranoid, so it was no great surprise when rumors of a secret system of tunnels beneath Baghdad turned out to be true.
The Axis forces of World War II fear defeat and begin using suicide tactics. Discover the human stories behind the kamikaze phenomenon.
Considered the most successful warrior in recorded history, Alexander the Great conquered Asia by age 32. His innovative battle tactics remain a topic of endless fascination to scholars and military leaders. Actor Peter Woodward hosts this absorbing documentary that chronicles Alexander's life through ancient historians' narratives, interviews with contemporary scholars, state-of-the-art reenactments and tours of key historical sites.
Abraham Lincoln is arguably America’s most beloved president. Yet nearly 150 years after his death, we’re still trying to piece together a true portrait of his life and character.. From the earliest archival materials to the most cutting-edge theories and discoveries, LINCOLN: MAN OR MYTH investigates the legends that have proliferated around the figure of Abraham Lincoln, exposing both fallacies and extraordinary truths through incisive scholarship, period accounts and artifacts, and modern technology. Noted scholars and historians grapple with such questions as: Was Lincoln truly the “Great Emancipator” who dedicated himself to freeing slaves? Did the writings that swayed the nation really come from his pen? Do we even know what he looked like?. Finally disentangling the truth from legend, INVESTIGATING HISTORY takes a probing look into the life of a man who transformed, enlightened, and captivated America..
Inventor, writer, businessman, scientist, diplomat, and the face gracing the hundred-dollar bill--this stately figure is the Benjamin Franklin history has taught us to remember. Now, in this revealing yet informal History Channel® presentation, the real man behind the myth is finally brought to light. By his own admission, the man who negotiated an alliance with France, helped write the Declaration of Independence and was the first to tame lightning was far from perfect. A self-promoter and occasionally ruthless competitor, this Founding Father never made a penny from his achievements and was more comfortable speaking in front of the British Parliament than he was being with his own family. Narrated in an easy, conversational tone by Edward Herrmann (Intolerable Cruelty, The Practice), BEN FRANKLIN features in-depth interviews with renowned biographers and historians, as well as reenactments shot in High-Definition video on locations in Philadelphia--a truly remarkable virtual "walk" in Franklin's footsteps. Available on DVD for the first time, BEN FRANKLIN is a fresh, down-to-earth, informative look at one of America's most essential human monuments.
Theorists Edward Steers Jr. and Charles Higham present their controversial ideas about Lincoln's death. Most Americans know that John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln. But many are unfamiliar with what happened afterwards. CONSPIRACY? reveals that while Booth died in a standoff days after firing the fatal shot, eight other men were tried for conspiring to kill the President. From the reaction to the crime and the news of Wilkes' death to the many theories surrounding Booth's actions, THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION explores the facts and exposes the fictions. Was Booth an agent of the Confederacy? The Union? The Catholic Church? Now, new discoveries have put to rest some of the original speculations while raising new questions. Drawing on the expertise of some of the world's most prominent Lincoln scholars, CONSPIRACY? probes for the truth and lets you come to your own conclusions.
Select countries that have played host to Osama bin Laden, including Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, are visited in this exploratory program on the terrorist leader. TARGETED was produced by the History Channel for their HISTORY ALIVE show, and offers some theories and discussion on how the elusive bin Laden turned into a ruthless figurehead.
From Dante's Inferno to modern-day revival meetings, this feature-length special chronicles our views of Satan and his legendary realm. - A sweeping look at the many faces of the Satan through the ages. - Hear from survivors of near death experiences who claim to have glimpsed Hell. - Includes interviews with leading theologians and historians. From the dark Hades of Greek Mythology to the fire-and-brimstone visions of fundamentalist thunderers, Hell has long held a particular grip over the human imagination. HELL: THE DEVIL'S DOMAIN travels the world to peer into the darkest depths of this eternal fascination.
Warlike amazons; the one-eyed man-eating Cyclops; the ferocious griffin, part bird, part lion. Were these creatures, celebrated by the ancient Greeks and immortalised by Homer something more than myth? The Greek myths are filled with magical tales of transformation, tragic episodes of human pettiness and jealousy, inspiring accounts of courage and valor, and legions of gods and heroes. But perhaps the most compelling stories are those of creatures like the one-eyed Cyclops and the ferocious half-lion, half-eagle known as the griffin. ANCIENT MONSTER HUNTERS follows a group of palaeontologists as they explore newly-translated evidence and examine remains that just may have inspired tales of these legendary monsters. Travel to the island of Samos, said to be the site of an Amazon battlefield, and analyse the gigantic bones that were found there. New data suggests the ancients actually searched for, excavated, measured and displayed these massive fossils. Is this the proof that the practice of palaeontology, long considered a modern science, actually began some 2,000 years before? Meet the monsters that just might link the Greek classical age with earth's prehistoric past and find out if these mythological beasts really have a place in the fossil record.
This documentary explores the morality and military effectiveness of mass civilian bombing in World War II, from the Blitz to the devastating Allied raids on Hamburg and Dresden.
Explores the mythology of Helen of Troy and the role she played as the catalyst for the Trojan War. Includes selected scenes and comments from the cast of Wolfgang Petersen's film "Troy."
At 11 a.m., November 11, 1918, World War One ended. Victory had been assured and final territory already agreed upon. So why did more soldiers die that day than on D-Day? Based on Joseph Persico's book 11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour: Armistice Day, 1918, we reveal how Allied leaders found outrageous excuses to send 13,000 men to their deaths against a defeated enemy. Some leaders desired promotion, others craved retribution, while one commander chose to capture a town that day solely to bathe! Despite the human toll, nothing was gained--territories taken that day were eventually returned to Germany. The senseless 11th-hour slaughter captures the whole WWI in a microcosm--pointless carnage for no positive purpose.
For a generation Romanian women were forced to have babies they didn't want. Nicolae Ceausescu imposed a ban on abortion and birth control and forced every woman of child bearing age to have at least four children. Control over reproduction was strictly enforced. The infant and maternal death rate was high. Thousands babies were born with AIDS. In cases when children were born with mental or physical disabilities, their parents were explicitly encouraged to leave them in the special orphanages. In certain cases, when parental agreement was not easily obtainable, parents were made to believe that their infant was dead while in reality the new-born was transferred to the special "child-care" institution. Plagued by horrifying living conditions and wide-spread abuse, these orphanages were often situated in remote areas of the country, keeping the "embarrassing" sight of disabled children away from public view. The film crew shot much of the footage in such institutions and the result is a shockingly graphic sequence of skeleton-like emaciated and neglected children. Ceausescu's lasting legacy is a generation of unwanted children.
Imagine the future - a strange new weapon is detonated high over a large city. There is no explosion, no visible destruction, but everything electronic within the range of this weapon will go out.. permanently. Every electronic gadget in every home and office - disabled. No computers, no TV, no life support systems in hospitals, no water supply, no heat, no lights - truly, a return to the dark ages. Imagine a full range of new weapons; one can take out the electricity in your city, another can destroy you. If you haven't heard about these weapons, it's no surprise. Their development has been secretive and they sound more like science fiction than reality. When did this reality really begin and how far advanced is it now? This revealing documentary opens the window on this - until now - secretive science.
After the British invade the Capital and burn much of it down, the fledgling America appears on the verge of total collapse. But soldiers make a stand against the British in Baltimore, and the momentum improbably shifts to America's inferior forces. Follow their journey to victory, as they defend their threatened democracy.
One of history's greatest military leaders, at age nine Hannibal accompanied his father Hamilcar Barca on the Carthaginian expedition to conquer Spain. Before embarking, the boy vowed eternal hatred for Rome, his people's bitter rival. Twenty years later, in 218 BC, he left New Carthage (now Cartagena, Spain) to wage war on "The Eternal City" with an army of about 40,000, including cavalry and elephants. After crossing the Pyrenees and Rhone River, he traversed the Alps while beset by snowstorms, landslides, and hostile mountain tribes. This 2-hour special brings to life the story of the Carthaginian general who struck fear in all Roman hearts and wreaked havoc with his masterful military tactics, bringing the mighty Roman Republic to the brink of ruin. Archaeologists, historians, and military experts guide us through ancient Carthage and give insight into his military strategy up to defeat at Zama in 203 BC.
For centuries, the adventures of King Arthur and his fabled court have dominated the imagination of the western world. But how did this overpowering legend begin and what truth lies behind the enduring story of Arthur, King of Britons? In this 2-hour exploration of the Arthurian medieval myths, we examine the tantalizing historical facts behind the story of this band of deathless heroes and illuminate the contemporary quest by researchers to establish if the 6th-century warlord truly existed.
The ancient Games, like our modern Olympics, included champions and cheaters, glory and scandals, bitter rivalries and contests of strength, speed and savage combat. Set in 448 BC when the pounding of horse's hooves and the brutal hand-to-hand combat could be heard and seen by the crowds that filled the Olympic stadium. This one-hour special event follows the glory and corruption of the arc of a single, five-day Olympiad. The competitions include chariot racing, running, jumping, discus, javelin and two man-to-man combat finals-boxing and pankration, a form of extreme fighting in which death was not uncommon. With the help of sports historians and great athletes such as George Chuvalo and Olympic medalists Donovan Bailey and Angela Schneider, viewers travel back to a very different life-in a very different world. Combining computer generated imagery and vivid re-enactments, Ancient Olympics brings the legendary Hellenistic spectacle to life.
The findings of the 2002-2004 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, popularly known as the 9/11 Commission.
Alaska's size is truly staggering: nearly 600,00 square miles - that's more than twice the size of Texas or four times the size of California. People have come lured by riches beyond their wildest dreams - fur, fish, gold, oil. Others come to lose themselves in a wild land more vast and unforgiving than they could ever imagine. They've come to measure themselves against its challenge. In return, they've endured bitter temps, isolation, and harrowing adventures for the privilege of living there.
A alien special for all you ET lovers.
Never a robust man, Adolf Hitler was increasingly dependent on his personal physician throughout his time as fuehrer. As a result, the enigmatic and despised doctor, Theodor Morell, may well have played an important role in shaping the course of history, but scholars and World War II buffs have long debated his significance. From the facts that all agree on to more daring theories, HIGH HITLER examines the many aspects of this fascinating tale. Recent findings suggest that the world's most infamous dictator, a teetotal vegetarian, was ruling in an ""altered state,"" but how big a part did Hitler's drug dependency play in the decisions he made? And can any of the blame be assigned to Morrell?
Theatrical special drawn from the trial excerpts presenting new theories about the famous events in Salem Village
Featuring all of the stealth and cunning of a modern-day Special Forces operation, the Los Banos raid is regarded as one of the most successful airborne raids of all time. On the morning of February 23rd, 1945 – just a few months before the end of The Second World War – a combined force of American paratroopers, Filipino guerrillas and amphibious tanks liberated over 2,000 prisoners who were facing a potential massacre at the hands of their Japanese captors. Incredibly, not a single prisoner was killed in the attack. In this dramatic feature length film, we return to the site of the Los Banos Prison Camp with four soldiers who took part in the rescue – as well as one of the prisoners who was liberated. Their compelling first-hand accounts form the backbone of the film. Wrote Colin Powell (in a letter to the 11th Airborne Division): "I doubt that any airborne unit in the world will ever be able to rival the Los Banos prison raid. It is the textbook airborne operation for all ages and all armies."
By the summer of 1900, Galveston, Texas was one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and its citizens were full of optimism as the 20th century approached. One of those citizens was Isaac Cline, appointed a decade earlier to head the U.S. Weather Bureau office in Galveston. But on September 8 of that year, a Category 4 hurricane washed away most of the city and claimed more than 6,000 lives--still the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. This documentary focuses on Isaac Cline's role in the disaster: was he (as local legend has it) a heroic figure who saved lives by warning the population to flee, or did scientific hubris prevent him from seeing the danger until it was too late?
Filled with period documents, original artwork and dramatic re-enactments, The Battle of Tripoli relives the historic engagement of 1805 when a ragtag army of 1,000 men won a dramatic victory against one of the world's great powers. Led by diplomat turned general William Eaton, the force marched some 500 miles across the desert to free 307 American hostages held in Derna, Tripoli's second largest city. Eaton hoped not only to free the hostages, but to end the practice of paying tribute to the Mediterranean kingdom to protect American merchant ships from pillage by the Barbary pirates.
This 90-minute special presents the complex and riveting history of Rwanda, providing an in-depth look at the propaganda campaign that's crucial to understanding how genocide leaders got ordinary citizens to participate. In 1994, the small African country was awash in blood. An estimated 75 percent of the Tutsi minority was slaughtered, and in just 100 days, more than 800,000 were killed. And, at least 50,000 politically moderate Hutus also perished. We explore the 1994 genocide and post-genocide period, and grapple with the question: How does a country recover from its haunted past? Unfolding through firsthand experiences of Rwandans who lived through the genocide, we document stories of survivors, perpetrators, and government officials and sort through the difficulties of balancing justice with reconciliation.
Developed in 1947 as an image to symbolize urgency in the Cold War and the threat of nuclear disaster, the mission of the Doomsday Clock has expanded to include non-nuclear global security issues. Maintained by the Board of Directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, it's based at the University of Chicago. In response to world events, they move the clock's minute hand closer to or away from midnight--doomsday. In this hour, we cover the clock's history, its effectiveness, and its critics.
The story of knights is the story of their armour, from simple and functional, to the almost futuristic and fantastical. JThis is a look at the story of the knights and their armour, from their early beginnings to the peak of their power, to their decline and the legacy they have left us today. Knights and Armour combines the adventure and heroism of Excalibur, with the romance and chivalry of Camelot. Following, in part, the incredible true story of the quintessential knight, Sir William Marshal, Knights and Armour travels to the battlegrounds and ancient courts to tell the glorious tale of the knights who cut majestic and colourful figures whether on parade, jousting or fighting hand to hand with mace, sword, axe or lance.
Shot from the Sky tells the real life saga of B-17 pilot Roy Allen. Shot down over occupied France. Befriended by the French Resistance, betrayed to the Nazis, Roy becomes one of one-hundred and sixty-eight Allied airmen who are imprisoned at Buchenwald Concentration Camp. In the heart of the Nazi Empire. In the most deadly place on Earth. The only thing that can keep them alive is each other.
Who was the real Robin Hood? This age-old question and many more are answered in this exciting documentary. Come and explore the true story behind the beloved myth of Robin Hood the outlawed hero who famously stole from the rich and gave to the poor. In it you will track down the legend of the myth, its origins, and its many interpretations over the years; take a trip back to medieval times and visit the real Robin Hood country; and examine the far-reaching influences the Robin Hood legend has had throughout popular culture. With a myth so famously enduring and intriguing as its subject, this documentary will prove to be both satisfying and fascinating for anyone interested in Robin Hood.
A compelling documentary that takes an in-depth look at the 490th U.S. Army Air Corps Bomb Squadron, who flew numerous bombing missions in China-Burma-India. These missions are from the so-called "forgotten theater" of WWII. Between February 1943 and August 1945, the squadron flew 615 missions, dropped 8,257,000 pounds of bombs and destroyed 192 bridges, earning them the nickname "Burma Bridge Busters." This is a heartfelt tribute to the brave men of the 490th Squadron
The days leading up to the June 6, 1944, invasion of Normandy are recalled through recollections, diaries and letters, including the personal writings of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and Erwin Rommel. Narrator: Edward Herrmann.
It's the world's most dangerous handbag. It enables the United States President to authorize a nuclear attack anywhere in the world. It's called the "Nuclear Football".
This program chronicles the role of the Coast Guard in war and peace over its 200 years of service to the United States. The program details the Coast Guards critical roles in the Civil War, Spanish American War, the World Wars, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and the circumstances that prepared it to fulfill the many missions it has grown into.
Paranormal investigators, forensic biologists, physicists and fire experts try to explain why a body would suddenly burst into flames. Looks into reports of people who have suddenly burst into flames for no apparent reason. How could a fire be so intense that a victim's torso is destroyed while the legs remain? Interviews relatives of alleged victims and firemen who saw the bodies.
Joseph, the Silent Saint explores one of the greatest biblical mysteries: who, exactly, was the earthly spouse of Mary and father of Jesus? A humble tradesman, he was descended from royalty. He was counseled by angels, chased into a strange land by murderers and adored by a son who would grow up to be called the King of Kings. And yet not one word of his is recorded in the bible.
On July 14, 1789, a mob of angry Parisians stormed the Bastille and seized the King's military stores. A decade of idealism, war, murder, and carnage followed, bringing about the end of feudalism and the rise of equality and a new world order. The French Revolution is a definitive feature-length documentary that encapsulates this heady (and often headless) period in Western civilization. With dramatic reenactments, illustrations, and paintings from the era, plus revealing accounts from journals and expert commentary from historians, The French Revolution vividly unfurls in a maelstrom of violence, discontent, and fundamental change. King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Maximilien Robespierre, and Napoleon Bonaparte lead a cast of thousands in this essential program from THE HISTORY CHANNEL
We've watched them streak across the sky for centuries, but what - beyond their sometimes extraordinary and fleeting beauty - do we really know about comets? Follow a breakthrough mission to demystify and - for the very first time - capture the contents of a comet. Premiering Sunday, January 22 2005 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Discovery Channel, Catching the Comet follows the exploration of a comet by devising an innovative way to bring one home.
Discover the complete story of a legendary vessel, told with the help of the men who served aboard her. The submarine USS Bowfin made nine patrol runs during WWII, all packed with hair-raising adventures. In the course of sinking some 175,000 tons of Japanese shipping, the Bowfin faced an increasingly sophisticated Japanese anti-submarine campaign, and endured vicious depth bomb and surface attacks.
The documentary traces the evolution of the celebration of Christmas from ancient times until the present day. It is sprinkled with comments from such luminaries as Jean Shepherd, Alan Dundes and Forrest Church, among others, and makes liberal use of film and television clips from It's a Wonderful Life, Mickey's Christmas Carol, rare silent film versions of A Visit from St. Nicholas, the film A Christmas Story, and a seldom seen, extremely low-budget, 1949 television version of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (which is, however, mistakenly identified as having been made in 1958).
From a seemingly disastrous decision to declare war to the glory of the stars and stripes, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 chronicles of one of america's most defining moments. Only 30 years after gaining independence, the upstart United States found itself once again battling Great Britain. At stake were the future of emocracy and America's Manifest Destiny. Pitted against the world's most powerful nation, victory seemed unlikely. But then Andrew Jackson's brilliant leadership, a lone sniper, and one of the most lopsided victories in military history turned the tide of the war.
Sir Frank Whittle (1907-1996) was the greatest aero-engineer of the twentieth century. His invention of the jet engine didn't just change the face of the Earth; it enabled millions of us to see what it actually looked like. Whittle's story is inspirational and yet so sad. Born to working class parents in Coventry, he joined the Royal Air Force, making himself taller via Maxalding exercises so that he met its height requirement. A genius for mathematics helped him make the rare transition from apprentice to cadet. At RAF Cranwell Whittle quickly showed he was both an outstanding pilot and a visionary. For his course there he wrote Future Developments In Aircraft Design, predicting flight at 500 mph. He began to seek a new kind of aviation power plant. He saw that a gas turbine and compressor – with a combustor in between – could produce the thrust to propel a plane at high speeds. And so the turbojet was born. Sir Frank tells his amazing story in Whittle – The Jet Pioneer, supported by contributions from his son Ian, veteran test pilot Captain Eric Brown RN and Hans von Ohain, who designed the first German jet engine.
Not so long ago, civilization learned that it was no match for just a few degrees drop in temperature. Scientists call it the Little Ice Age--but its impact was anything but small. From 1300 to 1850, a period of cataclysmic cold caused havoc. It froze Viking colonists in Greenland, accelerated the Black Death in Europe, decimated the Spanish Armada, and helped trigger the French Revolution. The Little Ice Age reshaped the world in ways that now seem the stuff of fantasy--New York Harbor froze and people walked from Manhattan to Staten Island, Eskimos sailed kayaks as far south as Scotland, and two feet of snow fell on New England in June and July during "the Year Without a Summer". Could another catastrophic cold snap strike in the 21st century? Leading climatologists offer the latest theories, and scholars and historians recreate the history that could be a glimpse of things to come
From humble beginnings in Butte to iconic status and everything in between, Evel Knievel candidly shares every aspect of his life.
Authors Gore Vidal, Jan Morris, Harold Holzer and Andrew Solomon help uncover the facts about the 16th president of the United States.
For twelve years he stood as America's 32nd President, a man who overcame the ravages of polio to pull America through the Great Depression and WWII. From his legendary Fireside Chats to his sweeping New Deal, Franklin Delano Roosevelt revolutionized the American way of life. FDR: A PRESIDENCY REVEALED examines one of history's most compelling figures. Inspired by his cousin Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt rose to the nation's highest office during the depths of one of its darkest periods. A man of few words, he brought a nation together through his revolutionary Fireside Chats. He introduced vast reforms like Social Security and work relief for the unemployed. At the same time, his administration hid a dark underbelly teeming with covert maneuvers, spy rings, and powerful enemies.
Sir Martin Gilbert hosts this compelling look at Israel's first three years, featuring never-before-seen footage and eyewitness accounts of the nation's birth.
The film "The Bridge on the River Kwai" dramatized the WWII story of the Thailand-Burma Railway, yet it was largely fictional. Over 65,000 Allied P.O.W.s battled torture, starvation, and disease to hack the 255-mile railway out of harsh jungle for the Japanese. Finishing in only 14 months, many never returned from "The Railway of Death".
If you can't beat'em, join'em. But if you can't buy em, beat'em. This was the idea behind one of the most remarkable road-going machines ever built - the stunning Ford GT-40. Henry Ford had hoped to buy Ferrari when the famed Italian manufacturer hit hard times in the 1960's. But when Fiat beat him to the punch, Ford decided to devote his energies to beating Ferrari on the track. The result was the GT-40 - so named because it was only 40 inches high - and in 1966 it swept Ferrari from the winner's circle at the famed 24 hours of LeMans race. Capable of reaching 220 miles per hour, the GT-40 was then modified for sale to consumers. But the 'production' model was far from standard issue - prospective buyers had to send in their measurements to the factory, for while the pedals were adjustable, the seat was not! From the racetrack to the highway, this is an illuminating look at one of the most breathtaking pieces of machinery ever built.
It began like the common cold. Then came fever, baseball-sized black swellings on the neck, and coughing up blood. Few infected lived more than two days. In the three years since it first struck in 1437, almost half of Europe's population died within three years. THE PLAGUE visits the rat-infested holds of the ships that brought death and disease, witness the terror that swept through towns, and walks with religious flagellants. Follow a princess as she travels into the center of the plague, a doctor who struggles to understand what is happening, and a Jewish merchant caught up in violent attacks. Hear the actual words of the victims, taken from diaries and journals. From the Pope's palace to the humble huts of medieval peasants, watch as people live and die in the unforgiving grip of fear and death, and wonder how we would act if such a terrible event happened today.
Learn about the magical childhood of Eric Weiss, a young boy from Hungary who became the famous magician Harry Houdini. This Houdini video is courtesy of the History Channel.
heir fanatical courage struck terror in their enemies. Their fabulous wealth made them the most powerful men in Europe. Their secret rites inspired rumors of heresy. In the Crusades, these ferocious sword-wielding monks were charged with protecting the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In defeat, they were burned at the stake. Journey from Middle Ages Jerusalem to modern day Europe to unravel the extraordinary story of the legendary Knights who some say survived their supposed execution at the end of the Crusades and have preserved their order to this day. Leading historians reveal their fantastic origins, and period accounts bring their legendary battles to life. Ancient documents and artifacts hint at the mysteries that surround them. Did they discover ancient secrets buried beneath Solomon's temple, and conspire to seize part of Europe for themselves? Explore the incredible history of the Crusade's mightiest and most puzzling warriors.
The story of Roman general Marc Antony and Egyptian Queen Cleopatra's legendary love affair and its consequences on the fate of an empire. Interviews with experts and dramatic re-enactments strip away the myths about Cleopatra and reveal a highly educated, cultured, and plain-looking woman.
Conquest. Lust. Murder. Revenge. These are the foundational cornerstones of the Roman Empire. For more than 500 years Rome was the most powerful and advanced civilization the world had ever known ruled by visionaries and tyrants whose accomplishments ranged from awe-inspiring to deplorable. Despite their seemingly civilized attitude toward life there was a decidedly uncivilized end to the Roman Empire. In this feature-length special recent archeological evidence provides an unprecedented look into this tumultuous period in Rome's history--from Roman funeral practices based on sacrifice and superstition to secret societies and mysterious cults to the grand palaces of Nero and Tiberius the center of Rome's excess wealth and decadence. Featuring fascinating on-location footage and interviews with leading scholars from Princeton and Cambridge universities ROMAN VICE brings the final days of the Roman Empire vividly to life.
This episode displays the ancient techniques and technology used by both the criminals and law enforcement of the times;
Join us for an engrossing hour as we unravel one of the greatest biblical mysteries: who, exactly, was the earthly spouse of Mary and father of Jesus? According to the Bible, though a humble tradesman, he was descended from royalty. He was counseled by angels, chased into a strange land by murderers, and adored by a son who would grow up to be called the King of Kings. And yet not one word of Joseph's is recorded in the Bible. Through interviews with leading theologians and priests, examination of the Gospels, and aided by dramatic recreations, we paint the clearest picture yet of the man who spoke with his actions and helped shape the very foundations of Christianity.
One of Adolf Hitler's most brutal and dramatic exterminations came half a decade before the sins of the Holocaust. The SA was Hitler's army of thugs, but the head of the SA, Ernst Roehm, was threatening Hitler's rule. On June 29th 1934, Hitler ordered the SA leadership to appear for a meeting at the Hotel Hanselbauer. Without warning, the SS burst in, beginning 48 hours of bloodshed in which 1000 of the leading SA, including Roehm, were rounded up and slaughtered. This murderous deed became an ominous warning of what was to come. It is the single most significant episode in Hitler's rise to absolute power, and the set the stage for World War and the Holocaust.
An investigation of Jack Ruby and his involvement with the Kennedy Assignation.
KAL Flight 007
This documentary tells the story of an out-of-work tire salesman, Samuel Byck, who, in 1974, attempted to hijack a jet and crash it into the White House. The feature film "The Assassination of Richard Nixon," which stars Sean Penn, is based on Byck's tale.
The Da Vinci Code has raised questions about religion art and faith across the globe. Now take a 2000 year journey through time to examine the surprising truths and controversial ideas set forth in Dan Brown's worldwide bestseller.
Troy is the site of history's most legendary war and the Western world's oldest adventure story. According to myth it began with a rigged beauty contest and ended with a giant wooden horse unleashing utter destruction. From “the face that launched a thousand ships” to the most famous military ruse in history, the epic showdown between the Greeks and Trojans serves as one of the fundamental narratives of Western culture. Yet, nearly everything we know of it comes from an oral tradition recorded hundreds of years after the fact. Now archaeologists, literary detectives and military analysts are uncovering evidence suggesting the war was really waged. From archaeological trenches at ancient Troy and the citadel fortress of King Agamemnon from Homer to Hollywood we search for the true story of Troy.
A cult of magic spells, diabolical curses, satanic worship, human sacrifice, zombies, and dolls stuck with pins? Experts explain how, over the past few centuries, the ancient religion of Voodoo has been systematically maligned, persecuted, and nearly wiped out. To uncover the truth behind Voodoo, we travel to where it began at least 5,000 years ago on the central west coast of Africa. In the tiny nation of Benin, Voodoo is practiced today as it has been for thousands of years. Our cameras captured a rarely-seen event--an African Voodoo ceremony with animal sacrifice. We also investigate grisly events blamed on Voodoo, such as: the sinking of a ferry in Haiti that killed 200 people and was blamed on a Voodoo curse; death of Robert Tallant, author of the 1947 bestseller Voodoo in New Orleans; and how Marie Laveau, the "Queen of Voodoo" in New Orleans, saved two men from the gallows in 1850. Could these tales be true?
Before Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code, there was Holy Blood, Holy Grail, written by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln, that is known for its revelation of the possibility of a sacred bloodline continued by Jesus and Mary Magdalene. It was their research on which Brown based much of his novel. Now, 30-some years since they wrote their last follow-ups, Henry Lincoln continues to investigate the source of the story. In this special, the man who launched the whole story breaks his silence, allowing viewers to unlock his secrets and addressing critics who say the whole thing is a hoax. We also explore the connection to the Knights Templar.
The Iraq War coalition forces' counterinsurgency efforts are examined.
The ocean becomes a battlefield. Around 1.6 million people, counting allies and japanese, perished fighting during more than 4 years in isles, some of them as small as Central Park.
This documentary examines how the native American Comanche tribe learned how to tame mustangs and used their skills to build a ragtag army that consistently struck at settlers who attempted to move west into the United States.
Scientists from the mid-nineteenth century have searched for the fossil remains of the "missing link" in evolution - the half-man, half-ape that would explain where mankind came from. But over the last century and a half, it has been the idea of what a missing link is that has evolved. The history of this scientific quest - peopled with fanatics, frauds, amateurs, professionals, the lucky, the unlucky, the unfairly neglected and the undeservedly praised - is the subject of this documentary. Reenactments depict scientists making their discoveries and then stretch back hundreds of thousands, even millions, of years to depict the typical lives of our human and human-like ancestors. Interviews with leading scientists fill in the details.
It was perhaps the most outrageously courageous action in the history of the US Navy. A small ramshackle fleet comprised of nothing heavier than destroyers ("Tin Cans" in Navy speak) found itself in a toe-to-toe slugfest with Japan's two most powerful battleships. The Yamata and Musashi pounded away with 18 inch guns against the Tin Cans, who had no bomb or shell that could penetrate the armor of her gigantic foes. With depth charges instead of aerial bombs, with machine gun bullets instead of rockets, with smokescreens instead of firepower, the Tin Cans charged the startled Japanese like a seaborne light brigade and incredibly, won the day--saving MacArthur's invasion force and becoming an American legend.
HI-TECH HITLER explores the manifold engineering and scientific accomplishments of the Nazis, many of which helped to radically transform the way we live today. From jet power to the electron microscope, HISTORYtm presents a distinctive look at the role of science and technology in Hitler's Germany.
This is the long-overlooked story of the Union prison that was more than a match for the horrors of Andersonville. More than the spoils go to the victor; sometimes they win silence as well. That is certainly the case when it comes to the Civil War prison at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois. While the Confederate camp at Andersonville, Georgia is infamous, the tale of Camp Douglas has long been overlooked. EIGHTY ACRES OF HELL reveals that the Union was more than capable of matching the Confederates atrocity-for-atrocity. While 12,000 prisoners entered Camp Douglas, only 6,000 left. The rest were victims of calculated cruelty, torture and neglect. And southern soldiers were not the only targets of this treatment--many prominent Chicago citizens were incarcerated under the banner of martial law, unjustly convicted of imagined offenses by ruthless military tribunals. From the establishment of the camp to the terrible toll it ultimately took, EIGHTY ACRES OF HELL is a troubling look at a long-ignored chapter of the Civil War.
The Book of the Dead is the name now given to a collection of religious and magical texts known to the ancient Egyptians as The Chapters of the Coming-forth by day . Their principle aim was to secure for the deceased a satisfactory afterlife and to give them the power to leave the tomb when necessary. Copies of the book written on papyrus scrolls were placed in the tombs of important Egyptians, each roll containing a selection of chapters. Many examples have survived from antiquity, dating mostly from c.1500 BC to 250 BC. In this volume the text, translated by the late Dr R.O. Faulkner, is that found in the papyrus prepared for the scribe Ani. The vignettes are taken from the finely illustrated copies which are preserved in the collection of the British Museum.
The Pilgrims' 1620 voyage from England to America aboard The Mayflower, their establishment of the Plymouth Colony and their relationship with the Wampanoag Indians are chronicled in a docudrama that relies heavily on William Bradford's eyewitness account documented in “Of Plymouth Plantation.”
This is the largely untold story of a war waged by secret agents and spies on both sides of the Mason Dixon Line. These are tales of hidden conspiracies of terror that specifically targeted the civilian populations. Engineers of chemical weapons, new-fangled explosives and biological warfare competed to topple their enemy. With insight from Civil War authorities, we debunk the long-held image of a romantic and gentlemanly war. To revisit the past, we incorporate written sources, archival photographs and newspaper headlines. Our reenactments bring to life key moments in our historical characters' lives and in each of the horrific terrorist plots.
a/k/a Warrior Empire: The Mughals of India WARRIOR EMPIRE: THE MUGHALS is a sweeping in-depth portrait of India's most colorful violent and majestic era. From 1526 to 1858 this dynasty of nomadic warriors indulged their appetite for territorial expansion spreading their rule throughout the Indian subcontinent. Though they conquered their kingdom with crushing brutality the Mughals were also brilliant technological innovators and masters of art and architecture. This program offers lush detailed images of Mughal accomplishments such as the glorious Taj Mahal palaces forts water systems elaborate gardens and richly crafted artwork. Step-by-step scientific recreations of advanced Mughal metallurgy and weaponry show the meticulous production of chain mail armor for a battalion of elephants lethally flexible composite bows rocketry and swordsmith techniques passed down through the generations and still alive today. Join us for an enthralling history of the inventive warfare material excess architectural marvels and cultural flowering that shaped modern India. DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection They paired military prowess and rapacity with a discerning eye for beauty and appreciation of culture. In three centuries, the nomadic Mughals created a vast empire that dominated South Asia, covering most of modern India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. WARRIOR EMPIRE rides with the Mughal forces, showing how they revolutionized warfare with such innovations as composite bows, matchlock guns, rocketry, chain mail, and cannons. Masters of intimidation, they deployed war elephants to demoralize their opponents, while skilled archers on horseback formed the core of devastating strike forces. But the Mughals also built some of the most enduring architecture in South Asia, including palaces, forts, water systems, gardens, and the Taj Mahal--a tomb that took 22 years to construct. Join us for a sweeping history of the military ambition, innovative weapons and strategies
A certain mystique lingers in its very name. It's a haunting and hostile arena with a past as captivating as its landscape. In this desert blanketing 11 nations in Northern Africa, nature has crafted a world of mesmerizing desolation and across its scorching sands humanity has dared to carve history. Our cameras explore a land of mirage and myth--from a mountain fortress of ancient freedom fighters to a vast stadium filled with gladiators' gore to the vibrant chaos of a camel auction to the fabled metropolis of Timbuktu. Historians chronicle how a devastating climate change turned a lush savanna into the world's harshest desert. The Sahara...sinister and seductive, mythic and mysterious...as tantalizing and elusive as a mirage.
Never-before-seen government footage shows the first steps in Japan's transformation at the end of World War II. The footage includes harrowing images that linger in the mind: unforgettable shots of the devastation wreaked in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the atomic bomb; the efforts of thousands of people to rebuild homes among the rubble; overloaded hospitals trying to cope with a scourge that had never been encountered before. But they also show the roots of one of the most incredible political and material transformations in history: the rebuilding of Japan after World War II and its evolution from an implacable foe to one of the United States' most important allies. JAPAN UNDER AMERICAN OCCUPATION features never-before-seen footage shot by a camera crew in the first days after World War II. The US government feared the images captured were too disturbing to be seen, and for a long time they were classified as top secret. Now, the project' director and others who were there tell of the events that marked the beginning of a new era in Japan, from the nuclear cleanup to the nation's first free elections.
Digging up the Trenches is a two-hour special that reveals each stage of trench warfare by focusing on the remarkable finds made by this unique excavation. As each rifle and artifact is unearthed, dramatic re-enactments show how these tools and weapons were used by soldiers 90 years ago. We see how men fired sniper rifles, reeled from artillery, and destroyed enemy machine gun nests. The result is a glimpse into how trenches helped define the progress of the entire war, starting as shallow rifle pits, and evolving to become vast underground fortresses housing thousands of men. Among the astounding discoveries found by the dig are the bones of four soldiers, believed to have died in the war’s first gas attack. The archaeologists also find scores of bullets, live shells, underground shelters, and the scars left by mining tunnels. Historians and archaeologists at the dig are our guides. As each mud-coated artifact is cleaned off, historians like Peter Barton explain how it was used on this very spot 90 years ago. Archaeologists explain trench warfare tactics as they discover bones and rifles. Dramatic re-enactments show how these same artifacts were once the key to life and death struggles in these same trenches. Digging up the Trenches tells the remarkable story of a dig and a war defined by trenches. Trenches that were built as shelter against machine guns became so sophisticated that they were almost impossible to conquer. Understand the birth and death of these trenches, and you understand the war.
Leader of the Iceni tribe in modern day Great Britain, hear the story of a wife, mother, and queen that challenged the Roman army, Boudicca. Sift through history and mythology for the real story of the legendary uprising that pitted a small band of warrior How did a small island defy the might of the Roman army? Discover the motivations for Boudicca's revolt. See new evidence and hear new theories about her historic uprising. Her story exists in ancient Roman history and Celtic myth. She was a wife, mother, and queen who dared to challenge one of the greatest empires in human history. She is Boudicca. Boudicca's story has been repeated for nearly two thousand years. Pitting herself against the Roman army, she dared to break her Iceni tribe's peace with the empire. Leading a band of warriors against this massive force, she razed London to the ground. Her actions kept her island removed from mainstream Europe for years. Scholars and archaeologists sift through new discoveries and theories about this warrior queen. New evidence has come to light about the life and exploits of this extraordinary woman. Hear her story and find out which parts are fact or fiction. Was she motivated by revenge? How did she manage to stave off Roman retaliation? Why is this case unique in world history? Hear the answers to these questions and more in WARRIOR QUEEN BOUDICCA.
As one of the nation's most recognizable faces, he appears in every American history textbook and graces the dollar bill. Yet although he acts as the iconic figurehead of America, little is known about the man behind the myth. Before George Washington became America's first president and an enduring national symbol, he was a soldier. In this landmark release, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® presents an intimate chronicle of Washington's little-known military life. Follow him from his first officer's commission in the Virginia militia through the difficult lessons of his youth and his 17-year retirement. Witness his reemergence as the soul of the American Revolution and see how he transformed a ragtag band of men into an army that could battle--and beat--the greatest military in the world. Featuring stunning location footage, gripping re-enactments, and candid interviews with historical and military experts, WASHINGTON THE WARRIOR narrates one man's epic journey to greatness--and the birth of a nation.
Despite common belief, the Civil War does not end in 1865, and the blood of many Americans, mostly blacks, continues to flow freely. It is a period known as "Reconstruction," a time many consider to be the darkest in American History. America is supposed to be reuniting, healing its wounds, and moving past civil discord. But by examining what is really going on in the post-Civil War South, one can see snapshots of a larger, more menacing picture, a picture shadowed by murder, terrorism, and chaos as "free" black men and women remain enslaved by a South that does not completely surrender. Insurgencies led by disgruntled ex-Confederate soldiers rip through nearly every southern state. America's first terrorist group, the Ku Klux Klan is formed in Tennessee and uses scare tactics and murder to keep blacks down
The "code" referred to in the History Channel's Da Vinci and the Code He Lived By has nothing to do with theories about the High Renaissance master's involvement with secret societies (as explored in Dan Brown's bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code). Instead, it refers to Da Vinci's implacable work ethic, his insatiable curiosity and the talent and discipline required to keep his busy mind satisfied.
On August 25th, 79 AD, the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were flash-frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying all life in its path. Noted paleontologist, archaeologist, and forensic physicist Charles Pellegrino is the author of Ghosts of Vesuvius, a fascinating look at this ancient volcanic eruption. In AMERICAN VESUVIUS, Pellegrino uses the emerging science of forensic archaeology to decipher clues and gather evidence that helps him reconstruct the final moments of the victims. Using the same forensic techniques, Pellegrino undertakes an investigation of the ruins of the World Trade Center. By processing evidence and interviewing witnesses, he illustrates dramatic physical parallels between Vesuvius's eruption and the collapse of the Twin Towers. His scientific exploration results in an array of startling connections between the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the man-made devastation at Ground Zero.
Watch as veterans and devotees of the WWII bomber work to keep some of these important planes airborne. - Review the career of the most versatile bomber of WWII. - Meet the men who flew it into battle. - Watch as surviving examples return to the air after years of restoration. In the Pacific, it flew just feet off the ground at more than 200 miles per hour, strafing and skip-bombing Japanese ships and fixed targets. In Europe, it roared at 12,000 feet through intense German anti-aircraft fire, dropping 500-pound bombs on rail lines and bridges. The B-25 bomber is widely regarded as the most versatile plane of WWII. In this hour, host Steve Thomas uncovers the story of the crucial roles the B-25 played during the war. He watches close up as several B-25s are being restored today, meets six veterans who flew them in intense combat--including during the legendary Doolittle Raid--and experiences the thrill of flying in one of the greatest warplanes ever built.
This one-hour special tells the story of Robert Ford, the man who joined James's gang only to become resentful of the legendary outlaw and hatch a plan to kill him. With expert interviews, archival materials, dramatic re-enactments, and eyewitness accounts, this program brings to life the man, motives, and means focused on doing away with the "fastest gun in the West."
Fighting Nazis; grabbing golden treasure; fleeing angry natives; dodging pitfalls in a booby-trapped temple--we all know how fictional explorers and archaeologists spend their days. But does real life compare? We follow some of the most daring archaeologists and take on the dangers they face--Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass steps into a booby-trapped tomb; American Arthur Demarest fights looters in the jungles of Cancuen; and in Chiapas, angry villagers kidnap Australian-born Peter Mathews. We also examine stories of past explorers who helped shape the "Indiana Jones" stereotype--paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews battled venomous snakes and Mongol bandits in the Gobi Desert; John Pendlebury, the British archaeologist, fought Nazis on Crete; and Sylvanus Morely, who was the first American archaeologist/spy. There are no special effects, no stuntmen, and no retakes...and for these eal-life archaeologists, no guarantee they'll survive for a sequel.
You've got a cell phone at one ear, an iPod at the other. You know that Blackberry is now a verb and Spam is not only canned meat. But just how did we get here? Blame William Shatner--yes, that William Shatner--Captain Kirk. We'll boldly go where few have gone before to reveal how scientists, inspired by he series, would revolutionize medicine and are surpassing the far-out vision of the future foreshadowed in Star Trek in the 1960s. From cell phones to computers to even leading-edge medical advancements, this 2-hour special explores how those sci-fi inventions have now permeated everyday life as we know it. Hosted and narrated by Shatner and based on his book, I'm Working on That, we'll meet the brightest minds of Silicon Valley and the Trek-inspired inventions that have help change the world. In his current TV-series, Shatner's cell-phone has a familiar sound when he opens it as a nod to Star Trek.
It is perhaps the single most amazing story of 9/11--the story of how 12 firefighters, three office workers, and a Port Authority cop lived through the devastating collapse of the North Tower, survived for hours under half-a-million tons of debris and were rescued when all hope seemed lost. We reveal the chain of uncanny coincidences and bizarre events that enabled these individuals to stay alive when so many were dying all around them. We tell their interlocking stories from the time they woke on 9/11, to the moment they were finally reunited with their families. In doing so, we also tell the bigger story of the heroic efforts of the firefighters to save lives--and of the 2,700 men and women who never made it home.
Explore the mystery of this powerful phenomenon of nature.
One of the greatest empires history has ever known is on the verge of collapse. In desperation its leaders look to the heavens for answers. Little do they know that their future lies in bloodshed of their people and that in the space of a single century they will be wiped out. Why a 2000 year old civilization disappeared so suddenly has been one of the world's greatest enigmas. How could a civilization which thrived for over two thousand years just suddenly disappear? Today many believe that a giant drought killed off the Maya, but is this really the case? World Maya Expert, Nikolai Grube began by looking at the Maya's own historical records their fantastic hieroglyphic writing. Hidden within them he found two extraordinary figures - Dark Bat King and a Cold Killer Queen. Never before has the story of these remarkable individuals been brought to life. By resurrecting their spirit, Grube has come to the groundbreaking theory that the Maya collapse cannot be blamed on natural forces, but on the violent world of human politics and power struggles. His journey presents a new vision of the Mayan world a vision where bloodshed and battle hold the key to unlocking the Mystery of the Maya.
Titanic's Final Moments: Missing Pieces has made international headlines announcing their location of two new pieces of the legendary ship at 12,400 ft below the Atlantic, These pieces shed new light on the World's most famous ship wreck.
Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, Ann Bonny and Black Bart Roberts. Larger than life, more dangerous than legend - pirates and buccaneers set sail for plunder. Shot in high definition - True Caribbean Pirates recreates the rise of piracy in the Caribbean and its climactic, inevitable downfall.
Major General Julian Thompson, commander of land forces during the Falklands war, brings his years of soldiering experience to bear on this extraordinary battle. The battle of Verdun was one of the longest and one of the bloodiest engagements of World War I. Two million men were involved in the struggle. It began on February 21st 1916, when the Germans, commanded by Crown Prince Frederick William, launched a massive offensive against Verdun, an awkward salient in the French line.The outlying forts of Douaumont and Hardaumont soon fell, but the French rallied under General Pétain and resistance stiffened. A British offensive on the Somme relieved the pressure on Verdun in July, 1916, and by December the French had recovered most of the ground lost. The intention of the Germans had been a battle of attrition in which they hoped to bleed the French army white. In the end, they sustained almost as many casualties as the French; an estimated 328,000 to the French 348,000.
At the mention of the word "vampire," images of bloody fangs, dark capes, and a man with a hideous, spooky laugh immediately come to mind. These conventional images, born from countless vampire films over the years, are most commonly associated with Irish writer Bram Stoker and his iconic 1897 novel Dracula. However, despite the popularity and influence of this celebrated nineteenth-century tome, the vampire myth dates back more than 1,000 years, long before Stoker ever put pen to paper. In this fascinating journey through time, HISTORY uncovers the ancient folkloric origins of blood-craving creatures from beyond the grave. Learn how the vampire myth is strongly rooted in Eastern European lore, but how it has also played a prominent role in the ancient cultures of Greece and China. From wooden stakes to garlic apotropes to ancient burial rituals, VAMPIRE SECRETS explores how this long-standing myth has been interpreted by different cultures around the world.
Saddam and The Third Reich" Few people realize that the Baath party was actually formed upon the principles and organizational structure of the Nazi party. Iraq, because of its oil and hatred of Jews, was an important battleground between the Axis and Allied powers in World War II. Nazi propaganda was broadcast throughout Baghdad, and Iraqis often went on rampages against Jews throughout the war. One of the most ardent Nazi supporters during WWII was named Khairallah Talfah. Talfah was Saddam's uncle. After the war, many of the key Iraqi Nazi supporters, all of whom evaded prosecution, wound up involved in Saddam's rise to power. This special examines the key individuals of the Iraqi-Nazi connection, the little-known battle for Iraq in WWII, and the strange link to Saddam Hussein.
How smart are we as a civilization? Smart enough to control our own destiny and avoid the cataclysms that could end life as we know it? Using state-of-the-art computer-generated graphics and interviews with the world’s top scientists, Last Days on Earth takes viewers inside seven of the deadliest threats to humanity. Some have the power to render us extinct, others can destroy the planet; all could entail the end of our civilization. How likely are they to occur, what exactly would happen if they did, and could we survive? Last Days on Earth goes beyond science fiction to science fact, as it takes viewers on a roller-coaster ride through black holes, intelligent robots, asteroid strikes and deadly plagues. Viewers will journey from the outer reaches of the universe to the inner world of DNA.
Heaven has influenced politics, decided the course of nations, become the obsession of learned scholars, and inspired countless works of art. Most of all, the promise of heaven has determined how people have lived their lives...and how they've died. Through interviews with religious scholars and leaders, we explore the concept of heaven and its rich history. We trace the evolution of the idea of an afterlife--from ancient Egypt, through Renaissance writers and artists whose work it inspired, to the uniquely American vision that traveled across the sea on the Mayflower--and explore other religious views of heaven. Our experts also tackle the difficult subject: Can only those who accept Jesus Christ be admitted to heaven? What of the virtuous of other religions? Will they be excluded because they aren't Christian? Our experts discuss this delicate question, reflecting on the idea that perhaps a heaven as we know it waits for each of us on the other side of death.
From the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, Lincoln's 1863 declaration naming it a national holiday, to turkey, Macy's parade, and football, share the abundant feast of Thanksgiving history.
Legends, lies, and half-truths for a long time have surrounded Hitler's last days in his bunker beneath Berlin's Reich Chancellery. What exactly happened in the days leading up to his suicide on April 30, 1945? Why did the dictator protract the end for so long? Was he still capable of making decisions? A Russian secret service dossier discovered in Moscow sheds new light on events in the bunker. Contemporary witnesses such as Hitler's secretary Traudl Junge, officers Ulrich de Maiziere and Bernd Freytag von Loringhoven, together with renowned historians and Hitler researchers Ian Kershaw and Joachim Fest, analyse events in the bunker from April 20 to 30-from Hitler's last birthday to suicide.
Rising 4,000 feet above Italy's Campania region, Mount Vesuvius is one of the world's most active volcanoes, unleashing its lethal fire time and again. We examine the 79 A.D. eruption that destroyed the city of Pompeii, sealing the volcano's place in history; a 1631 eruption, at the height of the Black Plague, when the fiery mountain killed around 18,000; and a 1944 eruption that killed 26 as WWII raged across Southern Italy. Is Vesuvius in a resting period or gearing up for another explosion?
Afghanistan, 1981. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, threatening to expand its huge hold of territory and edge closer to the rich oilfields of the Middle East. President Reagan decided to send CIA officers in to train Afghan rebels to fight against the Soviets. But he didn't want to tip America's hand, so he sent in a small team of undercover officers from the CIA's Islamabad station in Pakistan. Working in dark alleys and traveling on Pakistani military helicopters, Milt Bearden and his team of CIA officers gradually built a network to funnel arms and cash into Afghanistan and train the rebels to fight. Dodging bullets and risking their lives, the CIA officers became secret warriors fighting America's last battle of the Cold War.
Travel around the globe, and below its surface, to plumb the mysteries of the always-fascinating volcano. From gorgeous, pyrotechnic lava floes on Hawaii to awe-inspiring mushroom-clouds, humans cannot help but be fascinated by the earth-shaking grandeur of volcanoes. For four billion years, volcanoes have impacted life on earth. Empires have been destroyed, civilizations decimated – not to mention the possible extinction of dinosaurs and spurring of Ice Ages. And, like tuning a car engine by measuring its emissions, we can learn how our planet works by measuring the elements emitted from its diabolical vents.
When a team of Dracula hunters, notably members of a family linked to the real-life Prince Vlad Dracul, tries to unearth the truth about the tyrant, they are haunted by mystifying events, misfortune, and tragedy 500 years after the 15th-century prince died.
On the 40th Anniversary of Australia and New Zealand's most pivotal Military Battles, the History Channel tells its true story. An Exclusive Australian and New Zealand, Television First Premiering on The History Channel. Filming takes place in a number of locations across Australia, New Zealand and in Vietnam and features rare interviews with the seven surviving commanders who fought the frontline at Long Tan.
"BLACK WATCH: MASSACRE AT VERRIERES RIDGE tells the bloody story of how an elite well trained regiment gets massacred on a field in Normandy during an operation codenamed Spring. Through dramatic recreations and first hand accounts this untold story is brought to life and the reasons for the massacre are analyzed. It is hosted by Professor David O'Keefe, Black Watch historian and leading expert on Operation Spring."
This informative program takes a look at the more mysterious aspects of ancient Egypt, following historians and archaeologists as they reveal a side to the innovative civilization that includes unexpected sexual behavior , beliefs in mysticism and magic, and more. We all know the Egypt of the pyramids and King Tut's tomb. But there's much, much more. The daily life of ancient Egyptians was filled with magic, mystery, and sex. We'll take a closer look at the beliefs and habits of one of the world's oldest cultures. There was incest in the royal palace, divine cats, and an entire industry devoted to ushering the dead into the next world. Spells, potions, and incantations ruled every aspect of life. Yet even in these unusual customs, we'll find the human face of the ancient people of Egypt.
A documentary on the history and legend of zombies featuring writers, actors, and historians interviewed on the subject, as well as the effect of zombies on films and pop culture.
Documentary on the Bielski Brothers who battled the Germans in Occupied Poland during WWII
Humans have long believed in the existence of evil spirits, demonic possession, and the devil on earth. In this HD special, go deep into the world of the unexplained to explore the history of exorcism. Although the practice has existed for thousands of ye
The documentary explores the factors that led to the violence, tells the vivid details of the suffering, and speaks with the organizations that eventually exposed the link between diamonds and several brutal African conflicts. Blood Diamonds also looks at the steps eventually taken by advocacy organizations and the diamond industry to combat the problem.
From America's entrance into World War II to the use of planes in Vietnam, the aircraft carrier has figured prominently in American warfare for the better part of a century. This documentary explores the importance of these massive ships in various campaigns and battles of the 20th century. In the Second World War aircraft carriers brought as new form of warfare the oceans and battlefields with their extraordinary size and fire power. Foe first time battles could be won and lost without the rival sailors ever catching sight of each other’s ships. Ironically, Germany was one of the only nations involved in this conflict not to operate carriers. It is very possible that had the German navy had such potent vessels in its armoury the war in the Atlantic and Mediterranean could have ended very differently. This programme looks at the mighty British, American and Japanese carrier fleets of the second world. How did they develop their strategies for the development of this latest weapon – a floating gun battery and airfield combined.
An ancient text containing the secrets to life after death. A remarkable documentary containing the secrets to this storied manuscript. An important addition to your DVD library. •Features a stunning dramatization of a soul's journey through the Afterlife to re-birth. •In Tibet, the "art of dying" is nothing less than the art of living. •Interviews with renowned holy men and scholars
Take another look at ancient texts that were edited out of the Bible. Are they the missing links to Christ's true teachings or heretical attempts to rewrite history? Explore the kabalistic stories of angels and demons disavowed by orthodox leaders and the apocalyptic visions and the sexual imagery that were barred from the Old Testament. Why was Peter's account of a "Lord of The Rings"-style battle of wits and magic repressed by Rome? With discoveries being made all across the world--in caves ruined temples ancient libraries and monasteries--these tantalizing fragments continue to be found and debated. Are they heresy or hidden truth?
Thirty years ago, an unheralded film known as Star Wars opened in theatres and took audiences on a ground breaking journey to a galaxy far, far away. It instantly seized the public's imagination, and three decades later still claims that grasp. The History Channel premieres STAR WARS: THE LEGACY REVEALED, a 2-hour special exploring why the emotional impact of the Star Wars Saga remains as relevant as ever. Through interviews with politicians, academics, journalists and critics, we'll learn about the similarities between the tales of Luke Skywalker and King Arthur and Buddha and Yoda. We'll see how Star Wars' intensely compelling stories - borrowed from diverse traditions, from Greek mythology and American westerns to the Bible and even Vaudeville - force us to explore some of the biggest questions of our time. Uncover the Legend and watch how Lucas re-introduced the world to the modern myth.
Over 90% of international trade travels by water and a new generation of criminals is blending terror tactics with time-tested methods to threaten this economic lifeline. Nations and corporations are racing to protect themselves and their goods, and though the pirates are still ahead, new international response units and mercenary ships are combating the attacks. The U.S. Coast Guard trains navies worldwide in anti-piracy measures, but corrupt law enforcement officials mar advances in their effectiveness. Today's pirate is organized, political, and will command world attention once again.
Cannibalism evokes an image of uncivilized people roasting enemies over a fire. But the reality is that even the most civilized humans have resorted to cannibalism. And there's new evidence that some of Europe's first humans had a taste for their own kind of flesh. Usually cannibalism occurs as a last resort--people being pushed to do the unthinkable in order to survive. And while there's little doubt that it occurred survivors struggle to conceal the truth or simply deny it happened. Was it a practice accepted by societies long ago? We also investigate the recent discovery of Neolithic bones in England that show signs of cannibalism--a discovery that shocked experts and horrified many since some bones belonged to newborns. Our three tales of cannibalism suggest that those who ate human meat are far from alone. Secrecy denial even pride are emotions that accompany the act of eating human flesh. But how do we handle the truth behind the act?
Outcast immigrants, forgotten war heroes, mountain men, religious soldiers and other mysterious American folk take center stage in this informative two-hour television event. Host Billy Ray Cyrus turns the spotlight on the backwoods in this History Channel special.
Ed Gein is seen as one of the most weird and bizarre serial killers of the twentieth century, second only to maybe Jeffrey Dahmer. His crimes also inspired the movies Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Silence of the Lambs.
No one suspected that playboy Congressman Charlie Wilson and his partner Gust Avrakotos--an aggressive CIA agent nicknamed Dr. Dirty --would mastermind the covert arming of the Afghan Mujahideen in what became the largest and most successful campaign in CIA history. THE TRUE STORY OF CHARLIE WILSON profiles this unorthodox alliance, and chronicles the epic journey the two men undertook to guarantee the success of their freedom fighters. Now, THE HISTORY CHANNEL examines the unforeseen and far-reaching effects of the CIA s efforts to assist the Afghan rebels in the fight against the Soviet Union--namely, the Afghan uprising against the West. Revealing the full story behind the Hollywood blockbuster Charlie Wilson s War, THE TRUE STORY OF CHARLIE WILSON penetrates the inner-workings of the CIA to uncover the men and the designs that have returned to haunt America today.
Andrew Jackson was the first "common-man" President. Orphaned at 14, he became a lawyer with no formal education, an Army General with no military experience and President without being rich. Jackson survived the nation's first Presidential assassination attempt, defeated the British in the battle of New Orleans and passed the controversial Indian Removal Act which resulted in the death of nearly 10,000 Native Americans. His portrait on the $20 bill conveys an image of passion, strength and confidence, but most historians will admit that he was often a "cruel" man.
Seven score and two years ago, a self-described "madman" altered the history of the world. With upwards of 100,000 men and the reluctant blessing of the Union, General William Tecumseh Sherman swept through the South with unprecedented speed and savagery. The effect of his campaign, spurred by the concept of total war - the complete elimination of the Confederacy's strategic, economic, and psychological ability to wage war - was terrible for the civilian population and devastating for the South's army. Pushing the entertainment and educational potential of television, this feature-length documentary - filmed on location in brilliant High Definition - breaks new ground in documentary presentation. This deeply immersive THE HISTORY CHANNEL® production combines compelling narration with unmatched dramatic sequences that transport you to critical moments of the fateful campaign. As much psychological profile as historical reconstruction, after experiencing SHERMAN'S MARCH you will know the man and understand what drove him to the edge of sanity and into the pantheon of history's greatest military strategists. Hear from Sherman himself, as well as from characters both major and minor from every side of the conflict, as they relate in their own words the epic events of 1865. The swath of destruction cut by General Sherman's onslaught would have been visible from the Moon, but he believed any sacrifice was justified if it meant ending the bloodiest war in history. His campaign remains controversial to this day, and this magnificent documentary - as only programming from THE HISTORY CHANNEL® can - contributes powerfully and vividly to the debate.
It was the largest manhunt in history--ten thousand federal troops, detectives and police hunted those responsible for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The conspiracy was vast--an effort to decapitate the United States government at the end of the Civil War. The manhunt was intense--ending 12 days later in a fiery showdown with the man who pulled the trigger--John Wilkes Booth.
Though largely forgotten, some 20-30 thousand Native Americans fought in the Civil War. Ely Parker was a Seneca leader who found himself in the thick of battle at the side of General Ulysses S. Grant. Stand Waite, a Confederate General and a Cherokee was known for his brilliant guerilla tactics. Also highlighted is Henry Berry Lowery, who became known as the Robin Hood of North Carolina. Respected Civil War authors Thom Hatch and Lawrence Hauptman help reconstruct these stories, along with descendants like Cherokee Nation member Jay Hanna, whose great-grandfathers fought for both the Union and the Confederacy. Together, they reveal a new perspective and the very personal reasons that drew these Native Americans into the fray.
Host Steve Thomas; Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's march through Georgia and the Carolinas.
What do the symbols and numbers on the dollar bill actually mean? We'll take a look at the shadier and more intriguing threads of meaning and symbolism at play in the bill's design. Extraordinary strands of numerology are interwoven into the bill's structure which on analysis suggest surprising hidden alignments. Why does it look the way it does and how has it changed through the ages? We'll analyze the significance of changes in the bill's appearance over time and examine alternative designs. We'll also look at the historical context of the bill's conception--what the dollar bill set out to represent--the patriotism and idealism of a young republic; and go inside the Treasury's Department of Printing and Engraving for exclusive access to the presses and the people who process the millions upon millions of dollars in circulation.
In 1963, the assassination of President Kennedy puts Vice President Lyndon Johnson in charge. But for all his grand ambitions and plans, his presidency will come to be defined by the slowly ticking time bomb of Vietnam. Thanks to a combination of arrogant and short-sighted advisors, a divisive political climate, and Johnson's own stubbornness, he commits to a gradual and irreversible series of decisions that leads to a bloody and unpopular war.
The Battle of Lepanto took place on 7 October 1571 when a galley fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of Venice, the Papacy (under Pope Pius V), Spain, Republic of Genoa, Duchy of Savoy, the Knights of Malta and others, defeated a force of Ottoman galleys. The 5-hour battle was fought at the northern edge of the Gulf of Patras, off western Greece, where the Ottoman forces sailing westwards from their naval station in Lepanto met the Holy League forces, which had come from Messina, in the morning of Sunday 7 October.Of major naval battles fought solely between rowing vessels, this was the last in world history.Follow an expedition to find the battlefield and the remains of the Lepanto Battle and learn about the greatest naval battle in world history.
The Royal Air Force held its breath as its ageing but legendary fleet of Vulcan Aircraft undertook one last mission. The RAF took the first strike against the Argentinian invaders of the Falkland Islands. Its bombs delivered an unmistakable message; the British are coming and we will not be defeated. Only one aircraft could achieve this seemingly impossible mission over such a long distance - the legendary Vulcan Bomber. As large as a Boeing 737-200 and as fast as a fighter. With an operational ceiling of 65,000 feet her delta shape and ultra secret anti radar devices made her all but invisible to enemy forces. She was unlike anything that had been seen before and sent shock waves around the world.The programme charts the history of the aircraft, the conflicts it was involved in and follows the restoration of the World's only flying Vulcan, XH558. Also features archive film and photographs, interviews with aviation journalists, those involved with XH558's restoration and former RAF pilot and author Frederick Forsyth.An Electromedia Production for the History Channel.
Le Gheer, Belgium - July 5th 1955 - 26,000 lbs of high explosives - a MINE - laid deep beneath the German trench lines during the First World War, detonates in a thunderstorm. It leaves a crater 250ft in diameter and 60ft deep! It is one of several charges known to be lying dormant under the battlefields of the old Western Front and one of potentially hundreds of mines abandoned at the end of the war by the men who had laid them. Narrated by actor John Shrapnel, "One of Our Mines is Missing! skilfully weaves past and present as it unfolds the story of the search for one of these mines - The Broadmarsh - deep within the bowels of the Canadian Memorial Site at VIMY Ridge, France. Rare archive film and photographs, unique privately sourced images, sophisticated 3D animation and superb aerial photography bring the troglodyte world of the tunnellers to life. And, for the first time ever, cameras take us into the heart of not one, but TWO mine chambers as British Army explosives experts attempt to defuse the potentially lethal packages within.
An investigation into the 400-year-old Prophecy of the Roman Popes, unearthed at the end of last century and thought by some to be the lost book of philosopher Nostradamus.
Star Wars Tech is a documentary about the technical aspects of Star Wars, from Darth Vader's robotic limbs to the lightsaber to how an X-wing compares to modern jets. The one-hour program debuted on The History Channel on May 28, 2007, coinciding roughly with the 30-year anniversary of Star Wars
For years, the focus of the Titanic disaster has been on the notorious iceberg that gouged the ship as it cruised through the North Atlantic in April 1912. But was the iceberg the only thing that contributed to the sinking of this legendary vessel? In this eye-opening program, follow the History(R) crew as it explores the explosive theory that the doomed liner may have had a fatal design flaw - one which could have caused it to sink even if it had not struck the iceberg. While examining data from the crew's pioneering 2005 expedition to the Titanic wreck site, marine architect Roger Long was shown a document from the Belfast shipbuilder Harland and Wolff, which illustrated a curious feature of the Titanic - a poorly designed expansion joint. Could this have been the weak point in the ship that caused it to break in two as it sank on the night of April 15, 1912? To find out, elite divers Richie Kohler and John Chatterton, along with their team, return to the Titanic, and later explore the wreck of its equally ill-fated sister ship, the Britannic, in search of evidence to substantiate Long's theory. Featuring advanced CGI technology, archive documents and photographs, as well as footage from the modern-day History(R) expeditions, "Titanic's Achilles Heel" is a remarkable journey into the ongoing legacy of a ship that continues to capture the world's attention.
This is the true and astounding saga of the Spartans at Thermopylae. It is among the greatest tales of war ever recounted. All the glory and grit of these warriors' last stand is captured in this exceptional documentary. It is almost impossible to understand how 300 Spartans managed to hold off the million-man Persian army for even a moment, much less seven days. To a man they paid with their lives but their stunning Last Stand assured that their sacrifice would resonate throughout history. Relying on brilliant tactics, lifelong training, and unshakable allegiance, the doomed Spartans achieved the impossible. The Battle of Thermopylae is literally a textbook case, required reading even to this day at military colleges and officer training around the world. Now, THE HISTORY CHANNEL offers a definitive perspective on the epic conflict with this instructive and thrilling feature-length presentation. Transporting dramatizations and incisive graphics put you in the heat of the battle and show the lay of the land. The complications and strategies of the conflict are revealed through careful analysis, and critical moments are reconstructed to show exactly what happened. Discover what the Spartans were fighting for, what made them capable of such heroics and what drove them to such sacrifice.
In April 1861, the newly inaugurated President Lincoln calls for 75,000 men to fight for the Federal cause. What he does not anticipate is the shared desire by hundreds of women to fight for their country. Forbidden by laws of society, these determined women become the "Secret Soldiers of the Civil War." Travel back in time and hear the story of two of the Civil War's most interesting female soldiers--Sarah Emma Edmonds and Loreta Janeta Velazquez. Hear their tales of passion, recounting the sacrifice of identity, fear of discovery, and constant need for duplicity...even under fire.
Obsession takes on many forms. For these guys, it's trekking across the globe to find and recover rare airplanes that crashed during World War II, then restore them so they'll fly again. Jerry Yagen is the Virginia millionaire plane collector who bankrolls the hunt. Murray Griffiths is the lead plane hunter who also runs a restoration shop in Australia. Mechanic Adam Maley rounds out the team, keeping things colorful with his West Virginia twang. This mission takes them deep into the treacherous jungles of Papua New Guinea to find a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane. Joining Murray and Adam for the trip is adventurer Tony Bierne, who knows PNG inside and out and can speak Pidgin with the locals. In their search, the team goes up against crocodiles, poisonous snakes and a completely unpredictable jungle. What they learn is that no matter how hard they try, it can all go to hell in an instant. They face obstacles that would make most men give up, but they're determined to find a P-38 – and preserve history. The entire time, Jerry squirms in his plush office, desperate to know what's going on but cut off from his team on the other side of the globe. And in Australia, Murray's wiseguy mechanics keep the work going on a Bell P-39 Airacobra, which Jerry wants flying in less than six months. The pressure's on, for this band of fanatics who've dedicated their lives... to Chasing Warbirds.
A gripping story of bravery and defiance that explores the Falklands conflict through the eyes of the people who lived through it, the islanders. Winner of the prestigious Broadcasting Press Guild ‘Best Multichannel Programme’.
Web shooting, spider speed and the ability to defy gravity - these are just a few of the skills in Spider-Man's arsenal. But how do his awesome superhuman powers hold up when measured against scientific fact? Exciting new documentary ‘Spider-Man Tech' delves into the fascinating evolution of the popular character. Featuring exclusive interviews with comic book legends, including Stan Lee, top Hollywood filmmakers and leading scientists, this entertaining and informative show unravels the web of secrets surrounding Spider-Man's dazzling powers while exploring the real-life abilities of his eight-legged namesake, the arachnid.
The story of one of the most famous men in history. You might think you know him - the heroic and successful discoverer of America. Now think again.
NSSM : GUNS...GREED...GENOCIDE is an investigation documentary that reveals the deadly consequences of United States foreign policies accross Africa from 1957 to the present days. Dealing with blood diamonds, uranium traffics, oil business and CIA coups d'états, this documentary exposes never before seen films, unheard tapes and interviews from the people who watched it all unfold.
The film documents the final days of the Peoples Temple at Jonestown, Guyana. Interspersed with interviews from survivors, dramatic recreations of the events show how Reverend Jim Jones becomes increasingly paranoid and erratic as pressures build on him, both inside the compound and from the United States. When Congressman Leo Ryan insists on visiting, Jones alternates between reluctant acceptance and refusal. Ultimately, Jones allows Ryan, several journalists, and the Concerned Relatives representatives to visit the compound. Jones coaches the Peoples Temple members on what to say, but is surprised by a series of defections. Jones orders the deaths of all involved and forces the members of the Temple to commit mass suicide. Hyacinth Thrash, an elderly member, hides and survives. Sherwin Harris, who never visited the compound itself, survives, but his estranged ex-wife, Sharon, and daughter, Lianne, both commit suicide. Vernon Gosney and Tim Reiterman escape the assassination of Ryan, but both are shot and wounded by the assassins. Stephan Jones, Jim Jones' son, was not at the compound during the mass suicide.
Relive the terrible fate of an historic ship and join one of the most thrilling deep-water expeditions of all time in this mesmerizing special presentation. HMHS Britannic, the largest and grandest of the Olympic Class cruisers, sister ship to the ill-fated Titanic, was launched just six months before the outbreak of WWI and was soon pressed into service as a floating hospital. On November 21, 1916, while steaming through the Kea Channel in the Aegean Sea, an explosion ripped through the Britannic and in less than an hour, the ship sank beneath the waves, taking the lives of 30 men with it. Whether it was a German mine or submarine torpedo that caused the blast, a bigger mystery remains: why and how did this giant ship sink so fast?. From deadly chambers to decades-old mysteries, join wreck divers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler as they lead an exhilarating expedition to unravel the mystery of the Britannic's final hour.
Scotland's Essential History is a one-hour special filmed for the History Channel in which Scottish archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver takes a revealing journey through the history of one of the world’s oldest nations.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a major Allied victory in the First World War. A bold and imaginative strategy played out in three dimensions - in the air, on the ground and in a labyrinth of tunnels under No Man's Land. Travel from heaven to hell on Vimy Ridge through an archaeological dig, opening of a tunnel, live fire tests and demos, personal letters and computer-gaming style animation.
Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier is a 2-hour 2007 television documentary about the 40-year history of Star Trek and an auction of Star Trek props released by Paramount Pictures for an auction by Christie's auction house in New York City. The documentary aired in the United States on February 19, 2007 and March 3, 2007 on The History Channel.
1571: The greatest naval battle in world history. 600 ships carrying 250,000 people and 50,000 casualties. The bloodiest confrontation ever between Muslims and Christians.
Chronicles Rome's spectacular structural history from the rise of Julius Caesar to the Empire's eventual collapse Examine the planning and construction of the city's greatest masterpieces, including the awe-inspiring Colosseum and its mysterious subterranean aqueducts.
Are they an elaborate hoax or the product of a mystical force? Despite continuous attempts to rationalise their existence, they remain one of the greatest unsolved mysteries.
The early years of the Tour are full of heroics and all the protagonists are featured, from Lucien Petit Breton and Philippe Thijs, to Rene Vietto and Antonin Magne. After WW2 came the Italian revolution with the emergence of Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, one of the greatest of them all. However, the Golden Age of the 50's saw the return of the French champions in Bobet, Walkowiak and Gaul as well as the inaugural win of Jacques Anquetil in 1957 who went on to complete the first ever five-timer. His battles with Raymond Poulidor are still talked about to this day. Then came Eddy Merckx, who trounced the opposition in his five victories. Merckx was followed by Luis Ocana, Bernard Thevenet and Lucien Van Impe before the next five-time winner emerged in Bernard Hinault, followed by Spanish legend Miguel Indurain who dominated the early 1990's with his five consecutive victories from 1991. Other individual highlights include Stephen Roche's 1987 victory and the amazing 1989 success of Greg LeMond over two-time winner Laurent Fignon by a mere eight seconds. The programme finishes with an extended profile of the now disgraced Lance Armstrong. Introduced by Sean Kelly and narrated by David Duffield.
In April 2003, U.S. Army engineers began to explore the secret tunnels beneath Baghdad. This underground labyrinth stretches for miles.. Designed in part by American companies, this underground city began as a subway and became a subterranean city.
The dark and dangerous world of cults has long been a source of both fascination and fear. What attracts followers to cults and, more importantly, what makes them stay? In this special feature-length documentary, journey behind closed doors into a secret world where faith and devotion give way to desperation and despair. From the bizarre prophecies of Charles Manson to the desperate paranoia of Jim Jones, cult leaders draw followers into worlds of power, obsession, and sometimes death. Hear from parents who have lost their children to cults and travel back in time to examine how cults have been attracting devotees throughout history. Featuring archival footage and interviews with renowned scholars, survivors, and faithful adherents, Cults: Dangerous Devotion is an eye-opening examination of a hidden world few people will ever see.
In the year 480 B.C., the Greeks and the Persians fight one of the most famous battles in history at a place called Thermopylae. Here, the mighty Persian war machine, which has conquered most of the known world, will attempt an expansion into Europe. The only thing standing in their way will be an army led by 300 Spartans, the greatest soldiers the world has ever known. They will fight to the very last man, and in doing so will protect the cradle of democracy during its infancy, and the battle will go down in history as the greatest military stand of all time. Relying on brilliant tactics, lifelong training, and unshakable allegiance, the doomed Spartans achieved the impossible. The Battle of Thermopylae is literally a textbook case, required reading even to this day at military colleges and officer training around the world.
In 1968, the fury and violence of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago propelled us toward a tipping point in politics. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated, America suffered its bloodiest year in Vietnam and drugs seduced us. Yet idealism--and hope--flourished. Explore the significance of that turbulent year and the way it continues to affect the American landscape. Tom Brokaw offers his perspective on the era and shares the rich personal odysseys of some of the people who lived through that chaotic time, along with the stories of younger people now experiencing its aftershocks. Includes archival footage and interviews with former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, who was talking to King when he was assassinated and rushed to his side to try to staunch the wound; Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson, who wrestled RFKs' assassin to the ground; and Arlo Guthrie, best known for his song "Alice's Restaurant.
The June 6th Allied invasion of Normandy was one of the important moments of World War II, but what is less known is the African American role in it. This film profiles the contributions of Black American soldiers for that important victory as veterans tell their stories. Although burdened and frustrated by racist mistreatment by their own military, these soldiers performed their duty for a greater cause.
They came in the dead of night. Iraqi troops and tanks - hundreds of them - pouring over the desert border. Americans awoke to the news on August 2nd, 1990: Iraq had invaded Kuwait. The White House responded quickly. By January 17th, 1991, eight F-15 fighter jets swept through the Baghdad sky, raining missiles upon the city below. Operation Desert Storm had begun. Within three days, the allied coalition controlled the Iraqi sky. Six days after the invasion of Kuwait, President Bush announced the deployment of 100 thousand troops to the Persian Gulf. MINUTE BY MINUTE: THE GULF WAR includes interviews with soldiers from these troops. Hear the story of Major General Barry McCaffrey, leader of the Twenty Fourth Infantry, one of the first units to arrive in the Middle East. Daniel Pons, father, husband, teacher and Army Lab Specialist who was called to duty while teaching a middle school math class. These first person accounts during and after the Persian Gulf War lend a unique and personal look into a battle that has continued to shape current events and American life.
In a world of ever-changing urban threats, where the enemy remains elusive, even from the most sophisticated of reconnaissance technology, the Marines urge the best of their marksmen to become snipers: human machines, inhuman patience and precision.
From a once seething hellish mass of molten rock to the world that inhabits life today take a rollercoaster ride through the entire history of Planet Earth. Its 4.5 billion year epic a story of unimaginable timescales earth-shattering forces incredible life forms radical climates and mass extinctions. Discover how the continents were formed canyons were carved and why the world's animals live where they do.
When the Second World War broke out, Philipp von Boeselager fought enthusiastically for his country, leading a cavalry unit first in France and later on the Russian Front. However, when he discovered what the SS were doing to Jews and Gypsies in the summer of 1942 his enthusiasm quickly turned to disgust. Along with his brother Georg, he joined a group of conspirators in a plot to kill Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler. After several abortive assassination attempts, including one in which von Boeselager was supposed to shoot the Fuhrer with his own pistol, the plotters finally decided on a plan to blow Hitler up with a bomb. Von Boeselager transported the explosives and passed them on to Claus von Stauffenberg. He and his brother then moved their cavalry units to Berlin to take control of the city. When the plot failed, the SS instituted a terrifying purge of senior army officers. In an attempt to disguise their part in the conspiracy, the Boeselager brothers hurried back to the eastern front with their units. One by one their fellow plotters were found out, tortured and executed, and it is a testimony to their fortitude that they never gave away the Boeselagers' names. Georg von Boeselager eventually died in battle on the Russian Front, but Philipp survived the war and outlived all his fellow conspirators. His family still owns the pistol with which he was supposed to shoot Hitler.
A look at European history after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. At its height in the second century A.D., the Roman Empire was the beacon of learning, trade, power and prosperity in the western world. But the once-powerful Rome--rotten to the core by the fifth century--lay open to barbarian warriors who came in wave after wave of invasion, slaughtering, stealing, and ultimately, settling. As chaos replaced culture, Europe was beset by famine, plague, persecutions, and a state of war that was so persistent it was only rarely interrupted by peace. THE DARK AGES profiles those who battled to shape the future, from the warlords whose armies threatened to case the demise of European society, like Alaric, Charles the Hammer, and Clovis; to the men and women who valiantly tended the flames of justice, knowledge, and innovation including Charlemagne, St. Benedict, Empress Theodora, and other brave souls who fought for peace and enlightenment. It was in the shadows of this turbulent millennium that the seeds of modern civilization were sown.
A look at the christian bible through the eyes of a military historian.
Around 1,200 BC, an ancient Armageddon destroyed nearly every known civilization. What could have caused it?The theories are many, but most now include one mysterious and massively destructive factor - a force only the Egyptians survived to name: The Sea People.Who were these warriors and how could they take down the world's greatest powers in a span of just 50 years?Scale the dizzying heights of Crete's mountain fortress with archaeologist Krzysztof Nowicki as he searches for clues.
Gestures, facial expressions and body movement compose ninety-three percent of communication–only seven percent of understanding derives from words. Experts in non-verbal signals will deconstruct video footage of people from iconic moments in history, past and present, to reveal what was truly being said. Learn how subtle movements are used to persuade masses, establish power, and advance careers–most often without anyone knowing it.
Follow the story of Henri Charrière and René Belbenoit, as they reveal how they created a book and hit movie from the real experiences of being held captive in a WW2 penal colony.
History Channel investigates the phenomenon known as a "Black Blizzard." Black Blizzard brings to life the Dust Bowl that decimated the American Great Plains in the 1930's. We match modern science with special effects wizardry to reinvent the experience of living through blinding blizzards of dust, and we meet the survivors who refused to leave their land and lived to tell the tale. We also investigate the controversial history of the Great Plains - an area in the middle of the country, stretching from North Dakota to Texas - and reveal the reasons why the black blizzards ravaged the land.
Leading Irish historian Micheal Ó Siochrú reveals the story of Oliver Cromwell and the impact his conquest of Ireland had on the Emerald Isle. Ó Siochrú gives us an account of Cromwell at his most unstoppably powerful from an Irish perspective. During his nine-month military campaign in Ireland, Cromwell oversaw massacres at Drogheda and Wexford in which more than 4,500 Irish soldiers were killed, terms of quarter were occasionally not honoured and "an indeterminate number of civilians" met their end.
After 40 years of planning and construction, the biggest science experiment in history is ready to be tested. The "Large Hadron Collider" is an experiment created by the greatest minds in physics. It cost $10 billion and its resulting data has the potential to explain why we and the Universe exist. Their idea is to smash protons towards one another at the speed of light, trying to mimic what happened in the milliseconds after The Big Bang. Viewers will go on an amazing journey involving the struggles to plan and build the LHC, how it was constructed and what are its mechanics. Explore the future of what's possible through the geniuses of today.
New York City, September 11, 2001. The morning everything changed. 102 minutes passed between the first plane's impact into One World Trade Center, the second plane's attack on Two World Trade Center, and the eventual collapse of both buildings. In that time, people around New York experienced a range of emotions. Despite the horror and the incomprehensibility of what was happening, many knew, somehow, that they had a unique responsibility to record what they saw. They reached for their cameras. This unprecedented documentary special joins hundreds of pieces of their footage and audiotape into a single, seamless historical record. It is an intensely personal perspective of the tragedy, communicating for the first time that morning's events, as they were experienced by people around New York. It is an evocative, authentic and reverential memorial to one of the most cataclysmic events in world history.
Featuring interviews with Che's wives, children, and comrades, as well as with the CIA agents and Bolivian officers who hunted him down, History paints an intimate portrait of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
A 1930s crime spree gives rise to the creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, when people like John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, Baby Face Nelson, and Bonnie and Clyde often had technological advantages over local police.
It's the most desperate shootout of the Vietnam War. During the early morning hours of January 31, 1968, North Vietnamese communist troops launch a surprise attack on dozens of towns and villages across South Vietnam. They hope the bold offensive will spur a nation-wide uprising in the south and push U.S. forces from Vietnam. U.S. troops beat back the assault and hundreds of the communist fighters are killed. From remote jungle crossroads to the streets of Saigon, average Americans, under attack, display incredible courage and make sacrifices to save their buddies. The impact will be felt in the consciousness of the American public itself. We use unique visual graphics and interviews with survivors to complete the story.
A revealing look at the untold story of Japan's atomic bomb, and how they may have detonated a nuclear device just two days before surrender. Since the end of WWII, conventional wisdom claimed that Imperial Japan was years away from building an atomic weapon--this special shatters this view. Using once secret Japanese wartime documents, we provide evidence that Japan had world-class nuclear physicists, access to uranium ore, and cyclotrons to process it. They devised an innovative way to deliver the bombsusing 400-foot long Sen Toku submarines, capable of carrying and launching airplanes. Most startling--just six days after Hiroshima, Japan tested its own atomic device on a small island 20 miles off the Korean coast. The sobering conclusion is that Japanmay have been just weeks behind the US in the race for the bomb.
By spring of 1942, Japan controlled the western Pacific, the Philippines, and large parts of Indochina. America and her allies knew that final victory could only be achieved by unconditional surrender and that would involve occupation of the Japanese homeland. This is the story Operation Downfall, the plan to invade and occupy Japan that would dwarf the D-Day landings in Europe. According to the plan, on X-Day--November 1, 1945--General MacArthur would lead an invasion force onto the beaches of Kyushu, the southern most of the Japanese Islands. Y-Day would follow six months later when the largest beach landing in military history would take Tokyo. Politicians and military strategists knew that Japanese resistance would be ferocious. Plans for the invasioncontinued throughout 1945 until President Truman made the decision to drop the atom bomb. We trace the invasion plans from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima and analyze why Truman chose the bomb over Operation Downfall.
Peeling back layers of time shows Manhattan Island as it looked when it was discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609, then examines how people and nature have changed the landscape and speculates on the city's future
His reign lasted only four years and he was dead at the age of 28.Yet, as the third emperor of the Roman empire, he remains one of the most notorious rulers in history.. Best remembered for his bacchanalian lifestyle and callous, heavy-handed ruling style, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, or “Caligula,” as he was known, packed a lot into a very short life. In this incisive program, BIOGRAPHY® goes beyond the legend to explore the anguished life of this infamous emperor. Discover how the first six months of Caligula’s rule were marked by a surprising degree of clemency and how a violent illness seemingly transformed him into the monster that history remembers today.. Featuring interviews with leading scholars, CALIGULA: REIGN OF MADNESS is the ultimate profile of Rome’s most reviled ruler: the bizarre, bloodthirsty Caligula.
Armageddon. It is a universal theme that has spanned centuries and cultures...and has, as some say, become increasingly more relevant today. Surprisingly, however, a final chapter of this apocalyptic end has received little examination: the actual final battle between God and Satan, good and evil. The Bible points to a battlefield at Meggido in present day Israel, with each side taking a series of steps that will lead up to, and unfold, during this actual battle. What will this battle look like? Where do the stories come from, and how have they differed throughout history, between religions? God vs. Satan: The Final Battle will take viewers on a tour of the final days, and moments, as envisioned by believers of the three Abrahamic religions.
At the height of the Cold War, the CIA launched a highly classified, top secret research program that exposed Americans to biological agents, hallucinogenic drugs and psychological techniques aimed at mastering the art of mind control. Entire cities in America were contaminated with bacteria, exposing millions to germ warfare. NGC's CIA Secret Experiments examines what happened, shedding light on its research to better understand the extent and full reach of its disturbing experiments.
The story of the Zulu warriors in the 19th century.
They were the knights of medieval Japan, an elite warrior class that held the reins of power and the fascination of the people for more than 700 years. Masters of sword and bow, driven by an unforgiving code of ethics, they proved ferocious in combat. They beat back foreign invaders and fought each other for land, status, honor and glory.THE SAMURAI explores the extraordinary legacy of martial artistry, ceremony, self-discipline and tenacity in battle that reaches to this day. Modern-day samurai explain the ways of life in the Bushido, while scholars detail the pivotal events in their centuries-long history. From the heyday of the Heian Period (794-1185) to the inevitable decline that followed the opening of Japan in 1853, this is the definitive study of some of world's most famous fighters.
Albert Einstein's revolutionary theory that turned the world upside down might have been dismissed but for a math mistake, a cloudy sky, and the start of World War I. This fascinating two-hour special tells the story of Einstein's little-known, 15-year struggle to prove one of his most radical theories -- a theory that upended Newton and three centuries of scientific thought and called into question the definitions of space and light and gravity -- the game-changing concept known as the Theory of General Relativity. Today, more than a century since the "Miracle Year" in which he published many of his breakthrough papers, Einstein's ideas remain a living, vibrant influence. They continue to push scientists farther, and deeper, into the universe than even he could have imagined.
Throughout history, cultures have struggled to foretell the future using a variety of methods, from crystal balls to the alignment of the stars - and sometimes with uncanny accuracy. Even now in the 21st century, individuals carry this prophetic tradition on, but with a tool that is more concrete - indisputable science. So, as this ancient tradition continues into the age of technology, who will be the Next Nostradamus?
Go into the cockpit of Air Force One with Colonel Mark Tillman. Security it so strict that many top-level White House staffers are not allowed inside this specially modified Boeing 747. Inside the plane is a plethora of technology and security to keep the most powerful man in the world safe. The security on board is only the beginning on the President's Central African tour. At each of his six stops, special measures are taken. Each airport must be upgraded to meet safety specifications. Armored limousines and helicopters are airlifted in for additional transport. Secret Service marksmen stand at the ready at each engagement. Even the plane's fuel is tested and secured. Every stop must be a "zero-fail" operation, everything must be perfect. See all the details that must be checked to ensure the President's safety. Go inside compartments that are rarely seen by the public. Take a ride aboard Air Force One.
Examining the controversial war that resulted in the United States taking control of nearly half of Mexico's territory in fulfillment of President James K. Polk's desire to expand to the Pacific Ocean. Host: Oscar de la Hoya.
Martin Luther triggers the Protestant movement, revolutionizing Christianity, spurring the development of modern nationalism and democracy, and shaping ways people worship today.
If humans were suddenly to disappear, what would happen to our planet--the structures we’ve built, the everyday items we take for granted, animals domesticated and wild, plants, trees? What would become of the things that define our species and leave our mark on this Earth? Visit the ghostly villages surrounding Chernobyl (abandoned by humans after the 1986 nuclear disaster), travel to remote islands off the coast of Maine to search for abandoned towns that have vanished from view in only a few decades, then head beneath the streets of New York to see how subway tunnels may become watery canals. THE HISTORY CHANNEL takes you on an amazing visual journey in LIFE AFTER PEOPLE, a thought-provoking adventure that combines movie-quality visual effects with insights from experts in the fields of engineering, botany, ecology, biology, geology, climatology, and archeology to demonstrate how the very landscape of our planet will change in our absence.
A team of scientists and wildlife filmmakers explore the Alaskan landscape.
A history of crucifixion focuses on the death of Jesus; explores the first known records of executions; and examines how people die and what eventually ends their lives during the agonizing process. Included: experiments by forensics experts using physical evidence from a crucifixion; and on-location footage from the Middle East.
PRIMAL FEAR goes beyond the innate terror associated with our deepest fears to examine the history, psychology, and science behind what scares us most. Each fear--being buried alive under six feet of suffocating dirt, the strike of a lethal snake, terrorist attacks that can occur at any time--will be explored by looking at its history, the science behind it, and contemporary survivor stories that relate what a near-death experience was like. Examine the roots of each fear, when the fear flourished, how the fear has changed over time, and how many of these fears have been manipulated to create mass hysteria. Listen in as science experts, supported by CGI, show how the instinctual response to danger of fight or flight has been essential to survival throughout history, describe the physiological cause of death on those who didn t make it, and explore the influence of these fears on pop culture and the human condition.
The litany of disasters reads like the Apocalypse: melted ice caps, submerged coastal cities, prairies turned to deserts. Mass extinctions. This worst case scenario is not merely a prophecy or work of fiction. It is a very real possibility that may loom in our not too distant future. But how likely is this outcome, what will bring it about and can it be avoided? To answer these imperative questions, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® applies its renowned expertise and authority to the issue of global warming in this very special feature-length documentary. A GLOBAL WARNING? spans the globe — fourteen extreme locations in all — to survey the frontline of scientific research and climatic impact. Meet with scientists unearthing evidence of our planet’s ancient weather history — crocodiles may have once roamed the Arctic! — and with experts analyzing humanity’s ever-expanding footprint. Understand, with the help of exacting animations, how sun activity, volcanic eruptions, meteor impacts, and even continental drift have made huge differences in the earth's weather systems.
Since 1945, hundreds of thousands of military personnel became human guinea pigs in experiments and intentional exposures conducted by the U.S. government--often without their knowledge or consent. Aided by recently declassified documents, we reveal the truth about human experimentation, once hidden as a threat to "National Security."
In 2007 a crew of 65 brave men and women set sail on a journey from Roskilde back to Dublin in a 30m (100ft) Viking longship named "Havhingsten fra Glendalough" ("Sea Stallion from Glendalough"), a Danish reconstruction of the Skuldelev 2 ship on display in the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum and originally built around 1040 near Dublin. Follow this amazing journey of experimental maritime archaeology.
Was life triggered by some event, like lightning hitting a pond full of amino acids? Earth was teeming with life billions of years before the dinosaurs existed. Single-celled organisms inundated the oceans, and the soil swarmed with living creatures. Where did it all come from and how do you go from a single-celled organism to a trillion-celled organism like Man? Cutting-edge science is testing out answers about life's origins and how life can be created on new worlds--or even our own.
March 1876: Alexander Graham Bell struggles with an invention that may change the world. Early nineteenth century America is experiencing an explosive growth and expansion across a vast landscape. A technology is needed to meet the communication needs for this new nation, and Bell is convinced that he can transmit speech over great distances. Early telegraphs can only transmit one message over one wire at one time, and the message must be coded and decoded one letter at a time. Bell begins work on a multiple telegraph, but his genius will lead to a different revolutionary device that will carry thousands of simultaneous messages and shape the future--the telephone.
Experience what it would have been like to be present at history's most world-changing moments in What Went Down, the gripping series from HISTORY that serves as an HD time machine to the past. From the showdown at the Alamo to the cockpit of a Japanese plane at Pearl Harbor, What Went Down brings crucial historical events vividly to life. With the help of top CGI artists and on-location experts, each detail of these earth-shaking moments is meticulously investigated and researched, allowing viewers to see history from firsthand angles and points of view, as if they were there themselves. Watch as Bill Chemerka, founder of the Alamo Historical Society, helps a production team re-create a view from above that would have been impossible to see in 1836, and follow Dr. Donald Goldstein on a site survey in Pearl Harbor to see the lucky shot that sunk the USS Arizona battleship on December 7th, 1941. Witness these crucial periods in history as never before what they looked like, what they sounded like what went down
The shadow of war between Christian and Muslim hangs over us today, but it is a war that began nearly a thousand years ago. By the close of the 11th century, Jerusalem had been in Muslim hands for over 400 years. In 1095 Pope Urban II launched an unprecedented military campaign to seize it back--a "Crusade" to purge the Holy Land of "the infidel". Over 60,000 Christian warriors would journey 3000 miles and for almost three years to reclaim the Holy City in the name of God. But their adversaries, the Turkish warlords of the Middle East would resist them every step of the way. In a series of epic battles and bloody massacres, tens of thousands would die as the crusaders inched ever closer towards Jerusalem.
In 1099 the Crusaders took Jerusalem in the bloodiest of battles, wrenching it back from the Muslims for the first time in 400 years. But, over the decades that followed, the Islamic world dreamed of fighting back. In 1144 the Muslims seized the city of Edessa from the Christians. The news reverberated back to Europe, and the Pope called for a Second Crusade. But this Crusade was a disaster. It failed to expand the Christian empire, and strengthened the resolve of the Muslims. Under their great leader, Saladin, the Muslim swept through the Christian Kingdom taking town after town. In 1187 he took Jerusalem. This shocked the west into responding, with a Third Crusade. Led by Richard the Lionheart they defeated Saladin and marched on Jerusalem. Richard failed to take the city and the Third Crusade failed.
In 1944, the Nazi top brass believed that a rudimentary nuclear weapon might soon be within their scientists' grasp. Hitler, desperate to turn the tide of the war, hatched a secret plan for an aircraft that would usher in the age of global terrorism – the 'Amerika Bomber'. This would deliver the hoped-for 'wonder weapon' directly on to the biggest target of them all: New York City. Hitler's Plan to Atom Bomb New York uncovers the astonishing competition that was held between Germany's top aviation designers to build a completely new aircraft capable of carrying and dropping the bomb on the towers of Manhattan. They included a giant V-rocket that would later provide the basis for the Apollo missions, and a high-altitude craft with fundamental similarities to the modern space shuttle. The winner of the competition – a huge V-winged jet plane capable of crossing the Atlantic and returning in a single flight – was rushed into production. The film tells the story of how close the 'Amerika Bomber' came into being before an Allied mission put an end to the project once and for all.
Throughout history there have been legendary artifacts that have captured the imagination of adventurers everywhere. While belief in their existence seems to fly in the face of reason and science, there have been those who have devoted their lives to their discovery. One man has looked for some of these remarkable treasures. He is Indiana Jones--professor of archeology and an adventurer who has uncovered some of the world's greatest mysteries. But Dr. Jones is just a fictitious character and it's widely assumed that the artifacts he searched for were also figments of a writer's imagination. But were they?
Batman Unmasked: The Psychology of the Dark Knight Delve into the world of Batman and the vigilante justice that he brought to the city of Gotham. Batman is a man who, after experiencing great tragedy, devotes his life to an ideal--but what happens when one man takes on the evil underworld alone? Examine why Batman is who he is--and explore how a boy scarred by tragedy becomes a symbol of hope to everyone else.
The conquistadors forged alliances with native groups hostile to the Incas and seized enough treasure to make Spain the most powerful nation in Europe.
June 6, 1944 on D-Day: the allies stormed the beaches at Normandy, gaining a tenuous foothold on the shores of France. On a stretch of shoreline the Americans had code-named Omaha Beach, the allied forces were subjected to one of the bloodiest battles of World War Two.
The White House is at all times many different things. It's a museum where tourists come to see our country's history, a place of business where some of the greatest decisions of democracy have been made and, to the families of 42 Presidents, it has also been a home. The White House is perhaps the most photographed location in all of the United States of America but those images are mostly from the outside looking in. Now, President and Mrs. Bush invite viewers to join them on the first in-depth televised tour of this grand residence since Jacqueline Kennedy invited cameras inside in 1962. President and Mrs. Bush share their own personal insights and what it has been like to live in this historical house. In addition, special guests, brothers Leslie and Leigh Keno, well known from television's Antiques Roadshow, join the tour to offer their insight and engaging curiosity to the journey.
In 1939 there were more than 3 million Jews in Poland, shockingly only two families are known to have survived the Holocaust intact. This is the story of one of them.
Hitler's Hidden City is a subterranean adventure under the streets of Berlin, following the work of a team of German archaeologists and historians exposing and exploring the last remaining structures of the Third Reich. We gain rare access to an underground city ordered and -- in part -- designed by Hitler himself, part of a vast network of over 1000 bunkers and many miles of tunnels, much of which has remained sealed since the war. Eyewitnesses and historians add colorful stories to cutting edge CGI that bring to life this network of bunkers, how they were built and how they were used in the dark days of the downfall of Berlin.
Historians contrast the real stories of field surgeons during the Korean War against their counterparts as depicted in Robert Altman’s classic 1970 film and the hit TV series. Highlights include clips and interviews with Altman, Donald Sutherland and writer Larry Gelbart, along with surgeons and nurses from Korean War MASH units. Burt Reynolds narrates.”
Go beyond the mystery and discover the first serial killer to reveal the dark underbelly of London's Victorian East End. Investigate one of the most talked about criminals of all time--Jack the Ripper. Take a walk down the streets that Jack once stalked and visit the pubs and brothels his victims frequented. Computer graphics and expert examination will help to recreate life as seen through the eyes of one of the most infamous and blood thirsty murderers in recorded history.
While presenting various lesser-known prehistoric giant creatures, various paleontologists explain how fossil analysis works and how they can deduce characteristics, behavior and look of these long extinct animals.
Join host Monty Halls as he takes viewers on an excremental safari to investigate the historical, medical, scientific and evolutionary importance of dung. Discover that through a 14,000-year-old human dung deposit it has been determined that humans inhabited North America 1300 years earlier than previously thought. Climb a 100-foot mountain of bat guano in Borneo that is teeming with insect life. Travel to India and view housewarming rituals using sacred cow dung as good luck. Finally Halls drinks coffee made from poop and investigates, through their large droppings, why mammoths might have disappeared.
10,000 B.C. was a time of cataclysmic change on Earth. Extreme climactic fluctuations hurled the planet into a minor ice age; megafauna like the saber-toothed tiger and woolly mammoth were suddenly becoming extinct; and early humans began to inhabit North America. Cold and hungry, their fragile communities undertook perilous hunting expeditions. The slaughter of a single mammoth, weighing nearly ten tons, could be the difference between survival and death. JOURNEY TO 10,000 B.C. brings this unique and thrilling period to life, and investigates the geologic and climate changes that scientists are just beginning to understand. In a major forensic investigation, HISTORY visits early human archaeological sites to uncover fossilized bones, ancient dwellings, and stone weapons, and uses state-of-the-art CGI to recreate the treacherous mammoth hunts and the devastating impact of a comet colliding with Earth.
Join a journey to retrace the eye-opening explorations and mind-bending discoveries of modern-day adventurer and scientist Richard Evans Schulte.
In a remarkable world-first, Beyond Kokoda tells the powerful story of the Kokoda Campaign of 1942 – from both sides. Narrated by Australian actor Christopher Baker (who appeared in the 2006 film 'Kokoda'), The History Channel's exclusive two-hour documentary explores one of the most defining moments in Australian military history and features the harrowing personal stories of the Kokoda Trail from both the Australian and Japanese soldiers'perspectives. Featuring candid interviews with Australian veterans and Japanese veterans, most of whom are speaking publicly for the first time, as well as a production team made up of both Australians and Japanese, Beyond Kokoda provides a unique and balanced look at the bloody struggle that lasted from July 1942 to February 1943. The Kokoda Campaign resulted from the failure of a previous attempt by the Japanese to capture Port Moresby and was a decisive Australian victory that delivered Australia from Japanese encirclement and possible occupation. Two armies, Japanese and Australian, each pushing the other back along a muddy, precipitous track over the mountainous spine of New Guinea's Owen Stanley Range resulted in one of the most brutal conflicts in Australian war history. Historians and veterans distinguish it as a campaign of exceptional savagery. Few prisoners were taken; most were shot. War conventions were routinely flouted by both sides. The troops were reduced to a primal level, such were the inhuman conditions in which the battle was waged and the impossible expectations made on soldiers of both sides at the front line. Beyond Kokoda is a deeply personal account of the thoughts, feelings and experiences of those directly involved in the Kokoda Campaign, set against the sometimes flawed strategic decisions of key commanders and politicians, both Australian and Japanese, and the broader context of the war in the Pacific. The documentary also features the 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels', New Guinean villagers well-known in Aus
Travel to Egypt and join a team of archaeologists who have uncovered what evidence reveals is the lost fourth pyramid of Giza. Djedefre, son of the great Khufu, would stamp his supremacy by erecting the highest pyramid ever built, towering some 60 feet above Khufu's Great Pyramid of Giza. This is the story of the most powerful, prolific, and arguably, the most cruel and debauched of all Egypt's dynasties.
Nearly 40 years after he masterminded the Tate/La Bianca murders, Charles Manson remains an icon of evil, and a subject of fascination the world over. He was the mastermind of the most notorious murders in U.S. history, a crazed guru who terrified the world and plunged the city of Los Angeles into a state of paranoia and panic. This two-hour docudrama from HISTORY takes viewers deep inside a twisted world of hate, fear,sexual transgression, and mind‐control. At the heart of this obsession lies the question: How did one man convince a group of hippies – mostly young women from good middle American families - to murder complete strangers in such a brutal fashion? Intertwining first-person accounts with rare archive footage, "Manson" looks back at the nine months leading up to and including the brutal murder of Sharon Tate, the Manson family's most famous victim, four decades after her bludgeoning. This feature-length docu-drama shot in HD, tells the story of the final days leading up to
According to the predictions of 16th-century soothsayer Nostradamus, the world will experience a major cataclysmic event--or perhaps even end--on December 21, 2012. This release presents a History channel special investigating the dire prophecy.
The deadly virus SARS spread through Hong Kong in 2003. Experts speculate on its devastating power and what would happen if it…
A clay tablet baked by apocalyptic fires; strange stone fortresses built hundreds of miles above sea level; hieroglyphs that tell of a terrifying invasion. Are these the clues that will unravel the mystery behind the greatest cataclysm of the ancient world? Travel back to 1200 BC, the era of the Great Pyramids and the world's first written languages - and witness an ancient Armageddon, where nearly every known civilisation was destroyed. What could have caused it? Plague? Pestilence? Natural Disaster? The wrath of avenging gods? The theories were many, but nearly every scenario now includes one mysterious and massively destructive factor - a force only the Egyptians would survive long enough to name: The Sea People...
More than just a biography, this film explores Bruce Lee's global impact to see how he has influenced all areas of popular culture including fitness, cinema, music, sport, dance, video games and philosophy. A journey across the United States, Asia and Europe, takes Shannon Lee on a trip back to her father's roots in Hong Kong and China. With unique access to the family's photographic archive, home movies and all material owned by the Bruce Lee Foundation.
While exploring the history of some of the traditional events surrounding the holiday season, hostile comic Lewis Black consults with experts about avoiding stress, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Saint Nicholas, New Year’s Eve and more.
The deadliest weapon on the battlefield is neither bullet nor gun; it's the lone sniper. Journey inside the science and psychology behind the greatest shots in military history, through the scope of the world's most extreme marksmen. Deconstruct the missions, ranging from Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan, presented by the men who were there and pulled the trigger. For the first time on American television Canadian sniper Robert Furlong, tells the story of his history-making shot in Afghanistan--striking a Taliban fighter from 1.5 miles away. Ballistics... Tactics... Weaponry... Stalking... This two-hour special examines these critical components in vivid detail, combining interviews with cinematic reenactments, CGI and present day shooting demonstrations to put the viewer squarely inside the crosshairs.
In 1898, a Minnesota farmer clearing trees from his field uproots a large stone covered with mysterious runes. Now known as the Kensington Rune Stone, it details a journey of land acquisition and murder--in the year 1362. Thought by some to be a hoax, new evidence suggests it could be real, and a clue that the Knights Templar discovered America 100 years before Columbus, perhaps bringing with them history's greatest treasure...The Holy Grail. See how symbols on the Rune Stone match Templar ruins all over Europe. History tells us the Templar were massacred on Friday the 13th, but that a Templar fleet allegedly containing treasure was last seen off Scotland in the late 1300s. Stones with similar markings as the Rune stone have been found on islands across the Atlantic Ocean, as well as in Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Is it possible the Templar were leaving clues to an incredible journey to the New World?
Documentary detailing the philosophy of Sun Tzu; A Chinese general who wrote the fundamental principles of war. This program analyzes wars in recent history and explains how Sun Tzu's philosophy is still relevant today.
In the 60s British cinema audiences were transfixed as James Bond foiled the evil plans of a villain called Goldfinger. Little did they know that Goldfinger's plot to break into Fort Knox was not just a work of fiction, but a version of a true story that happened in London in 1914.
Armageddon. It is a universal theme that has spanned centuries and cultures…and has, as some say, become increasingly more relevant today. Surprisingly, however, a final chapter of this apocalyptic end has received little examination: the actual final battle between God and Satan, good and evil. The Bible points to a battlefield at Meggido in present day Israel, with each side taking a series of steps that will lead up to, and unfold, during this actual battle. What will this battle look like? Where do the stories come from, and how have they differed throughout history, between religions? God vs. Satan: The Final Battle will take viewers on a tour of the final days, and moments, as envisioned by believers of the three Abrahamic religions.
A collection of interviews and footage of the band detailing how their sound progressed and how their albums were made.
Michael Wood travels through Syria and Iraq to uncover the story of Alexander the Greats decisive battle against the might of the Persian Empire in 331 BCE. Ancient writers agreed that it was fought somewhere near the city of Irbil in northern Iraq but the exact location has never been discovered. Using dramatic new finds in the UK a cuneiform clay tablet in the British Museum and a papyrus dug up in Egypt Michael sheds new light on the course of events. Then to reconstruct the campaign he follows Alexanders route through Damascus and Alleppo to the river Euphrates in Syria and travels into Northern Iraq with the British and US military. Exploring a landscape long barred to outsiders by Saddam Hussein he carries out a detailed reconnaissance on the ground with US forces on patrol between Mosul and Kurdistan. Accompanied by the Head of British forces in Iraq General Sir Rob Fry he pieces together the dramatic events that led to this ancient War of the Worlds and finally with the help of Kurdish villagers solves a mystery that has baffled historians and archaeologists for centuries.
In the current climate of widespread national security concerns in the U.S., many people worry that the threat of a nuclear attack on American soil is more plausible than ever. In this chilling program, get a firsthand look at what would happen if a nuclear bomb exploded in the heart of Washington, D.C.
Before Lincoln finally came to rest in a steel-and-concrete-reinforced underground vault in Springfield, the President’s body was repeatedly exhumed and moved, his coffin frequently opened. An astonishing and macabre series of events also included a diabolical bodysnatching-for-ransom scheme. This remarkable final chapter is the subject of the gripping two-hour special. Bringing this astounding story to life like no other before it, the program features moving images of Abraham Lincoln, digitally created from actual historical photographs. For the first time, Lincoln walks and moves according to the historical record. The moving images and some of the stills showcase the first “virtual photography” of Lincoln and the only “virtual motion” pictures of him ever created. Using computer-generated imagery, it illustrates key sections of the story and brings them to life, often with startling effect.
When Lincoln died, his former law partner William Herndon talked to over 250 friends for a now forgotten biography. Using his original papers, Douglas Wilson and Rodney Davis published Herndon's Informants 130 years later. Drawing on this rich new source, we paint an intimate portrait of Lincoln drawn from fact not myth.
Faces…and facts…fleshed out from the grave. Unprecedented technology brings to life extraordinary mirror images and powerful last impressions of history’s most powerful men. Every line, every wrinkle, every expression tells a story. Forensic-science and anthropology experts have identified that history’s most relevant figures left behind highly-detailed casts of their faces, created at their moment of death, to preserve their souls and physical memory for eternity. Using advanced facial-reconstruction techniques and 3-D imprint detailing, these death masks render an exact replica of every feature, and an intimate look at how their characteristics affected their lives. Includes startling new insights into the persistent mysteries surrounding these historic icons like Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon and George Washington, and just may reveal some secrets these men preferred to conceal.
He ruled with an iron fist, treating his people like grist for the mill of power and threatening the world with his expansionist fantasies. One of the most influential and notorious leaders of the 20th century, he was likely also the greatest murderer of history, sending an estimated 20 million people to their deaths. STALIN: MAN OF STEEL is a multi-faceted portrait of the man who succeeded Lenin as the head of the Soviet Union. With a captivating blend of period documents, newly-released information, newsreel and archival footage and interviews with experts, the program examines his rise to power, deconstructs the cult of personality that helped him maintain an iron grip over his vast empire, and analyzes the policies he introduced, including the deadly expansion of the notorious gulags where he banished so many of his countrymen to certain death
When the Berlin Wall was built with a few railway cars and a lot of barbed wire in August 1961, no one could have foreseen its rise and fall. In this feature-length special, HISTORY uses computer imagery to reconstruct how the wall grew from a meager obstacle to a mighty barrier of seven concentric walls with ditches, fences, signal wires, tank-traps and a flood-lit death strip patrolled by half-starved dogs a nearly impenetrable barricade with a 96-mile circumference, 200-plus bunkers and 302 watchtowers. RISE AND FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL gets firsthand accounts from the people who tried to escape this Wall of Death by any means possible, including tunnels, hot air balloons, wind surfing boats, bi-planes and a cable railway. Additional interviews with the security officials who designed the wall and Stasi men who protected it, border guards, politicians, historians and journalists help to breathe life into the Cold War icon whose demise, beginning on November 9, 1989, signaled the start of one of history s most dramatic political transformations.
Just hours before his death, John F. Kennedy appeared before a crowd in Fort Worth, Texas to honor the freedoms of America in what would be his final speech. Though the Zapruder film, a silent, 8mm home movie of the presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza, is the most complete visual recording of JFK s assassination, it is just part of a vast record of sights and sounds captured on camera that day. This four-hour special from HISTORYTM uses unique, rarely seen and heard footage to document the Kennedy assassination and the nearly 50 years of speculation and controversy that changed America. Home movies from eyewitnesses, Dallas police dispatch radio recordings, and raw news footage provide a shocking, unflinching look at the assassination of the president and the days that followed while examining the aftermath, and the enduring controversies, that emerged as succeeding generations of Americans struggled to comprehend the sudden murder of an unforgettable leader.
Travel back to 1969 and uncover fascinating trends, people and events that forever changed the way Americans think about and have sex. Viewers will travel from the Playboy Penthouse in Los Angeles to San Francisco's Hippie crash pads, New York's Gay baths.
A behind-the-scenes look at November 22, 1963 from the unique perspective of Lyndon Johnson. On his pivotal first day as President, Lyndon Johnson is put to the test as he contends with the jarring transfer of political power and the daunting challenge of securing the trust of a devastated nation.
Considering the Bible is one of the most analysed books in all of literature, that it raises contentious debate is nothing new. What is new, however; are the assertions of Finkelstein and Silberman, including that the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob never existed; and that the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan - the 'Promised Land' - never actually happened. While many scholars dispute the assertions of Finkelstein and Silberman, what is certain is that the debate these assertions have raised casts a shadow of doubt over what has been regarded as history by so many; in particular affecting the history of Israel as a nation.
Documentary on the main principles of Sun Tsu "Art of War" illustrated with examples from the second world war, the Vietnam war and the American civil war.
Before Kokoda, before the bombing of Darwin, Australia came under attack from the full might of the Japanese Empire - Rabaul, 1942. In the ensuing carnage of aerial bombardments and an armada not seen in Australian waters before, a small garrison of Australian soldiers, forgotten by many , made a courageous stand against an insurmountable force. Some men would escape, some would be shipped to Japan, but most - 1053 in total - would perish in Australia's greatest maritime disaster, The Tragedy of the Montevideo Maru.
The first part deals with the search for Arminius identity. Coming from a simple village of the Cherusci settlement and the dense forests of Germania, the Romans kidnap him under a treaty made in their civilization. They educate him and train him into a soldier. He proved himself in the suppression of a revolt against the Romans in Pannonia, and finally returns to the side of the Roman governor Varus, thereby returning to his homeland.
Part two is all about the legendary battle in the Teutoburg Forest. Arminius knows that the disciplined Romans are superior to the Germanic warriors. Therefore, he wants to exploit the trust of Varus' and to lead the Romans into the rugged forests of Germania, where they would attack. They almost see through his trickery: Segestes, the old clan leader of Cherusci and ally of Rome tries to warn Varus. But the thought that a man raised and educated in Rom such as Arminius could switch sides was unimaginable. Varus gives no credence to the accusations, orders the march, and leads his legions into ruin.
Fifty years before the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, Frenchman Auguste Mariette and German Emil Brugsch worked together to identify and decipher the contents of the tombs where the Pharaohs were laid to rest. They discovered the names and dates of Egypt’s earliest Pharaohs, and they found the tomb of the greatest Pharaoh of them all, Ramses II.
Clash of the Cavemen It was an epic battle of brains versus brawn that determined the course of human history. In this scenario, based on scientific theories, witness our prehistoric ancestors as they clash with a completely different species of humans, the Neanderthals, some 30,000 years ago in Ice Age Europe. In CLASH OF THE CAVEMEN, cinematic re-creations and state-of-the-art CGI bring to life the Neanderthals--stocky, powerful and able to tolerate intense pain--and their foes, the Cro-Magnons--weaker and more fragile but with a superior brain capable of complex thought. This cinema-quality documentary from HISTORY uses the latest science to re-create the surroundings and dangers they endured: massive four-legged predators, punishing temperatures, and the unrelenting threat of starvation. Cutting-edge archaeological and anthropological research, including data from the ongoing Neanderthal genome mapping project at Germany s Max Planck Institute, lends up-to-the- minute realism and accuracy to this cataclysmic fight to the finish.
In this sequel to Sharp Shooters discover people who perform seemingly impossible shooting feats with all kinds of firearms. Watch world-class shooters perform amazing shots as well as reenact shots made famous in history. Stories will include the toughest shot in Old West shooting exhibitions (the mirror shot) as well as modern-day Army snipers who hit targets a mile away. Super high-speed cameras will capture a bullet in the air and travel with its trajectory to the target and animation will dissect the technology of the gun, the ammunition, and the technique.
FIRST APOCALYPSE looks at how we can learn from the dinosaur's fall from grace and how much our own fate may be intertwined with theirs. Are we doomed to follow in the dinosaurs footsteps or can we face down extinction? Perhaps this fear is why we are so fascinated by the demise of a species that lived millions of years ago. If something so large that ruled the earth for so long can be wiped out in a matter of centuries, what does that say about our ultimate survival? The world we live in may already be in the throws of its own mass extinction... a new apocalypse.
A compilation of dangerous situations documented in Alaska. Included: an avalanche cuts power to the city of Juneau; police respond to a moose sighting in Anchorage; a hovercraft delivers mail and supplies to a remote village.
The CSS Albemarle held back Union ships from North Carolina until Liutenant William B. Cushing and a group of volunteers launched a surprise attack using a tiny boat and a spare torpeds. The Albemarle sank, shortening the war and making Cushing, the only survivor, a hero.
Documentary about the american civil war. It was a month of terrible possibilities: continues guerrilla warfare, a coup and a destroyed government after Lincoln's assassination. This documentary examines how the nation avoided mayhem and continued bloodshed.
It was the single deadliest day in American history: twelve hours of fighting and nearly 23,000 casualties. The stakes for both sides were high, but what accounted for the bloodshed? Experts in archaeology, weapons and patholody explore this haunting question.
At Shiloh, the South stunned Northern forces with a surprise attack and soon took a commanding position. Why then did they withdraw in disarray the very next day? Using forensic evidence, this documentary presents a new theory as to why things went awry for the south at Shiloh.
Both sides engaged in covert operations designed to frighten the enemy, disrupt supply lines and destroy morale. Among the ingenious examples were a plot to burn down New York City, daring prison breaks, the deployment of Railroad torpedoes and guerilla warfare.
The biggest battle in all of Kansas and the largest cavalryattack of the entire war took place at Mine Creek, with the Union winning a stunning victory. Why, in spit of all this, is Mine Creek virtually unknown?
Guns were around for centuries before the 1860s, but the innovations of the Industrial Revolution brought them to a new level of precision and handling. The deadly result: more Americans were killed in the Civil War than in all other American wars combined.
From 1862 to 1865, 26,000 Confederate soldiers passed through Camp Douglas, a rarely mentined prisoner-of-war camp in Chicago. Inhumane conditions - filth, disease, starvation, torture and bitter cold - resulted in the deaths of 6,000 men at this "Andersonville of the North"
General Williams Tecumsch Sherman's total war strategy against the South helped end the Civil War and forever changed the nation. This documentary explores Sherman's brutal and effective campaign which not only saved the Lincoln presidency, the Union and thousands of lives, but also made Sherman one of the most hated and controversial figures in American history.
Terra incognita for centuries, Bhutan is now going to become a parliamentary democracy. BHUTAN: BIRTH OF A DEMOCRACY offers background information about this transformation and provides an insight into this nearly unknown society and its beliefs. Filmed over two years, the filmmaker had exclusive access to people and politicians. Bhutan has opened up (a little) and what we hear about it continues to provoke the imagination: a Kingdom with a development policy that is focused on national happiness rather than national product; an economy based on sustainable development; an approach to conservation which designates a third of the country’s area as national parks; and, on top of it all, a King who abdicates in favor of his young son and abandons his prerogatives to establish a parliamentary democracy. Through characters drawn from different elements of Bhutanese society, the film sketches a portrait of this world in transition, this country which has so long chosen to be closed to the world and whose king has provided it with the motto: "Gross national happiness is more important than gross national product."
Chronicles the 100 year period since the discovery of oil. Profiles the rise and fall of British rule in the region, the Soviet's 'power politics,' imperialism and other issues which have dominated the demand for control of the world's oil supply from its discovery through today. The three-part series profiles how oil was first cultivated and the social and political impacts not only for the Middle East, but the rest of the world, too.
Born in Germany in 1923, Henry Kissinger escaped the Nazi regime to become a powerful and controversial U.S. statesman. He first rose to prominence as a Harvard University professor and advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. As national security advisor (1969-75) and secretary of state (1973-77) to Nixon and Gerald Ford, he negotiated arms treaties with the Soviet Union and earned a Nobel Prize for ending U.S. involvement in North Vietnam. After leaving the cabinet, he chaired the National Bipartisan Commission on Central America and served on the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
A glimpse on how Hitler recruted Jew technicians in order to make the most unknown frauds in WWII
Scattered across the island of Sicily, beneath picturesque churches, are thousands of mummified bodies. And most mysterious of all is one of the last to be enshrined: shes known as the sleeping beauty Rosalia Lombardo a child barely two years old when she died nearly a century ago, somehow her corpse remains flawlessly preserved. Now, for the first time, a scientific team of mummy hunters is on the case, unearthing hundreds of Sicilys miraculous dead, exploring how this baffling culture of mummification could operate within the Catholic Church itself, and finally, revealing the secret formula behind Rosalias perfect preservation.
Leipzig in the autumn of 1989: thousands of East Germans take to the streets. They are demanding more freedom, civil rights, democracy! The people are rising up in protest against a state which suppresses its own citizens, incites people to spy on each other and keeps them under constant surveillance. Within just a few weeks, what began as prayers for peace in St Nicholas' church in Leipzig in September 1989 developed into the immensely powerful Monday demonstrations, calling for more freedom, reforms and free elections in the German Democratic Republic. That autumn history is written on the streets of Leipzig. It is the story of party officials prepared to resort to violence and of people who overcome their fears. It is the story of nameless individuals whose courage changed the world and marked the beginning of the end of the East German state - and of the entire Eastern Block. It is the story of the "Miracle of Leipzig".
The Da Vinci Code was a smash hit novel and blockbuster movie, now experts investigate the fascinating truths, mysteries and secrets behind Dan Brown's preceding book, Angels and Demons.
If you think that people with superhuman abilities are only found in comic books or in Hollywood movies--think again. In Superhuman, our superhuman host will travel around the world to meet the real life "X-Men" and "Heroes"--the people with truly remarkable powers. These include The Real Spiderman, The Real Aqua Man, The Strongest Girl In The World, Million Volt Man, and The Girl with X-ray Eyes, The Man Who Can See in the Future, The Real Bat Boy and The Human Magnet.
They were to 'stay behind' if the Red Army overran Western Europe. Operating from secret hideouts behind enemy lines, they were to organise armed national resistance against the occupying Soviet forces. Recruited and trained by the CIA and MI-6 and coordinated by NATO, Europe's secret army was the most ambitious covert operation to defend democracy since the Second World War. But over time the top-secret stay-behind network set up by Britain and the United States in almost 20 European countries became involved in just the opposite: fixing elections, political assassinations, coups against democratically elected governments, and in what can only be described as acts of terrorism, which cost the lives of hundreds of Europeans. The story of Europe's stay-behind network with names like GLADIO in Italy or SDRA8 in Belgium is one of the most powerfully hidden secrets of recent American and European history. NATO'S SECRET ARMIES examines three major terror attacks: The Brabant massacres in Belgium, The Oktoberfest bombing in Germany and the Piazza Fontana killings in Italy. Through the testimony of former Gladio terrorists, ex-CIA agents, diplomats, prosecutors and police investigators the film pieces together the disturbing trail of influence behind each of the attacks and considers whether hundreds may have died at the hands of state sponsored terrorism. More chillingly, it asks whether the strategy of tension might still be in use today.
Since the 15th century, the Bermuda Triangle has mysteriously vanished an untold number of ships, planes and lives with three more known incidents in 2004. Using today's scientific knowledge and investigative techniques, we study the riddle of the Bermuda Triangle. Through computer graphics, highly stylized recreations, and underwater cameras, we will dramatically visualize the accidents as well as investigate the possible causes and explanations. On-camera interviews with both skeptics and believers will help lay out the facts and opinions of the cases. Can the latest science available today finally lay to rest the mysteries of the Triangle?
Travel back to the blistering sands of the Holy Land, into the onion-domed chapels of Eastern Orthodox churches and onto the pages of the Koran. Unearth the trail of chapters that were left out of the ultimate version of the Scriptures. Included in the Koran is "The Life of Adam and Eve," a detailed account of the creation story written before Jesus was born. The incestuous account of "The Book of Jubilees" was included in the Orthodox Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls. "The Book of Enoch," an ancient bestseller, relates the story of the man said in Genesis to have walked with God and been assumed directly into heaven. This fascinating collection offers a fresh perspective on the figures at the foundation of faith.
This incisive documentary analyzes the extreme, yet persistent, theories that cloud the memory of our national tragedy.
America's infrastructure is collapsing. Tens of thousands of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. A third of the nation's highways are in poor or mediocre shape. Massively leaking water and sewage systems are creating health hazards and contaminating rivers and streams. Weakened and under-maintained levees and dams tower over communities and schools. And the power grid is increasingly maxed out, disrupting millions of lives and putting entire cities in the dark. The Crumbling of America explores these problems using expert interviews, on location shooting and computer generated animation to illustrate the kinds of infrastructure disasters that could be just around the bend.
The oldest known brothel in the world is discovered in Pompeii. A startling system is revealed that includes widespread prostitution and sexual slavery. Experts piece together the elaborate system and show how the sex trade helped reinforce class and power in Ancient Rome.
In the mid 1700s, a mysterious beast viciously attacked and killed 102 villagers in the French village of Gevaudan. The victims, mostly women and children, were mauled and decapitated, their naked bodies all bearing the bite marks of a non-human creature. The killings mark the largest number of alleged werewolf attacks in history and are the basis of the Hollywood Wolfman legend. Venture deep into the mythology and folklore of werewolves with renowned cryptozoologist Ken Gerhardt and veteran criminal profiler George Deuchar as they investigate this reviled creature that brutally kills when the moon is full. In their investigation, they uncover intriguing paranormal transformations, diseases that make men look and act like animals, strange but true stories of children raised by wolves and, eventually, the dark side of human nature in the horrific truth behind the Gevaudan werewolf attacks
The ordeals faced by the Sonderkommando, young Jewish men forced to aid the Nazis in extermination camps during WWII, are explored through the recollections of one of them, Henryk Mandelbaum (1922-2008), a Pole who was imprisoned in Birkenau in 1944.
For centuries, the sex lives of the Ancient Egyptians have been hidden away from history. Even today, some sexual images from Ancient Egypt are still censored by the authorities and concealed deep in the vaults of museum collections. In this candid and evocative program, take a fascinating journey back in time to discover the true story behind sex in Ancient Egypt. Join the experts as they reveal the meaning of sexually explicit graffiti, thousands of years old, found on the walls of an ancient limestone tomb near the Valley of the Kings. Next, witness the dramatic and high-tech computer re-creation of what is possibly the world's oldest form of erotica -- the Turin Erotic Papyrus. Long shrouded in mystery, explore the many questions surrounding this controversial artifact: Does it portray the sex lives of the Gods and provide a coded message to the afterlife? Is it part of an elaborate and mystical ritual of conception? Or is it simply a relic of sexually explicit material from the ancient world? Featuring breathtaking imagery and contributions from leading experts, HISTORY presents a thrilling look at what really went on between the sheets in Ancient Egypt.
They are the most extreme marksmen in the world. They fire rifles, draw pistols, and shoot arrows. Now, MORE EXTREME MARKSMEN reveals that they can also use their skills to throw knives, crack whips, and even drive tanks. In this high-powered program, HISTORY™ puts the skills of some of the world's most renowned professional shooters to the test. Whether it's getting them up on a horse, or giving them shoulder-mounted weapons, or placing them in a complex obstacle course, watch as these sharpshooters are pushed to the limit of their abilities. As the participants prepare for each challenge, explore the history behind the test and then return to the range to find out if they've succeeded or failed at the task at hand. From an archery expert who can hit a target while holding the bow with his feet to shooters who attempt to hit a fly off a whiskey bottle to some of the most dangerous axe and knife throwing stunts ever seen, this feature-length special is a mesmerizing and jaw-dropping exhibition of extreme marksmanship.
Sex BC is a documentary, dramatized in part, in which the sexual behaviors of prehistoric peoples is brought out of the closet, so to speak. From the Ice age to the early Greek civilizations this program shows how sex has not always been the taboo subject it is today, indeed in Ancient Egyptian times sex was a religious requirement. Fertility was all. This documentary is not at all "smutty" with the subject material being handled in an intelligent and educational fashion.
From 1947 to 1990, the Military Liaison Missions of France, UK and the US to the Soviet High Command in Germany, were positioned behind the Iron Curtain, in order to be able to closely observe Warsaw Pact Forces stationed in East Germany. How was it possible for adversaries to be so close for so long? How did each side feel about it? Rich in eyewitness accounts illustrated and supported by extraordinary documents shot films, photos and audio and video recordings never seen in public before that is the story this film aims to shed light on.
Deep in the Polar Arctic, the discovery has been made of a completely new species - a giant sea monster with the head of a T-Rex, a fifty-foot-long body the shape of a giant whale and huge flippers - making it the largest and fastest prehistoric sea creature ever to terrorize the oceans. Up until now the very existence of this creature during the Jurassic period has been completely unknown to science
The story leading up to the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 moon landing launch.
Religious. The Seven Signs prophecy predicting Armageddon appears on a Greek island in 100 A.D. and keeps a powerful hold on the imagination two millennia later
Religious. Some scholars believe the Commandments had different meanings in early times.
What have past acts of destruction taught us about what will happen to mankind after the apocalypse? Is it inevitable that disaster will someday strike America on an unprecedented level? How has history prepared us? History's most dramatic events--Hiroshima, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and others--are examined and analyzed with hard data gathered from their massive aftereffects. The disappearance of water and food supplies, the effects of deteriorated sanitation and health care on the remaining population, and the increased use of violence as a means of survival--all illustrate how societies have responded and survived.
Mysteries surround comets; predicting the future; the creation of the universe.
U.S. experts model a scenario of the next century and predict a 'perfect storm' of catastrophes.
Using 3-D computer graphics and on-location photography, scholars argue the validity of the biblical exodus. The story of the Exodus invokes an epic tale--Pharaohs and Israelites, plagues and miracles, splitting of the sea and drowning of an army, and Moses. It's at the heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After much research--working with archaeologists, Egyptologists, geologists, and theologians--filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici concluded that the Exodus took place hundreds of years earlier than thought. With a new timetable, Jacobovici reexamined artifacts and discovered that the traditional consensus on the date was reached without reference to Judaic texts that record the oral traditions. When Jacobovici consulted these texts, they revealed names of people and places unknown to researchers until recently when extensive excavations in the Nile Delta took place. Teaming up with special effects designers, he created a unique digital experience of the Exodus. Blending archaeological findings with eye-catching effects, Jacobovici creates a virtual museum to showcase his discoveries.
The region now known as Iraq has always been, in many ways, world history’s ground zero. From this rich territory sprang the earliest cities and empires, earliest armies, and earliest tyrants. The Kings: From Babylon To Baghdad tells the story of Iraq through the history of its rulers, from Sargon the Great to Saddam Hussein. This feature-length documentary explores the connections and relevance between ancient and modern Iraq and between Iraq and the rest of the planet. Using dialogue drawn directly from primary sources – original texts of ancient records – it depicts events in dramatic, living reenactments. Lush cinematography filmed on location frames the dramatizations and contemporary reportage. And interviews with the world’s leading experts on the historical and current relevance of Iraq complete this authoritative portrait of the men who brought this fabled land glory and despair. Today, as it has been many times in the past, understanding Iraq is central to the world’s well-being. This documentary offers a thorough, thought-provoking view into the politics, personalities, government, geography, culture and religion of this all-important region.
In September 1943, the German army marched into Rome, beginning a 9-month battle for control of the “Eternal City”. It was the Allied aim to preserve the Holy City’s sacred institutions and treasures. So the staggering human cost before the city’s military conquest is nearly incomprehensible.
We are so familiar with the map of United States, but do we know why our states look the way they do? Every shape on the map tells a great story about our past. Why is California bent? To cling on to gold. Why does Oklahoma have a panhandle? Because of shifting borders for slavery. Why does Missouri have a boot? Because of a massive earthquake. This special examines how every state is a puzzle piece ultimately revealing the unique geography, political and social history of America
The marauding mercenary of English folklore is one of history's best-known tales, and the legend of Robin Hood is the inspiration for more movies, radio and TV programs than any other folk hero. But the image of a hero in tights and a feathered cap is a somewhat recent addition to the myth. In reality, Robin Hood is a composite of several historical figures whose exploits date back to the age of the Crusades. In the film Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe, director Ridley Scott's production is based on the most solid and recent historical research into the character and promises a startlingly fresh interpretation of Robin Hood for a new generation. This special will distinguish between historical evidence and Hollywood fiction, and seek to create a realistic portrait of the mythical hero. Includes clips from the film as well as interviews with director Scott, principal Robin Hood cast members and renowned historians.
Who Really Discovered America? explores the possibility a number of explorers discovered the New World long before Christopher Columbus staked his claim in 1492. No less than a dozen cultures have tales of these adventurers woven into their histories, but they are noticeably absent in American history books. This documentary explores the possibility the Chinese, Japanese, Polynesians, Norse, Welsh, Irish, Ancient Hebrews and the Solutreans all made it to the Americas earlier than Columbus. We rebuild the ships, trace the routes, test the artifacts and analyze blood evidence to finally learn the answer to one of the greatest mysteries of all time - who really discovered America.
10 WAYS TO KILL BIN LADEN recaps the 10 boldest, most ingenious missions employed thus far to capture or kill the Al Qaeda leader. The first such operation dates back to 1998 and the Clinton administration, before the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks made bin Laden the most notorious and most hunted man in the world. The special also dissects why these missions were ultimately and often frustratingly unsuccessful.
A history of the Nazi movement in the United States.
Go back to a time before the invention of artificial light and experience a world petrified in the pitch of darkness. . . when fear ruled the night. Throughout the ages, real and imagined terror existed in the absence of light, and nighttime was anything but relaxing. Our predecessors cowered in caves to keep from being eaten alive. During the Middle Ages, brutal bandits went on the prowl and roadside ditches became death traps. Also in years past, the devil, werewolves and vampires were staunchly believed to stalk the night. With no artificial light, the black night sky of Galileo's gaze could illuminate every star without a telescope. This chilling special explores all the reasons why the dark was so feared throughout the eras. It takes you around the globe to places where real night still exits, and examines our modern-day fear factor when the lights go out during blackouts
The infrastructures of 50-year-old airports are examined for their difficulties in keeping pace with the demands of heavy, modern traffic, as the aging airports must face issues stemming from layout, geography and much more
9/11 STATE OF EMERGENCY is a ground-breaking documentary that tells the story of 9/11 in the words of key political and military leaders, and ordinary men and women who suddenly found themselves on the frontlines of a new kind of war. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dick Myers, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and a host of other top officials take viewers deep inside the corridors of power during the most dramatic day of the century, offering fresh insights into the unprecedented state of emergency that was 9/11.
For nearly two centuries, the Knights Templar were the medieval world's most powerful order, a fearsome and unstoppable Crusader militia.
There are six places on Earth believed to be actual entrances into Hell. They include a volcano in Iceland, a cave in the jungles of Central America, and a lake of fire in Africa. According to ancient myth and Christian legend, each is a passage to a terrifying underworld for the damned. Even today, some believe they are still portals. Eerily, they share striking similarities. Visit these six locations, and discover how the concept of Hell emerged in history and why it still evokes fear today.
The programme uncovers the story of one of the finest bombers of the Second World War, fighting at the core of a campaign to defeat the Third Reich. The Lancaster was the only aircraft capable of carrying the “Tallboy” and “Grand-slam” bombs created by Barnes Wallis and it is the aircraft that carried out the ambitious Dambuster’s Raid, with another of Wallis’ inventions, the Bouncing Bomb. It was crucial in low level night-time raids many miles inside Germany; striking at industrial and military targets; before reverting to making massive food drops on occupied territory that saved the lives of thousands at the end of the war.
He's the deadliest weapon on the battlefield, but his next shot could be his last. Outnumbered... Outgunned... Behind enemy lines... What happens when the tables are turned and the hunter becomes the hunted? This is SNIPER: DEADLIEST MISSIONS. From the treacherous jungles of Vietnam and the bloody war zones of Iraq, to danger high in the skies of the Alaskan wilderness, this two-hour special puts you behind the scope with the men who pulled the trigger on some of the deadliest missions in military and law enforcement history. Gripping firsthand accounts, 3-D graphics and jaw-dropping shooting demonstrations take you inside the shadowy world of top snipers and the missions that made them living legends. Outmanned and outgunned - will the next shot be their last?
Known for wandering the streets of New York City's Greenwich Village in a bathrobe and slippers muttering to himself to convince the world that he was legally insane, Vincent Gigante is one of the strangest gangsters of our time. The suspected boss of the Genovese crime family, the "crazy act" worked until 1997, when Sammy "The Bull" Gravano testified that Gigante was sane. Since going to jail, Gigante has dropped the act and will be up for parole in 2007.
Military historians examine the strategy, weapons and commanders of the Israelites' army, from Abraham to King David, with special attention to those not usually recognized as military leaders such as Moses and Deborah
Churchill's Spy School tells the story of Noreen Riols, an 18 year old girl recruited in London in 1941 by spymaster Maurice Buckmaster. The young Noreen was sent by train to a secret location, which she later found out was the Beaulieu estate in the heart of the New Forest. The estate had been home to the Montagu family for generations, but during World War II was requisitioned by the SOE as a ‘finishing school’ for secret agents, who would be trained in some ’highly undesirable skills’ and then dropped behind enemy lines. Here Noreen spent the next two years officially employed as a secretary and driver, but actually becoming more and more involved in the day to day practical training of secret agents. Through Noreen’s memories and recollections, alongside the introduction of other characters including spies and instructors, we build a picture of life at Beaulieu, School for Spies.
The fight against drug use in America has been going on since the turn of the last century but the term "War on Drugs" only became part of our national dialogue in 1970 when it was first used by President Richard Nixon. The President later formed the DEA and started a push to outlaw drugs of all kinds. Among the most discussed drugs in this war is Marijuana. This special will look at the storied and strange history of Marijuana in America.
Did you know that the quaint custom of Christmas caroling actually began with drunk and rowdy revelers threatening people door to door looking for food and liquor? Early versions of the heartwarming legend of Santa Claus described him as a horrible devil named Krampus who beat and kidnapped naughty children. In America during the 17th and 18th Centuries, celebrating Christmas was against the law! There's a lot to tell about the history of Christmas, and a lot you may not know. Along the way, meet Ebenezer Scrooge and George Bailey, The Grinch and Rudolph, and learn the true origins of our Christmas traditions. So grab some eggnog and a slice of fruitcake as HISTORY unwraps THE REAL STORY OF CHRISTMAS.
Moments after the President of the United States is sworn into office he gains access to "The Nuclear Football," a briefcase that contains the most volatile top-secret information in the world--America's nuclear launch codes. The Football is a high profile national secret, but it's only one of many pieces in the classified arsenal at the President's disposal once he assumes the role of Commander in Chief. Journey inside White House history to unveil staggering information about secrets known only to the President, from top-secret intelligence and classified events to covert codes and future technologies. Features exclusive interviews with Washington insiders, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former Director of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, former Vice President Dan Quayle, former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino and Presidential daughter Susan Ford who reveal what it is like to live and work in the White House. Presidential secrets investigated in The President's Book of Secrets include: What secrets does an outgoing President share with the President-elect during their first private meeting? When does the incoming President gain access to vital national secrets and receive the codes to the nuclear arsenal? Is there a “Keeper of the Secrets” who tells the President everything? What information is so highly classified that even the President’s security clearance is not enough to gain access? The President's Book of Secrets features exclusive interviews with Washington insiders, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former Director of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, former Vice President Dan Quayle, former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino and Presidential daughter Susan Ford who reveal what it is like to live and work in the White House. Additionally, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, journalists Dan Rather and Jonathan Alter and other experts share what they know about the secret world of the Presidenc
For the second half of the twentieth century, the Third Reich has been deliberated and dissected. Now, as the “Greatest Generation” fades into history, the image of 40,000 uniformed Nazis goose-stepping in perfect synchronization represents all most Americans know about history’s most dangerously successful totalitarian government. Dig deep beneath the surface of our collective understanding of the Third Reich as HISTORY unearths what we don’t know about the individuals who comprised one of the most fascinating and complex regimes of recent history. THIRD REICH: THE RISE AND FALL uncovers familiar anecdotes and fascinating details about the people who comprised the Nazi Party, and raids the treasure trove of archives the Nazis left behind, including rarely seen German newsreel recordings along with other unique footage carried home by Russian troops.
From salvation to scuttling, the fates of ships are explored in this episode.
Today few Americans have ever heard of a man called Jedediah Smith. Yet his bold forays into the western frontier during the early nineteenth century helped shape the course of American history. Since the early 1800s Smith s forgotten legacy has been gathering dust like so many other pioneers and explorers of his time. In this dramatic feature length special follow Smith as he navigates the American West during the exciting decade of the 1820s. From being the first white man to recognize the significance of the South Pass in Wyoming to making the treacherous journey by land from Southern California to Oregon Smith blazed many important trails in his time
There is an untold story from 9/11 - the incredible tale of the 940 tourists, visitors and staff in the Marriott WTC Hotel, located beneath and between the Twin Towers, who found themselves at the epicenter of a terrifying disaster. Despite jet engines and burning debris raining down on the building, somehow almost all of the hotel guests escaped. Of those who were still trapped inside, 14 miraculously survived the towers' devastating collapse. HOTEL GROUND ZERO tells the remarkable story of their escape, and the courage and heroism of the victims and their rescuers.
Thomas Jefferson is the most researched, most written about, most referenced, and most quoted of our Founding Fathers. And yet, somehow, he remains the most stubbornly inscrutable. His life is a seemingly impenetrable thicket of contradictions: he enshrined the words “All Men are Created Equal,” and yet was a lifelong slave-owner; he was simultaneously a “man of the people” and the personification of the Virginia aristocrat; he was a die-hard American revolutionary who was also a dedicated lover of European culture and art; he advocated ruthless fiscal responsibility as president, yet his own finances were mired in debt.
Recounting the tragedy of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 from the perspective of survivor Nando Parrado.Features reenactments of the 1972 crash and the 72-day struggle for survival that followed, including details of the 37-mile trek out of the mountains by Parrado and fellow survivor Roberto Canessa.
How did the Germans experience the Allied victory in WWII? Rarely-and never-before-seen amateur films recount the catastrophic downfall of the Third Reich through the eyes of the people who lived it: the Germans themselves.
From the 1860s to the 1880s two explorers - the German Teobert Maler and the American Edward Thompson - competed in a bitter rivalry to find and photograph lost Mayan cities, deep in the Mexican and Guatemalan jungles. Maler was the superior scientist and photographer, but Thompson had a flair for adventure and self-promotion - and a way of keeping his discoveries out of government hands. Between them, they rediscovered a wonderful lost civilization, whose language and architecture still challenges today's hi-tech archaeologists. Teobert Maler died embittered and almost forgotten; but his photographs are still treasured as the first and best records of Mayan cities before they were overrun by tourists from the developed world.
Archaeology, as we understand it, didn't exist in 1758 when Johann Joachim Winckelmann made his way from the royal library in Dresden, Germany, to visit another private collection. He wanted to see the King of Naples's museum of statues, salvaged from crude digs at the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, 1700 years after their destruction in the eruption of Vesuvius in AD79. The king's guards refused him entry. But Winckelmann persevered, sneaking into the museum and the excavation sites, until he published an illicit catalogue of the finds that took the civilized world by storm, sparking a new interest in, and understanding of, the classical world. At last Winckelmann's life's work was recognized, but he had to fight to the end of his life for the ideal of scientifically accurate and responsible archaeology. In the 21st century, Andrew Wallace Hadrill directs excavations at the two lost cities. He is no stranger to controversy, such as: how to save the greatest unexplored library of the ancient world, at the Villa dei Papiri, threatened by flooding and the ever-present risk of a further eruption. This film tours the lost cities (including Pompeii's famous "red-light" district) with Andrew Wallace Hadrill, recounts the drama of Winckelmann's discoveries, and tells the story of the disaster itself, as witnessed by the unique human remains that give an almost minute-by-minute account of the day of destruction.
Examining the Voynich manuscript, a mysterious ancient text written in an unknown language. It is the world's most mysterious manuscript. A book, written by an unknown author, illustrated with pictures that are as bizarre as they are puzzling - and written in a language that even the best cryptographers have been unable to decode. The Voynich Manuscript has captivated academics and occultists in equal measure since its discovery 100 years ago. The decoders of the Japanese Purple Code, physicists with high-performance modern computers and polymath historians have all tried their luck. But to date nobody has been able to decipher the book's contents. "The Voynich Mystery" follows a completely new lead in the hunt for the author's identity and uncovers the secret of the mysterious manuscript using the methods of material science. To the present day many historians believe the manuscript to be a fake, allegedly by the New York antique book dealer, Wilfrid Voynich, in 1912 so that he could offer it to wealthy manuscript collectors. Voynich did not, however, succeed in selling the mysterious manuscript to a collector during his lifetime. After his death, it eventually found its way into the collection of the University of Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The manuscript's age, origin and contents remained unknown. For almost a century, the numerous illustrations in particular have given rise to the most adventurous speculation and astounding theories. The secret lettering itself is also still a source of great mystery. But now a new investigative approach has shed new light into the maze of conflicting theories and ideas. At the home of the Voynich Manuscript, the University of Yale, the mysterious text has been looked at again using the methods of material science.
On this documentary, Gene Mater and other winning soldiers recount their experiences on Germany. They describe us the miseries of the post-war, the black marketing and the search for hidden nazis.
The Real Face of Jesus? follows a team of graphic experts as they use 3D technology to bring a holy relic known as the Shroud of Turin to life. Here, computer graphics artist Ray Downing consults with John Jackson of Colorado's Turin Shroud Center.
The story of Thanksgiving, with its costumed Pilgrims, turkeys and pumpkin pie, zigzags through American history with some surprising twists. At the iconic Thanksgiving feast of 1621– no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce was served, and that event was wiped from the history books for 200 years! In the 19th Century, some southern states thought Thanksgiving was an abolitionist plot and refused to celebrate it. Thanksgiving didn’t become an annual national holiday until World War II! What started as a somber Puritan day of prayer is now about football and food. How did we get there?
On the 140th anniversary of the Cutty Sark’s maiden voyage, and for the first time on television, Ben Fogle presents the full story of this world-famous ship and the dramatic bid to save her. Many believed the infamous fire of May 2007 spelled doom for the Cutty Sark, but using exclusive access, this programme explains the true context and consequence of that disaster. The History Channel tells the dramatic story of her working life - a tale that includes record-breaking voyages to the far side of the world, mutinies, suicide, and murder.
Evolving from the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, modern Halloween has become less about literal ghosts and ghouls and more about costumes and candy. The Celts used the day to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, and also believed that this transition between the seasons was a bridge to the world of the dead. Over the millennia the holiday transitioned from a somber pagan ritual to a day of merriment, costumes, parades and sweet treats for children and adults.
In 1888, London England was the world's largest city and the first to experience a serial killer. Fear and confusion gripped the city for a ten week period now know as the Autumn Of Terror. Over a century has passed and the murders remain unsolved. What really happened and why wasn't Jack the Ripper caught? In separating the facts from fiction we uncover a Victorian era unprepared to protect its citizens from this nocturnal monster. With new perspectives the victims stories are finally understood, not by their terrible deaths but by their heartrending lives.
A documentary about the real life inspirations for Sherlock Holmes. A leading Nineteenth Century professor of medicine, Dr. Joseph Bell was a pioneer in a new science that later would be known as forensic medicine. Joseph Bell is the real life model for the greatest fictional detective in history. Joseph Bell is the real life model for the greatest fictional detective in history. He inspired his student, Arthur Conan Doyle to create a legend. Includes interviews with literary historians and Holmes experts and asks the question what is it about this imaginary Victorian detective seem so real.
To commemorate ‘The Battle for Australia Day’, The History Channel will broadcast the world premiere of The Roar of the Kittyhawk. Produced by historian, writer and filmmaker Will Davies, The Roar of the Kittyhawk takes an in-depth look at the brave Australian pilots that flew the Kittyhawks of the 75 and 76 squadron RAAF, successfully defending the shores of Kokoda in 1942. The gripping one-hour documentary is told through the life of one of the pilots, squadron leader B.A. ‘Mick’ Grace. Grace was also the son and heir to the Grace Bros fortune, an international rugby player who played for the Wallabies in 1934 and a recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross award. In mid 1942, the situation in the Pacific was getting desperate for the Australians – Singapore had fallen and a whole Australian Division had gone into captivity. Britain was on its knees and little help could be expected from the Mother country. The Japanese had landed on the northern coast of New Guinea and were pushing south to Kokoda. But it was here that the tide turned. The young Australian pilots in their Kittyhawks decimated the Japanese landing barges and their supply dumps and the ground troop fought off determined Japanese charges. Featuring extensive interviews with WWII pilots, many who have since passed away since the making of the film, The Roar of the Kittyhawkpays homage to the efforts of the Kittyhawk heroes – and the crucial role they played in breaking the Japanese army. The Battle for Australia Day was proclaimed a National Day by the Federal Government in 2008 and commemorates the service and sacrifice of all those who served in defence of Australia in 1942 and 1943, when Australia faced the gravest threats following the Fall of Singapore.
Mark Ducascos journeys to Japan to learn what it means to be a samurai and to learn about the most popular, and much mythicized, samurai of all time Miyamoto Musashi.
A gripping, dramatic look, with the most recently released materials, at the extraordinary events of September 11th, 2001...not just this infamous day in history, but also how this day came to be through the dramatic stories of people whose lives converge at a moment when history turns. We'll recount the story of Al Qaeda's agents as they plan and execute the deadliest strike on the US since Pearl Harbor. It's also the story of the men and women who were attacked in the World Trade Center, and of the heroic rescuers who risked everything to save those trapped inside the doomed Twin Towers.
In 1859 the United States is a nation torn apart over the issue of slavery. The USS Constellation is at sea off the coast of Africa, her mission is to interdict ships smuggling slaves. The job falls to the US Navy and a small fleet of ships called the African Squadron. Constellation is the flagship. The officers and sailors give first person accounts of life on the war ship. Woven into the story is the plight of a young hunter captured from his village. We follow his journey from the Congo interior to his imprisonment with 700 other Africans on the slave ship Cora. Filmed on location in the UK, we realistically recreate the horror of the slave trade and Constellation's heroic effort to stop slave smugglers.
When the Mummy Investigation Team is called out to look at the body of a South American mummy on display in a mansion museum, they believe they are onto their easiest case yet. The mummy has a number of visible wounds and, alarmingly, a large hole in its skull. But the team must set aside their preconceptions that this man was the victim of a foul crime, and allow forensic science to take its course. In their most active investigation yet, it’s field archaeology and old fashioned detective work which ultimately provide the keys to cracking this case.
The biblical saga of the Earth-cleansing deluge is one of the most well-known and symbolic stories in Western tradition. Could this legend be based on real events? Did real disasters inspire the story of Earth's 40-day submersion, the ultimate "do-over?" Recent core sample discoveries point to a series of events that could have lead to climactic conditions that washed out entire land masses, even destroying complete civilizations.
Americans like to think we know our President. We followed him during the campaign, invited him into our living rooms during countless televised appearances and even learned about his cholesterol count after each annual physical. But the truth is, we know very little about what it's like to be the President. Only five men in the world can answer the questions you’ve always wondered about but never been able to ask, such as, can the President order a Dominos pizza? Is the President ever alone? Does the President ever get to drive a car? Can the President’s daughters have a sleepover? IT'S GOOD TO BE PRESIDENT trades the typical slate of domestic and foreign policy questions asked of and about Presidents for something surprising -- an entertaining conversation about the perks and perils of being the most powerful man in the world.
Humans have mapped every corner of the globe – from jungles and deserts to the depths of space. Yet we’ve gone only seven miles below the Earth’s surface – just one five hundredth of the way to the Core. The two-hour documentary JOURNEY TO THE EARTH’S CORE goes deeper: 4,000 miles down to the heart of our planet. Along the way, scientists, engineers, explorers and adventurers encounter an underground world where: strange life forms inhabit deadly environments over a mile down; trees force their way through 400 feet of rock to find water; 1500-foot tall skyscrapers are built on sand; mines are the size of cities; and prospectors give the Earth electric shocks to help find oil. It also a place where people run marathons, make parachute jumps and scuba divers edge their way to the base of the world’s deepest caves.
Secret Access: The Vatican provides a revealing look at the inner workings of the Vatican, from the secret archives to the Swiss guards, as well as some of the treasures locked inside. See what is housed under the 110-acre site as an ongoing excavation of an ancient cemetery that the Vatican was built upon uncovers priceless artifacts, including the bones of St. Peter himself. Go inside the Vatican Secret Archives - a collection of rooms and libraries containing some of history's priceless documents. And get to know Vatican security: the top-of-the-line procedures and practices utilized by a combination of Swiss Guards (elite guards to the Pope), Vatican police, and Italian police that keep the Pope and Vatican safe.
Weird Warfare reveals the most absurd, ridiculous and bizarre examples of warfare from the last century: From pigeon-guided missiles to an aircraft carrier made of ice, trained mosquitoes laced with poison, to incendiary bats. Within the records of strange-but-true warfare, there was even a plan to try to turn Hitler into a woman! While some have proved to be useless, the most surprising thing history reveals is that some of these bizarre plans proved devastatingly effective.
According to the Bible, Jesus Christ spent 40 days on Earth after his Resurrection on that first Easter Sunday before ascending to Heaven. Astonishingly, the New Testament is practically silent on what happened during this period. Why are only a few scattered paragraphs devoted to perhaps the central, most defining and miraculous event in Christianity? And most importantly, what did Jesus do and say during those incredible 40 days?
The most iconic battle in American History is looked at from the point of view of a man who may actually have survived the Battle of Little Big Horn. George Armstrong Custer and over 200 of his soldiers were wiped out by Plains Indians on June 25, 1876, but is it possible that one man, alone, lived to tell the tale? How did he survive? Why did he never come forward? And most important of all, is it true? The amazing tale of Frank Finkel is an epic story of struggle, perseverance, and survival and will shed new light on this historic moment.
Most historians and archaeologists maintain that civilization as we know it began about 5,000 years ago with the emergence of the earliest Egyptian dynasty. But, a small yet persuasive number of scientists believes that a highly advanced civilization, nearly twice as old, flourished during the last Ice Age. Solid evidence of this 10,000-year-old civilization is difficult to produce, but some feel a recent discovery off the coast of a tiny Japanese island, Yonaguni, may be the proof they seek.
ENOLA GAY: RAIN OF RUIN puts you inside the cockpit of the historic B-29 Superfortress bomber whose devastating payload helped bring about the end of WWII. From the development of the atomic bomb to the horrific aftermath, highlights include dramatic footage taken by the crewmembers themselves.
HIROSHIMA: THE DECISION TO DROP THE BOMB takes an in-depth look at the steps leading to America's fateful decision. Was Japan already on the verge of surrender? Or was Truman's motivation ultimately political? Get the full story in this revealing, powerful program.
The predators of the Underwater Universe have evolved to become our planet's most efficient killing machines. This episode explores the top five deadliest animals that no thinking human wants to tangle with, each more deadly than the next. But there is an unexpected twist, the #1 predator might soon be replaced by another, far more menacing killer as ocean conditions change and traditional apex predators die out.
An examination of the Battle of Gettysberg on both the personal and strategic level.
Produced with the cooperation of leading Civil War historian Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump, LEE & GRANT is a personal look at two iconic leaders of the Civil War. Surprising details reveal the bold choices and almost godlike power Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee summoned on decisive battlefields like Vicksburg and Gettysburg that, within days of each other, turned the tide of the war. This special features a unique perspective, exploring how these men changed the course of American history.
Scientists offer insight into how and where a 10.0 MEGAQUAKE could strike. This two-hour History special explores one of the most deadly and perplexing mysteries that surrounds planet earth: huge megaquakes. The largest quake ever recorded was a 9.5 earthquake off of Chile in 1960, but new research shows how even larger quakes close to 10.0 just might be possible. Through interviews with top earthquake experts and cutting edge scientific experiments, the special reveals that over 3 billion people on earth are in immediate danger from the next big one and how a real 10.0 might actually happen on US soil – in places you might not expect.
A team of top scientists come together with one goal: to create the definitive guide to Bigfoot. Does the creature exist? And if it does where is it? And how can it survive without being detected? Using a new interactive map the team has plotted more than 10,000 Bigfoot type sightings from around the world. These sightings are of an unidentified creature which walks on two legs and is covered in a thick layer of hair. Many of theses sightings date back over 100 years. With their expert knowledge of the natural world they are able to dismiss nearly 90% of the sightings, but what emerges is a series of global hotspots that cannot be explained which indicate that something is out there. The team examines these global hotspots and searches for explanations including new theories that suggest we may have been looking for the wrong creature all along?
From the prehistoric drawings through the Roswell incident reports of strange and unexplainable sightings in the skies have become part of an unofficial historic record. With the proliferation of video and photo technology in the modern era, reports of these events–along with visual evidence–have only increased. 95% of UFO sightings are false, resulting either from misidentification or deliberate hoaxes. But the other 5% cannot be dismissed. Based on the newly published book “UFO’s: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go On the Record,” this two-hour special explores sightings that are supported by numerous creditable sources, from Air Force and commercial pilots, FAA officials, investigators military Generals and NASA officials as well as hard data: photos, film, radar and audio recordings. This evidence presents a startling look at the very real possibility of alien visitation.
This two-hour special goes inside the history of the second most used illicit drug in America. The human appetite for this narcotic goes all the way back to 3000 B.C., when South Americans chewed coca leaves, thinking they were a gift from God. But it wasn't until 1855, when cocaine was first extracted from the coca leaf and used in powder form that its use spiked. Initially it was utilized as an anesthesia. Soon, famed psychologist Sigmund Freud touted it as an effective cure for depression and impotence. In 1886, John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, added it to his new soft drink: Coca Cola or Coke for short. In 1914, the drug was outlawed, but the damaged had been done. The 70's ushered in another boost in the drug's use, fueled in part by new drug cartels in South America. To combat cocaine's rise, the Reagan Administration started the War on Drugs in the 80's.
HISTORY's global television event tells the inside story of the operation to hunt and kill Osama bin Laden. From decision-making in the White House to the attack on the compound in Abbottabad, How We Got Bin Laden brings the most compelling story in recent history to life for the first time.
What is the most influential gadget in ever invented? Did you know that the transistor radio created rock and roll, or that the audiocassette overthrew the shah of Iran? From duct tape to the Swiss Army Knife, gadgets have transformed the way we live and have even changed history. In partnership with History, the editors of Popular Mechanics magazine have assembled a panel of the world's most renowned tech gurus to create a definitive list of 101 Gadgets that Have Changed the World. Explore the historically game-changing stories behind the gadgets we now take for granted--the combination lock, the zippo lighter, the gun silencer, the bra, and more--as we countdown to the single most influential gadget ever invented.
HISTORY chronicles the days, weeks and decade after the worst terrorist attack in our history. Rarely seen and unexpected archival material from around the world is combined with natural sound to capture the themes and threads that continue to define life after 9/11.
Today's world has troubles unique to its time in history, from the global financial crisis to technological meltdowns to full-scale, computerized global war. HISTORY profiles three men "modern prophets" from different disciplines and with different theories who all believe America is on the decline, and will ultimately meet its end.
There are essentially five cons that are the basis for every swindle since the dawn of man; today's Nigerian email scam is nothing more than a derivation of a Spanish conquistador's bait-and-switch con that started more than 600 years ago. In Scammed, Paul Wilson, dubbed the "World's Greatest Con Man," and his team take a detailed look inside the complicated schemes and micro-cons that have plagued unsuspecting people for hundreds, even thousands of years, showing how many of these scams not only survived but evolved to be brutally effective with the help of modern technology. In each episode, Paul plays out long cons on designated marks so that he can help expose the cons, hustles and schemes that have victimized so many people, while teaching others how to avoid them. Though the tricks may be the same, the stakes are higher; nowadays more than money is on the line. Social security numbers, bank account information, and loads of private information are there for the taking... but only if you let a con man in.
From the early cave dwellers who first stumbled upon psychedelic mushrooms to the over 6000-year-old tradition of opium cultivation in the East to a modern pharmaceutical industry with over 24,000 drugs on the market, drugs hav played a role in our lives since well before recorded human history. Explore the reasons we've used drugs through the ages, while considering the devastating consequences that accompany the choice to use certain drugs. This fascinating, fresh, and insightful documentary will ask the question: overall, have drugs done more to help us or hurt us? Host Dean Norris (Hank from Breaking Bad) will journey through the millennia and look in on the greatest civilizations in human history to discover if drugs helped these societies flourish or fail and whether drug use was holy or hedonistic, a savior or a curse?
See how South Korea transformed into the economic miracle, its place in Asia today, and why it is seen by many to be a nation at ‘the centre of the world’.
History of the World in 2 Hours gives viewers a rapid-fire history of our world, from the beginning of time as we know it to present day. History of the World in 2 Hours delves into the key turning points: the formation of earth, emergence of life, spread of man and the growth of civilization – and reveals their surprising connections to our world today.
Most people believe zombies are a recent phenomenon that grew out of comic books, movies and TV The truth is very different. This two-hour special explores the real story of zombies beginning at the dawn of civilization and continuing right through to today. The first written reference to zombies can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, mankind’s oldest work of literature. A look at both the old and new testaments of The Bible reveal numerous stories of the undead. We’ll detail how Europe’s Black Plague became one of the most prolific periods for myths and legends about zombies. Find out why Viking legends believed zombies were nearly indestructible except by decapitation or immolation. Examine other zombie legends from around the world, including secret stories of China’s Terra Cotta Warriors and the voodoo rituals of Haiti. See how modern science added a whole new twist on zombies beginning with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Sniper: Bulletproof deconstructs and analyzes the little known sniper events that have occurred when no other course of action was possible. The people who planned the takedowns, or pulled the trigger, share their techniques and bring to light the many factors that had to be considered in each mission: terrain, wind speed, temperature, elevation changes... all are critical to taking out targets considered bulletproof. A sniper has one chance, one breath, to rise to the occasion and save the day... if they miss, there may never be another opportunity. As these never told before stories unfold, the viewer also learns about the high tech gear each sniper carries on their classified missions.
Pearl Harbor: 24 Hours After examines the pivotal events that occurred after President Roosevelt received the call that Pearl Harbor had been attacked on 7 December 1941. Author Steve Gillon (The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After) has unearthed new evidence from the FDR Library that reveals the true panic that gripped the White House and shook the nation. This special features new, rarely-seen footage, including film the Japanese had taken of the attack. Pearl Harbor: 24 Hours After reveals the untold story behind the United States’ reaction to the date which will live in infamy.
Common daily activities and things are explored, including brushing teeth; riding an elevator; or riding a bus.
Around the world, archaeologists are uncovering artifacts that suggest the existence of previously unknown ancient civilizations, much like the mythical city of Atlantis. There is a growing belief among certain scientists and archaeologists that tens of thousands of years ago, before the rise of today's man, sophisticated human societies populated large cities that possibly featured mechanized transportation, electricity, and advanced weapons systems. Proponents of this theory believe that these civilizations were wiped off the planet and that the evidence now lies buried miles beneath the Earth's surface. This two-hour special will investigate these beliefs and uncover the truth about people who lived before the beginning of recorded time.
Haven, graveyard, legend and lore. History was made and lies buried on Pirate Island – the coral ringed Isle Saint Marie off the coast of Madagascar that sheltered the world's most ruthless 18th century pirates. This real Treasure Island was home for pirates like Captain Kidd, who continue to capture our modern day imagination, and sailed from this very real place in history. This two-hour special voyages with underwater explorer Barry Clifford as he dives for treasure on sunken pirate ships and reveals secrets on land of hidden pirate tunnels, forbidden graveyards and mysterious symbols. Interlaced with reenactments of the pirates’ lives and exploits in the busy shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean, Pirate Island offers a wealth of modern-day adventure.
Charles Darwin is the author of the theory of evolution, an idea that shook the world in the 19th century and reverberates to this day. In his great work, “The Origin of Species”, he proposed that we are all descended from a common ancestor. It is the basis of modern biology and our understanding of Nature. Many of the observations which brought Darwin to this conclusion were made during his long voyage onboard the Beagle, a British ship which took him around the world in a voyage which lasted from 1831 to 1836. Darwin embarked on this voyage as a Christian. The great variety and complexity of the natural world which he encountered on the voyage caused him to question the validity of the established order which he had been taught.
With diamonds the German colonized town Coleman’s Hill in Namibia became the richest town of Africa in the beginning of the 20th century. The pioneers and diamond hunters are long gone today and the former boomtown has become a ghost town. Slowly the desert returns with its fascinating flora and fauna of the succulent Karoo, the most species-rich desert of the world. The picturesque houses disappear in the sand, nature slowly erases the traces of civilization and attracts new adventurers: Photographers, tourists and resourceful tour operators.
The hero of the Russian Revolution was revered like a saint, for years. For him, the October Revolution and the Civil War were merely steps on the way to his true purpose: the world revolution.
For centuries, science and faith have been polarized on some of the most fundamental questions in the universe, sometimes with deadly consequences. But as mankind seeks to answer the ultimate question – whether God exists – religion and science have joined in an unlikely alliance. Can new scientific discoveries and digital age technology reveal tangible proof of God? From the far reaches of the cosmos to the inner working of the human mind, scientists and believers around the world are using science to open new frontiers in this ultimate quest.
A two-hour portrait of the evolution of the Holocaust--from the early days of persecution in Nazi Germany to the final days of wanton annihilation. This special travels through the archives of Eastern Europe, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D. C., and the restoration labs of Yad Vashem in Israel tell the story of persecution, theft and murder through artifacts, rarely seen photographs and motion picture footage. Experts from across the globe illuminate what it took to systematcially implement the destruction of millions of people.
The idea that history is written by the victors is perhaps nowhere more true than in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The Union's defeat of the Confederacy brought the southern states back into the American fold, but in many ways, the two regions would remain divided, the North inheriting the credit for its impact on history. From the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, to the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, the South has shaped American culture and history. You Don't Know Dixie explores the pioneering spirit, self-reliance and grit that sets the South apart from the rest of the country. How did the South get its twang? Is the Southern accent really the nearest surviving relative of the American colonial accent? And what, exactly, are grits? HISTORY uncovers the South from the inside out, revealing fun facts and unique Southern flavor, with commentary from some of today's best known Southerners including Trace Adkins, Al Bell, Bobby Bowden, James Carville, Jeff Foxworthy, Ty Pennington, Ricky Skaggs, Herschel Walker, and Michael Waltrip.
A team of top scientists come together with one goal to create the definitive guide to Bigfoot. Does the creature exist? And if it does where is it? And how can it survive without being detected? Using a new interactive map the team has plotted more than 10,000 Bigfoot type sightings from around the world. These sightings are of an unidentified creature which walks on two legs and is covered in a thick layer of hair. Many of theses sightings date back over 100 years. With their expert knowledge of the natural world they are able to dismiss nearly 90% of the sightings, but what emerges is a series of global hotspots that cannot be explained which indicate that something is out there. The team examines these global hotspots and searches for explanations including new theories that suggest we may have been looking for the wrong creature all along?
The American B-29 Superfortress, a long-range strategic bomber, was envied by the Soviets during World War II. Stalin was desperate for one. On July 29, 1944, three China-based Superfortresses were crippled over Japan and made emergency landings at Vladivostok. The American pilots thought they were in friendly territory, but the Soviets had other ideas. After the pilots were interned, Stalin's military began an inspection and dissection of U.S. military secrets in order to construct the Tupolev-4 aircraft -- a mirror image of the B-29. Two of the B-29s were taken apart, over 100,000 parts and pieces, and by a process of reverse engineering, were copied exactly, including the engines. The third B-29 was used for pilot training. Russian engineers were given a two-year deadline, or else, to produce an exact Superfortress. This they were able to do, and ultimately, Russia produced over 900 B-29 copies. The "Cold War" had begun. A feature-length investigation that answers one of WWII's most intriguing questions: How did the Soviet Union copy the U.S. B-29 Superfortress, the war's most advanced aircraft? With the aid of Russian and American historians who gained access to previously unavailable Soviet archives, the complete story can finally be told.
As we approach what would have been President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday in 2011, some say the totality of the man is still eclipsed by the myth. Some call him a hero, and others an empty suit, one thing is for certain - President Reagan made history. But what made him?
This astounding documentary delves into the mysteries of the Tunguska event – one of the largest cosmic disasters in the history of civilization. At 7.15 am, on 30th June 1908, a giant fireball, as bright the sun, exploded in the sky over Tunguska in central Siberia. Its force was equivalent to twenty million tonnes of TNT, and a thousand times greater than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. An estimated sixty million trees were felled over an area of over two thousand square kilometers - an area over half the size of Rhode Island. If the explosion had occurred over London or Paris, hundreds of thousands of people would have been killed. For almost one hundred years, the catastrophic cosmic impact of the century has remained a terrifying and hotly debated mystery. The first expedition to reach the site was led by Russian scientist L.A. Kullik in 1938. His team uncovered a colossal degree of devastation, but could find no obvious crater. Historians and scientists continue to speculate about what caused the apocalyptic fire in the sky, and why the elusive object failed to leave a crater. A huge number of theories and conspiracies surround the event. The suggested culprits vary from asteroids and comets to ball lightning, black holes and alien spaceships. Most scientists agree that such an event is likely to occur again. Next time, the human toll could be unimaginable. We reveal that NASA and other organisations are currently engaged in a desperate race against time to stop the next potential planet killer.
For 1,900 years the secret of Rome’s missing Ninth legion has been shrouded in mystery, its ultimate fate argued over by generations of historians. We reveal how the loss of the Ninth legion was a truly catastrophic event: the devastating news was suppressed by Hadrian to safeguard his reign in a classic conspiracy cover up. It was the first in a chain reaction of disasters which forced Rome to halt expansion and to create the only two massive frontier walls ever built in the Roman Empire.
Former medics at Ajax Bay reveal their life-saving work during the war in the Falklands. Despite amputating limbs with penknifes and operating by torch light, no one died on their watch.
It began like the common cold. Then came fever, baseball-sized black swellings on the neck, and coughing up blood. Few infected lived more than two days. In the three years since it first struck in 1437, almost half of Europe's population died within three years. The Plague visits the rat-infested holds of the ships that brought death and disease, witness the terror that swept through towns, and walks with religious flagellants. Follow a princess as she travels into the center of the plague, a doctor who struggles to understand what is happening, and a Jewish merchant caught up in violent attacks. Hear the actual words of the victims, taken from diaries and journals. From the Pope's palace to the humble huts of medieval peasants, watch as people live and die in the unforgiving grip of fear and death, and wonder how we would act if such a terrible event happened today. In this documentary we address all these questions, shedding light on one of the most infamous moments of the Middle Ages.
Dr. Jeff Salz embarks on an amazing journey of discovery about the Mayans. Along the way, Dr. Salz and his team reveal the lessons from the Mayan Story about change and transformation...
In one of World War II’s most bizarre episodes, the Nazi propaganda machine attempted to produce an epic film recreating Titanic’s demise. This special brings you the little-known story of the Third Reich’s would-be blockbuster.
Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on 14 April 2012, Heroes of the Titanic is a poignant story of self-sacrifice by the Titanic’s engineers, stokers and firemen in the face of impending death. This historical drama focuses on the self-sacrifice and bravery of the ship's engineers, stokers and firemen. This documentary drama special also seeks to answer the question of what happened in the engine and boiler rooms after the collision.
In April 2012, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, HISTORY™ seeks to answer the questions surrounding this infamous disaster once and for all. In a major, exclusive underwater expedition, HISTORY™ partners with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and RMS Titanic, Inc. to conduct the most extensive exploration and imaging of Titanic's wreck site ever undertaken. CGI will illustrate what happened structurally to the ship, minute by minute, after it's fatal collision with an iceberg.
From breakthrough technologies to never before seen weapons and defense systems, Secret Access: Superpower is an all-access pass to America's military might, featuring the most modern weapons taking on the age old challenges of terrorism, war, bomb threats, close combat, the deepest missions of sea and death-defying airborne fights. Hosted by actor/director and military enthusiast, Peter Berg, along with Peter Singer, the noted defense expert and NY Times best-selling author, this two-hour special leads viewers down the war path of America's most remarkable munitions of past and present in an exciting and surprise-filled journey behind the scenes of the world's last remaining superpower.
Master illusionist Steve Cohen tracks down, decodes, and resurrects some of the most thrilling and terrifying magic effects ever witnessed. Magic has a secret history, and it takes an insider like Cohen to gain access to the ancient incantations, secret sorcery, and mysterious contraptions that have shocked audiences for centuries. Can their secrets somehow be rediscovered? And can they thrill and shock today's audiences like they once did? Explore the mysteries of how these legendary effects were influenced by their times, and even how the illusions themselves changed the course of history. Steve Cohen discovers that there is much more to magic than meets the eye, and he becomes drawn closer and closer to taking the same sometimes death-defying risks that conjurors have been taking for the sake of an illusion since magic began, over a thousand years ago.
Building the Titanic In the 19th century, workers transformed the coast in Belfast to create the world's biggest shipyard, later the site of Titanic's construction. This luxury liner was unparalleled in size and scope and required a massive infrastructure to complete the job. Take a look as historians uncover the process behind building Titanic.
In 1972, an offer was made that the world could not refuse... For more than four decade the unforgettable saga of the Corleone crime family has touched millions of lives. From their origins in a pulp fiction novel by author Mario Puzo, the Corleones inspired one of the most important and enduring films in history. Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece The Godfather not only broke box office records, it actually infiltrated American consciousness. Narrated by actor Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), this special looks at how this groundbreaking 1972 film and its two sequels transcended Hollywood, transformed the American psyche and even influenced real-life organised crime. Historians, scholars, law enforcement agents and real-world Mafiosi explain how these powerful on-screen mobsters, with their moral ambiguity and relatable human flaws, resonated with audiences and impacted upon popular culture. Featuring interviews with screenwriter/director Coppola and stars of the trilogy including Al Pacino (Michael Corleone), James Caan (Sonny Corleone), Joe Mantegna (Joey Zasa) and Talia Shire (Connie Corleone), this feature-length documentary also includes an abundance of memorable scenes from the award-winning blockbuster films.
This documentary uses CGI technology and witness testimony to examine the UFO phenomenon from the earliest sightings and possible government cover-ups to present day testimonials. UFOs: The Secret History journeys into the unknown and ultimately asks the question: what is out there?
The famous American feud as told by historians, scholars and descendants.
A look at how Playboy magazine has influenced cultures and social conventions around the world.
By now we've all heard the prophecies about December 21, 2012. Whether it comes from the Mayan calendar or the wrath of Revelations, several cultures and traditions believe the world will end on that date. As the time approaches, H2 introduces the origins and traditions behind the impending end of the world From purchasing underground shelters and securing "bug-out" rooms, to preaching the message of God's divine fury many people all over the world are preparing themselves for the end. Each episode will take you through the history of the prophecies, and people's plans of protection and redemption. Modern scientists will also dissect the potential apocalyptic threats to see if there’s any fact behind these premonitions. As ancient prophecy and modern science collide, Countdown to Apocalypse begs the question, "are you prepared?"
They say he was insane. The stories of his cruelty and depravity are countless. He was one of the most feared and powerful men of the ancient world. He was Caligula, Emperor of Rome. He killed on a whim and it was said that to be in his presence was playing with your life. But almost everything known about Caligula comes from only two original sources, and they both had reasons to twist the truth. Now using the latest archaeological evidence, including identifying the possible location of his tomb, this special reveals the true story of the Emperor they called the Viper of Rome: Caligula.
The Mafia, a network of organized-crime groups based in Italy and America, evolved over centuries in Sicily, an island ruled until the mid-19th century by a long line of foreign invaders. Sicilians banded together in groups to protect themselves and carry out their own justice. In Sicily, the term “mafioso,” or Mafia member, initially had no criminal connotations and was used to refer to a person who was suspicious of central authority. By the 19th century, some of these groups emerged as private armies, or “mafie,” who extorted protection money from landowners and eventually became the violent criminal organization known today as the Sicilian Mafia. The American Mafia, which rose to power in the 1920s, is a separate entity from the Mafia in Italy, although they share such traditions as omerta, a code of conduct and loyalty.
U.K. indie production banner October Films has made a two hour special detailing the story of America's war from the vantage point of space for History. Using a variety of VFX techniques, World War II from Space will present major moments from the war including Pearl Harbor, D-Day and Hiroshima in ways they have never been seen before. In doing so, it brings all the visual conventions and imagery of modern war reporting to WWII. The program makers aim to give viewers a fresh interpretation of the war.
Travel back to the blistering sands of the Holy Land, into the onion-domed chapels of Eastern Orthodox churches and onto the pages of the Koran. Unearth the trail of chapters that were left out of the ultimate version of the Scriptures. Included in the Koran is "The Life of Adam and Eve," a detailed account of the creation story written before Jesus was born. The incestuous account of "The Book of Jubilees" was included in the Orthodox Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls. "The Book of Enoch," an ancient bestseller, relates the story of the man said in Genesis to have walked with God and been assumed directly into heaven. This fascinating collection offers a fresh perspective on the figures at the foundation of faith.
The Nazi Gospels explores the roots of Nazi ideology, and how the Third Reich used twisted versions of history and religion to bolster its power and help drive Germany towards war and genocide. The story begins in 19th Century occult societies, where what will become the central tenet of Nazism is developed: belief in an ancient Aryan Master Race, born to rule lesser races, especially the ‘subhuman’ Jews. In the aftermath of Germany’s defeat in World War I this racist ideology passes into the Nazi party, being fostered by Heinrich Himmler, leader of the Nazi’s elite troopers, the SS. Himmler dreams of a Germany turned away from Christian doctrines of love and peace, and establishes spooky Wewelsburg Castle as an SS Pagan Vatican, designing pagan rituals for his men to take part in. He establishes an Ancient History Department for the SS which conducts bizarre and ambitious archaeological quests… to Tibet, supposed homeland of ancient Aryans, and to southern France in search of the Holy Grail. These eccentric efforts may seem a sideshow next to Adolf Hitler’s dream of conquering a thousand-year empire for Germany. But the film shows how the Nazi belief in the Aryan Master Race characterised World War II as a war between the Aryan Germans and the ‘lesser races’, for example the Russian Slavs and especially the Jews… a belief which reached its most terrible consequence in the Holocaust. The same SS men caught up in these bizarre, cult-like obsessions of ancient Aryans with magical powers, of Pagan Gods and the Holy Grail, were also those who directed genocide. Illustrated with unnerving drama and readings of original Nazi texts, as well as little-seen archive, The Nazi Gospels shows how racist myth-making and false history was used to underpin the greatest crime in history.
The shipwreck of Mahdia was found by Greek sponge fishermen off the coast of Tunisia in June 1907. The shipwreck near the modern town of Mahdia is dated about the 80s BC, or even later. In a series of underwater campaigns a large number of items were recovered and placed on display at the Muse National du Bardo, Tunis. The greater parts of the sculptures were salvaged between 1907 and 1913 by French archaeologist Alfred Merlin, at that time Director of Antiquities in the Protectorate of Tunisia. Further survey work on the site was done by a team led by Mensun Bound, but unfortunately no further excavations have been possible.
On August 19, 1942 the Allies launched their first amphibious attack on mainland Europe at the small French port of Dieppe. At dawn, five thousand troops stormed the rocky beaches, but in the end, it was a disastrous failure with thousands of soldiers killed and taken prisoner. Dieppe Uncovered brings the events of the day to life, reenacting key moments of the raid and revealing a fact previously ignored by history books. The leader of the top secret 30th Assault Unit behind the raids was none other than Sir Ian Fleming. Could the man who created James Bond have been behind one of the blackest days of World War II?
As soon as Hitler's forces occupied the Channel Islands he ordered a series of fortifications to defend the only British territory he ever conquered. The problem was he never stopped, pouring men, concrete and weapons into the Islands until his officers began to refer to his "inselwahn" his island madness and the Channel Islands had become the most fortified place - on earth. By 1944 the Channel Islands had taken in over 8% of the concrete destined for the Atlantic Wall and had more guns than 600 miles of Normandy Coast. Of the German commanders only Rommel understood the implications for the invasion they all knew was coming.
It starts with a spark, but some ideas catch fire and in the process change the world. Necessity is the mother of invention — from darkness, man found light (the candle) and from even the farthest distances we can still find each other (the telephone). But some inventions have transformed our lives far beyond our homes (the steam engine), our planet (the telescope), and our wildest dreams (the Internet). This countdown highlights how human ingenuity comes in all shapes and sizes. Some were born from the humblest means (the hammer) while others push the limits of what was ever believed possible (the airplane). But regardless of the ratio of inspiration to perspiration, each invention to make the cut was destined to change our lives forever.
Examining one of the most emotive yet misunderstood events in Scottish history. Despite popular belief, the massacre of Glencoe was not a typical clash between two highland clans.
“The Celtic Legacy”, deals with the Celtic culture in Galicia, in Northern Spain.
1934. Berlin. The Nazi party is on the rise, and so are violent acts against Jews. Anti-Semitism has become a state doctrine and racism has replaced education, profoundly affecting the most vulnerable members of the Jewish community: the children. But one woman dared to stand up to hatred and to Adolf Hitler's totalitarian regime. Witness the story of Leonore Goldschmidt, a fired teacher who found a loophole in Nazi law and opened the Goldschmidt School, a sanctuary for hundreds of Jewish youths, an oasis in the heart of hell.
A mile off the coast of the channel island of Alderney lies a shipwreck that could rewrite English naval history. Presenter Saul David joins a team of divers and experts as they attempt to find and raise the ship's four-hundred-year-old cannons. By recasting and firing them, they hope to demonstrate how Elizabeth I became the mother of British naval dominance.
The Book of Revelation, the most terrifying and controversial book of the Bible, was written by an exiled prophet almost two thousand years ago. The final chapters of the New Testament describe mankind's violent end of days - a seven-year period of unparalleled death and destruction. Jesus breaks seven seals that unleash three waves of devastation - natural and man-made, from the sky and from deep within the earth. The Antichrist will rise. Pestilence, famine, war, and natural disasters will purge humanity before Jesus returns for the final battle between good and evil. But who is the Antichrist? Who will survive God's wrath? And when will this apocalypse happen?
This is a report regarding history and influence of freemasonry in Portugal's since it's foundation until nowadays
Quirks of the human body and mind are examined in search of clues to the origin of mankind.
Diving deep into the life and times of the Middle Ages, historian and weapons expert Mike Loades hosts the two-hour H2 special, Going Medieval, delivering fun-filled facts such as how to keep a knight's armor shiny using sand, vinegar and urine. Loades battles the myths vs. the realities of work and home during this extraordinary time.
Curse of the Axe tells the story of a recent archaeological discovery that will fundamentally change viewers' understanding of North American life before the arrival of the Europeans. A team of world-renowned archaeologists has unearthed the largest and most complex Huron First Nations village ever found. The village, which they dub 'Mantle', contains 90 longhouses surrounded by a high, defensive three-row wooden wall, or "palisade" that required the Hurons to cut down 60,000 trees - using only stone axes! Beyond the walls the Huron cultivated 80 square kilometers of cornfields (larger than present-day Metropolitan Toronto) - enough to feed its thousands of inhabitants. But the revelations – and the mysteries - do not end with the village itself. Compounding the mystery of this remarkable discovery is a second, shocking discovery. During the excavation, a mysterious metal object is found, buried with great care and respect. It is made of iron – a material totally alien to the Huron. The object is believed to be some kind of blade, perhaps once part of an axe. But the stunning discovery raised more questions than it answered. How did a piece of European iron get to Mantle almost 100 years before the arrival of the first Europeans in this part of the world? Where did it come from? And why did the people of Mantle bury it?
She’s beautiful, intelligent, gifted, and one of TV’s most unique and successful “food” personalities. But, the life Nigella had imagined for herself as a child is far from the story that unfolded. Her father was the most prominent politician in Margaret Thatcher’s government and her brother, the editor of one of Britain’s leading Newspapers. Her life, though, remained stuck in the shadows. Crippled by shyness and devastated by the untimely death from cancer of her mother, sister and finally her husband, Nigella was determined to recreate herself as a self-confident modern woman. Today, the Domestic Goddess has been voted one of the most beautiful women on earth cementing her fame, to be known around the world by just one name, Nigella. Biography Documentary hosted by Tom Streihorst.
The 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic...a new look in 3-D
What is life really like in the American mafia? How do you get in, get made and make money? And what happens when you get in too deep? THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE MOB answers all of these questions and more by turning to the ultimate authority: former Colombo family captain Michael Franzese. Michael grew up in this world, following in the footsteps of his father, Colombo family underboss Sonny Franzese, and he earned more money for the organization than anyone since Al Capone. Michael also did what no made man has ever done before or since: he publicly quit La Cosa Nostra -- without going into witness protection -- and lived to tell the tale. This fast- paced, two-hour special takes viewers on a step-by-step journey through the world's most famous criminal organization as lived by one of its most notorious members. You'll find out exactly how the mob works -- and wonder how Michael Franzese is still alive.
From timber to cattle and from water to oil to gold, we'll take the ultimate inventory of all the natural resources that the Earth has to offer to uncover the absolute value of the planet. With informative CGI sequences, this Special will calculate the quantity of each resource - how much we've used through human history and how much is left - and put a price tag on all commodities in their raw state, before man has added value through design or manufacture. In the process we'll get a macro view of history by examining how prices and demand for certain resources have changed over time as new technologies make new materials valuable while rendering others useless.
General Dietrich von Choltitz is chiefly remembered for his role as the last commander of Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944, when he disobeyed Chancellor Adolf Hitler's orders to level the city, but instead surrendered it to Free French forces.He was hailed in many contemporary accounts as the "Saviour of Paris" for not allowing it to be destroyed.
In America, behind the public facade of nine of our most famed institutions and landmark structures, there is another world that is hidden from view. The special pierces the veil of secrecy which conceals forbidden histories and fascinating insider information from the public.
Jesse James returns in Jesse James Blacksmith on HISTORY to tackle the only discipline he hasn't yet mastered - how to forge metal. Jesse travels to Israel, where 73-year-old world- renowned blacksmith Uri Hofi has agreed to mentor him.
Is building our own starship Enterprise possible? Will we ever travel between the stars as easily as they do in Star Trek? JJ Abrams' new feature, Star Trek Into Darkness, hits the screen in a golden age of scientific discoveries. HISTORY is there, giving viewers a deep look behind the scenes, on the set, and into the science--amazing new exoplanets, the physics of Warp drive, and the ideas behind how we might one day live in a Star Trek Universe.
This special presents the first ever 360 investigation of Tutankhamun – bringing together the latest evidence from a team of archaeologists, DNA scientists, geologists, and Egyptologists, to build the ultimate picture of Tutankhamun. Blending 3D graphics, stylised reconstruction and action-adventure forensic investigation we will bring a 21st century approach to ancient history – to reveal a surprising new image of Egypt’s infamous Boy King and uncover why his tomb alone was the only intact one ever found.
Pilot to a possible new series similar to "Modern Marvels", "TARGET EARTH" will explore topics such as infrastructure, natural resources, and engineering, but with a new sci-fi twist: how would aliens view our planet if they were targeting Earth for takeover? Original air date: Sept 2013.
Across borders, cultures and time, food is one thing that all people share. And from the time of the caveman to today s spaceman we like our food to go. While the burger and fries reign supreme in the world of fast food.
The Office of Strategic Services parachutes two Austrian naturalized citizens, Fred Mayer and Hans Wijnberg, back into the Austrian Alps to strike back at Nazi Germany during "Operation Greenup."
The assassination of JFK forever changed America. 50 years later, most Americans think we don't know who did it. History has conducted the largest nationwide survey on the topic to learn what the country believes. Who do Americans suspect was really responsible for JFK's death? Take a deeper look - through the eyes of those to whom it matters most: the American people.
This special seeks to explain the enigmatic Oswald using a brand new approach. No other documentary has exclusively traced Oswald's actions in the minutes, hours and days following the events in Dallas. By shifting the focus on that November weekend, we're able to tell a familiar story in an unfamiliar way, providing a refreshing new perspective on Oswald himself, as well as on the Kennedy assassination. Ultimately, we will lay bare the suspect's final two days, revealing why the Dallas police were convinced they had Kennedy's killer. On his way to the police station after his arrest at the Texas Theater, an officer asked Oswald whether or not he killed the president. Oswald snidely replied: "You find out for yourself." Lee Harvey Oswald: 48 Hours to Live eagerly takes up Oswald's 50-year-old challenge.
Former army bomb disposal expert Chris Hunter goes inside the mind of both bomb maker and bomb hunter, revealing the deadly game of cat and mouse surrounding Improvised Explosive Devices.
From the catapult to the stealth fighter, the most basic and the most complex weapons alike have changed the course of history--and with it, our world.
GOLD is a chemical element with the symbol Au and atomic number 79. It is a dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal with a bright yellow color and luster that is considered attractive, which is maintained without tarnishing in air or water.
Miracle Rising" is the epic story of the end of the apartheid in South Africa and the country’s transition to a new democracy. The film looks at the four years between the prison release of Nelson Mandela in 1990 and the extraordinary elections of 1994, during which the nation teetered on a knife’s edge, and analyzes this miraculous moment in history. With intimate and compelling anecdotes from world leaders, global celebrities and those present during the struggle, Miracle Rising explores themes of leadership and the ability of the human spirit to forgive, covering emblematic moments from the lives of Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk and the heroic contributions of those involved in the behind-the-scenes negotiations. It looks at how a country can survive years of racial hatred and bloodshed, resist falling into a civil war, and join forces to find peace.
As we look at the world around us, we think we're seeing things as they really are. But in fact, our human senses can only perceive less than 1% of what's actually there. The rest is invisible. Every day, unseen rays and waves bombard us.
How does a dictator live? What is daily life like for a monster in power? From when he wakes up to when he sleeps, what goes on in their life. A Day In The Life Of A Dictator proposes an immersion into the intimate life of our most celebrated contemporary tyrants during a bloody period of their reign, with Joseph Stalin, Idi Amin Dada and Muammar Gaddafi. - See more at: http://h2.historyasia.com/shows/day-life-dictator#sthash.gNlxFRVY.dpuf
An exciting race against time to uncover the lost wrecks of WWII's most epic campaign... the Battle of the Atlantic. Ian Lawler and a team of deep sea divers are on a mission to map the lost wrecks of the battle. But it isn't easy.
This countdown special reveals the weapons, inventions and vehicles that shaped and decided World War II. Counting down from 10 to 1, we ll provide an expert-led analysis of key game changers, from every theatre of the war.
Our lives are so full of stuff these days that the average object is instantly forgettable. But, when fate and history combine, even the simplest of objects become infused with destiny--so much so that they actually change the world.
How do you honor the memory and legacy of over 3,000 lives lost to the terror attacks of 9/11? That is the challenge facing the creators of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum, opening in 2014.
It was Hitler’s official residence, office and bunker; from here he planned the war and here it ended with his death – the New Reich Chancellery in Berlin. We approach this infamous place and its history from various perspectives accompanied with startling film footage. These include comprehensive film archive material, faithful and unique 3D animations and discoveries from the Moscow archives. An exciting investigation in central Berlin of what is to this very day, a place of myths, legends and secrets.
King Bhumibol of Thailand: The People’s King traces the extraordinary life of King Bhumibol Adulyadej from his childhood in Switzerland to his unexpected accession to the throne. Who is the man behind the throne and how has he managed to retain the respect and adoration of his people throughout his reign?
In the pantheon of predators, it's one of the greatest discoveries since the T-Rex: a snake 48 feet long, weighing in at 2,500 pounds. Uncovered from a treasure trove of fossils in a Colombian coal mine, this serpent is revealing a lost world of giant creatures. Travel back to the period following the extinction of dinosaurs and encounter this monster predator.
In the fall of 2001, Kevin Mannis, a Portland, OR area antiques dealer, stopped by a local estate sale to buy a few items for his store. He bought an unassuming wine box and after he purchased it, all hell broke loose in his life.
In the frozen steppes of the Altay, a Franco-Mongolian archeological expedition prepares to excavate the tomb of an Eastern Scythian warrior, 2 300 years old. Their ritual practice of deep burial of the dead, in combination with extreme climatic conditions, may mean that these scientists will discover the last frozen tombs on the planet, and will elucidate the mysteries surrounding this Scythian horseman. Who was he? How did he live? How did he die? This investigation will enable new light to be shed on this forgotten civilization. Alongside the excavations, a family of Kazakh nomads have set up their summer camp, attracted by the unusual activity. Striking similarities appear between the lifestyles and practices of these Kazakhs and the Eastern Scythians, two millennia apart in time. Intertwined with the archeological research is thus a fascinating ethno-archeological study, of one of the last peoples still isolated from modernity, and their possible very ancient ancestors. But for the Kazakhs too, the question arises - how long will they survive in their isolation?
By 1314, through effort and intrigue, Scottish King Robert Bruce had captured every major English-held castle except Stirling. Now English King Edward II would try to stop him - and subdue the Scottish rebellion forever. This is the story of the pivotal campaign culminating at the decisive Battle of Bannockburn, in the shadow of Stirling Castle. Today as Scotland contemplates a countdown to a referendum for renewed Scottish independence, we search the hearts and minds of the characters whose efforts at the Battle of Bannockburn would build a nation. Filmed in the style of 300 and Sin City and with intense and bloody battle scenes, we bring to life one of the most iconic times in Scottish history.
This is the untold story of a Nazi vision, that went far beyond the military conquest of European countries. As part of their crazed dream to create a thousand-year Reich they developed detailed blueprints for Aryan settlements and vast hunting parks for ‘Aryan’ animals. Goering and Himmler employed Germany’s best scientists to launch a hugely ambitious programme of genetic manipulation to change the course of nature itself, both in the wild and for domestic use. In a fascinating blend of politics and biology, Hitler's Jurassic Monsters is the true and astonishing story of how the Nazis tried to take control of nature and change the course of evolution.
More than 80 aircrafts have gone missing, vanishing without a trace, since 1948; experts, CGI recreations and re-enactments show theories behind the Malaysia Flight 370 occurrence.
Amazing people, amazing places and amazing things! This special zips across the US looking for the facts. From our founding fathers’ favorite treats to buried treasure, very old bones from a swamp to the ever-expanding earth, gold and gems in unusual places to whiskers in the White House, lightning, volcanoes and presidential grandchildren. So many facts–so little time!
A look at operations inside the White House
A look into the repression system perpetrated by General Franco's Spanhish regime.
A scientist searches for answers to his son’s mysterious death in the Algerian desert, and discovers a vortex of unexplained activity similar to the Bermuda Triangle. His investigation uncovers eleven other “Vile Vortices” around the world, where some of the planet’s most unusual and disturbing events are taking place. Bizarre animal attacks, unexplained weather patterns, and passenger jets disappearing right out of the sky might only be the beginning of a greater, looming threat. Could these vortices have been created by extra-terrestrials? Is the government hiding their existence? And can anything be done to neutralize them? This exclusive documentary follows the expedition as they race to unlock the secrets at all costs.
Investigates the history and symbology so prominent in the creation of the United States, and traces the intricate connections of the Founders with Freemasonry, other secret organizations and between each other. How did the trademarks of the highly secretive Masons become integrated into the Great Seal, and on the dollar bill containing the All-Seeing Eye? Did the grid design of the nation's capital--commissioned by George Washington and completed by Pierre L'Enfant--contain occult symbols embraced by the Illuminati in 1776? Did Benjamin Franklin and George Washington deliberately enlist 33 Freemason generals from France to grow the fraternal brotherhood among Masonic nations? Explore the secret (and secretly dark) sides of the men responsible for laying the foundation of the United States.
On March 13, 2013, the world waited in hushed anticipation for the announcement of the new Successor of Peter and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. For weeks the news had been filled with discussions and speculation of leading papabili. Now, finally, the new pope would be revealed. But when Jorge Mario Bergoglio appeared the world was momentarily stunned. Who was this humble Cardinal from Argentina who emerged onto the loggia, choosing the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi?
What does Thomas Jefferson have to do with your lights? How is Henry Ford connected to your grill? What does your pool have to do with taxidermy?
At the time of this writing, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, transporting 227 passengers and 12 crew members from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, has been missing for months. An unprecedented international search was unable to locate any bodies or debris. According to the Aviation Society Network, more than 80 aircrafts have been declared "missing" since 1948--"Ghost Planes" that have literally vanished without a trace.
When we think of the most evil Nazis, the first that comes to mind is Adolf Hitler. But Hitler couldn't have done it alone. The atrocities of the Nazi party required a vast network of evil; from the intellectual elite who legitimized Hitler's ideas to the public, to the desk-jockeys who carried out his orders with ruthless efficiency, to the low-level thugs who delivered those orders face-to-face and blow-by-blow to their intended victims. Who were these people? What did they do? How did they become this way? And which ones--in some people's minds--are considered as evil--or maybe even more evil--than Hitler himself?
Chris Kyle--an American hero--served four tours in the Iraq war and was one of the most skilled marksmen to serve in the U.S. armed forces. HISTORY tells his powerful story in this poignant one-hour World Premiere special.
Charles Manson conspires with his minions to murder actress Sharon Tate in 1969.
This two-hour documentary special gains exclusive access to The Codex Atlanticus -- 1,119 pages of Leonardo's private notes, drawings, and diagrams.
More than 50 years after three men broke out of the world's toughest penitentiary, HISTORY's 'ALCATRAZ: SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH' uncovers new leads and exclusive family secrets that may solve this country's most notorious cold case.
This one-hour special will dig deep into the core of "The Rock," detailing its imprint on our national psyche with fresh and revealing interviews from those who know the true story of Alcatraz. We'll examine the mythology surrounding this penitentiary.
This one-hour special celebrates the iconic Back to the Future franchise and explores how today's engineering breakthroughs are bringing the films' technology to life.
This documentary attempts to make history by finding the lost city of Atlantis once and for all. Adventurer-geologist Dr. Martin Pepper sets out to prove his theory – that the true Atlantis existed on the Greek island of Santorini, and was destroyed in the biggest volcanic eruption in human history. In order to achieve his goal, Pepper will use new scientific evidence gathered using state-of-the-art sonar scans of the sea bed and microscopic analysis of the ancient landscape. One of the challenges he faces is that he must also match Santorini to a series of key clues embedded in the first ever description of Atlantis by the Greek philosopher Plato – from the lost city’s strange ring-shaped design, to the role Egyptian priests played in recording the legend in the first place. His journey will take him across the Mediterranean and out into the Atlantic Ocean. By the end of the program, he reveals the stunning findings which may pinpoint the city and show exactly what it looked like.
For over 400 years, the disappearance of 117 colonists from Roanoke Island has been America’s oldest mystery. Now, a mysterious stone inscription may lead to uncovering the truth. Expert stonemasons Jim and Bill Vieira team up with maverick archaeologist Fred Willard to investigate the mystery and find out what happened to the lost colo
On April 29, 1945, allied troops liberated the nearby Munich located concentration camp Dachau. This was a moving event for both the survivors and the often still very young US soldiers. The German HISTORY in-house production is a one hour documentary of this story from the American Liberators' point of view. Contemporary witnesses step in some cases for the first time in front of the camera and tell their personal experiences.
Bigfoot is America's most legendary creature and one that has always inspired more questions than answers.
Secrets of Einstein's Brain 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s death, and the subsequent disappearance of his brain. After his brain was stolen by the doctor trusted to perform his autopsy, the priceless specimen was examined by scientists whose goal was to try and determine what made this seemingly normal man change the face of science and define the word genius. This documentary will follow the path of Einstein’s physical brain and all the places it traveled, while simultaneously telling the story of Einstein the man. It dives deep into Einstein’s life, his theories and not just what we’ve learned about the human brain by studying his, but what we have yet to learn.
Nostradamus had predicted many modern day disasters. Thanks to new studies, we have now cracked his cryptic code. This documentary enlighten the secret of Nostradamus in a whole new way, also asking the question of what does the future have yet in store.
The swagger. The outrageous pronouncements. The ego. The wealth. The hair. This is the story of how Donald John Trump became "The Donald".
On November 13th, 2015 a series of coordinated terrorist attacks lead to the worst loss of life Paris has seen since World War II. Scores are killed and hundreds wounded. ISIS claims responsibility. This one-hour special takes an in-depth look at the Paris terror attack and what it means for the world and for the United States. Is this attack a radical shift in strategy for the Islamic State and what are we doing to prevent these atrocities from reaching our shores?
Terror: Seven Days In Paris looks at the tragedy in Paris in the context of a world faced with the threat of international terrorism. For the seven days immediately after the Paris attacks, two camera teams recorded exclusive interviews with many witnesses to the killings; doctors who tried to save lives, the owner of the Bataclan concert venue and leading Paris-based international terrorism experts. The documentary team also filmed the dawn siege by police – and its aftermath – in the Parisian quarter of St Denis on Wednesday 18 November.
America’s “supermax” prisons are supposed to be inescapable fortresses, designed to keep the worst of the worst safely locked away from society. But with enough time, preparation–and sheer guts—it’s amazing what ingenious convicts are capable of pulling off. America’s Greatest Prison Breaks features a blow-by-blow account of the recent breakout of escaped killers Richard Matt and David Sweat from Clinton Correctional Prison in upstate New York, as it was experienced and investigated by U.S. Marshals and other officials on the case. It also takes a look at some of the most amazing prison escapes in American history. From the greatest unsolved escape of all–Alcatraz–to the clever con artist Richard McNair, who literally mailed himself out of federal prison. How did they do it? America’s Greatest Prison Breaks takes a close, hard look at how these cunning criminals pulled off the impossible.
High-school science teacher Craig Beals digs into one of Americas biggest mysteries, the Yellowstone super volcano; Craig is on a mission to find out when it erupted last.
A look at the history of the American comedy publication and production company, National Lampoon, from its beginning in the 1970s to 2010, featuring rare and never-before-seen footage. (Source: Unknown)
Experience the incredible history of the Titanic, one of mankind's most remarkable feats of engineering.
The world seems beset by more catastrophes than ever and some believe the signs of the coming apocalypse are all around us.
America’s attitude about the use of marijuana is undergoing a seismic shift, and changing by the day. In states where recreational marijuana has been legalized, it’s the wild west for “ganja”-preneurs. But who is behind this bubble and who is driving the market? From growers, to dealers, to business owners, the face of marijuana is surprisingly varied. Take a look inside the labyrinth of the new cannabis industry—where it’s been, where it is now and where it’s going.
Killer, drug smuggler, folk hero, Houdini of jailhouse escapes--the legend of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is well known. But now this two-hour documentary special reveals an unprecedented look at the man behind the myth and how his international drug cartel impacts us right here at home.
“50 Years of Star Trek” celebrates the iconic Star Trek franchise that has spanned generations and spawned a diehard cult following. Cast and creators, including Leonard Nimoy in one of his final full length interviews, give an inside look into the series and reflect on its legacy. From primetime television series to worldwide blockbuster, the Star Trek franchise has long been a pop culture phenomenon. Directed by Ian Roumain, “50 Years of Star Trek” explores the series with those who know it best. The documentary features interviews with cast members and creators from all Star Trek television series and films including Whoopi Goldberg (“Guinan”), Jonathan Frakes (“Riker”), Nichelle Nichols (“Uhura”), J.J. Abrams, Bryan Fuller, and Simon Pegg as they reflect on their contribution to the ground breaking franchise and reveal their all-time favorite episodes and iconic moments from the past 50 years. The documentary also highlights the unique fan culture the series has created. Notable Trekkies Michael McKean, Olivia Munn, Bruce Campbell and others share their memories about the series and explore how it has impacted American history and culture.
Pope vs Hitler Is a thrilling docu special that explores one of the least known stories of World War II – the role of the Vatican in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler. But as Hitler pondered a direct attack on the Pope, one of his bravest warriors was beginning to plot an attack on him. Catholic Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg had been gravely wounded in Tunisia. As he recovered he vowed to dedicate his life to the cause of ending Hitler’s. His daring attempt would nearly succeed, and prove to be the climax in the long quest to cut the head off the Nazi snake. But Hitler’s revenge would prove fast and furious. In the darkest days of World War II, St. Peter’s was shrouded in the shadow of the swastika. But even as the Führer surrounded him, the Pope was plotting a secret counter-offensive. Wartime Pontiff Pius XII has been derided for his public silence about the Holocaust. But evidence suggests his silence may have been subterfuge. And the man branded as “Hitler’s Pope” may actually have wanted to eliminate him.
Featuring interviews with key political figures including President George W Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, and media heavy hitters Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw and Matthew Broderick, this documentary event examines 9/11 through the lens of the last 15 years. Brought to life by photos declassified in 2016, recently released documents from the 9/11 commission, and never before heard stories from photographers and first responders, a new perspective will arise to provide an unrivaled viewpoint of the historic attack.
History’s Emmy® Award-winning, and critically acclaimed documentary chronicled the terror of 9/11 in real-time. It is a minute by minute account of the catastrophe unfolding, using footage from numerous sources, including personal camcorder footage, police and fire department recordings, and in-the-moment commentary from first responders and witnesses. This anniversary edition includes interviews and perspectives from those featured in the film, and people who can speak to the events that followed the attack.
Featuring best-selling author and History host Brad Meltzer, this program uncovers the mystery and search of the iconic Ground Zero 9/11 Flag. Captured in an iconic photo that galvanized America, the flag disappeared on 9/11. Along with key forensic and art crimes experts, Brad attempts to unravel the mystery.
Tells the extraordinary stories of three people who infiltrated white hate groups in an effort to bring them down from the inside. But these individuals unknowingly become part of fighting something far larger: the tight network of American white supremacy groups that is growing bolder and stronger every day.
Some experts on Nostradamus’s prophecies say that the French seer has already predicted the result of the 2016 presidential election in his 1555 book Les Propheties. They point to his description of the rise of the “masculine woman” also known as “The Queen” or “The Blonde One” and also of the “great shameless, audacious bawler”. The latter they assume refers to Donald Trump.
How does a local militia run by a former criminal become the world’s most feared terrorist organization–a self-proclaimed state able to coordinate and inspire deadly attacks in cities and towns around the world? ISIS: Rise of Terror reveals the origins of the Islamic State, what they want to achieve, and how their shocking and violent tactics have redefined warfare in the 21st century. Focusing on fateful turning points in history, the documentary looks at America’s 8-year war in Iraq through the lens of the U.S. policymakers, generals and intelligence officials who were there. They detail the missed opportunities that may have forestalled the rise of ISIS and track its evolving reign of terror through to the currently unfolding operations to roll back ISIS territory. Hear from attack survivors. And in an extraordinary interview, get a rare and unflinching first-hand look at life inside the Caliphate from an unrepentant ISIS fighter who justifies beheadings.
This documentary special takes us on a journey through the “day that will live in infamy,” by exploring the biggest stories and lesser known details that still surprise us 75 years later. Accounts from experts, military minds, and even those who lived through it, will show how this tragedy continues to shape our country today.
This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The truth behind Pearl Harbor is explored through new revelations from previously undisclosed documents that expose the appalling intelligence and military blunders that allowed the early warning signs of the Japanese attack to be missed. The documentary uncovers a cover-up that concealed a shocking catalogue of errors, and possibly made scapegoats of high ranking military officers, as well as their family’s ongoing quest to clear their name.
The greatest minds in history have pointed to the theoretical possibility of time travel.
1992 was the terrible year in which the marriages of Anne, Andrew and Charles collapsed, Fergie appeared topless on the cover of the Daily Mirror, Andrew Morton's incredible revelations about Diana were made public in a bestselling book, and Windsor Castle caught fire. The Queen survived the storm, lived through the scandals and put her house in order, and the royals emerged stronger than ever.
Black Watch Snipers is about a sniper platoon in the Second World War seen through the eyes of five men from Canada’s most storied Regiment – the Black Watch. Suffering more casualties than any other Canadian regiment during the war, this band of brothers witnessed enormous sacrifices and together endured the ultimate test of combat as they participated in the liberation of Western Europe from the clutches of Nazi tyranny. Armed with nothing but their wits and sniper rifles, these five men not only survived one of the greatest sagas in Canadian history, but four of them are still alive to talk about it. This is their story.
The RMS Titanic, a luxury steamship, sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic after sideswiping an iceberg during its maiden voyage. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board, more than 1,500 lost their lives in the disaster.
A study of the process in which a sitting Commander in Chief readies the office for a president elect features a look at key milestones, including security briefings, cabinet selection and the transfer of the nuclear football.
Comprised of two interviews with President Barack Obama conducted both before and after the 2016 Presidential election, The 44th President: In His Own Words is the President’s first-hand account of his time in office–his successes, his failures, his unfinished business–and what he hopes will be his legacy. Including additional interviews with members of his staff, Congress, and the press, The 44th President: In His Own Words is a unique examination of the Obama presidency from the inside out, and a profound and candid historical record that will stand for generations.
The swagger. The outrageous pronouncements. The ego. The wealth. The hair. This is the story of how Donald John Trump became “The Donald”. And how a kid from Queens took New York City by storm, survived two failed marriages and several failed businesses, and managed to reinvent himself as one of America’s preeminent cultural icons to become the 45th President of the United States.
For centuries, the disappearance of 117 colonists from Roanoke Island has been this country's oldest mystery. Now, stonework experts Jim and Bill Vieira will use cutting-edge technology to take a deeper look at a mysterious inscription, which could finally lead to the truth about the lost colony.
Stonework experts Jim and Bill Vieira continue their hunt for the Lost Colony of Roanoke by analyzing the inscription on the mysterious Dare Stone against the 400-year-old historical record. By lining up passages on the stone with clues left behind by Captain John Smith of Jamestown, the Vieiras set out on a search for evidence that could reveal the location of the Lost Colony, and change American history.
A team of experts uses cutting-edge technology in an attempt to uncover an image of the face of Jesus Christ. Many believe Jesus was buried in an ancient linen cloth known as the Shroud of Turin, which bears traces of blood and the faint image of a man. With the help of 3-D software, the team hopes to finally unlock the secrets of one of the world’s most famous artifacts.
For the first time in history a man of faith and a man of science are teaming up to search for Jesus' DNA. Using the latest advances in DNA technology Oxford University geneticist George Busby and biblical scholar Pastor Joe Basile are investigating the world's most famous holy relics including the Shroud of Turin, The Sudarium of Oviedo and the newly discovered bones of Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. Their journey takes them to holy sites around the world from Spain and Italy to Israel and the shores of the Black Sea. By extracting and analyzing samples of each of these holy relics they hope to retrieve a sample of DNA that possibly belongs to Jesus or a member of his family. They believe that if they can find a strand of Jesus' DNA it could help identify who among us today are descendants of Jesus and provide us with new insight into the man many consider to be the most important person in history, Jesus.
Amazing feats of marksmanship are recounted by the men who pulled the trigger. Gripping accounts of the longest shots and the deadliest ambushes take us to battlefields from Vietnam, to Iraq, to the Alaskan wilderness. There is no escape for those who enter the Kill Zone.
In the 70 years since the famed Roswell UFO crash, there is a long history of allegations involving alien phenomena and their supposed government cover-ups. This special takes a hard look at the most famous, and lesser known, UFO reports that some believe have been purposely hidden from the public.
Former FBI official Shawn Henry investigates new, shocking evidence that aviator Amelia Earhart was captured by the Japanese military, including a photograph that purports to show Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan alive after their disappearance. Evidence includes documents containing new information indicating that the U.S. government knew that she was in the custody of a foreign power, and may have covered it up.
This two-hour documentary captures the amazing life and times of our nation’s forgotten founding father: Alexander Hamilton. Exploring the iconic American political and financial institutions he helped to create, from the US Mint and Wall Street to the two-party political system, we’ll examine Hamilton’s enormous influence that still resonates today. Ron Chernow, whose biography Alexander Hamilton served as the basis for the hit Broadway play, along with other notable names including Tom Brokaw and Maria Bartiromo, contribute to an all-encompassing look at one of our nation’s most accomplished leaders.
This two-hour special explores the evolution of cars from the '70s through today--and beyond. From strange failures of design and marketing, to incredible triumphs of performance and sales, we'll reveal how world events, pop culture, and crazy experimentation shaped the vehicles of every decade.
Looks back at decades of racial injustice in Los Angeles leading up to April 29, 1992. The story is told through a variety of voices from citizens, council members, law enforcement, rescuers and even from those who committed crimes. The documentary provides a historical perspective through a contemporary lens drawing parallels between the racial injustices of our past and present.
Looking for the secret to being the smartest guy in the room? Want to impress your family and friends with your knowledge? HISTORY's new special reveals the amazing stories and inside information on everything from the beginning of the phone sex industry to America's favorite cheese and much more. If you want an edge on the competition get ready for an action packed fact filled treasure trove of trivia on The Ultimate Guide to Sounding Smart.
Pearl Harbor: Survivors Remember Featuring the men and women who were present when the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked the American Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
As Donald Trump becomes the 45th President of the United States, this film examines the logistics and procedures involved in transitioning from one administration to the next.
One of the most tragic and shocking images ever broadcast to the American people, the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion left our country in mourning. The loss of seven astronauts became more heartbreaking as we learned that the incident could have been avoided if protocols had been different. Hear the emotional recollections of the Challenger commander’s wife, two astronauts who were involved in the launch preparation, an engineer for the rocket boosters that failed, and a reporter who thought this would be a routine workday, as they relive the controversial moments that lead to the most notorious day in NASA’s history.
A gripping look at Putin's rise from humble beginnings to brutal dictatorship, and his emergence as one of the gravest threats to America's security.
The modern development of U.S. and worldwide arsenals, highlighting technological turning points, the most fearsome weapons in circulation now and the mind-blowing armaments in development, from hypersonic missiles to space-based kill vehicles.
It’s almost impossible to imagine what American car culture would look like without the muscle car. More than half a century after the first one rolled out of the showroom, the popularity of these high-powered head-turners is gaining momentum again. Since the introduction of the first muscle car in 1949, drivers have been fascinated with the ability to cram greater power and speed into their cars. The Oldsmobile Rocket 88 changed the world when it put a V8 inside a body designed for a six-cylinder engine. “If you look at what was happening with our country at that time, it makes sense,” says Tim Marinos, an auto restorer and owner of Vintage Autocraft in Lebanon, Tenn. “This all grew out of the [World War II] era. There was better technology, and we were learning more about what cars could do. We had access to more power.” Today, the muscle car has become so much a part of the car industry that it defines an era and an attitude. Essentially, a muscle car is one with a light body and a big engine. After Oldsmobile found a following with the Rocket, other auto manufacturers followed their lead.
Master craftsmen compete in an underground challenge to build the most out of the box military-inspired weapons and artifacts. In a secret location, their incredible creations are tested to the extreme in explosive and escalating challenges.
Each World Trade Center tower consisted of 110 floors. Each floor has a story. In this two-hour special, survivors from two of those floors, many speaking publicly for the first time, tell their stories. Their experiences are harrowing, and recounted in astounding detail--from two men who volunteered to carry a stranger down 65 perilous flights of stairs, to the small group determined to get their pregnant coworker to safety, and to those who fought through flames and falling debris just one floor below the impact zone. Focusing on one floor in the North Tower and one floor in the South, this film will provide a never-before-achieved intimacy with what it was really like to be inside the Twin Towers on 9/11.
As families around the country prepare to gather with family, eat turkey and perhaps partake in some Black Friday shopping, they might be surprised to learn how much we don’t know about the origins of the Thanksgiving. What we do know is most of the adult colonists in attendance were men—and they were outnumbered by their Native American guests.
This 2-hour special gives viewers an inside look at the hunt for Pablo Escobar as told by the US DEA agents who hunted him and those that were there reporting. Viewers will hear personal accounts from several DEA agents, as well as journalists who were a part of the search and ultimate capture of Escobar. Along with never before seen footage and photographs of Escobar's life and capture, viewers will be taken along on the journey that was Pablo Escobar's life and his demise.
The sea level in Venice has increased drastically in the last century or so, threatening the very existence of the city. Global warming and the harmful effects of tourism have amplified the phenomenon of acqua alta (sudden rise in sea level), rendering the traditional responses of inhabitants obsolete. It is urgent to act today. Projects conceived in laboratories across the globe are joining forces to save the city. These include RAMSES, a 3D modelization of the lagoon produced using lasers, which analyzes rises in water level; and MOSE, a series of movable dams costing over 4 billion euros, intended to block the sea in case of acqua alta. The film will take us on this extraordinary journey, the technological and scientific struggle for the survival of Venice, a survival that has been in doubt from its very construction.
A war hero, businessman, family man and the 41st President of the United States. Through archival footage, interviews, and speeches from George H.W. Bush, this special explores the lifetime of service and legacy of a great American President.
Behind locked doors in St. Petersburg, Russia is the Leningrad Codex, the world’s oldest complete text of the Hebrew Bible. Because of its ancient origins, it is a purer version of the Bible–containing words and characters lost in later translations. Timothy Smith, an antiquities expert, believes he’s found an intricate code hidden within its text, one that may not show up in later translations. This two-hour special takes viewers on a journey across the globe to find out if the hidden code is real. If it is, could this be the actual word of God? A code written into his own divine work. A master plan for history? The code is said to point to a diverse variety of historical events from the rise of Hitler to the threat of North Korea and it may even point to the location of one of the greatest treasures of all, the lost Arc of the Covenant.
North Korea: Dark Secrets reveals the complicated history, extreme politics, and rigid societal standards that have created a legacy of internal oppression and external aggression. North Korea: Dark Secrets premieres next Tuesday at 8:30pm AEST on HISTORY.
This half-hour special event follows our nation’s toughest first responders and their souped-up custom trucks, told from the perspective of these very heroes who put their courage, resourcefulness and vehicles to the test and the men and women they’ve saved.
When Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered in Memphis, TN on April 4, 1968, he left a legacy of profound change, yet there was still much unfinished work. This one-hour documentary explores the key battles in the Civil Rights Movement that transformed American society–from the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 to the Chicago Campaign which led to the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The special will uncover what it took to translate protest into real legislative change.
Active duty snipers from the military, law enforcement and America's elite federal agencies descend on Fort Benning, GA to compete in a series of deadly challenges based on real combat situations.
The greatest prison break in history became America’s most notorious cold case. The escape from Alcatraz in 1962 forced the government into a merciless manhunt. Still, the three inmates were never found. This two-hour special follows the family of the escaped Anglin brothers as they search for answers to their family’s very public mystery, and also explores a groundbreaking new lead that could change the course of American history.
The chronicle of Detroit's economic downfall and possible exciting rebirth told by famous Detroiters and relatives of those who back in the day helped build the city and the country.
Hot Wheels and Bobcat Studios are partnering to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the most popular — and disruptive — toy in the world, Hot Wheels. Our special follows the Hot Wheels team as they build a badass, full-sized, 50th anniversary original from the ground up. Springing off from the build, we’ll tell the history of Hot Wheels world record stunts –and their multi-generational influence on car culture and design.
Strap in for a fuel-injected, pedal to floor experience recounting the most significant and perilous speed milestones throughout history and the fearless rebels who dared to sit behind the wheel. From the first days of the automobile to achieving supersonic speed, this compelling special parachutes into the treacherous attempts at speed records that propelled humanity forward.
Nine hundred years ago, a Catholic Saint named Malachy was struck with a prophetic series of visions that predicted the identity of each future Pope. This ancient prophecy, buried within the Vatican for centuries, suggests that Pope Francis, the latest in the holy line which stretches back nearly 2000 years, may be destined to be the last Pope. It’s a warning of cataclysmic proportions, and one that experts believe is remarkably reinforced by some of the most famous writings and miraculous visions in all of Christianity, which may point to an imminent end to the papacy, a shattering of the Church as we know it, or worse, the apocalyptic end of days.
Since their inception at the turn of the last century, pickup trucks have been essential to the American way of life, and manufacturing titans such as Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet have engaged in brutal competition to outsmart, outmaneuver and outlast one another. In this 2-hour special, automotive experts, designers and historians weigh in on the most influential innovations in the truck world over the past 120 years.
The 1993 siege on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas was the deadliest single event in the history of the ATF. Hear from two agents who were wounded, a shell-shocked reporter, a law enforcement officer, Koresh’s would-be lawyer, the coroner, and the FBI agent who oversaw the 51-day standoff until the compound burned down with many of the Davidians still inside.
The most prestigious race in the country is also Boston's most popular event. Crowds turn out by the thousands to cheer on the runners of the Boston Marathon. The day had always brought the city together, until the one year two suspects tried to tear it apart. When the Tsarnaev brothers planted bombs at the 2013 race, their horrific act killed three people, and maimed many more. Hear from one of the wounded, an on-scene medic, a trauma surgeon, and law enforcement officers who experienced the sudden terror of this cold-blooded act, and the pursuit of justice that followed.
The largest terror attack in our nation's history left images seared into our conscience that will never be forgotten. But for those caught in the middle, the memories are as strong today as they were in 2001.
What began as a calm spring morning in Oklahoma City erupted into the largest terrorist act America had yet seen. What drove Timothy McVeigh's brutal act, which killed 168 people?
Seventy years after the end of World War II, hundreds of miles of tunnels built by the Nazis may still be protecting Hitler’s final secrets. When explorers Mike Scott and Luke Mahoney uncover a hidden Nazi document that reveals a sealed Nazi underworld, they search these unexplored tunnel complexes that might hold the answers.
For many, UFO experiences and extraterrestrial encounters have been happening for decades. But not all accounts are made public. Why? There are those who believe that a secret entity has been covering up these stories and suppressing the witnesses in an effort to keep the UFO mystery under wraps. This special explores the consequences and potential dangers involved when these UFO secrets are finally revealed.
In 2010, tall fences went up outside the West Wing of the White House. This massive $376 million-dollar construction project was intensely guarded from the prying eyes of the press and downplayed as nothing more than a routine upgrade to the wiring and air conditioning systems of the White House. What is the true story behind this sprawling, multistory structure whose underground assembly required truckloads of heavy-duty concrete and steel beams? Many have speculated that the real center of power for the White House is underground. From the first bunkers built to protect FDR and Truman to the rumored passageways, elevators and vault doors with biometric access control systems, “Engineering the White House” will use CGI to explore both the hidden and known lairs that that lie beneath the most important piece of real estate in the America. This special will air as part of Presidents Week on History in 2019. Piecing together information from secret sources and a two-hundred-year evolution of the White House, investigative journalists and government insiders weigh in on the mystery of an unusual white box and a top-secret construction project dubbed the “Big Dig” that took place outside of the West Wing from 2007-2012. Using little known images, previously classified material and detailed graphics, the search for truth reveals not only what secrets might lay below the White House, but how their existence could affect democracy as we know it.
It’s the most protected, most storied, and most recognizable airplane in the world. It goes by a variety of names, some prosaic (Special Air Mission 28000), some more poetic (“Angel”). Whatever it’s called, AIR FORCE ONE is a powerful symbol of American might, leadership, and technological achievement. The plane is one of the most privileged and classified locations in America. Only a select few will ever be allowed inside. Welcome aboard. THE SECRET HISTORY OF AIR FORCE ONE will feature rare and exclusive interior and exterior footage of this incredible flying machine, in addition to gripping archive and fascinating insider interviews. From Teddy Roosevelt’s first presidential flight in a Wright Brothers Era biplane to today’s highly customized Boeing 747-200B, this one hour special brings our audience inside Air Force One, and illuminates the hidden history of presidential flight as never before. This one-hour special utilizes exclusive footage to bring audiences inside Air Force One like never before. Gripping archives paired with insider interviews will illuminate the hidden history of presidential flight and unveil the incredible history of America’s most famous plane.
In 1943, in a circus tent in Burbank, CA, a bunch of revolutionary thinkers first gathered together in secrecy to build America's first jet fighter. They were rule benders, chance takers, corner cutters-people who believed that nothing was impossible. In the decades that followed, this secret club would create some of the most iconic flying machines in history: the U-2 spy plane, the SR-71 Blackbird, the F-117 stealth bomber - each of them so unfamiliar, so far ahead of their time, that they were often mistaken for something otherworldly. Secrets in the Sky: The Untold Story of Skunk Works pulls back the veil of secrecy on Lockheed Martin's enigmatic Skunk Works program. It features never-before-seen material: rare photos, films locked away for decades, and entries from the private journals and logbooks of Skunk Works' founder and aerospace legend, Kelly Johnson. With narration by Dennis Quaid, in Kelly Johnson's own words, the film plunges deep into a world shrouded in secrecy - where wars are won or lost not just on the battlefield, but at the design table. Secrets in the Sky: The Untold Story of Skunk Works reveals the incredible story of one small group of bootstrapping engineers and pilots whose innovative aircraft changed world history.
One of the most influential members of the Nazi Party, and a part of Hitler’s inner sanctum was Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda. His wife Johanna Magdalena Goebbels, commonly known as Magda, was also a prominent Nazi and she was later referred to as “The First Lady of the Reich”.
On July 16, 1969, the world watches as the three Apollo 11 astronauts attempt the impossible: to ride a controlled explosion off Planet Earth, land on another celestial body and return home. As the nine-day mission proceeds, audio from mission control captures the drama as it unfolds-each moment revealing new dangers, new decisions and new wonders. For the first time on television, this documentary utilizes "lost tapes" of the astronauts, recorded before and after the mission, along with rare film and photos. The documentary reveals the doubts and fears of the astronauts as they stand on the brink of history. The mission was nearly aborted twice, as the crew faced a mysterious alarm sounding in the spacecraft, and when fuel levels ran dangerously low. The Americans were not the only ones trying for the moon in July of 1969...the Soviets were there, too. President Nixon had already prepared a eulogy for the possible death of the astronauts on their mission to the moon. On the 50th anniversary of NASA's most audacious achievement, Moon Landing: The Lost Tapes reveals the incredible true story of mankind's greatest leap.
Explore real UFO case files of dangerous close calls between everyday citizens and otherworldly visitors through dramatic re-enactments and expert interviews.
This documentary explores how two of the most powerful companies in the world – Coca Cola and Pepsi – have used advertising campaigns, publicity stunts, and other cut-throat tactics in an incalculably expensive bid to each be the top purveyor of beverages to consumers. It is a story that speaks volumes about who we are as a people, shedding an illuminating—and not always flattering—light on why and how we make the decisions we do.
This two-hour feature documentary tells the story of 9/11 from a unique vantage point: inside Air Force One on its nine-hour journey from Florida, across the country, and finally home to Washington D.C. Featuring interviews with President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief of Staff Andy Card, the pilot of Air Force One, Secret Service agents, as well as intelligence and military aides on board.
For everyday heroes in law enforcement and the military, their mission to serve and protect is put to the ultimate test when they come face to face with dangerous UFOs. Through dramatic re-enactments of actual UFO classified files and expert interviews,this special explores the lengths that people on the front lines will go to keep civilians safe from extraterrestrial encounters.
For all its talk of racial, spiritual, and physical purity, the self-anointed "Master Race" harboured a secret…theirs was an axis of drug addicts. This two-hour special explores the origin, impact, and lasting effects of the state-sponsored drug use that helped build - and eventually burned - the Third Reich.
Some of the most innovative and mind-boggling cars are not on the streets – they are helping the military pound the pavement and cross terrain around the world. From an amphibious truck that can charge over deep sea and water in a flash, to a six-wheeled Humvee with more firepower than some tanks – Chuck Norris will take viewers on a tour through the wildest vehicles in the history of the Armed Forces in this one-hour HISTORY special.
In this two-hour special, “Knight Rider” star David Hasselhoff sets out to prove how the iconic 80’s KITT car inspired and revolutionized the car industry for years to come. From one of the fastest vehicles on the planet, to an amphibious sports car, Hasselhoff will pull back the curtain, meet the mavericks, and get behind the wheel of some of the wildest cars out there. The special will culminate with iconic vehicles and their drivers lining up for a one-of-a-kind race with Hasselhoff in the KITT car, Dirk Benedict in the A Team Squad Van from “The A-Team,” and Erik Estrada in the motorcycle from the police drama television series “ChiPs.”
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, this two-hour History special presents the key events of the Allied invasion of Nazi-held Europe and the subsequent battles that captured the control of the Normandy coast. Some of the last surviving veterans recall in gripping detail the terror, the patriotism and the drama from the frontlines of war. While D-Day has been told many times, this special honors the diverse backgrounds of all who served, including the experiences of African-American servicemen who fought and died. Rare archival footage from the actual invasion along with recreations will enhance the compelling story that changed the world.
Game Changers: Inside the Video Game Wars is the untold story of the personal battles that gave rise to the $100 billion video game industry. Brought to life by Oscar-winning director Daniel Junge, this is a tale of brilliant innovations, colossal failures, and ego-driven rivalries akin to Jobs v. Gates. It is a 50-year-long, multi-generation epic featuring corporate coups, industrial espionage, secret burial grounds and the promise of unimaginable riches being just one cartridge away. The only constant through the saga is this: When you think you’ve won, you’re actually at your most vulnerable.
In the U.S. and around the world, there are reports of certain areas experiencing an unusually high level of UFO sightings; through dramatic re-enactments and expert interviews, they explore why extraterrestrial activity occurs in certain locations.
In 1983, for the first time since the brand’s inception in 1953, Chevrolet did not release a Corvette model for that year. Designs were drawn, parts ordered but no car was ever released. On what would have been a celebratory 30th anniversary – no ‘Vette hit the market. In this HISTORY special, die-hard Corvette expert and builder Chris Mazzilli will try to fix this missing piece of muscle car history as he and his team build a one-of-a-kind 1983 Corvette from the ground up. The creation will be presented to a panel of experts, including the Corvette designers who pulled the plug on releasing the ’83 originally, to see if it’s worthy.
Man has always been captivated with outer space. But is it possible that our government has been hiding top-secret space missions involving the Moon, and even Mars? Is there something dangerous that NASA and the government have been covering up? And what will it take for these secret space missions to be exposed?
From Truman to Trump, there has been a legacy of secrecy and controversy surrounding UFOs and extraterrestrials. Are leaders hiding the truth about UFOs from the public? Or is it possible that some Presidents are kept in the dark?
Former police detective Dave Paulides investigates extraordinary missing- persons cases in and around national parks – ones which defy conventional explanation and whose victims are not just missing: they’ve vanished.
As technology pushes mankind into the future, many wonder the origins. Could the greatest inventions of the 20th century and beyond be the products of reverse engineered alien technology? Is it possible that the government has been secretly using this technology for decades? And if these allegations are true, what repercussions might there be from putting such immense power in otherworldly hands?
Washington tells the story of how a fatherless young soldier full of personal ambition becomes a leader of men willing to sacrifice all for the common cause. How a once-loyal British subject rises to battle an empire in a liberty-or-death campaign to forge a new nation. And then how, at the zenith of his power, the victorious general voluntarily steps down, becoming what King George III would call “the greatest man in the world.” Believing his public duty complete, he heads into retirement ready to be a farmer. But with the young country on the verge of collapse, he is once again called to lead, creating the most powerful and successful democracy in history. You may think you know George Washington, but there’s more to our preeminent founding father than you’ve been told. Washington chips away the marble to reveal the man at the heart of our nation’s story. You’ll never look at George Washington, or the founding of our country, the same way again.
On September 11, 2001, one hijacked plane never reached its target when United 93 crashed in rural Pennsylvania. Now, for the first time, previously classified streams of evidence are combined to piece together what really happened in a gripping minute-by-minute account. Evidence includes secret service documents, air traffic control transmissions, phone records, voicemails, first person testimony, and a top secret audio recording that may reveal the details of Flight 93’s crucial final moments. It’s the story of heroism in the face of tragedy, and it sheds new light on the biggest mysteries of that fateful flight.
Dive into the unexpected twists and turns that have highlighted presidential politics over the last half-century. ‘The Campaigns That Made History’ focuses on the 10 most surprising and shocking political contests, leaning into the personalities and the brawls, the unlikely moments, missteps and backstabbings that would shape the history of the country forever.
A celebration honoring our veterans and servicemembers and contributions by various individuals who continue to shine a light on the military and related organizations. The special will include appearances by Trace Adkins, Kevin Bacon, Bryan Cranston, Morgan Freeman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tamron Hall, Kellie Pickler, Kelly Ripa, Shaggy, Gary Sinise and Wilmer Valderrama as they pay tribute to the courageous servicemembers.
Marking the anniversary of the first detonation of a nuclear weapon in wartime and the swift end it brought to World War II, this special features never-before-seen archival footage, long-suppressed colour film from the immediate aftermath of the bomb, and overlooked audio testimony from core protagonists and victims to provide a a unique and highly personal understanding of the most devastating experiment in human history. HIROSHIMA: 75 YEARS LATER aims to infuse humanity into one of the planet's darkest moments, allowing the figures who designed, built and detonated the bomb, as well as those who were caught in its wake, to narrate their own journeys through an astonishing story of scientific endeavor, unprecedented ambition and unyielding horror. Told entirely from the first-person perspective of leaders, physicists, soldiers and survivors, the documentary presents the moral, scientific and military conundrums of the atomic bomb as felt by those closest to it. Directed by award-winning documentarian James Erskine ("Billie," "This is Football," "Sachin: A Billion Dreams"), the documentary covers the bombing of Japan at the end of World War II, using never-before-seen archival footage and color film from the immediate aftermath of the bomb, as well as audio testimony from victims.
The Titanic is under a new threat. Resting at over 12,500 feet below sea level and 380 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland, the most famous shipwreck in the world is being consumed by a colony of iron-eating bacteria. This slow and irreversible decay, according to the most concerned experts, will sweep away all the secrets of the mythic liner within a few decades. This documentary details the underwater odyssey of the greatest Titanic expeditions and the evolution of the most scrutinized shipwreck in the world. From the epic discovery of the wreck by a French-American team in 1985 to the exploratory missions led by James Cameron, and to the treasure hunts that brought back over 5,000 vestiges–experience the unequaled thrill of these extreme dives through the eyes of the explorers who have attempted to unlock Titanic’s secrets.
'Revealed: The Hunt for Bin Laden' tracks the ten-year effort to find Osama bin Laden, the man responsible for the 9/11 attacks and the leader of the terrorist group al-Qaeda. Based on the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s unprecedented access to American intelligence and military personnel, the film recounts how President Barack Obama ordered a small group of Navy SEALs to raid a mysterious building in Pakistan, without ever being sure that bin Laden was there. Featuring interviews with President Obama, CIA Director Leon Panetta, mission commander Admiral William McRaven, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and, for the first time, clandestine military planners, intelligence analysts, members of the assault force, and more, the film reveals the risks and tensions of a mission whose purpose was clear, but whose outcome was never certain.
31st May 1921 might not stick out in your mind as a date of historical importance, but that's through no fault of your own. In the most horrific example of racial violence in the history of America, the Tulsa Race Massacre was so heavily covered up and willingly written out of history that even 100 years later there are still questions that remain unanswered. On Monday 30th May 1921, a black teenager got into the only lift in the Drexel Building to visit the restroom on the top floor. The 19-year-old shoeshine, Dick Rowland, entered the lift with the white attendant - 17-year-old Sarah Page. Witnesses heard what they believed to be a woman's scream, and then saw Rowland exit the building with some haste. A witness saw Sarah in a state of distress and, assuming that she had been assaulted by Rowland, called the police. To this day we have no information about what happened in that elevator, but ideas have ranged from Rowland tripping and grabbing Page's arm or accidentally standing on her foot. So how did this brief encounter lead to a massacre?
For decades, UFOs have been the domain of science fiction and conspiracy theories. But not anymore. Over the past few years, the United States government has begun taking sightings of unknown objects by members of our military seriously, and subjecting them to further study. Featuring first-person accounts by military eyewitnesses, government insiders and UFO experts, this special offers an update to HISTORY’s groundbreaking Unidentified series, and traces how we got here, and what a government investigation into 144 recent sightings can tell us about what these mysterious objects are and where they come from.
Uncover the history of the Twin Towers, from early designs to overcoming technical challenges—to their heart-wrenching collapse. Through expert interviews and eyewitness testimonies, experience the definitive account of the World Trade Center. And the unforgettable true story of an iconic symbol of American ambition.
Witness the stories behind all four hijacked airplanes with 9/11: Four Flights. As told by air traffic controllers, fighter pilots, crew, the loved ones of the victims, and actual audio recordings from the flights themselves – experience all the harrowing and heroic moments from the doomed airliners of 9/11.
Puts you in the shoes of those who were on the ground as the attacks on New York City unfolded. Featuring rare, in-the-moment footage captured by ordinary people who chose to pick up their video cameras that day, this riveting documentary captures an unfiltered look at one of America’s darkest hours.
Follows the legacy and impact of America's first Black military pilots and how their contributions to this country inspired the next generation looking for racial equality and civic change.
Follows the second wave of Black baseball players, such as Bill White, Curt Flood and Bob Gibson, in their fight for equality.
In the 21st century, commercial planes don’t just vanish. But in 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 did. This special tells the definitive story of the flight’s devastating disappearance and unravels the many theories and conspiracies that have attempted to explain the cause of the lost flight. The two-hour special draws on new evidence, expertise from investigators and candid testimony from those closest to the tragedy — the victims’ families.
Follows the 1936 Berlin Olympics when Black athlete Jesse Owens won 4 golds against the backdrop of Hitler's racist Nazi regime in Germany.
