Smithsonian Channel

Dictators are characterized as charismatic, narcissistic and sadistic, but most of all by their thirst for power; once in power, holding on to it requires negotiation, coercion and force.

The engineering secrets behind the world's steepest mountain railway, a remodeled 145-year-old museum and a futuristic condo.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Khufu over 4,500 years ago, is the last standing Wonder; exclusive access unveils secret chambers, aiming to unravel its many mysteries.

On the site of Dahshur, south of Cairo, are two revolutionary monuments which seem to be the first real pyramids.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Khufu over 4,500 years ago, is the last standing Wonder; exclusive access unveils secret chambers, aiming to unravel its many mysteries.

On the site of Dahshur, south of Cairo, are two revolutionary monuments which seem to be the first real pyramids.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Khufu over 4,500 years ago, is the last standing Wonder; exclusive access unveils secret chambers, aiming to unravel its many mysteries.

On the site of Dahshur, south of Cairo, are two revolutionary monuments which seem to be the first real pyramids.

Rumoured to be the cleanest river in Europe, few dispute it's the coldest; cascading down from the Dinaric Alps in Serbia, it soon crosses the border into Bosnia Herzegovina, where marine biologist and fisherman Sanel Riđanović casts for salmon.

Peek at landmarks in places where they shouldn't be; wing your way over an imperial pyramid in the Netherlands, a metal sphere in remote Russia, a lion shape carved into an English hillside and a bare swath cut through an Austrian forest.

Traveling the Dordogne River via traditional boats through the green heart of southwest France; drinking wine and hunting for truffles; riding a luxury cruiser to a lighthouse built for a king.

The second largest planet is also a mini-solar system with 60 moons and those crazy rings.

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Peek at landmarks in places where they shouldn't be; wing your way over an imperial pyramid in the Netherlands, a metal sphere in remote Russia, a lion shape carved into an English hillside and a bare swath cut through an Austrian forest.

Rumoured to be the cleanest river in Europe, few dispute it's the coldest; cascading down from the Dinaric Alps in Serbia, it soon crosses the border into Bosnia Herzegovina, where marine biologist and fisherman Sanel Riđanović casts for salmon.

The story of the greatest tank battle the world has ever seen.

The scale of World War II grows as the United States joins the war; explore the operations where Allied commando troops raid the Norwegian coast.

The North American F-100 Super Saber, also known as the Hun, becomes a supersonic powerhouse after initial difficulties; it was used primarily in the Vietnam War.

Diving into retrofits on the world's only underwater habitat, where NASA astronauts train for space missions; Mike joins a crack repair team who breathe new life into this oceanic environment after a global pandemic shut it down.

The engineering secrets behind the world's steepest mountain railway, a remodeled 145-year-old museum and a futuristic condo.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Khufu over 4,500 years ago, is the last standing Wonder; exclusive access unveils secret chambers, aiming to unravel its many mysteries.

On the site of Dahshur, south of Cairo, are two revolutionary monuments which seem to be the first real pyramids.

The hot, dry extreme center of Australia is home to landscapes like nowhere else on Earth; fearsome apex predators, a town built by opals and Uluru, the cultural and spiritual heart of a nation.

Exhume chilling insights into ancient rituals, legendary warriors, and brutal deaths; investigate dozens of childrens skeletons in Peru, find out if Amazon warriors once lived in Russia, and see what a UK cave full of butchered remains reveals.

Contemplate the strange disappearance and reappearance of the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, just before his death in 1849; explore the chilling rumour that Shakespeares grave was robbed, then chase down thieves who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.

The hot, dry extreme center of Australia is home to landscapes like nowhere else on Earth; fearsome apex predators, a town built by opals and Uluru, the cultural and spiritual heart of a nation.

Exhume chilling insights into ancient rituals, legendary warriors, and brutal deaths; investigate dozens of childrens skeletons in Peru, find out if Amazon warriors once lived in Russia, and see what a UK cave full of butchered remains reveals.

Contemplate the strange disappearance and reappearance of the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, just before his death in 1849; explore the chilling rumour that Shakespeares grave was robbed, then chase down thieves who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.

The hot, dry extreme center of Australia is home to landscapes like nowhere else on Earth; fearsome apex predators, a town built by opals and Uluru, the cultural and spiritual heart of a nation.

Exhume chilling insights into ancient rituals, legendary warriors, and brutal deaths; investigate dozens of childrens skeletons in Peru, find out if Amazon warriors once lived in Russia, and see what a UK cave full of butchered remains reveals.

Contemplate the strange disappearance and reappearance of the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, just before his death in 1849; explore the chilling rumour that Shakespeares grave was robbed, then chase down thieves who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.

The hot, dry extreme center of Australia is home to landscapes like nowhere else on Earth; fearsome apex predators, a town built by opals and Uluru, the cultural and spiritual heart of a nation.

Tackling the grade 6 rapids and untamed waters of the Buller River on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, blessed by a Māori elder of the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō.

Confront objects that make no sense; spot a spinning island in an Argentinian marsh, a colossal triangle stuck in the Arizona desert, mysterious multicoloured pools across northern Ethiopia and a huge human figure hidden in the Australian outback.

Rumoured to be the cleanest river in Europe, few dispute it's the coldest; cascading down from the Dinaric Alps in Serbia, it soon crosses the border into Bosnia Herzegovina, where marine biologist and fisherman Sanel Riđanović casts for salmon.

The Northern Lights tells the story of the makeup of the planet, the sun and possibly life on other planets.

The second largest planet is also a mini-solar system with 60 moons and those crazy rings.

Confront objects that make no sense; spot a spinning island in an Argentinian marsh, a colossal triangle stuck in the Arizona desert, mysterious multicoloured pools across northern Ethiopia and a huge human figure hidden in the Australian outback.

Tackling the grade 6 rapids and untamed waters of the Buller River on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, blessed by a Māori elder of the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō.

The scale of World War II grows as the United States joins the war; explore the operations where Allied commando troops raid the Norwegian coast.

Forensic archeologist Caroline Sturdy Colls goes in search of a Nazi SS camp constructed on the British Channel island of Alderney during World War II; clues emerge leading Sturdy Colls to suspect that Alderney was the scene of Nazi mass murders.

The story of the greatest tank battle the world has ever seen.

A different view of the events in the Arctic during World War II, with unknown details; a focus on the struggle of the great powers for control of the area and its natural resources.

Archaeologists investigate the fate of Nero and his buried Golden Palace.

The hot, dry extreme center of Australia is home to landscapes like nowhere else on Earth; fearsome apex predators, a town built by opals and Uluru, the cultural and spiritual heart of a nation.

Exhume chilling insights into ancient rituals, legendary warriors, and brutal deaths; investigate dozens of childrens skeletons in Peru, find out if Amazon warriors once lived in Russia, and see what a UK cave full of butchered remains reveals.

Contemplate the strange disappearance and reappearance of the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, just before his death in 1849; explore the chilling rumour that Shakespeares grave was robbed, then chase down thieves who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.

A US sub shows unbelievable courage in the face of impossible odds. A look into how a bomb dropped by the Japanese forces pushes the craft into a deadly dive, and ignites a toxic chemical fire that leaves the crew fighting for their lives.

The history of the B-1 Lancer reveals how the Cold War bomber evolved to become one of Americas most effective military aircraft.

By the summer of 1944, the United States is gaining the upper hand in the Pacific War with better training, troop numbers and supply lines; it aims for the heart of Japan's inner defense ring, engaging in a naval battle for Saipan in the Marianas.

A US sub shows unbelievable courage in the face of impossible odds. A look into how a bomb dropped by the Japanese forces pushes the craft into a deadly dive, and ignites a toxic chemical fire that leaves the crew fighting for their lives.

The history of the B-1 Lancer reveals how the Cold War bomber evolved to become one of Americas most effective military aircraft.

By the summer of 1944, the United States is gaining the upper hand in the Pacific War with better training, troop numbers and supply lines; it aims for the heart of Japan's inner defense ring, engaging in a naval battle for Saipan in the Marianas.

A US sub shows unbelievable courage in the face of impossible odds. A look into how a bomb dropped by the Japanese forces pushes the craft into a deadly dive, and ignites a toxic chemical fire that leaves the crew fighting for their lives.

The history of the B-1 Lancer reveals how the Cold War bomber evolved to become one of Americas most effective military aircraft.

By the summer of 1944, the United States is gaining the upper hand in the Pacific War with better training, troop numbers and supply lines; it aims for the heart of Japan's inner defense ring, engaging in a naval battle for Saipan in the Marianas.

A US sub shows unbelievable courage in the face of impossible odds. A look into how a bomb dropped by the Japanese forces pushes the craft into a deadly dive, and ignites a toxic chemical fire that leaves the crew fighting for their lives.

In April 1945, the Yamato, the largest battleship in history, leaves for Okinawa to destroy American warships and prevent their landing; weighing 70,000 tonnes and armed with 150 guns, it faced the U.S.

In May 1905, after a year of stalemate in the Russo-Japanese War, Russia's Pacific squadron arrives at the Tsushima Strait.

On D-Day and later in June 1944, the USS Texas helps silence batteries of German artillery and gun positions defending the landing beaches and the port city of Cherbourg.

Allied convoys resupplying the Soviet Union navigate the Arctic, infested with U-boats and enemy aircraft.

In May 1941, the British Royal Navy relentlessly pursues the formidable battleship Bismarck with the mission to sink it at any cost.

The rise of submarines marks World War II at sea, leading to fierce battles above and below the waves.

Forensic archeologist Caroline Sturdy Colls goes in search of a Nazi SS camp constructed on the British Channel island of Alderney during World War II; clues emerge leading Sturdy Colls to suspect that Alderney was the scene of Nazi mass murders.

A different view of the events in the Arctic during World War II, with unknown details; a focus on the struggle of the great powers for control of the area and its natural resources.

The first invasion of the Italian Campaign of WWII: Operation Husky.

The story of the greatest tank battle the world has ever seen.

The scale of World War II grows as the United States joins the war; explore the operations where Allied commando troops raid the Norwegian coast.

A US sub shows unbelievable courage in the face of impossible odds. A look into how a bomb dropped by the Japanese forces pushes the craft into a deadly dive, and ignites a toxic chemical fire that leaves the crew fighting for their lives.

The first invasion of the Italian Campaign of WWII: Operation Husky.

The scale of World War II grows as the United States joins the war; explore the operations where Allied commando troops raid the Norwegian coast.

A mass uprising that shows the world the truth about the Nazis' secret Sobibor death camp; learn how the Davao Dozen break out of a harsh Japanese penal colony and explore how two plucky German pilots plot to get out of Britain.

With thousands of German soldiers trapped in the Falaise Pocket, a small Canadian tank squadron tries to close off the escape route.

While Nazi Germany attempts to cover up the brutal murders of a serial killer, a brilliant detective uses early forensic methods to bring him to justice.

A mass uprising that shows the world the truth about the Nazis' secret Sobibor death camp; learn how the Davao Dozen break out of a harsh Japanese penal colony and explore how two plucky German pilots plot to get out of Britain.

With thousands of German soldiers trapped in the Falaise Pocket, a small Canadian tank squadron tries to close off the escape route.

While Nazi Germany attempts to cover up the brutal murders of a serial killer, a brilliant detective uses early forensic methods to bring him to justice.

With thousands of German soldiers trapped in the Falaise Pocket, a small Canadian tank squadron tries to close off the escape route.

Exploring the final building phase of the Great Pyramid of Giza and the rituals that took place after a pharaoh dies.

While Nazi Germany attempts to cover up the brutal murders of a serial killer, a brilliant detective uses early forensic methods to bring him to justice.

With thousands of German soldiers trapped in the Falaise Pocket, a small Canadian tank squadron tries to close off the escape route.

German U-boats roam the seas in packs, threatening to starve Britain into submission during World War II.

Great Britain faces losing its battle for survival against German U-boats until a new source of intelligence turns the tide in 1941.

The German U-boat hunters become the hunted as advances in technology turn the tide in the Allies' favor.

German U-boats roam the seas in packs, threatening to starve Britain into submission during World War II.

Great Britain faces losing its battle for survival against German U-boats until a new source of intelligence turns the tide in 1941.

The German U-boat hunters become the hunted as advances in technology turn the tide in the Allies' favor.

Viewing Southern Italy from the air; Greek temples on the Mediterranean; cities that just seem to float above the sea; one of the most powerful volcanoes on Earth.

The hot, dry extreme center of Australia is home to landscapes like nowhere else on Earth; fearsome apex predators, a town built by opals and Uluru, the cultural and spiritual heart of a nation.

Exhume chilling insights into ancient rituals, legendary warriors, and brutal deaths; investigate dozens of childrens skeletons in Peru, find out if Amazon warriors once lived in Russia, and see what a UK cave full of butchered remains reveals.

Contemplate the strange disappearance and reappearance of the master of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, just before his death in 1849; explore the chilling rumour that Shakespeares grave was robbed, then chase down thieves who stole the Mona Lisa in 1911.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Khufu over 4,500 years ago, is the last standing Wonder; exclusive access unveils secret chambers, aiming to unravel its many mysteries.

On the site of Dahshur, south of Cairo, are two revolutionary monuments which seem to be the first real pyramids.

The Navy's U.S.S. Macon flew in the 1930's, the golden age of airships, and was able to both launch and recover airplanes; telling the lost story of America's airships, their rapid rise, tragic demise, and the bold experiments in between.

Visiting London's Gherkin, Seattle's Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and Lyon's Musée des Confluences to uncover how and why they were built.

Mike joins the U.S. Marines' Heavy Haulers helicopter squadron and gets inside their battle to keep a fleet of souped-up Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion choppers flying as they prepare for intense war games in the desert and mountains.

Going behind the scenes with the Panama Canal Railway; big track repairs, massive machines, and unrelenting deadlines.

Visiting London's Gherkin, Seattle's Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and Lyon's Musée des Confluences to uncover how and why they were built.

Mike joins the U.S. Marines' Heavy Haulers helicopter squadron and gets inside their battle to keep a fleet of souped-up Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion choppers flying as they prepare for intense war games in the desert and mountains.