Smithsonian Channel

Consider the factors that inevitably cause dictatorships to crumble; look at how hubris destroys cults of personality; see how factions fracture military dictatorships; weigh the miscalculations that turn the tide against tyranny.

Egyptologists examine ancient sites and relics to determine what brought the age of the pyramids to an end.

A look at how navy weapons have evolved over the centuries, from cannons to gun turrets to nuclear missiles and beyond.

Consider the factors that inevitably cause dictatorships to crumble; look at how hubris destroys cults of personality; see how factions fracture military dictatorships; weigh the miscalculations that turn the tide against tyranny.

Egyptologists examine ancient sites and relics to determine what brought the age of the pyramids to an end.

A breathtaking journey down the German section of the beautiful Moselle river, famous for vineyards on its dramatically steep banks and remarkable meandering loops.

Investigate an abandoned village in the shifting sands on Dubai's outskirts and a collection of inexplicable stone circles in Colombia; a mysterious hilltop tower in Iran and a puzzling purple phenomenon in Chile's Atacama Desert.

John Ward and his crew are called to salvage a massive barge upturned by a storm in a canal; Hickory Scuba Divers work to salvage a valuable sailboat that's sunk at its mooring.

For more than 25 years, the shuttle was our ticket to space and our laboratory in orbit.

With her husband wounded, Laura Secord sets out to warn the British of a possible American attack.

Investigate an abandoned village in the shifting sands on Dubai's outskirts and a collection of inexplicable stone circles in Colombia; a mysterious hilltop tower in Iran and a puzzling purple phenomenon in Chile's Atacama Desert.

John Ward and his crew are called to salvage a massive barge upturned by a storm in a canal; Hickory Scuba Divers work to salvage a valuable sailboat that's sunk at its mooring.

An SOS from an island of penguins sends a helicopter team on an emergency mission; a young pilot attempts a record-breaking flight; aircraft maintenance teams tackle a dangerous fluid leak; vets in Zambia stop a war between humans and elephants.

Experience the deep distrust and aggression that pushes the world closer to nuclear war; follow a Soviet incursion into the territorial waters of Sweden and Finland and see how northern nations prepare for a battle that is only a button-push away.

A tour of the CIA's private museum reveals some of the agency's spy craft and the missions on which they were used.

For centuries, Mexico's historic center has been a land of legends and power. From Veracruz's shores to Mexico City's ancient layers, Puebla's epic battle and Michoacan's indigenous traditions, discover where empires rise and tr.

Consider the factors that inevitably cause dictatorships to crumble; look at how hubris destroys cults of personality; see how factions fracture military dictatorships; weigh the miscalculations that turn the tide against tyranny.

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

A look at how navy weapons have evolved over the centuries, from cannons to gun turrets to nuclear missiles and beyond.

Consider the factors that inevitably cause dictatorships to crumble; look at how hubris destroys cults of personality; see how factions fracture military dictatorships; weigh the miscalculations that turn the tide against tyranny.

Challenges beset a sculptural new transportation hub for New York's World Trade Center; Amsterdam gains a building inspired by a mountain valley; a new launchpad for space travel prepares for liftoff in the New Mexico desert.

Exceptional texts are inscribed on the walls of an obscure pyramid; experts scan the the funerary chamber of Egypt's longest-reigning pharaoh to try to uncover its mysteries.

Over three millennia, more than 340 pharaohs succeeded one another to make Ancient Egypt one of the world's most captivating civilizations; thanks to the latest discoveries by specialists, a look at the story of Egypt's greatest pharaohs.

Egyptologists believe there was a perfect pyramid, hidden in the sands of Abu Rawash, which served as a tomb for the pharaoh Djedefre.

Exceptional texts are inscribed on the walls of an obscure pyramid; experts scan the the funerary chamber of Egypt's longest-reigning pharaoh to try to uncover its mysteries.

Over three millennia, more than 340 pharaohs succeeded one another to make Ancient Egypt one of the world's most captivating civilizations; thanks to the latest discoveries by specialists, a look at the story of Egypt's greatest pharaohs.

Egyptologists believe there was a perfect pyramid, hidden in the sands of Abu Rawash, which served as a tomb for the pharaoh Djedefre.

Exceptional texts are inscribed on the walls of an obscure pyramid; experts scan the the funerary chamber of Egypt's longest-reigning pharaoh to try to uncover its mysteries.

Over three millennia, more than 340 pharaohs succeeded one another to make Ancient Egypt one of the world's most captivating civilizations; thanks to the latest discoveries by specialists, a look at the story of Egypt's greatest pharaohs.

Egyptologists believe there was a perfect pyramid, hidden in the sands of Abu Rawash, which served as a tomb for the pharaoh Djedefre.

New York's Hudson River stretches 315 miles through natural landscapes, from the Adirondack Mountains to the George Washington Bridge and Statue of Liberty.

Come across a set of disturbingly familiar stone monoliths in Colombia, then explore a lost city in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; puzzle over an ancient ruin in Corinth, Greece, and explore an old structure on a Maltese island.

A breathtaking journey down the German section of the beautiful Moselle river, famous for vineyards on its dramatically steep banks and remarkable meandering loops.

Historical and modern examinations of constellations.

Tecumseh forges an alliance with the British in pursuit of his dream.

Come across a set of disturbingly familiar stone monoliths in Colombia, then explore a lost city in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; puzzle over an ancient ruin in Corinth, Greece, and explore an old structure on a Maltese island.

New York's Hudson River stretches 315 miles through natural landscapes, from the Adirondack Mountains to the George Washington Bridge and Statue of Liberty.

Incredible footage, colorized for the first time, chronicles the final days of the Third Reich and the brutal battle for Berlin, though German defeat looked certain. Nazi soldiers persisted in fighting despite the inevitability of their downfall.

The Germans begin a retreat on the eve of the polar winter; the Soviet Union begins a major offensive in the north; the Finns push the Germans towards their defensive line.

The inside story of Britain's flagship super jet of the Cold War era, the Hawker Hunter, and its most thrilling flights during the late 20th century.

Mike Davidson goes on a cross-country road trip to help the Well Done Foundation; they work to find and cap some of the estimated 2 million leaking, toxic abandoned oil and gas wells scattered throughout the U.S.

Challenges beset a sculptural new transportation hub for New York's World Trade Center; Amsterdam gains a building inspired by a mountain valley; a new launchpad for space travel prepares for liftoff in the New Mexico desert.

Exceptional texts are inscribed on the walls of an obscure pyramid; experts scan the the funerary chamber of Egypt's longest-reigning pharaoh to try to uncover its mysteries.

Over three millennia, more than 340 pharaohs succeeded one another to make Ancient Egypt one of the world's most captivating civilizations; thanks to the latest discoveries by specialists, a look at the story of Egypt's greatest pharaohs.

Egyptologists believe there was a perfect pyramid, hidden in the sands of Abu Rawash, which served as a tomb for the pharaoh Djedefre.

Discover shocking truths about religious rituals, sacred symbols, and spiritual traditions. Learn the brutal truth about execution rites in Roman England, look at shark bones in a Peruvian temple, and unearth a secret silver amulet in Germany.

Uncover how a royal imprisoned two princes and took the British throne. Ponder how the Irish crown jewels were stolen from a locked safe inside Dublin Castle, then see if the death of Amy Robsart at Elizabeth I's court was an accident or murder.

Discover shocking truths about religious rituals, sacred symbols, and spiritual traditions. Learn the brutal truth about execution rites in Roman England, look at shark bones in a Peruvian temple, and unearth a secret silver amulet in Germany.

Uncover how a royal imprisoned two princes and took the British throne. Ponder how the Irish crown jewels were stolen from a locked safe inside Dublin Castle, then see if the death of Amy Robsart at Elizabeth I's court was an accident or murder.

Discover shocking truths about religious rituals, sacred symbols, and spiritual traditions. Learn the brutal truth about execution rites in Roman England, look at shark bones in a Peruvian temple, and unearth a secret silver amulet in Germany.

Uncover how a royal imprisoned two princes and took the British throne. Ponder how the Irish crown jewels were stolen from a locked safe inside Dublin Castle, then see if the death of Amy Robsart at Elizabeth I's court was an accident or murder.

Bill Nighy narrates a trip along the River Po, traveling across northern Italy from the snow-capped Alps to the delta where it meets the Adriatic Sea.

Unlock an abandoned site on a remote Antarctic isle and check out mysterious shapes in the Finnish snow; puzzle over an inexplicable monolith in the far reaches of Norway, then get shocked by a blood-red frozen waterfall at the bottom of the world.

New York's Hudson River stretches 315 miles through natural landscapes, from the Adirondack Mountains to the George Washington Bridge and Statue of Liberty.

For more than 25 years, the shuttle was our ticket to space and our laboratory in orbit.

Historical and modern examinations of constellations.

Unlock an abandoned site on a remote Antarctic isle and check out mysterious shapes in the Finnish snow; puzzle over an inexplicable monolith in the far reaches of Norway, then get shocked by a blood-red frozen waterfall at the bottom of the world.

Bill Nighy narrates a trip along the River Po, traveling across northern Italy from the snow-capped Alps to the delta where it meets the Adriatic Sea.

An elite group of British paratroopers launch a midnight raid in order to capture Hitler's unusual radar equipment.

American paratroopers are dropped behind German lines on D-Day in order to secure territory behind the beaches.

British Commandos raid two occupied Norwegian islands to wipe out fish oil factories used to make explosives.

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

An exploration of Herculaneum, the twin to Pompeii that also got buried during a deadly volcanic eruption; the discovery of an intact skeleton, the first excavated in 25 years, helps investigators piece together the final hours of Herculaneum.

Discover shocking truths about religious rituals, sacred symbols, and spiritual traditions. Learn the brutal truth about execution rites in Roman England, look at shark bones in a Peruvian temple, and unearth a secret silver amulet in Germany.

Uncover how a royal imprisoned two princes and took the British throne. Ponder how the Irish crown jewels were stolen from a locked safe inside Dublin Castle, then see if the death of Amy Robsart at Elizabeth I's court was an accident or murder.

An American submarine crew gets an order: to hunt Japanese ships that are conducting a secret VIP evacuation in the Philippines in June 1945; examining the stealthy, dangerous tactics they used that would set a US Navy record.

A look at how the C-47 evolved from passenger plane to a transport aircraft and flying hospital in WWII and years later as a gunship in Vietnam.

Allies slug it out on the island of Peleliu in a campaign to pave the way for Gen. MacArthur's return to the Philippines; footage shows troops enduring the muddy muck in the Philippines; Japan unveils a devastating new tactic, the kamikaze.

An American submarine crew gets an order: to hunt Japanese ships that are conducting a secret VIP evacuation in the Philippines in June 1945; examining the stealthy, dangerous tactics they used that would set a US Navy record.

A look at how the C-47 evolved from passenger plane to a transport aircraft and flying hospital in WWII and years later as a gunship in Vietnam.