20th Century: Hispanics in America
By the year 2050, Hispanic-Americans will make up one quarter of the U.S. population. This program examines the history of Hispanic immigration to America and the contributions of Hispanics to American society. 10/9
|
|
American Classics (4 Parts)
America Transformed
Post-World War II America opened a floodgate of change. Dreams that were put on hold during the Great Depression and the war years were finally pursued with a passionate resolve to build a better future and to live the good life. This era produced dramatic transformations in America and created many new symbols. 1/16, 8/28
America in Motion
Americans have always had the urge to pull up stakes and hit the road. Explore our culture-on-the-move and discover how our need for a good set of "wheels" has permeated all aspects of American life. 1/15, 8/27
Defining a Nation
Social psychologists say a culture cannot exist without symbolic icons. Once Americans cast off the shackles of colonial rule, they still had important questions to answer. Who were they? What did they stand for? As they created a nation from scratch, past American laid the foundation for a unique and dynamic culture. 1/14, 8/26
The Pursuit of Happiness (Let Us Entertain You)
Americans place great emphasis on their entertainment and pleasure seeking. Explore the reasons why some entertainers have won the coveted title of "American icon" over others. 1/17, 8/29
|
|
Ancient Mysteries: Blood and Treasure in Peru
While scholars and students know much about the Incan civilization of Peru, little was known about the Moche civilization until recently. This ancient culture was rich in art and wealth, but its bizarre sacrificial rites mystified archeologists and anthropologists alike. Who were the Moche? When did they live? What were their lives like? And why did they perform such extremely violent and heinous acts of human sacrifice? This episode of Ancient Mysteries unravels the enigma of the Moche. 9/13
|
Antarctica: A Frozen History (2 Parts)
Hostile and unforgiving, yet beautiful and seductive, the frozen continent of Antarctica has beckoned adventurers for over a century. Through adventure diaries, rare photos and newspaper accounts, this program traces the journeys of legendary explorers and visits the sites transformed by their presence. 1/13, 1/14
|
|
As It Happened: The Spanish-American War (2 Parts)
In 1898, a brief conflict with Spain, that lasted less than four months, marked a turning point in American and World History. The American defeat of the Spanish indicated the transition that was taking place -- the decline of Spain, and other European colonial powers, and the rise of the United States in the century that would eventually become known, in the words of Henry Luce, as the American Century. This "splendid little war" gave the United States the territories of Cuba and Puerto Rico, and began the American ascent to superpower status. 10/14, 10/15
|
|
|
Back to top
B
|
Battle History of the U.S. Army
This four-part salute to the man and women of the U.S. Army explores the different challenges that the Army has had to face in its evolution from conscripted soldiers to military superpower.
The Citizen Soldier 1/27
Fight Wars Undeclared 1/30
Soldiers Across the Sea 1/29
Sword of Freedom 1/28
|
|
Back to top
C
|
California, Here We Come (4 Parts)
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Head west in the largest mass migration since the Crusades as Americans are swept up by Gold Fever. See rare clips of the birth of Hollywood, and travel to France with Count Harszthy, who brought back the cuttings that started Napa's world-famous wineries. Experience the horror of the San Francisco earthquake, and discover how World War II changed California as much as the Gold Rush! From the Jesuit missionaries who first carved out a place in its vast wilderness to the high-tech wonderland of Silicon Valley, this is the ultimate look at California. 8/12, 8/13, 8/14, 8/15
|
Caught on Film (4 Parts)
This four-part series relives significant historical events by examining rarely seen film and videotape. This footage, once buried in private collections and public repositories, provide moving images that help to enrich our understanding of history. 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/19
|
|
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
The Christmas of gift-giving, tinsel, and tress is remarkably young. What was Christmas before recent years? Watch the evolution of this holiday and the inclusion of modern characters like Santa Claus and his reindeer. 12/13
|
|
Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World
He was determined to find a western route to Asia, but wound up discovering the New World. This program explores the dramatic story of the explorer who, despite his accomplishments, died a broken, largely forgotten man. 1/17
|
|
Civil War Combat
Civil War Combat: The Battle of the First Manassas
On July 21, 1861, thirty-five thousand northerners marched to Manassas to challenge more than twenty thousand confederate troops. This battle, the first major conflict of the Civil War, would claim five thousand lives and serve as a realization that the Civil War was more an apocalyptic event than the romantic adventure earlier envisioned.
Civil War Combat: The Bloody Lane at Antietam
In September 1862, Robert E. Lee invaded the North for the first time and met the Union Army along the banks of Maryland's Antietam Creek, which became the sight of the bloodiest single day in U.S. military history. Visit the scene of the most concentrated fury of that day, on a narrow country road forever after called "Bloody Lane." 11/19
Civil War Combat: The Hornet's Nest at Shiloh
In 1862, General Grant advanced into Tennessee, aiming to capture its vital waterways. On April 6, Confederate forces under General Albert Johnston caught Union forces by surprise near Shiloh Church. The battle culminated in an area along an abandoned wagon road later dubbed "The Hornet's Nest" because of the ferocity of the fighting. 11/18
Civil War Combat: The Tragedy at Cold Harbor
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 ten months later. Hastening the South's end, Cold Harbor ushered in an era of trench warfare. 11/21
Civil War Combat: The Wheatfield at Gettysburg
When the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia engaged the Union Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg in July 1863, an area known as "the Wheatfield," initially of little value, suddenly became the focus of intense conflict. The History Channel brings to life the bloody battle, one of few during the Civil War when men fought literally hand-to-hand. 11/20
|
|
Coming Home: The Veteran Experience in the 20th Century (2 Parts)
Part 1 Part 2
This important two-hour special is the moving and rarely told story of what happened when Johnny came marching home-from all of America's major conflicts. It examines how soldiers are changed by war and how these soldiers changed America when they got home. 11/4, 11/5
|
|
|
Back to top
E
|
Empires of Industry
Focusing on significant industrial sites throughout the United States, the series retraces the history, technology and the people responsible for America's industrial and technological growth.
|
Battle for the Skies
Journeys that once measured weeks now take hours. Air travel has all but obliterated time and distance. Follow the lives of two men who dominated the rise of international travel - Juan Trippe of Pan American and the eccentric tycoon Howard Hughes, who built TWA. 1/9
|
|
Cola Wars
Each year, Americans consume more soft drinks than tap water. Available in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola alone sells one billion bottles, cans of pop daily with arch rival Pepsi-Cola a close second. Look at the legendary rivalry between these giants in a $100 billion industry built on little more than sugar and water. 1/7
|
|
War of the Copper Kings
Starting in the 1880s, William Clark and Marcus Daly transformed Butte, Montana from a washed-up gold mining town into a global powerhouse - the world center of copper production. Clark was a ruthless banker known for preying on the misfortunes of miners; Daly, a self-made man with a legendary knack for knowing where to dig. Both created huge empires and lived like kings. But they fought ferociously. Follow the rivalry between these two giants of American industry. 1/6
|
|
Wildcatters
The twentieth century was powered by oil, a fact made possible by a discovery at a lonely spot called Spindletop in Texas. A gusher of oil was unleashed that rocketed 100 feet skyward for nine days. Suddenly, the Lone Star state was flush with a new breed of men, the Wildcatters. Part gambler, part geologist, a wildcatter risked everything he had to drill a hole in the ground and strike oil. 1/8
|
|
|
Back to top
F
|
The Fighting I: The Story of the USS Intrepid
This program is the complete history of the aircraft carrier Intrepid. Her story is told from its construction as an Essex class carrier to its battle history in the Pacific and quiet retirement as a maritime museum on the New York waterfront. 11/29
|
|
Founding Brothers (4 Parts)
The History Channel's four-hour special presentation Founding Brothers explores the public and private personas of the statesmen who laid the groundwork for the United States government. Founding Brothers relives several of the critical moments in the early years of America's nationhood-events that defined the founders' attempts to establish a new social and political order. Among the key events examined are Thomas Jefferson's secret dinner with James Madison and rival Alexander Hamilton; Benjamin Franklin's petition to abolish slavery; George Washington's farewell address to the nation; John Adams's difficult term as president; Hamilton and Burr's fatal duel; and the final reconciliation between Adams and Jefferson. 9/16, 9/17, 9/18, 9/19
|
|
Frontier: The Decisive Battles (4 Parts)
Battle for King's Mountain
It's American versus American in the mountains of the Carolinas in the most decisive southern battle of the Revolutionary War. Leading Tory riflemen for the Crown is Scottish-born Colonel Patrick Ferguson. Opposing him is American Colonel Isaac Shelby and his sharpshooting militia mountain men. Peter Coyote narrates. 9/3
Battle of Fallen Timbers
After a major defeat by Native Americans that left the Ohio frontier vulnerable to repossession by the British, President Washington calls "Mad" Anthony Wayne from retirement to fight a formidable alliance of Ohio Territory tribes and British advisors. In 1794, Wayne prepares for battle. His wild card? A "white Indian" named William Wells. 9/4
Battle of New Orleans
On January 8, 1815, Andrew Jackson led a motley crew of Creoles, freeborn blacks, Native Americans, and poorly armed frontiersmen in defense of the strategic port of New Orleans from the British. Though the bloody battle actually occurred after the Peace of Ghent ended the War of 1812, its outcome helped set the terms of peace. 9/5
Blackhawk's War
After forced relocation, a warrior called Blackhawk led a group of Sac and Fox back to their homeland. But a run-in with a drunken unit of Illinois militia turned their surrender into the last great Indian war in the Midwest. In an chase from Illinois to Wisconsin, Blackhawk outfoxed his pursuers, but paid a terrible price in the end. 9/2
|
|
|
Back to top
G
|
Gold! (4 Parts)
It has been rushed, hoarded, and worshipped. Throughout the course of human history, gold has sparked man's imagination with dreams of riches and power. Travel across continents and back in time into the heart of man's obsession from ancient times to present-day Fort Knox, the largest repository of gold on the planet.
Gold Fever
In 1848 a fleck of gold was found at Sutter's Mill in California. This resulted in the first truly democratic gold rush, in which anyone could hunt for his own pot of gold. Some 40,000 miners moved to the West, but most would hardly become rich. 12/24
The Gold Wars
Upon Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World, local people greeted him bearing cotton cloth, parrots, and darts. But the real objects of his desire were the small pieces of gold that the natives had fastened in their pierced noses. The struggle to possess this gold eventually led nations to pillage these new lands. 12/23
Cold Hard Cash
Possessing gold can unleash a host of troubles, including squandering it to the point of bankruptcy. The folly of past monarchs is revealed as plundered riches are used to fund excessive power struggles in vain. As such expenditures depleted the gold supply, the inevitable rise of chronic inflation struck their subjects. 12/26
The Stuff of Dreams
For many, the quest for gold can become an obsession. In South America, native tribes sent Spanish conquistadors on a dangerous search to find the legendary golden city "El Dorado." In Europe, the thirst for gold led alchemists to try creating it out of ordinary objects, from lead to egg yolks. Though seemingly foolish, their chemical mixtures laid the groundwork for modern chemistry! 12/25
|
|
Grand Canyon (2 Parts)
This two-part documentary is a human history of one of the earth's great natural wonders. From the beginning of the canyon's formation, to its discovery and settlement, Grand Canyon tells the stories of those who have left their mark on the canyon as well as those who live, work and play there today. 9/9, 9/10
|
Great American History Quiz
Americana
Do you know your American folklore and U.S. symbols? Join in this fun-filled look at all things American from apple pie to George Washington's false teeth. Celebrity players include Dick Van Dyke, Senator John McCain, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Viewers can play along at www.historychannel.com/quiz. 8/30
Heroes and Villains
Play along from home as we quiz celebrities, including Sammy Sosa, Gillian Anderson, Johnnie Cochran, and Mike Wallace, about America's most notable and villainous war heroes, sports greats, and gangsters. Did bad guy Black Bart really exist? What was Lou Gehrig's nickname? Tune in with host Chevy Chase and test your knowledge. 8/23
|
|
Great Conventions: 1960 with Sander Vanocur
Sander Vanocur takes us back to the 1960 Democratic Convention in Los Angeles where John Kennedy secured the presidential nomination. The program then goes on the campaign trail to follow the epic presidential race between Senator Kennedy and then Vice President Richard Nixon. 11/1
|
Great Ships: High Tech, High Seas
Armament
From the bloody hand-to-hand combat of early ocean battles to the thundering broadsides of 18th-century schooners to the armored battleships and naval fighter jets of modern times, naval warfare has pushed the limits of technology and captivated the imaginations of millions. Don't miss this rare opportunity to venture into the fray of history's most dramatic battles and to trace the evolution of deadly maritime weapons from cannon fire to silent and deadly guided missiles. 9/23
|
|
Design and Construction
Throughout history, ocean-going vessels have carried explorers to uncharted territories, warriors to battle, and immigrants to new horizons. Join us for a fascinating exploration of ship design over the centuries-from the simple, rough-hewn canoes of antiquity to the formidable nuclear submarines of the new millennium. Travel back through time to the days when pirate ships hoisted the black flag to menace the high seas. Revisit historical voyages, from the majestic Mayflower carrying the seeds of a new nation to the behemoths of World War II, with their weapons of death and destruction. Venture aboard history's most famous ships and meet the brilliant designers whose inspiration forever changed the way man crossed the oceans. 9/24
|
|
Navigation
Find out how navigational advances helped spawn the age of discovery. Examine how explorers were able to fix their position with far greater accuracy than in the past--allowing for longer journeys. Trace the incredible voyages of ancient mariners like the Polynesians and Vikings, and learn how they found their way. Finally, go inside the high-tech systems that allow modern navigators to pinpoint their position to within a few feet anywhere on the surface of the earth! 9/26
|
|
Propulsion
Once upon a time, man battled the waves with crude, hand-hewn oars. Later mariners learned to harness the winds and crafted a plethora of graceful sailing ships, culminating in the elegant windjammers of the late 19th century. Then the revolutionary steam engine gave birth to the gaily-decked paddlewheel riverboats of the American frontier. Join us for an engrossing exploration of man's never-ending quest to ply the waters faster and a peak at the next generation of ultra-efficient maritime engines. 9/25
|
|
|
Back to top
H
|
The Haunted History of Halloween
Where do the customs of October 31st come from? Trace the holiday's thousand-year history from the Celtic tribes of Northern Europe to the modern treks of pint-size ghouls and goblins. 10/11
|
|
A History of Toys and Games (2 Parts)
Part 1 Part 2
As long as there have been children, there have been toys. And from wooden tops to virtual reality, America has always taken its playthings pretty seriously. Actor John Ritter hosts this feature-length journey through the History of Toys and Games. 12/9, 12/10
|
|
History's Mysteries
Cliff Mummies of the Andes
The Chacopoyan people thrived in South America for almost a thousand years, but in just a few generations, they were virtually eradicated by the Aztecs and Spanish. Follow History's Mysteries to the highest reaches of the Andes where Chacopoyan tombs serve as time capsules, preserving a glimpse into a vanished civilization. 10/10
|
|
Mysteries of Amelia Earhart (2 Parts)
When she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean on July 2nd, 1937, Amelia Earhart was one of the most famous women alive. This program chronicles her rise to fame, examines the last flight in detail and presents the various theories about her fate. 11/13, 11/14
|
|
Ship of Gold
In 1857, the steamship SS Central America vanished in a devastating storm off the North Carolina coast. 400 lives and nearly 21 tons of gold bullion were lost. History's Mysteries explores the tragic sinking of the SS Central America as well as the daring attempt to rescue the ships valuable cargo 130 years later. 12/27
|
|
Viking Explorers
This program investigates the oft-repeated claim that the Vikings landed on America's shores 1,000 years ago. Follow the incredible journey that these hardy sailors had to make across the North Atlantic, and go aboard a restored longboat like the one that carried them to the New World. 1/15
|
|
History Undercover: Road Map to Pearl Harbor
Sixteen years before Pearl Harbor, a British scholar named Hector Bywater wrote a novel called The Great Pacific War, which opened with a description of a Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Featuring interviews with William Honan, the author of a biography about Bywater, and leading naval experts, History Undercover details the fascinating confluence of fiction and reality. 10/24
|
|
Home for the Holidays: The History of Thanksgiving
How did Thanksgiving change from its original Puritan mold to feasting, family, and football? Follow Thanksgiving's near four hundred-year history as America's domestic holiday. 11/15
|
|
|
Back to top
L
|
The Long Gray Line: The Spirit of West Point (2 Parts)
This two-part special takes a unique look at the United States Military Academy which celebrates its two hundredth anniversary in 2002. Using present day footage as well as archival photos and film, The Long Gray Line chronicles the Academy's mission to develop leaders who embody the values of duty and honor. 11/25, 11/26
|
|
Back to top
M
|
Mexico (4 Parts)
From the glory of Incan and Mayan cultures to the chaotic heart of the modern capital, from Cortes' arrival to Pancho Villa's famous raid, Mexico travels across the country and through its past. It is a compelling chronicle of a land shaped by the rise and fall of empires, the exploits of men like Montezuma and Maximillian, and near-constant battles for freedom, sovereignty and independence.
|
|
God, Gold, and Glory
Before Cortes arrived in 1519, the land that would become Mexico had already seen some of the greatest leaders and warriors in human history. But in the collision between the Old and New Worlds, its future was forged. This episode presents the early history of Mexico up until the time of conquest by Cortes and Spain. 9/30
|
From Independence to the Alamo
For 300 years after the conquistadors' triumph over the Aztecs, Mexico was the crown jewel of the Spanish colonial empire. But the injustices of the feudal system Spain imposed and the excesses of the Inquisition sparked the fires of revolution. 10/1
|
Battle for North America
As hard as the struggle for freedom from Spain was, the first decades of autonomy were perhaps even more difficult for Mexico. Its hard-won victory was seemingly squandered in a vicious cycle of war and tyranny embodied by Santa Anna, the flamboyant general who gave away Texas in exchange for his life. 10/2
|
Revolution and Rebirth
By the end of the 19th century, Mexico was exhausted from years of fighting. But the battles were not over. After thirty years of iron-fisted rule, the nation rose up against the dictator Porfirio Diaz. Before the dust finally settled, new legends were made and Mexico was transformed yet again. 10/3
|
The Mighty Mississippi: America's River
The Mighty Mississippi tells the story of America's heartland, from the early explorers through the rise of slavery, the Civil War, the advent of the riverboat, the great fortresses, and the legends of the river. This episode tracks the history of the river from Reconstruction, through Industrialization and the Great Depression. 8/1
|
|
Modern Marvels
|
The Camera
With photographs playing such a fundamental role in our lives today, it is almost impossible to imagine our world without them. Since the invention of the camera, many of the most significant events in history are remembered as moments frozen in time. As three different motivating forces drove the invention of the camera, three very different men would ultimately race to invent photography.
|
Diamond Mines
From the earliest mines of the fourth century B.C. to today's technological wonders in South Africa and North America we explore the history and technology of the diamond mine.12/4
|
|
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most popular manmade tourist attraction in the United States, as well as a vital artery for the city of San Francisco. See incredible footage of its construction, as storms battered workers and fog shrouded construction. And learn why engineer Joseph B. Strauss's plans proved to be a masterpiece of design and function. After four years of construction, the longest, highest, most spectacular suspension bridge on Earth opened to the public, and went on to become one of the greatest symbols of American ingenuity. 8/16
|
|
The Phonograph
While it is hard to imagine not being able to listen to recorded sounds, there was a time when the idea of being able to record a voice or a musician was considered impossible. Thomas Edison changed that when, on December 4, 1877, he became the first person to ever record and play back the human voice. 1/3
|
Quarries
Supplies of stone, slate and minerals lie beneath the earth's surface. To obtain them, they must be removed by digging, blasting or cutting out squared chunks. Examine the open pits of quarries and the industry that revolves around them. 12/3
|
|
Salt Mines
Salt is the most humble and precious of minerals. In Roman times, soldiers were sometimes paid with it. In the Middle Ages, it was called "White Gold." Today, we collect 146 million tons of salt annually, and it is used in over 14,000 ways. Journey beneath the earth to see the extraordinary ways we collect this essential mineral--and of the awesome caverns salt mining creates and they way they are used. 12/5
|
|
Silver Mines
While silver has been used for decoration and ornament since ancient times, it was not until the discovery of the Comstock Lode near Virginia City, Nevada that it played an important role in the economy of a nation. Trace the remarkable story of this "mother lode" that spurred the development of vast improvements in mining technology and safety. Go beneath the earth to see the innovations in drilling, ventilation, drainage and processing that transformed the mining industry into a modern operation. 12/2
|
|
Video Games: Behind the Fun
This program offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of today's dominant entertainment mediums. Learn how these virtual worlds amuse and inspire young and old alike, and how these marvels of imagination and computer science are created. 12/12
|
|
|
Back to top
N
|
Niagara: A History of the Falls (2 Parts)
This feature-length documentary based on Pierre Berton's best-seller explores the kaleidoscope of wonders that is the history of Niagara Falls. From the days of the Native Americans to the tourist industry of today, it is a celebration of the characters that have been drawn to this amazing place and left their mark. 9/11, 9/12
|
|
November Warriors
|
The Modern Campaign
Examine the modern presidential campaign, from Hubert Humphrey's 1968 campaign against Richard Nixon where Vietnam, Civil Rights and Martin Luther King's assassination was the backdrop to "the great communicator's" victory in the Carter vs. Reagan race. 10/31
|
The New Arena
This episode retraces the key campaigns of the 1930's - 1960's, a period which saw remarkable changes in both America and the political process. 10/30
|
Noble Dreams/American Realities
Retrace the birth of the Presidency and the political party system. Examine the Andrew Jackson campaign - the introduction of the first "common man" candidate - and how many of the promotional elements of today's campaign were introduced. 10/28
|
Trial by Fire
Explore the "free vs. Slave" issue in the Lincoln-Douglas Presidential race. Learn about whistle-stop campaigning, political buttons, paid campaign staff, and the introduction of the third party. 10/29
|
|
Back to top
P
|
Patent Files (4 Parts)
|
|
Patent Files: Get It on Paper
See how the Chinese made paper thousands of years ago, how the Napoleonic wars led to the creation of the modern pencil, and how a physicist spent 20 years creating the photocopier. 12/30
|
Patent Files: Good Morning!
Get the inside scoop on the ubiquitous objects that get folks going every day, including breakfast cereal, razors, and that staple of the morning commute, the car radio. 1/2
|
Patent Files: Looking for the Edge
Here are the stories of the inventions that have changed the face of sports, from AstroTurf to the Zamboni machine. 1/1
|
Patent Files: Wired World
Join us as we examine the spread of technology-aided communication from Napoleon's semaphore towers to the telegraph and the Internet. 12/31
|
|
Back to top
R
|
The Real West
|
The Fathers of Texas
This episode tells the story of Sam Houston and Stephen Austin, the Fathers of Texas. 10/4
|
John Wesley Powell and The Mighty Colorado
Soldier, professor, explorer-John Wesley Powell led the first major exploration of the Colorado River in 1869, during which he documented rock types, plants, and animal species unknown to man, and encountered the "gates of hell." He became the first director of the Bureau of American Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution. 1/24
|
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
This program chronicles Lewis and Clark's exploration in search of the elusive Northwest Passage through the Louisiana territory to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark's explorations would lead the United States into a westward expansion that would culminate in the creation of the continental United States. 1/16
|
The Rockies (4 Parts)
|
|
The Great Explorers
Rising vividly from the Great Plains' vastness, the Rocky Mountains loom over U.S. history-a burly bump on the road to Manifest Destiny. Host Peter Fonda guides us through early lore and expeditions led by Lewis and Clark and Major John Wesley Powell, and views the fabled Yellowstone geysers through photos taken in 1871. 1/20
|
Striking It Rich
Host Peter Fonda tells true tales about striking it rich in the Rockies. These include how Denver's greatest liar saved the Gold Rush boomtown from extinction; how storekeeper Horace Tabor turned a stake into a multimillion-dollar silver empire; and how German émigré Adolph Coors made a fortune brewing beer for thirsty miners. 1/21
|
Taming the Mountains
In the final episode, Peter Fonda relates daunting tales of man versus mountain, including the building of the scenic Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad; the engineering battle that sired America's most breathtaking highway; and the training of World War II's 10th Mountain Division, created to fight Germany for control of the Alps. 1/23
|
War and Disaster
The awesome panorama of the Rockies can hide gruesome tales of bloody war and disaster. Host Peter Fonda investigates the last stand of the Nez Perce tribe in 1877, the 1857 Mormon War, the 1917 Butte disaster, when a cooper mine erupted in fiery disaster, and the 1949 Mann Gulch fire, when only 3 of 16 smoke jumpers survived. 1/22
|
|
Back to top
S
|
Save Our History
|
American Lighthouses
This one-hour documentary looks at the history, technology, and preservation of eight lighthouses located in different parts of the United States. Because of their intrinsic appeal, and because they are an ideal topic for interdisciplinary teaching, lighthouses provide an excellent learning vehicle for younger age groups. 9/20, 12/6 & 1/31
|
|
Frontier Homes
This program is a historical look at early American homes, their construction techniques, and the way of life for the early American pioneer. This special home-builder video also reveals each home's social history. 8/2
|
|
Live From Jamestown
The Jamestown Colony was the first permanent English settlement in America. This fact alone places it squarely at the center of American colonial history. Archaeologists, Historians, and even the First Lady of Virginia weigh in on the history and importance of this historical landmark. 8/9
|
The Missouri: A Journey with Stephen Ambrose
Join noted historian Stephen Ambrose for a fascinating journey along the river that helped pave the way for America's westward expansion. 9/6
|
|
Save Our Sounds
This program tells the story of America's recorded history. Through a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and The Library of Congress, Save Our Sounds explores the treasured sound recordings that document some of the most significant experiences of the American people over the last 100 years. 1/10
|
S.O.S.: Save Our Ships
Discover how floating treasures of the nation's past are being restored and why activists and aficionados are determined to preserve our maritime heritage. 9/27
|
|
USS Arizona
The memorial straddles the sunken hull of the battleship USS Arizona and commemorates the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial was dedicated in 1962 and became a National Park Service area in 1980. Journey back in time 50 years to understand the origins and future of this powerful monument. 10/25
|
|
The National World War II Memorial
Featuring recollections and insight from former presidents Gerald Ford and George Bush, this film documents the ongoing efforts to build The World War II Memorial. It is a monument that is long overdue, yet there has been a surprising amount of controversy surrounding it. We'll also hear from Bob Dole, the volunteer chairman of the memorial campaign, who details his efforts to win congressional approval and looks forward to the day when construction will begin. 11/8
|
|
Sea Tales: Remember the Maine!
When Teddy Roosevelt sent the USS Maine into Havana's harbor in 1898, he hoped that the show of force would help protect the lives of and property of American citizens in the restless Spanish territory. But when the Maine mysteriously exploded and sank at anchor, the nation was shocked and demanded revenge. Join maritime experts and leading historians as they explore the possible causes of the explosion which claimed 254 lives and examine its repercussions. 10/16
|
|
|
Back to top
T
|
Time Machine
|
Are We There Yet? America on Vacation (2 Parts)
The family vacation as we think of it is a 20th century phenomenon. Up until then, travel was the exclusive province of the rich. But the inventions of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, combined with the success of social reformers, who won more leisure time for regular workers, opened the world of travel to the common man. Get on the road to trace the evolution of the family vacation. Also see how the travel landscape has been transformed-and how it has changed the very face of the nation. 8/5, 8/6
|
|
Boone and Crockett: The Hunter Heroes (2 Parts)
They are two of the most famous figures in American history and folklore. Often confused, these two legends are separated by a half-century and different eras of American history. Each is identified with his time. Boone is the exemplar of the independent patriot, the early American in the Jeffersonian model. Crockett is the common man often associated with Jacksonian America. Together, their legacy exemplifies the rugged spirit of American individualism and the American frontier. 10/7, 10/8
|
|
Lindbergh Flies Again (2 Parts)
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh became an international hero by flying solo over the Atlantic Ocean. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Lindbergh's flight from New York to Paris, his grandson, Erik Lindbergh, has decided to retrace his grandfather 's path and to recreate the historic flight. This special program looks back on Charles Lindbergh 's celebrated flight and follows the preparations for Erik Lindbergh 's 2002 flight to commemorate his grandfather 's achievement.11/11, 11/12
|
|
MP's: Warriors Behind the Badge (2 Parts)
This program takes examines one of the most difficult and demanding military positions. Follow actual MPs from training to posting and see how the duties of the military's law enforcement branch have evolved over time.11/27, 11/28
|
|
Moments of Truth with Stephen Ambrose (2 Parts)
Any battle in history is made up of innumerable acts of bravery. Officers and privates, mothers and fathers, nurses and war correspondents tell their harrowing stories of combat and comradery. This dramatic documentary presents a uniquely intimate perspective on World War II. 11/6, 11/7
|
|
More American Eats (2 Parts)
Dig into the stories of the great inventors, innovators, dreamers, and wizards who made eating into an industry and transformed the American table. Clarence Birdseye really did invent modern frozen food; John Harvey Kellogg reinvented breakfast; Milton Hershey turned an elite sweet into a treat for the common man; and yes, there really was a Chef Boyardee! We also explore the roots of barbecue, Jell-O, and Spam-they're all on the delicious and eclectic menu of American eating. 8/7, 8/8
|
|
Raise the Alabama (2 Parts)
Trace the extraordinary history of the Civil War commerce raider known as the CSS Alabama. It was built in England for the Confederacy and traveled around the world during the war attacking enemy ships. 10/17, 10/18
|
Tora, Tora, Tora: The Real Story of Pearl Harbor (2 Parts)
December 7, 1941, was a turning point in history. The fateful attack was one of the most daring air maneuvers of all time. At 7:53 a.m., a Japanese commander radioed to his pilots, "Tora, tora, tora." Without warning, a swarm of Japanese fighter planes bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, paralyzing the U.S. Pacific Naval Forces. The shock and anger over the surprise attack rallied together the previously divided U.S. nation as it then entered World War II. 10/22
|
Trains Unlimited: Toy Trains
Model trains first appeared in the mid-1800s; steam powered trains fueled by alcohol and water. But Joshua Lionel Cowen changed childhood forever when he made his first electric model train at the onset of the twentieth century. Track the evolution of model railroads from cast iron push-toys to today's digital masterpieces. 12/11
|
|
Back to top
U
|
Unsung Heroes of Pearl Harbor
The disaster at Pearl Harbor was such a national humiliation that its chroniclers didn't care to remind the home front of the dead and ravaged. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was so overwhelming in its surprise and force that the few who could fight back were doomed. Visit the actual locations where these unsung heroes fought and died, with blow-by-blow details of the tragedy. This program pays a debt long outstanding to those U.S. heroes. 10/23
|
|
|
Back to top
W
|
Wealth and Power (4 Parts)
This series takes an extraordinary look at our fascination with wealth and its changing face through the ages. Be it gold or greenbacks, the drive to accumulate riches is one of the most powerful urges known to humankind. And after thousands of years of human history, we remain captivated by wealth and power.
|
|
Tyrants and Plunderers
For most of history, the surest way to obtain riches was through conquest, and figures like Genghis Khan and Suleyman the Magnificent built globe-spanning empires. 8/19
|
Building a Modern World
Captains of industry or robber barons? No matter how you regard them, the masters of the industrial age remade the world and changed the rules of wealth. 8/20
|
Innovators
From Henry Ford to Bill Gates, profile four of the most influential businessmen of the 20th century. Also included is an exclusive interview with media mogul Ted Turner. 8/21
|
Celebrity
The currency of fame has changed greatly in the days since artists like Mary Pickford wrested control of their careers away from the studios, enabling people like Steven Spielberg to create empires of influence-and extraordinary wealth. 8/22
|
|
Back to top
|
|
