History / Video
Footage of the Prosperous Greenwood District and the Tulsa Massacre
As we come up to the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a recently unearthed clip shows life in the Greenwood district of Tulsa and its neighboring communities, filmed between …
Conversations in Context: How Asian American Students Launched Equality Leadership
Faced with historic injustices that often spilled into violence, Asian American students at U.C. Berkeley–buoyed by the support of other student groups–went on strike in May 1968, demanding more diverse …
Smithsonian Channel’s new “Tomb Hunters” series, which follows discoveries made at the Saqqara site, premieres Monday, June 21.
Roman Emperor Vespasian Built the Colosseum to Boost Morale
From his years as a general, Emperor Vespasian knew the morale-boosting effects that a colosseum could have on common people. So he set about building one—a task that would take …
This Ancient Greek Town Suffered the Same Fate as Pompeii
The eruption of Santorini in 1615 B.C. covered the town of Akrotiri with meters of volcanic debris. Today, archaeologists are in the process of excavating it–and marveling at its remarkably …
How Would Odysseus’ Bow Fare Versus a State-of-the-Art Modern One?
The legendary archery of Odysseus inspires a modern-day challenge: Can a horn-and-sinew bow built to ancient Greek standards outperform a state-of-the-art bow with a scope lens?
Constantine’s Death Threatened to Split the Roman Empire
Constantine’s death would drive a crack through the Roman Empire, splitting it into West and East. Over the next several hundred years, parts of it would even fall to foreign …
Sneak Peek: Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters
Our Native Daughters is a group of four renowned black musicians determined to tell their own history through folk music. The result is a musical work that exudes power and …
Elevating the Forgotten Histories of Black Women Through Folk Music
The power behind the music of Our Native Daughters comes from giving voice to the struggles of those who came before—and few have struggled to be heard as much as …
The Sunken Titanic Led to Iceberg Patrols in the Atlantic
The sinking of the Titanic and the ensuing loss of life was horrific enough to prompt major action. In 1914, 16 nations formed an international patrol to scour the oceans …
What It Was Like to Be Gay During WWII
In the early 20th century, the medical establishment became fixated with the idea that LGBTQ people could be “cured.” To achieve this, they turned to a litany of brutal practices, …
Inveraray Castle: An Ancient Archive Treasure Trove
Inveraray Castle is home to one of the most important private collections of historical archives in all of Britain—a collection of records, documents and diaries, dating back to the 13th …
Britain’s Amazing Roman Structures That You Can Visit
Northumberland is one of Britain’s most historic regions, an archaeological treasure trove of impressive buildings that date back to the Roman conquest: From Hadrian’s Wall to the Vindolanda Fort.
L.A. Welcomes a Camera Maker Fleeing Nazis
In 1938, a German-Jewish businessman, Benno Thorsch, traded his camera factory in Dresden for a new life in Detroit and, later, Los Angeles. With the rise of the Third Reich, …
Scotland’s Most Mysterious Stone Age Settlements
The Orkneys, an archipelago of islands off the northern coast of Scotland, are home to some of the greatest neolithic treasures in western Europe: from the settlement of Skara Brae …
Was a Jamestown Governor the Father of U.S. Democracy?
In 1619, George Yeardley, the newly appointed governor of Jamestown, made history: He convened 22 elected members of a burgeoning commonwealth, creating the first democratic assembly in America.
Why Pyramids Were Effective Advertisements for Tomb Robbers
Pyramids were supposed to be royal burial sites, crammed with unimaginable treasures. And yet they were built to be as conspicuous as possible, attracting the attention of grave robbers.
This Dangerous Trick Wowed Houdini’s Fans
The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. So much so that many people wrongly assume it killed him–a myth invented by the 1953 movie about his …
Stratford-upon-Avon Is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers
To soar over Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is to be transported back in time to the age of William Shakespeare, a man born in humble circumstances who would go on to …
Thomas Cromwell: Henry VIII’s Partner in Crime
In 1536, Thomas Cromwell spotted an opportunity to enrich his master, Henry VIII, and further increase his own standing: the dissolution of the monasteries and claiming their wealth for the …
How the Titanic Sinking Became Fake News
Hours after the Titanic sank, news organizations latched onto a telegraph message that seemed to say that the ship and all its passengers had been rescued. It would turn out …
An incredible trove of archaeological artifacts has been unearthed once again at Saqqara—including 100 coffins, and incredibly rare statues dating back 4,500 years.
This Japanese Fighter Plane Led the Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was spearheaded by one of the most dominant fighter planes in the Pacific: the ultra-light, extremely maneuverable Mitsubishi A6M “Zero.”
How Neil Armstrong Saved the Gemini 8 Spacecraft
Gemini 8 was in trouble. After completing the first space docking with another craft, it begins to spin uncontrollably. Ditching protocol, commanding officer Neil Armstrong tries an unorthodox plan.
This 5,000-Year-Old Tomb Is Spectacularly Preserved
Despite the fact that it’s over 5,000 years old, Maeshowe, Orkney’s answer to Stonehenge, is in amazing shape. But why did Neolithic Britons go to such great lengths to build …
These Mesmerizing Carvings Tell a Mysterious Tribe’s Story
Clues into the disappearance of the ancient Picts lie in the tiny Scottish village of Aberlemno: 1,700-year-old Pictish stones, marked with some very unusual carvings.
How Lizzie Borden Became the Main Suspect in Her Family’s Murder
How did a god fearing church-goer like Lizzie Borden become a suspect in the gruesome crime of the century? Her inconsistent account, and an eerie nonchalance, immediately damaged her credibility …
The Architect of Notre Dame’s Astounding Football Success
Under exuberant coach, Knute Rockne, Notre Dame set the standards for football excellence. But off the field, the Fighting Irish was a PR sensation, capturing the hearts of a riveted …
Thomas Edison’s Stunning Footage of the Klondike Gold Rush
In 1896, Thomas Edison set off to a remote Canadian district near the Alaska border, with cameras in tow. He succeeded in capturing fascinating images of the prospectors brought in …
Fannie Lou Hamer Risked Her Life for the Right to Vote
Fannie Lou Hamer, a voting rights activist, suffered unspeakable violence and intimidation at the hands of white supremacists and police. Her response: to elevate her cause by launching a long-shot …
This Church Has an Eerie Visual Record of the Black Death
The Black Death of 1348 was a devastating event, wiping out half the population of Britain. And in churches like this one, drawings on the wall provide a haunting visual …
Conversations in Context: Media
What role does the media play in the fight for freedom and equality? And what role should it play? Join MTV News host Dometi Pongo and Secretary of the Smithsonian …
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