Smithsonian Channel
Why Christianity Owes a Lot to the Roman Emperor Constantine
- Title
- Why Christianity Owes a Lot to the Roman Emperor Constantine
- Runtime
- 3:14
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Constantine's legacy was seismic: by the time of his death, an estimated 40% of the population were Christians. Less than 50 years later, Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: The Rebirth of Rome http://bit.ly/2Ggk4vs
- Title
- Don't Let Yellowstone's Beauty Fool You into Thinking it's Safe
- Runtime
- 4:14
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- While Yellowstone has a reputation for beauty and leisure, it can also be a dangerous place. One man, Truman Everts, discovered this firsthand in 1870 when he became lost there for 37 days.
From the Series: Aerial America: Yellowstone
- Title
- Japanese General Chooses Seppuku Over Surrender
- Runtime
- 3:04
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- On Okinawa during WWII, Japanese troops are running out of soldiers, ammunition, and land to defend. But their commander, General Ushijima is determined to continue the fight - and willing to die doing it.
From the Series: Pacific War in Color: No Surrender http://bit.ly/2O5QvN7
- Title
- Does Castell Dinas Bran Have an Arthurian Castle Resting Beneath?
- Runtime
- 3:07
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A team of archaeologists are trying to discover what lies beneath the medieval fortress of Castell Dinas Bran in North Wales. But instead of digging, they'll be relying on advanced technology.
From the Series: Sacred Sites: King Arthur http://bit.ly/2vu2f5q
- Title
- One of the Most Grueling Yacht Races in the World
- Runtime
- 4:02
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The Route du Rhum is a transatlantic race that's held every four years, between Saint-Malo in France and Pointe-a-Pitre, in Guadeloupe. Erik Nigon is participating for the very first time.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Ocean Odyssey http://bit.ly/2BA4dnw
- Title
- The Surprisingly Violent Mating Ritual of the Common Toad (4K)
- Runtime
- 1:23
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Dozens of male common toads jockey for position, as they try to mate with the single female - and they can be pretty rough about it. It's the most unrefined of rituals, a stark contrast to the very regal surroundings of Neuschwanstein.
From the Series: Wild Castles: Neuschwanstein http://bit.ly/2SRqKXb
- Title
- The Magical Mating Ritual of the Mandarin Fish (4K)
- Runtime
- 1:28
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Mandarin fish couples have an elaborate courtship ritual that involves them dancing closely to one another. It's almost cheek to cheek, as they rise slowly through the water.
From the Series: Great Blue Wild: Life in the Muck http://bit.ly/2I7Nuh6
- Title
- These Ethiopian Geladas Produce a Very Human-like Sound (4K)
- Runtime
- 1:09
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The call of the Geladas is known as a wobble, and it's unlike anything else in the natural world. It's a complex hybrid of mouth movements and vocalization, reminiscent of human speech.
From the Series: Extreme Africa: Simien Mountains http://bit.ly/2USVEvm
- Title
- Why the Fountains of Heidleburg Castle Are So Important for Frogs (4K)
- Runtime
- 2:11
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Aside from being a national treasure and a major tourist attraction, Heidleburg Castle is also known for one more thing: it's home to one of the most important amphibian spawning grounds in the region.
From the Series: Wild Castles: Heidelberg http://bit.ly/2SRqKXb
- Title
- Fascinating Footage of Naked Mole Rat Surviving Without Oxygen
- Runtime
- 3:28
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Naked mole rats are able to live on low oxygen and can even survive without it - conditions that would kill most mammals. The big question is how have they evolved to do that?
From the Show: Naked Mole Rats http://bit.ly/2TAKNG9
- Title
- This Act of Betrayal Turned Constantine Against His Own Family
- Runtime
- 3:52
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Constantine was the sole ruler of the Roman Empire and possibly the most powerful man in the world. But a horrific accusation leveled by his wife, Fausta, would turn his world upside down.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: The Rebirth of Rome http://bit.ly/2Ggk4vs
- Title
- 3D Virtual Camera Reveals Where Salem's Witches Were Hanged
- Runtime
- 4:04
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Where were the Salem witches executed? For years, people believed it was at the top of a hill known as Gallows Hill. But a team of historians think it's somewhere else - and they're turning to science to prove it.
From the Series: America's Hidden Stories: Salem's Secrets
- Title
- The Road to Curing Cancer is Leading Us to Naked Mole Rats
- Runtime
- 3:35
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans. Naked mole rats on the other hand almost never get cancer, and when they do, they almost always survive. But how?
From the Show: Naked Mole Rats http://bit.ly/2TAKNG9
- Title
- How a Slave Girl's Confession Sparked a Witch Hunt in Salem
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- In 1692, an Indian slave in Massachusetts admitted to being an agent of Satan, and to casting spells on her master's family. This admission would kick off the horrific events known as the Salem witch trials.
From the Series: America's Hidden Stories: Salem's Secrets
- Title
- The Story Behind the Colosseum's Greatest Battle
- Runtime
- 4:06
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- We owe the Roman poet Martial a debt of gratitude for recording so vividly the gladiatorial battle that took place on the opening day of the Colosseum. It was a battle for the ages - with an unexpected outcome.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: The Colosseum's Grand Opening http://bit.ly/2sUNBlI
- Title
- How Jabiru Couples Maintain the Magic in their Relationship (4K)
- Runtime
- 1:52
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Jabirus aren't just devoted parents; they also take active steps to keep the spark in their relationship alive.
From the Series: Secrets of Wild Australia: The Waterhole http://bit.ly/2t9Wl7C
- Title
- Fascinating Footage of a Reef Squid Protecting His Mate (4K)
- Runtime
- 2:05
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- It's hard enough attracting a suitable mate. But if you're a reef squid, that's not the end of the battle - there's also the small matter of keeping rival males at bay.
From the Series: Arabian Seas: Magicians of the Reef http://bit.ly/2Gn1Tn8
- Title
- How Sarus Crane Couples Reinforce Their Bonds with Dance (4K)
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Once paired, Sarus cranes form long-lasting monogamous relationships. They even have a renewal of vows, in the form of an annual courtship dance ritual that begs to be seen.
From the Series: Mysteries of the Mekong: Thailand: Coming of Age http://bit.ly/2HShJZn
- Title
- These Dancing Flamingos Know How to Draw Attention (4K)
- Runtime
- 1:25
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Flamingos aren't called flamboyant for nothing. When these elegant avians are ready to mate, they engage in a coordinated series of movements that is simply mesmerizing to behold.
From the Series: Animal Empires: Family http://bit.ly/2Gnxfdu
- Title
- Hauling a Steam Locomotive Up a Mountain Road
- Runtime
- 3:56
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A heavy-haul specialist is preparing a giant rotary snowplow locomotive for transport to Oregon's 'Train Mountain'. But first: the tricky task of lifting the entire locomotive onto four specialized dollies.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Mammoth Machines http://bit.ly/2CRLBiU
- Title
- The Smart Way Warthogs Keep Insects at Bay
- Runtime
- 4:01
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Warthogs love a good roll in the mud - known as 'wallowing' - which keeps them cool. But to protect themselves from insects, warthogs turn to another creature to help out: the mongoose.
#wildlife #mongoose
From the Show: Amazing Pigs http://bit.ly/2SdAkTM
- Title
- Why Romans Enjoyed Cruelty in the Colosseum
- Runtime
- 3:07
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- There was no doubt that the Roman Colosseum was a grand spectacle that drew crowds in the thousands. But it was also a horrifying splurge of violence - even by the standards of the day.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: The Colosseum's Grand Opening https://bit.ly/2sZG1Xm
- Title
- Why the Battle of Okinawa Caused Severe Combat Fatigue
- Runtime
- 2:28
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- As the deadly Battle in Okinawa rages on, a growing number of U.S. troops begin to go down with what the military calls 'non-battle injuries' and what troops termed the 'Thousand Yard Stare.'
From the Series: The Pacific War in Color: No Surrender http://bit.ly/2O5QvN7
- Title
- How the 'Green Book' Helped Black Motorists Travel Safely
- Runtime
- 2:41
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- In 1936, a Harlem postal worker named Victor Green published a book that would go on to become a vital companion for African-American motorists: the "Green Book."
From the Show: The Green Book http://bit.ly/2MIuTHn
- Title
- The Downfall of Nero's Scandalous Reign
- Runtime
- 4:05
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- In 68 AD, Galba, the governor of Spain rose up in revolt against the reign of Nero, and commanded his vast armies to march on Rome. Nero pinned his last hopes on an elite force of warriors: The Praetorian Guard.
From the Series: Eight Days That Changed Rome: The Downfall of Nero http://bit.ly/2WegKWD
- Title
- How to Pack a Vintage Aircraft onto a Big Cargo Plane
- Runtime
- 4:03
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- To ship a vintage Fairey Gannet aircraft from Canada to the U.S., a specialist team is attempting to load it onto a bigger plane. One problem: even with wings folded, the vintage plane is too big for the cargo plane's hold.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Mammoth Machines http://bit.ly/2CRLBiU
- Title
- These Swimming Pigs Live a Cushy Lifestyle in the Bahamas
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Bahama feral pigs were once domestic pigs let loose by local farms. Through cunning and resourcefulness, they've continued to thrive in the wild - and fuel Bahaman tourism along the way.
From the Show: Amazing Pigs http://bit.ly/2SdAkTM
- Title
- How Nero's Acting Ambitions Turned Romans Against Him
- Runtime
- 3:06
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- As emperor, Nero generated scandals on a prolific scale. But the final straw for the Roman senate was when he announced his intention to perform on stage - unheard of for members of the aristocracy.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: The Downfall of Nero http://bit.ly/2WegKWD
- Title
- As the American Buffalo Declined, Its Symbolism Rose
- Runtime
- 1:18
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Over the years, the American buffalo, or bison, has been a symbol of the American frontier. As their numbers shrank, they began appearing on everything from the nickel to stamps to the $10 bill.
From the Show: The Last Buffalo http://bitly.com/2hkW91s
- Title
- A Mission to Rescue a Vintage Train Runs Into Serious Problems
- Runtime
- 4:05
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A vintage steam locomotive, driven by a group of enthusiasts, suffers a problem that could end up derailing the train. If they're to avoid disaster, they'll need to fix the problem - and fast.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Titanic Trains https://bit.ly/2DJ5Hh3
- Title
- How Octavian Successfully Rebranded Himself
- Runtime
- 3:30
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- When Octavian emerged as the sole ruler of Rome, he immediately began a sophisticated PR campaign to clean up his image. He ditched the military regalia and presented himself as a man of peace.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: Rome's First Emperor http://bit.ly/2TOSfNy
- Title
- Two Gelada Brothers Viciously Fight for Breeding Rights
- Runtime
- 3:05
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- In a battle for herd supremacy, a brutal battle is about to break out. The current king gelada is experienced and battle-hardened, but his brother is younger and hungrier - who will come out on top?
From the Show: Incredible Animal Moments http://bit.ly/2HoH64O
- Title
- Transporting Rare Steam Trains from Turkey to England
- Runtime
- 3:52
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A band of British steam train enthusiasts have located a couple of rare locomotives in a remote part of Turkey. Before they can start restoring them, they need to find a way to transport them to England.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Titanic Trains https://bit.ly/2DJ5Hh3
- Title
- Did Ice-Filled Waters Lead to the Sinking of the Alaska Ranger?
- Runtime
- 1:34
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Investigators use photographic evidence to piece together clues about why the Alaska Ranger sank on March 23, 2008. One culprit: thick ice sheets on the water that may have worn down the vessel.
From the Series: Disasters at Sea: Shipwrecked in Alaska https://bit.ly/2RYdAHa
- Title
- How Octavian Succeeded in Discrediting Mark Antony
- Runtime
- 3:19
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Standing in the Roman senate, Octavian read out the shocking details of Mark Antony's will. It was a devastating revelation that immediately gave the young schemer a major advantage over his soon-to-be disgraced rival.
From the Series: Eight Days That Made Rome: Rome's First Emperor http://bit.ly/2TOSfNy
- Title
- Capturing This Mountain Was Key During the Battle of Iwo Jima
- Runtime
- 3:38
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The invasion of Iwo Jima was a challenge of mountainous proportions - in the shape of Mount Suribachi. It was a strategic stronghold that the Japanese were desperate to defend.
From the Series: Pacific War in Color: Fire From the Sky http://bit.ly/2uUgobA
- Title
- How Japanese Troops Became Invisible on this Pacific Island
- Runtime
- 3:07
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- On Peleliu during WWII, the Japanese took advantage of an old network of mining tunnels to hide from U.S. forces. It enabled them to effectively become invisible - and to fight the battle on their terms.
From the Series: Pacific War in Color: Fire From the Sky http://bit.ly/2uUgobA
- Title
- Data Reveals When Birds Are Most Likely to Hit a Plane
- Runtime
- 3:17
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Since 1990, the National Wildlife Strike Database has reported more than 200,000 bird strikes on commercial planes. This data tells us when planes are most vulnerable to these types of collisions.
From the Show: Bird vs. Plane: Miracle on the Hudson http://bit.ly/2TFxQuC
- Title
- A Shipwreck Survivor Battles Exhaustion and Icy Waves
- Runtime
- 3:44
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A survivor from the Alaska Ranger, which went down on March 23, 2008, is floating in the freezing waters. His only hope is to be spotted by a rescue helicopter - before he succumbs to hypothermia.
From the Series: Disasters at Sea: Shipwrecked in Alaska https://bit.ly/2RYdAHa
- Title
- The Challenges of Unpacking a WWII Spitfire
- Runtime
- 4:06
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The Spitfire transport team is relieved their disassembled plane has made it safely across the Atlantic. But now comes the tricky part: getting the plane parts out, as carefully as possible.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Spectacular Spitfire http://bit.ly/2QTfnIT
- Title
- Why U.S. Victory in Tinian Didn't Mean the End of Violence
- Runtime
- 2:16
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The campaign for Tinian takes nine days of heavy fighting - but victory doesn't bring an end to violence. The next stage is the slow methodical flushing out of enemy soldiers from their hiding places.
From the Series: The Pacific War in Color: Striking Distance http://bit.ly/2NLTs65
- Title
- The Heavy Cost of Invading a Pacific Island During WWII
- Runtime
- 3:17
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- It's 1943 and the U.S. Battle of Tarawa is underway. But a mistake in calculating the tides lead to U.S. ships being stuck in shallow water - and the marines aboard become sitting ducks.
From the Series: The Pacific War in Color: Island Hopping http://bit.ly/2MSVdgF
- Title
- U.S. Ships Pound a Japanese Bunker with Explosives During WWII
- Runtime
- 3:59
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Surviving Japanese troops are holed up in a fortified position on the southern cliffs of Tinian. Aware of the dangers they pose, U.S. navy ships pound them with 615 tons of explosives.
From the Series: The Pacific War in Color: Striking Distance http://bit.ly/2NLTs65
- Title
- A Surprisingly Tense Battle Between a U.S. Sub and a Fishing Boat
- Runtime
- 4:18
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A fishing trawler may seem like an easy target for a powerful U.S. submarine - but these were the early days of the Pacific War, and even Japanese civilian boats were armed to the teeth.
From the Series: Hell Below: In Enemy Waters http://bit.ly/2uiYkHM
- Title
- A Routine Plane Takeoff Quickly Turns into a Disaster
- Runtime
- 3:44
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- It was a routine takeoff for Emery Worldwide Flight 17, a domestic cargo plane making its way to Ohio, on February 16, 2000. Seconds later, that illusion was shattered as the plane began to violently tilt and rotate.
Watch the Full Episode with your FREE trial for Smithsonian Channel Plus by signing up today at https://watch.smithsonianchannel.com/
From the Series: Air Disasters: Nuts and Bolts https://bit.ly/2Mj5SlL
- Title
- This Famous Pacific Battle is Captured in Stunning Detail
- Runtime
- 3:28
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Relive the aerial dogfights and naval clashes of the Battle of the Philippines Sea, thanks to stunning color footage. It is a visual record of the battle that underlined U.S. superiority in the Pacific.
From the Series: The Pacific War in Color: The Enemy Underground http://bit.ly/2lTL1cq
- Title
- Rare Footage of Bird Crashing Into Flight Instructor's Cockpit
- Runtime
- 3:23
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- An Air Force flight instructor and his student are flying at 400 miles per hour just above Randolph Air Force Base when they're struck by a bird. A frantic struggle ensues as they try to regain control.
From the Show: Bird Vs Plane: Miracle on the Hudson http://bit.ly/2TFxQuC
- Title
- Packing a Vintage WWII Plane is an Impossibly Delicate Task
- Runtime
- 4:07
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- How do you take a vintage WWII fighter plane, and pack it into a cargo container for a Trans-Atlantic journey? The answer is very carefully - the slightest damage to its outer body could be catastrophic.
From the Series: Humongous Moves: Spectacular Spitfire http://bit.ly/2QTfnIT
- Title
- The Deadly Surprise That Awaited U.S. Troops on Saipan
- Runtime
- 3:38
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- As U.S. troops stormed Saipan in 1944, it soon became clear that the enemy was well prepared to inflict a mortal blow.
From The Pacific War in Color: The Enemy Underground http://bit.ly/2lTL1cq
- Title
- Why the U.S. Army Strictly Protected Nurses in the Pacific
- Runtime
- 2:27
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- After the fall of Kwajalein, U.S. nurses were brought onto the island with the rest of the troops; but they were guarded around the clock out of concern they'll end up as Japanese POWs.
From the Series: The Pacific War in Color: Island Hopping http://bit.ly/2MSVdgF
