History Hit

Never before seen footage from the battle for Germany. Told through never-before-seen accounts and rare archive footage, the film reveals how the Nazi regime clung to power, sacrificing countless lives in a futile bid to delay the inevitable collapse. It is January 1945 in Germany. The war is lost, but the killing continues. The once mighty Wehrmacht has been driven back on all fronts. In the west, Allied troops are poised to surge into the German heartland. To the east, the Red Army continues its bloody march towards Berlin. The German war machine is on the brink of total collapse. In the capital, as Goebbels prepares the German people for a final, desperate last stand, Hitler descends deeper into a world of fantasy. In five months, both will be dead, along with countless others, and Berlin will be reduced to rubble. The Nazi regime is no more. This is the story of that downfall. See and hear letters and diaries of the men and women who were present; it's through their words that we will experience the final bloody act

Ancient Historian Honor Cargill-Martin gets a closer look at ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the world's oldest dress, socks, games, portraits, and ancient 'sticky notes´. Join us as we see how incredibly detailed and well-preserved these 5000-year-old finds are. The Items Find more of Honor Cargill-Martin's content here: the original video platform: @AncientHistoryGirl ( / @ancienthistorygirl ) You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

In 1940, Wing Commander Joseph Watts was killed when his RAF Hampden Bomber crashed, as it returned from a bombing raid in Occupied Europe. He left behind a daughter, and also an unborn son. John Watts, born 8 months later, would never meet his father. But recently he discovered that at the RAF Museum at Cosford, they have one of the very few surviving Hampdens. And this one is from the very squadron his father flew in. In this poignant documentary, John sees the plane for the very first time.

Military Historian, Dan Snow MBE reviews all the movies and tv shows that make up the timeline of the Second World War. From the 1938 Munich Conference all the way up until the development of the Atomic Bomb in 1945, Dan will guide you through the historical accuracies and inaccuracies of the scenes that depict the key moments in the bloodiest war in human history. This is one of the most ambitious projects we have ever undertaken - give it some love and share it with your family and friends!

Rats? Children? The Mongols? The Black Death swept across the world with terrifying speed, but who (or what) was really to blame? Louise Quick, with the help of the public and medieval historians Dr Eleanor Janega and Helen Carr, is on a mission to uncover the true culprit behind one of the deadliest pandemics in human history: the Black Death.

Watch historian Dr. Joanne Paul react to cinematic depictions of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Dr. Paul examines famous portrayals from shows like 'The Spanish Princess', 'The Other Boleyn Girl', 'Wolf Hall', and 'The Tudors', as well as the recent film 'Firebrand'. She analyses the historical accuracy of key scenes, from Henry's first meeting with Catherine of Aragon to the downfall of Anne Boleyn and the controversial marriage to Katherine Howard. Throughout the video, Dr. Paul critiques the casting choices of actors like Damian Lewis, Jude Law, and Natalie Portman, discussing how they capture the complex and often terrifying personality of the Tudor king. She delves into the realities behind the dramatic events, including the annulment from Catherine of Aragon, the secret marriage to Anne Boleyn, the birth of his long-awaited son with Jane Seymour, the disastrous union with Anne of Cleves, and the tragic fate of Katherine Howard, culminating in a look at his final years with Katherine Parr.

What happened to Hitler's body? When did he die? What really happened in the last 48 hours of his life? In this extraordinary episode of 'As It Happened', historian Emma Craigie and Dan Snow discuss the final moments of the Fuhrer's life in the bunker beneath the Reich Chancellery in Berlin. Emma Craigie is the author of four books including the critically acclaimed novel 'Chocolate Cake with Hitler', and co-author of the Sunday Times best-seller 'Hitler's Last Day: Minute by Minute'

Ever wondered what life was REALLY like for pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy in the late 17th and early 18th century? Historian Luke Tomes is on a mission to find out, boarding a 17th Century replica Spanish Galleon to learn more about the world of trade in which piracy was born and what conditions were like for sailors at the time. Luke then is given behind-the-scenes access to the National Maritime Museum's new exhibition on Piracy, seeing some of the most priceless artefacts relating to the Golden Age, including one of the first editions of 'A General History of Pyrates', published in 1724 and written by Captain Charles Johnson. In it we see some of the first depictions of the most notorious pirates in history, like Blackbeard, Bartholomew Roberts, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Finally, Luke travels to AC Sporting Targets in North London, where he meets up with John Hargreaves to test some of the weapons that would have been used by and against pirates during a raid at sea.

The pass of Thermopylae, 480 BC. 7,000 Spartans and Greeks stood against hundreds of thousands of Persians. They were all killed but became legends; symbols of defiance, bravery and sacrifice. Greek warfare expert Roel Konijnendijk talks through the battle of Thermopylae and separates the facts from fiction. Who was Leonidas? Were there only 300 Spartans? Were they betrayed? Let's find out in this new video.

History Hit’s Tristan Hughes visits the Channel coast in Kent to learn about two key gateways into Roman Britain. First, he visits Dover Castle with Dr Simon Elliott to see the striking remains of the Pharos, one of the best preserved Roman lighthouses in the world. He then visits an exciting excavation 15 miles west at Lympne, where Simon, fellow archaeologist Dr Richard Taylor and their team believe they’ve located another key port that linked Roman Britain to the continent. This video shines light on the importance of the English Channel to the Romans. It was the vital waterway that connected Britannia with the rest of the Empire. Serviced by ports, forts and lighthouses, vital to the success of Roman Britain

Ever wanted to explore ancient Alexandria? Join historian Tristan Hughes in this new video as he explores the Hellenistic capital in the 1st Century BC thanks to Assassin’s Creed Origins. From the Tomb of Alexander to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, how accurate is it? We’ll soon find out! About Assassin's Creed - Echoes of History

In this new film, Medieval Historian Dr Elenor Janega guides us through the wild imagery of medieval apocalyptic art to help give insight into: Why were people in the Middle Ages so obsessed with doom? And what are the meanings and symbolisms hidden in John of Patmos' 'Book of Revelation'?

In this new exclusive film, History Hit's Tristan Hughes gets special access to the Melsonby hoard, quite possibly the largest Iron Age Hoard ever discovered in Britain. Consisting of over 900 artefacts including chariot and wagon parts, elaborate horse harnesses, spears, and cauldrons. Dating back approximately 2,000 years, the hoard offers unique insights into Iron Age society, technology, and trade. With special thanks to: Durham University, The British Museum, Historic England, The Yorkshire Museum, and µ-VIS X-ray Imaging Centre, University of Southampton.

For years Leicester’s amphitheatre was thought to be a myth. But today new archaeological discoveries are helping provide evidence for the existence of this ancient structure... In this new video Historian Simon Elliott has come to the Jewry Wall Museum in the heart of the city to join the investigation. Thanks again to Jim and the team at the Jewry Wall Museum for giving us access to these incredible artifacts. Do you believe they help prove the existence of an Amphitheatre here in Leicester or do you need to see more evidence? Let us know in the comments below!

WW2 Historian Answers Google's Most Popular Questions examines the specific people, events and evidence presented in this documentary. undefined

Dan Snow travels from Massachusetts to London to reveal the global story of the Boston Tea Party. On December 16th 1773, an event happened that shocked an Empire and fired the starting pistol for the American Revolution. At the time it was known simply as the Destruction of the Tea, an act that shook the world from Bengal to Britain to Boston. In this specially made film to mark the anniversary, History Hit's Dan Snow travels from Massachusetts to London to explore this global story. What was really happening in the taverns and meeting houses of Boston, the corridors of power in Westminster and the tea trading offices of India? Dan investigates the micro and macro aspects of the story, talking with leading experts about the minutiae of this deliberate act of disobedience and the bigger picture of politics, trade and a web of financial interests that spread right across the globe. Find out how the rumblings of malcontents in Massachusetts, coupled with a multinational's financial failings and the British government's colonial mismanagement combined to change history.

Luke Tomes travels to the world's first racing track at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge to find out what it took to be a grand prix racing driver over the last century. Donning a traditional racing suit, hat and goggles, Luke drives a Bugatti Baby, based on the 1926 Type 37 Bugatti race car, down the Brooklands finishing straight, the same track used in the first ever British Grand Prix. Luke is also driven in a replica of the Lagonda driven at the 1935 Le Mans 24-hour race by Dr Dudley Benjafield, before taking on the Lewis Hamilton McLaren simulator to see if he can cut it as a Formula 1 driver in the 21st century. 2026 marks the centenary of the first British Grand Prix which took place at Brooklands in 1926, and the museum will be having lots of celebrations throughout the year – keep an eye out for upcoming announcements on the Brooklands Museum website soon!

Alice Loxton delves into the hidden secrets behind some of Britain's most iconic historic locations.

In this special podcast episode Historian Dan Snow and Journalist Maziar Bahari explain the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran as Israel launched missile strikes on the 13th of June 2025, striking several top officials dead as well as head nuclear scientists. Image of Maziar Bahari by: Tore Sætre / Wikimedia

Classicist and historian Honor Cargill-Martin reacts to new AI-generated images depicting ancient Roman life, including bathhouses, chariot racing and the iconic Colosseum. Should she be worried? Should we all be worried? Honor's socials: 🎥 the original video platform Channel : @AncientHistoryGirl

Historians Roel Konijnendijk and Tristan Hughes go head to head as they rank different aspects of ancient greek and roman armies.

Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney investigate the case of Scotland’s most notorious serial killers, Burke and Hare. Join Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney on the dark streets of Edinburgh as they investigate the infamous nineteenth century case of Burke and Hare: Scotland’s most notorious serial killers. William Burke and William Hare murdered for money, killing in cold blood at least 16 times, so that they could sell the bodies of their victims to the anatomist table. Anthony follows the story of their horrific crimes right up to Edinburgh’s high society, to the medical establishment so bent on scientific progress it fuelled a clandestine trade in bodies. Maddy examines the evidence we have about the victims' lives, the poor and itinerant people who made their livings in Edinburgh’s crowded Old Town. Those unlucky people who tragically crossed Burke and Hare’s murderous path were targeted because of their isolation… but there was always more to their stories… The murders could only go on for so long… and Burke and Hare’s downfall, trial and the public execution of Burke caused a media storm.

Dan Snow explores Biblical lands, discovering the places where religion and history intersect on the east bank of the River Jordan. It is a region full of evidence of the connections early Christians made here with places and events in the Bible, from Moses to the baptism of Jesus. The journey begins overlooking the Jordan Valley on Mount Nebo, the site of the death of Moses and a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Near Mount Nebo, at Madaba, Dan discovers one of the most extraordinary maps of the ancient world, created by the Christian community here in the 5th century AD. It is a spectacular layout of the Holy Land and the world as these early Christians saw it, from Egypt to Lebanon, including a detailed representation of Jerusalem with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at its heart. Travelling to the banks of the River Jordan itself, Dan then encounters archaeological discoveries revealing the veneration of this place’s association with Elijah and John the Baptist for centuries. This is believed to be Bethany Beyond the Jordan, a location where

14,700 years ago, in a cave in Somerset England, our ancestors were eating people. Research suggests that these Ice Age Britons weren't eating human flesh out of necessity but as part of a ritual. But how certain can we be? And could we really be looking at an ancient crime scene? Join Tristan Hughes host of The Ancients and the team at the Natural History Museum, London in this new film as they reveal the incredible story of the discovery of the Gough's Cave Cannibals. Now on display at the Natural History Museum in London, a team of experts including Dr Selina Brace and William Marsh are leading a project to help finally discover just who these people were and perhaps more chillingly, who they were eating. Huge thanks to the Natural History Museum London as well as the Longleat Estate, Cheddar Gorge & Caves for providing access to these unique artefacts.

Were Berserkers real? Did Vikings wear horned helmets? How far did they reach? Did they all have slaves? Dr Eleanor Barraclough answers all of the internet's most asked questions about the Vikings.

We travelled around Germany's capital with Berlin Expert Jonny Whitlam to explore the rise and fall of the Nazis through the sites of the city. Exclusive access has been given to Adolf Hitler’s abandoned airport, the Nazi stadium built for the 1936 Olympics and the very room where the Third Reich officially came to an end. There’ll be ruins, models and mega structures - all telling the story of Berlin's dark past… Jonny's Socials: 🎥 the original video platform Channel : @whitlamsberlintours 📸 Instagram : @whitlamsberlintours

Ancient Greek historian Roel Konijnendijk takes a deep dive into the historical accuracy of the sequel to Zack Snyder's movie franchise - '300: Rise of an Empire'.

Ever wondered how we went from flying small wooden machines, to supersonic jets taking off vertically in the space of less than 70 years? Luke Tomes travels to Brooklands Museum in Surrey, one of Britain’s first operating aerodromes and home to one of the oldest and largest aircraft factories, to find out just how this evolution was possible. Luke explores the pioneers that were able to break the boundaries of what was imaginable, the ingenious designs they developed and implemented and what role this site played in the remarkable era of aviation. As well as seeing some twentieth-century defining aircraft along the way, he'll be given a private tour of one of the most spectacular planes to have ever graced the skies, Concorde, with former Chief pilot of British Airways' Concorde Fleet, Mike Bannister, before getting in the cockpit myself to see if he can cut it as a commercial pilot. Make sure to come and check out Brooklands Museum the home of British motorsport and aviation. They host many events and activities throughout the year to celebrate Brooklands incredible

Dan Snow joins an archeological dig where Easy Company - the famous Band of Brothers - was based. From 1942 onwards, millions of American soldiers started arriving in Britain, a friendly invasion that was here to prepare for the liberation of Europe. Amongst them was Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment - that would become the famous Band of Brothers. Now, a team of volunteers, including archaeologists and military veterans, is digging under the beautiful village of Aldbourne in Wiltshire, where Easy company did their training. Dan Snow joins in the dig - searching for traces of these extraordinary individuals.

What are witches? Were witches evil? Did witches float or sink? Were witches left-handed? And perhaps most importantly, are witches real? Join Medieval Historian Eleanor Janega in this new video as she reveals the truth about witches, witchcraft and witch hunting.

He is a German Luftwaffe ace with 81 confirmed victories on the Eastern front. Now a 103-year-old veteran, his talent and courage remain legendary throughout the world. It is the most iconic British fighter ever built. The hum of its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the wonderful elliptical wing, and the speed of its throttle captured the minds and hearts of the British for decades. A groundbreaking development in warfare, it gave the British a decisive advantage when they came face to face with the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. Now, for the first and perhaps the only time, History Hit is bringing together these two iconic figures from opposing sides in the war. In a captivating historical moment, Luftwaffe Ace Hugo Broch will soar into the skies in a Spitfire.

In this new video, classicist Honor Cargill-Martin delves into the iconic Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Is it historically accurate or is it a very naughty film? **Edit: 24.57 Philo not Josephus** If you want to see more of Honor follow her socials below!

They were the Northmen who changed history. Starting as heathen Viking warriors who plundered and settled in Northern France and forged the new Duchy of Normandy, becoming the most ferocious conquerors that medieval Europe had ever seen, and giving England its most famous date: 1066. In this two part series, Dr Eleanor Janega sets off across Normandy to discover who this band of rugged warriors, settlers and rulers were.

The Ancients host Tristan Hughes and historian Roel Konijnendijk debate some wild theories about Ancient Greece, and Ancient Greek Warfare. In this episode of Agree to Disagree, the two historians discuss

In August 1941, the Allies launched Operation Dervish. This was the first of the Arctic Convoys, ships which sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America, and brought essential supplies to the Soviet Union. After the successful launch of Operation Barbarossa, the USSR was in desperate need of raw materials, fuel, military equipment and food. Realising the importance of keeping the Germans fighting on two fronts, Churchill offered a helping hand to Stalin. Though eager to cooperate, the task of shipping supplies to the Soviet ports of Murmansk and Archangel was not an easy task. Sailing up through the treacherous Northern Atlantic, the convoys were faced with some of the harshest seafaring conditions, including temperatures that reached -30 degrees Celsius, gale force 10 winds, towering seas, intense fog and drift ice. The sailors on deck also had to be wary of the continuous threat of icebergs. If this wasn’t enough of a challenge to the 78 convoys that made the journey to the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945, the merchant vessels also faced the serious possibility of U-Boat

Join Dan Snow in this new film as he gets special access to a selection of incredible artefacts recovered from the Titanic including a pocket watch, a letter written aboard the ill-fated liner and the never before seen water-stained tickets discovered on the body of third class passenger, Ernest Tomlin.

More than 1,500 people perished in the icy North Atlantic after the RMS Titanic sank beneath the waters on 15 April 1912. In this new video, Titanic expert Tim Maltin takes Dan through the details of that fateful night as it happened. Could the disaster could have been avoided? Let's find out.

Historian Dan Snow dives deep into the historical accuracy of Ridley Scott's blockbuster sequel 'Gladiator II'. Ridley famously told Dan to get a life when he questioned the historical accuracy of one of his films - will there continue to be no love lost between the two? In this video Dan unpicks what Gladiator II gets right and what it gets very, very wrong...

Ever wanted to explore the streets of Victorian London? Join history tour guide Louise Quick in this new video as she explores 1860s London thanks to Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. From Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square to the city’s infamous East End, how accurate is it? We’ll soon find out!

BREAKING: Does new archeological evidence help point to a lost Roman battle fought by the 9th Legion? Have we uncovered new evidence of a Roman Siege of an iron age hill fort? In this new exclusive documentary, Historian Tristan Hughes re-joins the hunt for the mysterious Ninth Legion. Joining forces with Historian and Archaeologist Simon Elliot, Tristan sets off on a road trip to three key Roman sites, a roman marching camp, iron age hill fort and site of a third previously undiscovered Roman camp high up in the Derbyshire Dales. Three sites that combined with incredible new artefacts could attest to a long lost ancient battle between Roman forces and Iron Age Briton's.

Who is Richard III? This notorious King of England reigned for only two years, but left quite a mark! Is he an unsung hero of the medieval world or a cruel manipulative child murderer? Join Matt Lewis in this new film to forensically dissect the evidence for and against this so-called villain. From childhood to his long lost Leicester grave Matt will be visiting the places that impacted Richard’s life and meeting expert historians along the way to unravel exactly who Richard was.

Historian Dan Snow reacts to new AI-generated images of some of the biggest moments in history. Should he be worried? Should we all be worried?

Sir Tony Robinson visits excavations of the workhouse that inspired Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist'. To find out more, do check out the websites of some of our expert contributors: A big thanks to Iceni Projects Emily also runs the Dickensian Journal Special thanks The Dickens Museum & Staff, The National Archives, Kew & Rob Gorczynski In the middle of the capital, archaeologists are digging deep to find out more about the lives and deaths of the poorest of the poor, the inmates of the workhouse. Behind the workhouse building lies a cemetery where they were buried - now it is being carefully excavated as the whole site is being redeveloped. It’s a rare opportunity to investigate the treatment of London’s destitute in the late 18th and 19th centuries - a story that was repeated in great cities across the world as people poured into them in search of work. Tony has a special connection with this story - not only has been making archaeology films for decades, he also appeared as a child actor in the first stage production of

Historian Dan Snow meets Kevin Goodman to learn how battlefield surgery progresses in the 18th and 19th centuries through the Napoleonic War, American Civil War and American Indian Wars. Could medicine keep up with wars now fought on an industrial scale?

In this new video, Medieval Historian & Author Hetta Howes joins us to answer the internets most asked questions about King Arthur... Can she be the one to separate fact from fiction, magic from myth, legend from Lore.. tune in to find out!

30 years ago 9 skeletons were discovered buried within the grounds of Stirling Castle, Scotland. Their identities remain a mystery - but Injuries found on them suggest that they all suffered brutally violent deaths. Dr Jo Buckberry, a battle trauma expert at the University of Bradford, believes they date from 1296 to 1357 - the Scottish Wars of Independence. Today Jo is going to reveal to us the clues that might help identify who these people were and uncover how they met their ends. And to help add some extra historical context she's joined by History Hit's very own Medieval expert Historian and Author Matt Lewis.

Tristan Hughes goes on a road trip of a lifetime to discover more about the mysteries of prehistoric Scotland. In Part one, Tristan heads to Orkney to investigate its astonishing 5,000 year old Stone Age remains. In Part two, Tristan sees the beautiful carvings of adult red deer, the first animal representations in Scotland. This is just one of the remarkable finds in one of the most extraordinary prehistoric landscapes in Scotland: the magical and mysterious Kilmartin Glen. In Part three, Tristan ventures across Scotland to investigate prehistoric skyscrapers - brochs.

During the victory celebrations of World War One, a rising star is found dead in her bed after a suspected overdose. 22-year-old Billie Carlton’s death caused shockwaves across the nation, adding fuel to a growing moral panic about sex, scandal and drugs. Hosts of After Dark, Anthony and Maddy are joined by Virginia Berridge, Professor of History and Health Policy at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, to explore the path to drug criminalisation in postwar London following the death of Billie Carlton. Together, they uncover the extraordinary history of drugs in Soho - London’s most notorious neighbourhood in the 1920s. Historic Soho has been brought to life in the new BBC show Dope Girls, which tells the story of Soho when female gangs ran the nightclubs after the First World War. You can watch now on @BBCiplayer in the UK, @stanaustralia in Australia and on @ctv in Canada.