Real History

In 2001, a cache of humanoid remains were found in Kenya. After studying these remains it became clear that this was no ordinary find. The 6 million year old bones could turn out to be the long theorized "missing link" between humans and animals that would re-write our understanding of human history.

On November 22nd 1963, President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Houston, Texas. Shocking not only America, but the entire world, the impact of this promising young president taken too soon has been felt in US politics since his tragic death.

In 1650, the Mayflower set out on it's voyage from Plymouth, England. On board were 102 pilgrims taking the huge risk of starting a new life on the other side of the world. Little did they know that this would be the catalyst for an enormous shift in world history for years to come.

This documentary film explores the marine mysteries of the Magdalen Islands, the Quebec archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, North America's tempestuous inland saltwater sea. Over 700 sunken ships are documented by Leonard Clark and three generations of his family in the village of Old Harry

Tony Robinson continues to explore the worst jobs from the dark ages. This time he takes a look at how a medieval knighthood might not have been all its cracked up to be. Not only was the path to this coveted title full of less than glamorous steps, but the life of a knight isn't as noble as we'd like to think.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis remains to this day iconic, a figure of high fashion and tragedy. Her sister Lee however is less well-known. Yet it is impossible to understand one without the other, their lives were intertwined - through rivalry and resentment, love and loss.

Three time Emmy-award winning journalist Simcha Jacobovici investigates ancient Christian mysteries and curiosities from thousands of years ago. Can truth rooted in the ancient world shed new light on Christianity?

Tony Robinson investigates life in the dark underbelly of our history for The Worst Jobs to ever exist. From endless, backbreaking labour to excrement and entrails, there's a reason these jobs haven't existed for hundreds of years.

This documentary takes a look at China's influential Emperor Qin Shi Huang. As the man who united China through brute force is remembered for the Great Wall and his own astonishing tomb. This legendary ancient tale would go on to shape the world as we know it today.

Great monuments were built in the ancient city of Tiwanaku on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. The origin of these monuments has given rise to a small economy based on exaggerated claims as to who were the creators of this city. Now, archeologists struggle to understand how these stones were moved and carved by the people that would have actually lived there. A team gathers to build a boat in the traditional way and move a stone identical to the ones found in Tiwanaku. The only rule is that they may not use modern tools, just their best understanding of ancient tools and techniques. Gain a first-hand experience, standing side by side and talking with the researchers undertaking this amazing mission.

The story of the engineers who worked tirelessly to keep the electric power running as the Titanic sank. Their selfless actions kept the lights on and the electric lifeboat winches operational to facilitate the survival of others.

What can these 20th-century socialists tell us about how socialism works in practice? This film looks at both the victories and the failures of America's socialist experiment. The leaders established the nation's first municipal public housing project, and first workers' compensation law. They chased the KKK out of town, and welcomed African American immigrants. The socialists provided for the whole life of their citizens — adding "recreation" to municipal Parks departments. But the experiment was not without its failures. Some programs were too optimistic; others created unintended consequences. And ultimately both the Democrats and Republicans claim their legacy.

This 2 part docudrama is about the love affair between King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn. Through stylish re-enacted drama and investigative research, this film presented by Suzannah Lipscomb will reveal the darker side of love & power in Tudor England delving into their passionate and volatile relationship.

In this three part ground-breaking series, scientific and forensic tests reveal the truth behind the great civilisation of Ancient Egypt. Covering the ancient mysteries of the pyramids, the house of Tutankhamen and the mysterious blue lotus, the complexities of kingdom of the Pharaohs has never felt more alive.

This 2-part docudrama is about the love affair between King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn. Through stylish re-enacted drama and investigative research, this film presented by Suzannah Lipscomb will reveal the darker side of love & power in Tudor England delving into their passionate and volatile relationship.

Resting on the ocean floor of Pearl Harbor is the USS Arizona, one of the most sacred war graves known in the world. When the seasoned battleship was destroyed by a surprise Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor, over a thousand men aboard the ship lost their lives. Almost half of the total casualties from Pearl Harbor occurred on the Arizona alone. Few at that time understood how such a terrible tragedy could happen.

The Cold War was a war fought not by fighting, but by spying. The East and West engaged in a cat and mouse game of espionage, constantly trying to uncover what their rival's next move would be. Surrounded in secrecy, the casualties of this clash of superpowers wouldn't be recognised by their respective countries, until long after the end of The Cold War.

Resting on the ocean floor of Pearl Harbor is the USS Arizona, one of the most sacred war graves known in the world. When the seasoned battleship was destroyed by a surprise Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor, over a thousand men aboard the ship lost their lives. Almost half of the total casualties from Pearl Harbor occurred on the Arizona alone. Few at that time understood how such a terrible tragedy could happen.

The 7th and least populous continent of earth, Antarctica, has always been something of an anomaly. It is supposed to be owned by no one and for everyone. Often used as a place for scientific research, 25 nations have bases and therefor a stake in the continent. What dodgy dealings have led to a quiet power struggle for control of the ice?

On the 5th November 1605, The infamous plot to blow up parliament was botched after Guy Fawkes was caught red handed. But why does this event still hold soo much weight to it over 400 years later? How would things have been different if he had succeeded?

Simon Armitage presents the extraordinary story of the most disturbing witch trial in British history and the key role played in it by one nine-year-old girl. Jennet Device, a beggar-girl from Pendle in Lancashire, was the star witness in the trial in 1612 of her own mother, her brother, her sister and many of her neighbours and, thanks to her chilling testimony, they were all hanged. In 'The Pendle Witch Child' poet Simon Armitage explores the lethal power and influence of one child's words - a story of fear, magic and demonic pacts retold partly with vivid and innovative hand-drawn animation.

Nestled in a small Indiana town since 1895, Whispers Estate embodies a true paranormal haunting. Turning skeptics into believers, this house proves that its walls do more than just talk. Hear the chilling testimonies of the home owner, the staff, and numerous visitors of their encounters with the entities who reside in this home that many claim is alive.

This is the riveting, emotional story of Japanese Americans who were forced into encampments in the U.S. during World War II. Utilizing in-depth interviews with former internees, a rich collection of rare photos and film clips, and beautifully crafted recreations, Silent Sacrifice reveals the pain, shame, regret, and healing that nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans endured throughout the war.

In the Battle for Guadalcanal, whilst fierce jungle fighting took place on the ground, one of the biggest aerial battles was taking place in the skies above. This documentary follows archaeologists as they study well preserved ruins on the groud to work out follow the story of this epic dogfight

Medic Xand van Tulleken, archaeologist Raksha Dave, and journalist John Sergeant trace the plague back to its source, and look into whether history is repeating itself again.

This is the riveting, emotional story of Japanese Americans who were forced into encampments in the U.S. during World War II. Utilizing in-depth interviews with former internees, a rich collection of rare photos and film clips, and beautifully crafted recreations, Silent Sacrifice reveals the pain, shame, regret, and healing that nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans endured throughout the war.

In 2004, construction workers digging a tunnel to link Europe and Asia underneath Istanbul found an amazing discovery. They found the remains of an ancient harbour left untouched and unseen by humans for more than 2000 years. What secrets does it hold and what can it teach us about the stories history of the city?

Even today, Woodstock has deep, lasting meaning. Its mix of music, culture and idealism resonates across the years. It gave youth a voice. It changed the music business. It energized activists. From stadium shows to social-justice movements, its legacy is strong a half century later. This film finds big surprises in the story that shed incredible new light on an iconic event.

In 1997, the USS Constitution sailed again for the first time in 200 years. Following a careful restoration by skilled craftsmen, this piece of American history was once again flying the flag of liberty and freedom. Why was this famous ship so important to America?

Towards the climax of the Battle of Britain, the stakes were getting higher and higher. Acting on false intelligence that Britain would soon fold under the pressure of constant German air attack, Goering piled on the pressure by sending out enormous squadrons of bombers and fighters every single day. This forced the outnumbered RAF to fly without rest to keep the threat at bay.

A 3000-year-old corpse was found buried with its head removed in a shallow grave at Stonehenge. Using forensic science, the story of who this man was and how he met his fate tells an incredible story of ancient times, and teaches us more about Stonehenge.

After Europe had quickly succumbed to the wrath of Nazi Germany, Britain looked to be next. A tiny island with its military in disarray following the fall of France, the situation looked critical. But against all odds, the heroic pilots of the Royal Air Force kept Hitler at bay in one of the closest calls of the war.

Even from the early years, WW2 would be marked as a war that evolved with the rapid technological advances made throughout its 6 year duration. Two of these huge advances were the recent invention of the U-Boat and how these were put into practical application to take the war global. The other is the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, an incredibly advanced aerial bomber that changed the meaning of aerial warfare.

From her coronation when she was just 25 to passing away as a working monarch at age 96, Queen Elizabeth II lived a very storied life. The unique ups and downs of her reign are what cemented her reign and power of leadership, ensuring she would be remembered for centuries to come.

Was the Roman emperor Caligula a power-mad tyrant, or a complex autocrat threatened by all parts of the Empire? Infamously ruthless in his rule of the empire, his legacy has always painted him to be the villain. But is there more to this narrative?

Across the waters of the North Sea, the Vikings launched raids on the coasts of Britain and Ireland, targeting monasteries like Lindisfarne, where monks produced illuminated manuscripts of breathtaking beauty. Yet the Vikings who terrorized Dark Age Europe spent as much time creating their own stunning artwork as they did stealing it from others.

Roman emperor Nero was an interesting character that lived a chaotic life not too dissimilar to a soap opera. This story has been told and retold so many times in the centuries since his death, but how much of it is actually true? Tony Robinson investigates the legend to Nero to find out where the truth ends and the lies begin.

To the south and east of Christendom, the new religion of Islam spread from its Arabian birthplace throughout the Middle East, across North Africa, and into Spain. As it did so, Islam imparted its own distinctive forms of architecture, ways to gaze at the stars, and art designed to depict the wonders of paradise.

Tony Robinson explores how Julius Caesar's brutal reputation caught up with him. Famously assassinated on the Ides of March, how and why did such an important ruler of the ancient world end up being killed by his own people?

Although they are blamed for the fall of Rome, the barbarians were more than just fearsome warriors. Converted to Christianity in the fourth century, the Vandals, Goths, and Huns went on to produce some of the greatest artistic and architectural achievements of the Dark Ages.

Historian Dan Snow puts his walking boots on and sets off to see what the great British landscape can teach us about our Norman predecessors. In this episode Dan looks at how the north of England was terroized by the Normans in their conquest of England.

Tony Robinson explores how Julius Caesar strong armed his way to the top to become emperor of ancient Rome through bribery and corruption. He would go on to become one of the most infamous leaders of the ancient world and would shape world history for years to come.

Waldemar Januszczak shows how religion around the world emerged into an artistic force in the third and fourth centuries. From the newly founded Christianity to older religions such as Islam, these powerful entities were responsible for bringing light to the dark ages.

Dan explores what happened after the invasion - where did the Normans go as they cemented their rule? He follows the Welsh border examining one of the most challenging areas the Normans encountered.

In the mountains of China's Sichuan Province is the sight of hundreds of ancient wooden coffins hanging precariously from a cliff face. Some experts believe the dead were placed there thousands of years ago to be within reach of the gods, while others say it was to keep them away from wild animals. This film chronicles a effort by scientists to understand and preserve these mysterious coffins.

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, Europe saw huge social and cultural change. This renaissance period touched everything from the arts to food. This documentary takes a look at how the simple process of eating a meal was transformed during this period.

Dan's exploration begins on the Sussex coast, where he travels along the coastline to uncover remaining evidence of Norman invasion and inhabitation, starting in Hastings where William the Conqueror and his army landed.

This documentary takes a deep dive into the food culture of the middle ages. We take a look at the kinds of food eaten in the middle ages, how food differed between classes and the role played by food in the culture of the time.