Real History

Secret military operations uncovered mind-blowing secrets of the mystifying continent of Antarctica, including a possible Kingdom beneath its surface, the hollow Earth theories, Lake Vostok's alien potential, Operation Highjump and more.

The story of Edwardian archaeologist Frederick Bligh Bond who tried to prove the existence of King Arthur by locating his grave near or under Glastonbury Abbey. His unusual methods included spirit writing and holding séances. The story of Adolph Ruth who set off into the Superstition Mountains of Arizona in 1931 in search of the location of a rich gold mine. His skull was found 6 months later with two bullet holes in it. Had he found the lost mine? Did the Garden of Eden actually exist? Archaeologist Juris Zarins has set out to prove that it did. Zarins uses the biblical description that it is the source of four major rivers to help him. But two of them have not been found. Mel Fisher dedicates his entire life and savings to finding the Spanish galleon, Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

Septimius Severus, a Roman emperor of African descent, ruled during the early 3rd century and led a significant campaign in Britain to unify the island under Roman rule. Severus, born in Leptis Magna (modern Libya), ascended to power in 193 AD after the assassination of his predecessor. He leveraged his wealth and military prowess to seize the throne, becoming Rome's first African emperor. In 208 AD, Severus led the largest Roman invasion force to Britain, aiming to conquer the northern regions (modern Scotland) that had resisted Roman control for centuries. The Roman army faced fierce guerrilla resistance from local tribes who used the rugged terrain to their advantage, attacking Roman supply lines and patrols.

A legendary samurai sword, crafted by master sword smith Masamune, was considered a Japanese National Treasure and passed down through shoguns. After WWII, it mysteriously vanished. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, supposedly discovered relics of the True Cross in AD 325. A piece known as the titulus crucis, inscribed with Jesus' name, is housed in a Roman church, though debates over its authenticity persist. This opulent chamber, created for Russian royalty, was looted by Nazi forces during WWII and disappeared. Some believe it was hidden in a German mine or dismantled, while others hope it survived and remains hidden. Legend says that King Solomon's wealth came from a mysterious land called Ophir. Explorers like Carl Mauch believed they had discovered its location in Africa. However, Great Zimbabwe, often linked to Solomon, was later confirmed as an African cultural achievement. British explorer Percy Fawcett believed in a lost Amazonian civilization, rich and advanced. His final expedition in 1925 into the Amazon with his son Jack ended in mysterious disappearance, fuelling ongoing fascination with his quest.

Nostradamus was a French astrologer who wrote Les Prophéties, a book predicting world events. His supporters have claimed that he predicted major world events, including the Great Fire of London, the French Revolution, the rises of Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the September 11 attacks. But are his predictions really as they happened?

Compiling a few episodes from Myth Hunters, we uncover a wide variety of mysteries throughout history. Ron Wyatt believes the Ark of the Covenant lays beneath a holy site in Israel, where digging is forbidden. Conducted multiple biblical-themed expeditions, including the search for Noah's Ark and the Parting of the Red Sea. Despite inexperience and dangerous conditions, he persevered, believing God guided him. His claims, including discovering chariot wheels in the Red Sea, remain controversial and unproven. The Spear of Destiny was a legendary artifact believed to grant invincibility and world dominance to its holder. It was sought after by Adolf Hitler, who considered it essential for establishing the Nazi Reich. The spear housed in Vienna was later found to be a medieval forgery, raising doubts about its true significance. General Patton, fascinated by the spear's power, sought to control it post-World War II. Anna Mitchell-Hedges claimed to have found a crystal skull in Belize, linked to the Central American myths of 13 mystical skulls with supernatural powers. but investigations revealed it was a modern fake. The skull's intricate craftsmanship

Maritime archaeologist John Adams dives to a 10th-century Byzantine shipwreck, preserved nearly 100 meters underwater, revealing intricate details of ancient seafaring craftsmanship.

On Myth Hunters, each episode focuses on solving a historical mystery, and explaining the context behind them.

The U.S. Army announced the recovery of a "flying disc" near Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. Rancher W.W. Brazel discovered the debris, described as lightweight, foil-like material. Initial investigations suggested the material was not a weather balloon, but its origins remained unclear. Ray Santilli, who claimed to possess a 1947 alien autopsy film, later admitted the footage was partially "restored" due to degradation. Questions arose about why two versions of the film existed, fueling skepticism. Santilli's story and claims about the film's authenticity shifted over the years, casting doubt on its validity. The U.S. Air Force changed its explanation of the Roswell incident multiple times, ranging from a weather balloon to crash-test dummies. These shifting narratives deepened public suspicion of a cover-up.

The world has been shaped by history defining events, and the places where they happened. This is the story of those places. Dealey Plaza, 1962, the place where John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in his open limousine with his wife Jacqueline. Place de I'Alma, 1997, the place where Princess Diana and her lover Dodi Al Feyed were killed in a fatal car crash. The Berlin Wall, and many more.

A high-tech Scandinavian survey vessel, Stril Explorer, leads an international team to uncover archaeological mysteries beneath the Black Sea, using advanced sonar and remotely operated vehicles. The Black Sea's unique anoxic depths (below 150 meters) preserve ancient shipwrecks, creating a "dead zone" free of oxygen and life like shipworms. Researchers locate and study remarkably preserved Ottoman-era shipwrecks (circa 300 years old), complete with intact carvings, ropes, and artefacts.

The Gunpowder Plot was a failed attempt to assassinate King James I of England and VI of Scotland and blow up the House of Lords in London on November 5, 1605. A group of English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby and including notable figures like Guy Fawkes, planned to kill the king and other Protestant leaders in order to end persecution against Catholics and replace the Protestant monarchy with a Catholic ruler. The failed plot is commemorated annually in Britain on November 5th, with bonfires and symbolic effigies of Guy Fawkes.

This is the story of the legend surrounds Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Shogun of Japan, who supposedly left a hidden treasure of gold coins worth millions. His wealth was managed by a loyal servant, Aguri Tadamasa, and later hidden in the remote mountains of Gunma Prefecture. Miso Tomay Yuki, a descendant of Yoshinobu's loyalists, spent decades searching Mount Akagi for the treasure. His family continued this quest across three generations, with each member dedicating their lives and finances to find it, despite the lack of concrete clues.

After WW2, rumors circulated about Nazis dumping gold in Lake Toplitz, Austria, a remote, deep lake used by Nazis as a dumping site for stolen treasures. In 1959, a German journalist Wolfgang Lühr uncovered boxes of counterfeit British pound notes at the Austrian lake. Nazis used Operation Bernhard, led by SS officer Bernhard Krüger, to forge millions of pounds in an attempt to destabilize the British economy. But did the gold actually exist or was it just a myth?

How do presidents win their respective elections? It is vital to understand why certain candidates win, tracing back to foundational history, including the Roman influence on the US political system. To do so, we take a look at a few key points. Financial resources are crucial for running a campaign, as money enables visibility through artifacts and media. While wealth helps, it doesn't guarantee success. Charisma and fundraising abilities can sometimes outweigh monetary advantages. Political dynasties like the Kennedys and Rockefellers showcase how wealth, influence, and family legacy can shape election outcomes, though it's not a foolproof path to the presidency. Effective use of rhetoric is key to winning the presidency, with memorable slogans and speeches shaping public opinion. From FDR's famous phrases to modern slogans like Obama's "Yes We Can," strong rhetoric is central to leadership and election success.

The beginning of WWII is perceived differently based on geography. While Americans recognize Pearl Harbor (1941) and Europeans focus on Germany's invasion of Poland (1939), China considers August 13, 1937, as the start, marking the Battle of Shanghai. Shanghai in 1937 was a modern city controlled by international powers. The city had areas like the French Concession and International Settlement, reflecting foreign dominance over local affairs. The battle began on August 13, 1937, when Chinese forces clashed with Japanese troops in an attempt to resist Japanese occupation. It was fierce, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, with Chinese troops holding out despite overwhelming Japanese air superiority. The Battle of Shanghai had lasting effects on Chinese national identity, strengthening anti-Japanese sentiment and shaping modern China. Foreigners eventually left after WWII, and today, Shanghai is a thriving Chinese-run city.

Hitler sought the Spear of Destiny, believed to be the weapon that pierced Jesus Christ's side, as a symbol of power and invincibility. In 1938, after annexing Austria, Hitler seized the spear from a museum in Vienna, taking it to Nuremberg to reinforce his image as the successor to the Holy Roman emperors. Art historian and U.S. Army officer Walter Horn, a German émigré, was tasked with tracking down the spear after it vanished during World War II. Following leads from German prisoners, Horn located the spear in a hidden vault beneath Nuremberg Castle, alongside other looted treasures.

Anthropologists in Peru found a 9,000-year-old burial site containing a young female hunter with hunting tools, challenging the notion that hunting was a male-only activity. Analysis of Neanderthal teeth revealed differences in wear patterns between males and females, suggesting different roles in food preparation and tool usage. Archaeologists discovered ancient ostrich shell beads and evidence of marine trade dating back thousands of years, providing insights into early human societies. Follow this and much more as we find out all about the secrets from an ancient lost world.

Two American schooners, Hamilton and Scourge, sank in Lake Ontario during a storm in the War of 1812, with over 80 sailors lost. These wrecks are now among the best-preserved wooden shipwrecks, thanks to the cold, freshwater environment. Father-and-son divers, Mike and Warren Fletcher, joined a scientific expedition to explore the wrecks. The challenge was accessing the deep wrecks, as scuba diving was limited, requiring remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to penetrate the schooners' interiors. To understand the crew's experience, the Fletchers used a shipwreck simulator to recreate the storm conditions. They aimed to learn why so many sailors were trapped and drowned, with hypotheses pointing to the storm's sudden intensity and structural issues on the ships.

In 1924, Anna Mitchell Hedges found a crystal skull in Central America, believed to possess magical telepathic powers. Legends suggest that 13 such skulls will unite to unlock mysteries of life when humanity is spiritually ready. Anna and Frederick, her father, searched for a lost Maya city, eventually discovering the ruins of Lubaantun. Anna's discovery of the crystal skull occurred on January 1, 1924, inside a pyramid chamber she explored with her father's help. Scientific examinations revealed the crystal skull's extraordinary craftsmanship, but tests suggested it was a modern creation made with industrial diamond tools in the 19th century, contradicting claims of its ancient origin.

In 1817, prosecutor Antoine Bernardin Fualdès was found dead, floating in the Aveyron river, Rodez, France. The incident sparked widespread rumors and allegations of political conspiracy during the tense Bonapartist and Royalist conflict of the time. The trial became one of the first media-driven events in Europe, attracting attention from famous writers like Victor Hugo. Public fascination grew with sensational accusations, such as a butcher's knife being used to kill the prosecutor. Despite multiple trials and convictions, retractions by witnesses cast doubt on the verdicts. Many believed the trials were manipulated for political reasons, leaving the true motive and perpetrator of the crime a mystery.

In the early 1900s a ship loaded with valuable religious artefacts sunk on the Mekong River in Laos. In this episode, the Dive Detectives undertake the dangerous task of navigating this fast flowing river to find the stash of treasure left behind over 100 years ago.

The tale of the lost Dutchman's gold is one of the most famous tales from the Wild West. A German immigrant found a huge cache of gold in a mine that only he had ever stumbled upon before. He took the secret to his grave, leaving centuries of would-be treasure hunters to search the desert wilderness of Arizona for it.

The first 4 episodes of the acclaimed series 'The Hitler Chronicles" which cover Hitler's rise to power from the aftermath of WW1 to the outbreak of WW2. Hitler's power has become unrestricted and unlimited. Hitler is admired by the people. Germany feels strong again, and people accept the merciless dictatorship and the persecution of others as a necessary evil. Hitler's fame reaches its climax. Germany is simultaneously admired and feared by foreign countries. In 1936, the Wehrmacht invades the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone by the Treaty of Versailles. The Nuremberg party rallies are a magnificent spectacle of the ever-growing leadership cult. The Summer Olympics in 1936 show Hitler's popularity internationally. In Benito Mussolini, Hitler finds an ally to whom he remains faithful until his downfall. Hitler and Goebbels begin a pogrom night against the Jews; Hitler sets up a secret life in Obersalzberg and conceals his mistress Eva Braun from the public eye. In pure breach of the Munich Agreement, Hitler claims further territories for Germany based on the alleged wish of the people in those areas. After the occupation

After the dropping of the second atomic bomb over Japan in 1945, the country surrenders and this signals the end of WW2. However, the US didn't expect the country to surrender so quickly. Their plan was to drop many more nuclear bombs over the country. What happened to these remaining bombs?

During the Boer War instructions were made by President Paul Kruger to hide the nation's wealth if the British were to take Pretoria. This process was so well-documented that when the hoard was re-located, it didn't take long for inconsistencies to arise. Thus begins the legend of the Kruger millions.

Paris, 1933. The shocking murder case of Violette Nozière has gripped the country. She stands accused or murdering her Father Jean-Baptiste and attempting to murder her Mother Germaine in their family home.

The Dive Detectives investigate the strange backstory of a modern freighter located just off the coast of the Caribbean island Saba. The most unusual thing about the ship is that it never sent a mayday call and no sailors were reported missing.

The Rocky Mountains of North America are said to hide a multi-million dollar secret. A treasure hoard has lay hidden here for hundreds of years with only one expedition ever coming close. The only clues to the treasure's whereabouts are kept by a map made by the lone survivor of this doomed search party. To add to the danger, this treasure is said to be cursed due to this terrible misfortunes that have befallen treasure hunters.

Towards the end of WW2 the US lost two submarines from it's pacific fleet that have remained lost since. The dive detectives use all the tools at their disposal to track down the wrecks and see what's left of theme.

Cocos island, off the coast of Costa Rica, is a real life treasure island. Centuries of records from the golden age of piracy indicate that the remote island was a hotspot for pirates to stash their treasure hoards. Centuries later, people are still spending their lives trying to find it.

The final public execution by guillotine ever to be carried out in France took place on 17th June 1939. The victim was the notorious serial killer Eugen Weidmann. He brutally murdered 6 victims between July and November of the same year. This is the story of his twiisted crimes and dramatic arrest that led to his death.

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald was the pride of the Great Lakes when she was launched in 1958. The freighter spent almost 20 years in service before tragically sinking in 1975, taking the lives of all 29 crew members with it.

In the 19th century John Lloyd Stephens discovered the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Copan in modern day Belize. The incredible find was unlike anything else discovered at the time. What happened to the ancient civilisation that abandoned this city?

The first 4 episodes of the landmark series World War II in Color cover from the unstoppable rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in the 1930s to the turning point of the war in 1943. Remastered color footage paints the war to end all wars in a new light with stunning historical accuracy.

1939 would see the outbreak of WWII, Hitler sets off his blitzkrieg across Europe and after the popularity from taking Poland and France the tide begins to turn. With a defiant Russia on the East and the American & British on the West the Nazis look to the Jewish population to vent their anger. With the war all but lost and with the German population left in an acute state of shock Hitler and the Nazi Party would carry out one more act of terror and then die but their legacy would live on...

Often referred to as "Britain's Chernobyl", in 1957 an incident occurred at the Windscale Nuclear facility in Cumbria, England. This was the first nuclear disaster in the world, leaking radiation across the UK and Europe.

Strange space crafts, giant beings, otherworldly humanoids and feathered serpents played a predominant role in the paintings, carvings, monuments and sculptures created by ancient man, strongly indicating the presence of an advanced race of beings at that time who perhaps influenced the evolution of humanity during their formative stage of existence. Perceived by early man as Gods of the Underworld and Light, the lives and actions of these Gods of ancient Egypt explain our very existence and our place in the universe.

Two key events of the late 1920's see the foundations of the National Socialist Party firmly cemented in nations psyche: The ban on Hitler's public speaking was lifted and Wall Street crashed. The devastating mix of propaganda and unbridled terror caused the German nation to fall under his spell, seemingly oblivious to the racial hatred being doled. WWII loomed, the manufacture of weapons meant unemployment was a thing of the past and the economy bloomed and so Nazi popularity would soar.

As The War of The Roses tore England apart in the 15th century, the armies of the houses of York and Lancaster converged on the tiny village of Towton, North Yorkshire. What would follow would live in infamy as the bloodiest battle fought on British soil. For 10 hours the two armies. would slaughter each other while a blizzard raged, leaving an estimated 28,000 people dead.

Cover-ups and conspiracies... what really happened that night in Roswell, 1947? Those brave enough, share their personal experiences of this synonymous incident. This documentary re-examines the happenings of the supposed UFO encounter, with accounts from Jesse Marcel, Frankie Rowe and Walter Haut. Was it a weather balloon that crashed in New Mexico? Or was it something more.

After WWI Adolf Hitler attends the meetings of the German Workers Party, a far right political party centered around racism and anti-Semitism; the natural home for Adolf Hitler's political beliefs. He rapidly works his way up and builds a loyal following of the most brutal men in Germany. Capitalising from the broken state of Germany post WWI Hitler sets about his revolution. The infamous Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 was superficially a failure which saw Hitler arrested, imprisoned and silenced from speaking. But this was only the beginning of a reign of terror.

In the latter years of WW2 as The Allies converged on Germany, they began to discover secret laboratories and test sites. In these complexes they found technology and weapons that were decades ahead of their time.

Fulham Palace in West London is a grade II listed stately home that used to house the Bishop of London. Despite its beautiful architecture and picturesque gardens, this building is hiding a dark past. Bishop Bonner, a notoriously evil Bishop used to live here. His restless spirit is still said to walk the halls of the palace to this day.

The 22nd November 1963 is a date that will live in infamy. In Dallas, Texas at just past noon, President John F Kennedy was assassinated as he greeted crowds from his open top car. This heinous act would send shockwaves around America and the world, leaving behind no clear answer and countless conspiracy theories.

Infamous pirate Captain Kidd was the most famous pirate in the world in the mid to late 17th Century. After his death by hanging in 1701, rumours began to swirl about what happened to the large treasure hoard he had acquired. Years later, one man would make it his mission to hunt down and find this legendary treasure.

The Ark of the Covenant is said to be the ancient vessel in which the 10 commandments were delivered by God to Moses. Religious texts lost track of the Ark thousands of years ago, and man has been trying to find this most sacred of religious artifacts ever since.

A knight in Tudor England would be trained from an early age to be ruthless, merciless and deadly. The title of knight was a great honor and would be put to the test in grand tournaments where knights would fight to the death in front of a bloodthirsty crowd.