The story of Qin Shi Huang is as epic in life as it is in death. Crowned as a boy king over 2,000 years ago, he grew to unify China for the first time, establishing a new form of government, uniform laws, and a single writing system that is still in use today. He also ordered the construction of a royal tomb that is larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza and is guarded by a massive army of terracotta warriors. Explore the transformative life and magnificent afterlife of China's first emperor.
Life in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley exists in two very different worlds: the wet and the dry. The wet season is green and bountiful, but the dry season is one of the toughest on Earth. For seven months of the year, animals must cope with scorching temperatures and almost no rain. Now, climate change is making conditions even more extreme. Follow creatures of all sizes as they clash over limited resources in this vast wild kingdom, where each day is a struggle to survive.
Meet the experts who make the Smithsonian Gardens a stunning living museum year round. See how our horticulturists work tirelessly to overcome urban conditions and freezing temperatures. Learn how all gardeners, from amateur to seasoned, can use their secrets to make their own gardens grow.
Across land, sea, and air, they carry the most massive, fragile, and expensive cargoes on the planet to destinations hundreds, even thousands, of miles away. Follow the teams of engineers tasked with planning and executing the world's most nail-biting moves. Through each daring and dangerous relocation and amidst tough conditions and tight deadlines, these heavy haulers must overcome incredible challenges to get their colossal cargoes to their new homes.
Every great metropolis has its secrets, some tucked away in the annuls of history and others hidden in plain sight. From the single golden fire hydrant in San Francisco to the strange shape of London's black cab to Berlin's pink pipes, city landmarks often embody unknown stories, some whimsical, some sinister, but all fascinating in their own way. Join us as we journey back in time to uncover buried tales in cities across the globe, following local guides and historians on a six-part journey that is both travel exposE and urban mystery.
Nowhere is the full range of nature's force more apparent than during a volcanic eruption. Join us on daring odysseys to the fiery hearts of these volcanic caldera and witness firsthand their awesome displays of power.
It begins at Minnesota's Lake Itasca and ends in the Gulf of Mexico. From top to bottom, the mighty Mississippi River is a 2,300-mile marvel and America's lifeline to the world. Follow the river as it carves its path from the northern headwaters to the nation's heartland to the southern bayou. Discover how the Mississippi operates as an engine of commerce, and see how its creatures thrive in and above its rushing waters and along its lush, green banks.
There's no better way to take in Greece's great diversity, natural beauty, and mythic grandeur than to experience it from a god's-eye-view. This exhilarating aerial tour whisks you away on a four-part, cross-country journey above the heart of Athens, over the timeless, contrasting Aegean archipelago, and across eastern islands of mesmerizing beauty and priceless heritage. Along with the physical splendors, we also explore the human stories of the people who embody the ingenuity, resilience, and vibrant spirit of this remarkable country.
The narrow coast that runs along the southern tip of Africa is home to an abundance of vibrant wildlife, thanks to the two ocean currents that wash up along its opposite shores. Explore the vast ecosystems that make it a haven for biodiversity.
Watching animals care for their young is a powerful reminder of the bonds we all share as living species on the planet. Take a heartwarming look at baby animals as they playfully find their way in the world.
Author and medical historian Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris will use science, tests, and demonstrations to shed new light on famous deaths, ranging from drug lord Pablo Escobar to magician Harry Houdini. Using her lab to perform virtual autopsies, experiment with blood samples, interview witnesses and conduct real-time demonstrations, Dr. Fitzharris will put everything about these mysterious deaths to the test. Along the way, she'll be joined by a revolving cast of experts, including Scotland Yard detectives, medical examiners, weapons gurus and more.
To many, the legacy of King Henry VIII begins and ends with his six wives. But remarkable though his marital history is, it is not what defines him. Just as influential were the men who surrounded him before and during his 37-year reign as King of England. Join host Dr. Tracy Borman as she reveals the story of Britain's most famous monarch and how his male advisors, ministers, family, and friends molded his views, shaped his destiny, suffered his ruthlessness, and, in the end, exploited his vulnerability.
Monica, Toya, Crystal and Zee get together to celebrate Crystal's birthday, but Toya has a big surprise she can wait to spring on the girl. However, the big surprise is sure to send Monica through the roof.
Across the planet, every animal--predator or prey--has survival advantages honed by millions of years of evolution. Watch some of nature's most accomplished survivors as they put their talents to the test, with their very lives at stake.
Embark on a journey into the world's most unforgiving arctic zones, where land and ice are inseparably joined. Swim through the mammoth Mackenzie Delta, or explore the great tundra of Nunavik. These hostile regions yield little for the hardy wildlife and local Inuit tribes that wait patiently for an all-too-brief summer.
Sprawling estates and magnificent castles dot Britain's landscape, passed down from one aristocratic heir or heiress to the next. But life in a stately home isn't quite the fairy tale it's made out to be. Join Julie Montagu, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke as she ventures through some of the most storied and remarkable estates in Great Britain. From England's Newby Hall and Holdenby House to Scotland's Inveraray and Floors Castles, this is an all-access look at grand residences and the families who keep their histories alive.
Zambia is home to some of the world’s most exotic wildlife. From elephants to eagles and baboons to hippos, this collection of films features a range of different species, exploring their fascinating behaviour and taking viewers on a virtual safari into some of the wildest and most beautiful habitats on Earth.