Satisfy your curiosity with the latest in science, space, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
Episodes (390)
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These Men Risked Their Lives to Build 1920s New York Skyscrapers
These Men Risked Their Lives to Build 1920s New York Skyscrapers
Published: 19 Mar 2018 Duration: 02:08The skyscrapers of Manhattan needed a new, bolder type of construction worker. They got them in 'roughnecks - hardened men who worked without safety harnesses, hard hats or even bathroom breaks.The skyscrapers of Manhattan needed a new, bolder type of construction worker. They got them in 'roughnecks - hardened men who worked without safety harnesses, hard hats or even bathroom breaks.
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Is This the Reason Ireland Converted to Christianity?
Is This the Reason Ireland Converted to Christianity?
Published: 19 Mar 2018 Duration: 03:33Many attribute the spread of Christianity in Ireland to St. Patrick. But Medieval history and scientific evidence dating back to 540 A.D. hint at a more cosmic reason.Many attribute the spread of Christianity in Ireland to St. Patrick. But Medieval history and scientific evidence dating back to 540 A.D. hint at a more cosmic reason.
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Incredible Timelapse of Dry Badlands Thunderstorm
Incredible Timelapse of Dry Badlands Thunderstorm
Published: 12 Mar 2018 Duration: 02:00In South Dakota, thousands of fireflies, in the midst of a mating ritual, compete against the bright stars that light up the dark skies of the Badlands. Often, it's hard to tell one from the other.In South Dakota, thousands of fireflies, in the midst of a mating ritual, compete against the bright stars that light up the dark skies of the Badlands. Often, it's hard to tell one from the other.
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Why Nancy Reagan's Sense of Style Wasn't Appreciated
Why Nancy Reagan's Sense of Style Wasn't Appreciated
Published: 12 Mar 2018 Duration: 03:03Like Jackie and Dolley before her, Nancy Reagan brought her own unique style to the White House. But economic times were tough, and what was seen as stylish in one era was now viewed as extravagant.Like Jackie and Dolley before her, Nancy Reagan brought her own unique style to the White House. But economic times were tough, and what was seen as stylish in one era was now viewed as extravagant.
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The First Presidential Wife to Be Called the First Lady
The First Presidential Wife to Be Called the First Lady
Published: 5 Mar 2018 Duration: 03:11Dolley Madison, the First Lady of president James Madison was a Jackie Kennedy of her time. Her refined taste and elevated social graces brought an unprecedented sense of style to the White House.Dolley Madison, the First Lady of president James Madison was a Jackie Kennedy of her time. Her refined taste and elevated social graces brought an unprecedented sense of style to the White House.
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The Amazing Adaptation That Keeps Tamarin Numbers Up
The Amazing Adaptation That Keeps Tamarin Numbers Up
Published: 5 Mar 2018 Duration: 03:08Golden lion tamarins have evolved a clever way to keep their population size steady in the face of predation. They almost always give birth to twins.Golden lion tamarins have evolved a clever way to keep their population size steady in the face of predation. They almost always give birth to twins.
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Gladiator Teeth Reveal Signs of Infant Malnourishment
Gladiator Teeth Reveal Signs of Infant Malnourishment
Published: 26 Feb 2018 Duration: 03:02By all accounts, Roman gladiators were the rock stars of their day, performing in a packed coliseum to a crowd of thousands. But evidence suggests they experienced extremely malnourished childhoods marked with high levels of stress.By all accounts, Roman gladiators were the rock stars of their day, performing in a packed coliseum to a crowd of thousands. But evidence suggests they experienced extremely malnourished childhoods marked with high levels of stress.
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These Feisty Female Lemurs Fight With Babies on Their Backs
These Feisty Female Lemurs Fight With Babies on Their Backs
Published: 26 Feb 2018 Duration: 02:45In ring-tailed lemur society, it's the females who call the shots. They live in groups of up to 30 members and the alpha female will fight hard to protect her territory.In ring-tailed lemur society, it's the females who call the shots. They live in groups of up to 30 members and the alpha female will fight hard to protect her territory.
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These Assassins Were the Nazi's Last-Ditch Effort
These Assassins Were the Nazi's Last-Ditch Effort
Published: 19 Feb 2018 Duration: 02:27Franz Oppenhoff was installed as the mayor of Aachen, Germany, after it was taken by Allied forces. Little did he know, guerrilla Nazi assassins who called themselves "Werwolves" had him in their crosshairs.Franz Oppenhoff was installed as the mayor of Aachen, Germany, after it was taken by Allied forces. Little did he know, guerrilla Nazi assassins who called themselves "Werwolves" had him in their crosshairs.
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Here's Exactly How Shrunken Heads Are Made
Here's Exactly How Shrunken Heads Are Made
Published: 19 Feb 2018 Duration: 03:52A scientist's visit to a Shuar elder in Ecuador reveals the secrets of the ceremonial tradition of head shrinking. Now the scientist has set himself a gruesome goal to do it himself.A scientist's visit to a Shuar elder in Ecuador reveals the secrets of the ceremonial tradition of head shrinking. Now the scientist has set himself a gruesome goal to do it himself.
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Scientists Recreate a Stone Age Cremation
Scientists Recreate a Stone Age Cremation
Published: 12 Feb 2018 Duration: 04:08A scientist sets about to recreate a Stone Age funeral pyre. Astonishingly, and using nothing but resources from that era, the makeshift pyre achieves the same high temperatures as a modern crematorium.A scientist sets about to recreate a Stone Age funeral pyre. Astonishingly, and using nothing but resources from that era, the makeshift pyre achieves the same high temperatures as a modern crematorium.
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What Elephants Endure When Used as Tourist Attractions
What Elephants Endure When Used as Tourist Attractions
Published: 12 Feb 2018 Duration: 01:59An estimated 25% of all elephants born in Burma are captured and sold into the tourism trade. What's worse: They must be broken in first.An estimated 25% of all elephants born in Burma are captured and sold into the tourism trade. What's worse: They must be broken in first.
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This Is the Jewelry Worn by Vintage Hollywood Movie Stars
This Is the Jewelry Worn by Vintage Hollywood Movie Stars
Published: 5 Feb 2018 Duration: 04:21Joseff of Hollywood made jewelry for many of the most important American films of the 20th century. When Doris and Shelly Lyn visit his studio, they have one goal: no drooling on the designs.Joseff of Hollywood made jewelry for many of the most important American films of the 20th century. When Doris and Shelly Lyn visit his studio, they have one goal: no drooling on the designs.
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Incredible: A Gaboon Viper Strikes a Bird in Slo-Mo
Incredible: A Gaboon Viper Strikes a Bird in Slo-Mo
Published: 5 Feb 2018 Duration: 02:22Gaboon vipers don't have the fastest strike in the snake world--but they don't need to be faster than other snakes, just their prey. In this case, a passing bird stands no chance.Gaboon vipers don't have the fastest strike in the snake world--but they don't need to be faster than other snakes, just their prey. In this case, a passing bird stands no chance.
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How the "Babe" in Babe Ruth Came About
How the "Babe" in Babe Ruth Came About
Published: 29 Jan 2018 Duration: 03:31When Jack Dunn brought a young George Herman Ruth Jr. to the Orioles, they became inseparable--so much so that the other players started referring to Ruth as Dunn's "babe."When Jack Dunn brought a young George Herman Ruth Jr. to the Orioles, they became inseparable--so much so that the other players started referring to Ruth as Dunn's "babe."
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This Hero Rallied Wounded USS Indianapolis Survivors
This Hero Rallied Wounded USS Indianapolis Survivors
Published: 29 Jan 2018 Duration: 03:21Dehydrated, exhausted, and preyed upon by sharks, the surviving crew of the sunken USS Indianapolis was in a living nightmare. Thanks to Marine Captain Edward Parke's display of heroism, he gave survivors that extra push to stay alive.Dehydrated, exhausted, and preyed upon by sharks, the surviving crew of the sunken USS Indianapolis was in a living nightmare. Thanks to Marine Captain Edward Parke's display of heroism, he gave survivors that extra push to stay alive.
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Here's Why Our Brains Trick Us into Seeing Things
Here's Why Our Brains Trick Us into Seeing Things
Published: 22 Jan 2018 Duration: 02:44The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, but it can make mistakes while interpreting the world around us. A scientist explains how Bigfoot might be one of them.The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, but it can make mistakes while interpreting the world around us. A scientist explains how Bigfoot might be one of them.
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This Brave Student Captured the Mount St. Helens Blast
This Brave Student Captured the Mount St. Helens Blast
Published: 22 Jan 2018 Duration: 02:02Some of the most breathtaking photos of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens were taken by a graduate student camped nearby. Even more impressive, he took them while trying to outrun the enormous landslide.Some of the most breathtaking photos of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens were taken by a graduate student camped nearby. Even more impressive, he took them while trying to outrun the enormous landslide.
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Women Were Some of the Fiercest Samurai Warriors Ever
Women Were Some of the Fiercest Samurai Warriors Ever
Published: 15 Jan 2018 Duration: 03:17In ancient Japan, battle was typically reserved for male samurai. That all changed when Takeko Nakano and her sister, Yuko, decided to fight for their clan's independence after a deadly village invasion.In ancient Japan, battle was typically reserved for male samurai. That all changed when Takeko Nakano and her sister, Yuko, decided to fight for their clan's independence after a deadly village invasion.
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This Lion Couple Mates Over 100 Times a Day
This Lion Couple Mates Over 100 Times a Day
Published: 15 Jan 2018 Duration: 03:25A newly coupled lion and lioness head to the relative solitude of the higher grounds in their new kingdom of Rwanda. Over the next four days, they'll mate over 100 times a day.A newly coupled lion and lioness head to the relative solitude of the higher grounds in their new kingdom of Rwanda. Over the next four days, they'll mate over 100 times a day.
