About Face

In 1956, Nat King Cole, one of the biggest musical stars in the world, was attacked on stage by the KKK. It was the reality of being a black man in America, where even fame and fortune couldn't protect you.

The Vicious KKK Attack Against Nat King Cole (2:26)

In ancient Mayan lore, the world of the living was directly connected to the underworld: Xibalba. This belief was central to many facets of Mayan life—including a unique sport with fatal consequences.

How This Mayan Legend Inspired a Deadly Ballgame (3:13)

A team of archaeologists are trying to discover what lies beneath the medieval fortress of Castell Dinas Bran in North Wales. But instead of digging, they'll be relying on advanced technology.

Does Castell Dinas Bran Have an Arthurian Castle Resting Beneath? (3:06)

In 1936, a Harlem postal worker named Victor Green published a book that would go on to become a vital companion for African-American motorists: the "Green Book."

How the 'Green Book' Helped Black Motorists Travel Safely (2:41)

Standing in the Roman senate, Octavian read out the shocking details of Mark Antony's will. It was a devastating revelation that immediately gave the young schemer a major advantage over his soon-to-be disgraced rival.

How Octavian Succeeded in Discrediting Mark Antony (3:18)

When Octavian emerged as the sole ruler of Rome, he immediately began a sophisticated PR campaign to clean up his image. He ditched the military regalia and presented himself as a man of peace.

How Octavian Successfully Rebranded Himself (3:30)

The strict laws of Prohibition were selectively enforced, and the brunt of their legal impact fell on minority and working-class groups while vigilante groups used "Prohibition enforcement" as cover. In this way, Prohibition helped fuel the re-emergence of one of the most notorious hate groups of all time: the KKK.

How Prohibition Led to the Revival of the Ku Klux Klan (3:01)

From Radio City Music Hall to '30 Rock,' Rockefeller Center was a construction project befitting of the city's ambition. But its build was an epic affair—and came with an eye-watering price tag.

The Staggering Price Tag of NYC's Rockefeller Center (1:42)

While stars like Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable enlisted and served during WWII, directors like John Ford would bring military footage of the Pacific conflict straight to American viewers.

How Hollywood Encouraged Recruitment for WWII (2:38)