Breaking an Elephant's Spirit

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)

When you look at the sheer scale of her athletic achievements, it's a wonder she's not better known today: boxing star, three-time Olympic medalist, and one of the best women's golf players of all time.

The Most Famous Female Athlete You've Never Heard Of (1:37)

The Smithsonian curator of political history talks with the co-founder of One Common Unity about creativity, education and solving the world’s biggest problems

The Long Conversation 2018: Jon Grinspan Interviews Hawah Kasat (11:57)

The New York Times columnist and the Smithsonian curator of political history talk about what we can learn from partisan struggles of the past

The Long Conversation 2018: David Brooks Interviews Jon Grinspan (11:36)

On September 2, 1945, Japan delivered its unconditional surrender in WWII. Twelve million American troops went home as civilians, to work and raise families--ushering the U.S. into a new age of global leadership.

Japan's Surrender in WWII Ushered in a New World Order (2:06)