How the Black Decree Led to This Mexican Emperor's Doom

In 1942, the Japanese were bearing down on the Philippines, where General Douglas MacArthur was based. To help him escape, the Navy relied on a small but heavily armed class of ships: the PT boat.

How PT Boats Helped General MacArthur Escape Capture (3:39)

Greg Spriggs and Jim Moye are on a mission: to declassify all valuable film footage that exists of every U.S. nuclear test ever conducted.

Bringing Classified Nuclear Test Footage to the Public (1:47)

Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, on how MLK's assassination affected all Americans and how the civil rights leader ultimately embodied of the best of our nation.

History in Context: The Impact of MLK's Assassination (1:20)

This episode of "Conversations in Context," an interview series with Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, examines key movements in black history, from Civil-Rights-era protests like the Greensboro sit-in to Black Lives Matter, and explores what lessons today’s movement can learn from the past.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch on the History of Protest in America (11:33)

The Vikings had dreams of exploration and conquest, and the longship was ideal for that purpose. Soon, they were able to venture as far as the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

What Made the Viking Longship So Terrifyingly Effective (3:52)

It's 1933 and Mae West is just arriving at Grauman's Chinese Theater for the premiere of I'm No Angel. It draws fans from all over the country—as well as an organized protest from conservative religious groups.

How Conservative Groups Forced an Era of Censorship on Hollywood (1:38)

In April 1953, a decorated former RAF officer named Peter Townsend caused a stir by proposing to Princess Margaret, who was 15 years his junior. Townsend was also a commoner and a divorcé—both unthinkable to the Royal Family at the time.

Princess Margaret's Scandalous Engagement to Peter Townsend (2:38)

Julie Montagu, the American-born Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, is meeting up with an expert on 18th century dance. Her aim is to learn about the dances performed in that era.

Can You Learn the Steps to This 18th-Century Dance? (3:55)

Television reporter Shannon LaNier is a direct descendant of the third President of the United States. (Credit: Drew Gardner)

What It Took to Recreate a Portrait of Thomas Jefferson (3:28)