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)

In the 19th century, there was a watermill almost every mile of the river, such was the huge demand for flour and bread. Today, Eastnor castle’s own mill is still operational–an important piece of local history.

This British Castle Still Has a Functioning Flour Mill (3:39)

A flock of Andean condors have spotted a carcass in the Southern Cordillera region of Patagonia. It's a rare feeding opportunity in this barren land - and there will be a spirited competition for scraps.

These Condors Will Fight to Get a Seat at the Dinner Table (2:02)

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)

Boston’s iconic lighthouse, the Boston Light, is managed by a single person: Sally Snowman. She is the 70th keeper of the lighthouse since it was built over 300 years ago.

This Woman Manages America's Oldest Lighthouse (2:59)

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)

The name sounds innocuous, maybe even charming. But it’s also known by another name—the ant lion—and it’s every bit as predatory and remorseless as that name sounds.

Doodlebug Is a Misleading Name for an Accomplished Assassin (3:04)

In life, the role of Tutankhamun was to ensure the worship of the god Ra, so that the sun would rise up in the sky. In death, that obligation continued in the form of a perilous journey through the underworld.

King Tutankhamun Was Thought To Have A Direct Link To The Sun God (2:14)

When birds need sleep, they do it on the fly--quite literally. They're able to enter a special kind of half-sleep state that lets them rest midair, which is especially important if you're a migratory bird, like the Alpine swift, clocking thousands of miles at a time. Glide into the astounding world of avian sleep.

The Secret World of Animal Sleep: Asleep on the Wing (3:01)

No bird is more skilled at in-flight feeding than a hummingbird, thanks to their ability to hover in the air. But if it's rainy, these fantastic flyers have to be extremely careful not to get hurt.

Why Hummingbirds Don't Like Flying in Rainy Conditions (2:17)

KV-64 is an ancient Egyptian royal tomb with a mystery. 500 years after it was sealed, it was re-opened and another occupant was added: the daughter of a high-ranking priest.

This Ancient Egyptian Tomb Was Used for Two Different Burials (3:58)

A military-grade thermal camera lifts the lid on the night time excursions of hippos on dry land. Those consist of grazing on a staggering amount of grass, while keeping a watchful eye out for roaming lions.

The Secret and Busy Night Life of Adult Hippos (3:27)

In 1985, an American FBI agent began to sell intelligence to the Russians, under the alias of Ramon Garcia. It would be another 16 years before he was finally arrested by the FBI.

This FBI Agent Sold Secrets to the KGB for Years (4:04)

A shy orangutan makes great strides by confidently securing her share of breakfast. But she’s not above sharing her bounty of turnips with another orangutan, whom she’s befriended.

A Shy Orangutan Shares Her Breakfast With a Friend (2:11)

Separated from the mainland, the babirusa pigs of Sulawesi have evolved in total isolation. This has resulted in some pretty dramatic differences from regular pigs—especially in their appearance

Meet the Strangest Pigs in the World (3:14)

A herd of migrating elephants are acquiring necessary minerals like calcium and potassium from a burnt wood clearing. It’s also an impromptu reunion spot for all traveling elephant herds.

This Salt Lick Doubles as a Reunion Spot for Elephants (2:23)

Henry Ford was a genius who virtually created the automobile industry as we know it. But what's less lauded was his talent for publicity—and his ability to partner with other pioneers such as Ohio's Harvey Firestone.

How Henry Ford Found the Right Tires for Model T Cars (1:46)

In 1947, a group of Bedouins were exploring caves near the Dead Sea when they stumbled across an ancient set of copper scrolls that would cause a stir among Biblical scholars: the Dead Sea Scrolls.

This 1947 Discovery Revolutionized Biblical History (2:31)

In primates, recognition of snakes is instinctive, but fear of snakes is learned. Today, caretakers of the jungle school set about teaching them.

Orangutans Need to Learn to Fear Snakes (2:41)

Beneath the shattered tomb of the prophet Jonah, in present day Iraq, lies a chamber of archaeological wonder and antiquity—a rare glimpse into the mysterious Assyrian empire.

This Ancient Iraqi Shrine Is a Window to the Story of Jonah (3:10)

The two-wheel chariot was also a two-crew chariot: a driver handling the reins, and an archer unleashing a volley of arrows. Its speed and maneuverability made it the scourge of ancient battlefields.

Why the Two-Wheel Chariot Was So Effective in Ancient Battles (1:55)

A contemporary weapons expert is about to test a medieval war hammer on a steel breastplate from that era. The aim is to find out how much damage this fearsome instrument of death could deal.

What Kind of Damage Can a Medieval War Hammer Do? (2:09)

The dominant bear in the swamp is fending off another challenge to his authority by an intruder. It's a clash of titans with mating rights on the line.

Stunning Footage of Two Bears Duking It Out for Dominance (2:40)

As spring begins, the surviving bees in the hive pick up their first task of the new year: dumping the corpses of the bees that died over winter.

The First Job Bees Have in Spring Is Grim (2:06)

Hadrian’s Wall was a 73 mile barrier stretching from coast to coast, splitting the warlike north of Britain from the more docile south. It was the Roman Empire’s way of imposing peace in a hostile land

The Roman Wall That Split Britain Into Two Parts (3:35)