CCRCVidFInal.mp4

Before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln signs into law the Compensated Emancipation Act. Costing nearly one million dollars, the act buys freedom for all District of Columbia slaves.

The Act That Bought Slaves Freedom in D.C. (2:06)

The collection of 140,000 bat specimen at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is providing a key resource for tracking the epidemic that is wiping out the world's bat population.

The Silent Killer Wiping Out This Small Species in America (2:35)

Deep caves and secret tunnels provide the crocodile with a stealthy advantage in stalking its prey.(Courtesy of Paul Scofield)

Stealthy Crocodile Captures Unsuspecting Prey (2:13)

In 1947, when a local rancher claimed to have found a flying saucer in his field, Roswell became the center of conspiracy theories and a tourist destination for anyone in search of little green men.

The Mysterious Roswell UFO Incident of 1947 (1:25)

In 1860, aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe met with President Lincoln to discuss the possibility of using gas-filled balloons for military reconnaissance.

The Unusual Way Union Troops Spied on Confederates (3:08)

To capture the intense animal interactions of East Africa's wildlife, the producers of Blood River Crossing used camera drones that could fly, float, and drive.

Drones Bring You Shockingly Close to Africa's Wildlife (1:24)

Celebrate Kandula the Asian Elephant's 5th Birthday at Smithsonian's National Zoo.

An Adorable Birthday Party for a Baby Elephant (2:38)

The human body hosts more than ten thousand different kinds of microbes. Most of these bacteria aren't harmful - in fact, many of them actually aid the immune system.

Are Antibiotics Causing More Harm Than Good? (2:32)

When a baby is born surgically via C-section, it may miss out on the health benefits of passing through the birth canal.

Is a Natural Birth Better For Your Baby? (2:15)