Schedule

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

In its third century of service, the U.S. Coast Guard's reputation as the worldwide emblem of rescue at sea overshadows the unbelievable scope of its feats as America's fifth armed service. Once again in time of crisis, the nation calls upon this agile service to shift gears beyond its other vital duties to deal with the terrorist threat. Our 2-hour special features its exploits from inception by Alexander Hamilton in 1790 to the present day. Witness the stepchild service battle for existence, enduring by becoming indispensable and irreplaceable. And meet the men and women of the Coast Guard who perform nautical good deeds year in and year out, while fighting in all U.S. wars and protecting 16,000 miles of ocean, river, and lake shoreline!

The Battle of Mogadishu is a largely forgotten, yet extremely important event in U.S. military history. When 18 American soldiers were killed and images broadcast of bodies dragged through the streets of an enigmatic African city, it was a horrible blow to the national psyche. In a 2-hour review of the battle, based on Mark Bowden's bestseller "Black Hawk Down", we see how we got there, what went wrong, and explore the legacy. Includes interviews with Bowden, U.S. Rangers, and Somali militiamen.

Amazingly, the Ancients understood the principles of the modern tank. They combined armor with speed to create the ancient version of the tank--it could stop an onslaught of bullets. What exactly was this ancient weapon that destroyed enemy heavy infantry, elephants and cavalry? Watch as experts and archaeological digs reveal new evidence into this invention, which will be reconstructed.

R. Lee Ermey takes us on a fascinating ride through the pathology of the rifle: where it came from, who thought of it, who improved it, its victories, its defeats, its impact on history and where it is now. R. Lee also calls on experts to highlight historical characters who exploited this weapon.

In its third century of service, the U.S. Coast Guard's reputation as the worldwide emblem of rescue at sea overshadows the unbelievable scope of its feats as America's fifth armed service. Once again in time of crisis, the nation calls upon this agile service to shift gears beyond its other vital duties to deal with the terrorist threat. Our 2-hour special features its exploits from inception by Alexander Hamilton in 1790 to the present day. Witness the stepchild service battle for existence, enduring by becoming indispensable and irreplaceable. And meet the men and women of the Coast Guard who perform nautical good deeds year in and year out, while fighting in all U.S. wars and protecting 16,000 miles of ocean, river, and lake shoreline!

The Battle of Mogadishu is a largely forgotten, yet extremely important event in U.S. military history. When 18 American soldiers were killed and images broadcast of bodies dragged through the streets of an enigmatic African city, it was a horrible blow to the national psyche. In a 2-hour review of the battle, based on Mark Bowden's bestseller "Black Hawk Down", we see how we got there, what went wrong, and explore the legacy. Includes interviews with Bowden, U.S. Rangers, and Somali militiamen.

As Europe falls under Nazi control, America is unprepared for war and the attack on Pearl Harbor. The first bloody battles are fought on Guadalcanal and in North Africa.

General George S. Patton and the US Army embark on the road to Germany by invading North Africa on November 8th, 1942. The program begins with a preview of the first showdown between US and German forces at Kasserine Pass in February, 1943. Then, back at the initial landings in November, 1942, Pro-Nazi French forces put up surprisingly strong resistance on land, at sea, and in the air against Patton's invasion forces. After three days of intense fighting, a cease-fire is declared, and Patton triumphantly enters the port city of Casablanca. But bigger battles with the German Army loom on the horizon. Focusing on the campaigns of Gen. George S. Patton Jr., this new series combines exciting computer animations of the battles and equipment with archival footage and commentary from historians and veterans, to take us right back into the middle of the action.

In a challenge best suited for a British battlefield in the Middle Ages, contestants test their skills with the Black Widow Long Bow. But as they fire arrows toward targets set up like ski-ball, the marksmen realize the challenge is more than they bargained for. Two confront the prospect of elimination and must adapt to the revolutionary Gatling Gun to stay in the game.

In recent years there have been a number of extraordinary discoveries of ships from the ancient world. But what do these finds say about the societies which created them, and the techniques they used in their construction? Travel back to ancient Egypt and learn about the "Khufu Boat" which had not one metal nail in its construction, and uncover huge sailing vessels, dating from 3000 B.C., in Abydos near the Nile. Some of the most exciting discoveries that have been made include the warship, and one carried as many as 7000 crewman.

At the end of the 13th century, Scotland was a country under attack. Defeat seemed inevitable. But from nowhere emerged a man who became Scotland's greatest hero--William Wallace, commonly known as Braveheart. Rising from obscurity in a violent age, he became an inspirational leader and national symbol of patriotism and survival. Now, new research allows us to journey back to his world. Traveling down secret pathways that still lie beneath Scotland, we rediscover a surprisingly sophisticated culture that hasn't been seen for 700 years--a world Braveheart died to protect. Uncovering the mysteries beneath Eldersie, we reveal the town that gave rise to the Guardian of Scotland. Restoring the Castle of Lanark to its former glory, we visit the place where he sought revenge for the murder of his wife. And rebuilding Stirling Bridge, we relive Wallace's famous battle against the English army--a turning point in the history of Scotland and the life of its champion.