Dangerous since 1896" is the saying that shrouds one of the country's most notorious prisons. Tucked in a remote section of the Cumberland Plateau and surrounded by miles of rough terrain, the prison once housed Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassin, James Earl Ray, where he escaped more than once.
It’s tough out in nature, but many creatures are forced or choose to leave it all behind and seek a new life in the urban jungle. For some, it is life on the breadline, while others find a land of opportunity.
In 1925, one of the greatest legal showdowns in history happened in the quaint town of Dayton, TN where Clarence Darrow squared off against William Jennings Bryan about Darwin’s theory of evolution. One man wasn’t prepared to be swept up in a trial that would change American education forever.
In 1956, the National Guard descended on Clinton, Tennessee, to protect 12 black students enrolled in the newly integrated Clinton High School. Ultimately, the troops weren’t enough to keep the peace. Who were the Clinton 12?
The mountains of North Carolina and Georgia became the perfect hideout for suspected bomber Eric Robert Rudolph. Relive this warped tale of one man on the run, outwitting some of the most skilled man-trackers in the business. And how the authorities finally brought the Olympic Bomber to justice.
The faint red glow of Mars has intrigued those watching it from Earth for centuries. Now space exploration has begun to lift the veil on "The Red Planet", and upcoming missions to Mars are looking at Mars as a potential habitat for humans. Can we move to Mars in the next decade?
From the early attempts for the Great War to the visionary offerings to assist in space flight, aircraft designers have turned to unorthodox twin boom concepts as a viable option.
For over 35 years, the Sikorsky Blackhawk has been a reliable war horse for the U.S. Armed Forces–charging into hostile territory from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan. After decades of upgrades, it remains one of the world's most sophisticated aircraft.
In Africa’s Great Rift Valley, lies a mysterious, toxic lake. Lake Natron’s red water reaches hellish temperatures and its chemistry is similar to ammonia. Yet despite the deadly conditions, a few species manage to do more than just survive -- they thrive.
Examining how renewed excitement about returning to the moon could lead to a colony.
With Germany's FW 190 terrorizing the skies of Europe, Britain and America merge the P-51 Mustang and the super Merlin engine to create the ultimate fighting machine.
The Lockheed Constellation, known as the "Connie," was one of the most elegant and aesthetically-pleasing aircraft to ever take flight. The iconic American airliner was the end product of a four-decade long search for the perfect airliner.
Host Derek Muller uncovers the mind-blowing secrets of spider vision! Discover how advanced color vision in jumping spiders has evolved in so many unique ways, and explore the wide spectrum of colors in their hidden world. You won't believe what these tiny creatures can see!
The F4U Corsair was an iconic and versatile fighter-bomber in both World War II and Korea. Could a modern jet live up to that reputation? The Vietnam-era A7 Corsair was designed more for an attack role than its legendary namesake, but it was every bit as successful.
This film reconstructs the life of famed marine biologist and environmental pioneer Jacques Cousteau using a fascinating mix of wildlife footage, archive material and re-enactments.
The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Her real name according to art history is “La Gioconda”. For many years though, there have been doubts: why did Leonardo not hand the portrait on to the commissioner if it was a picture of his wife?
What makes a person become a serial killer? Follow forensic scientists, law enforcement, profilers, and prosecutors on the trail of German female serial killer, Tuba S. She was accused of murdering the magician Riconelly in 2016, but it seems that he was not her first victim…
Nothing changed the world as we know it more than the process of domestication. Once humans found they could shape the environment and control the foods they grew, they gave up a nomadic hunter/gatherer lifestyle and became farmers. A few key species made this happen, like cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Humans have always strived to summit mountains, but the higher we climb, the less oxygen is available. In the most extreme peaks, death can come quickly -- for most. A few rare people can condition themselves to live at high altitude for long periods of time … and one man wants to find out, why?
In our hectic world so much seems to pass us by. All around us dramas are playing out, but they often happen so fast that we don’t even see it: blink and you’ll miss it. But when you slow down the action a whole new world is revealed.
Here is nature seen through the hearts, minds and eyes of the world’s greatest female cinematographers.
We may not always be able to see them, but trust us, they're there. This is the story of the wildlife that may as well be our roommates. From the first cockroaches who shared our caves to the not so “sterile” homes of those living on the international space station.
Countless animals from across the globe currently face extinction; if we are to stem the tide we must understand the lifestyles and habitats of the awe-inspiring creatures currently in danger.
Half of all bird species undertake annual migrations, everything from heavy-bodied swans to delicate hummingbirds. Migration is one of the most remarkable phenomena on the planet, hosts of animals of all shapes and sizes demonstrating incredible feats of endurance.