04/01/2003 8:00 Deep Sea Detectives. Titanic: High Tech at Low Depth. In its day, the Titanic was a technological wonder. People were so enthralled with the largest moving man-made object in the world that they truly believed it unsinkable. Until it slipped out of sight on April 15, 1912. In a 90- minute special filled with spectacular footage of both recent and archival expeditions, we explore the history of the ship and the technology that finally found it and enabled exploration and salvaging dives. CC [TV G] 9:30 Great Blunders in History. Titanic: An Accident Waiting to Happen. Did too few lifeboats and cost-cutting materials, plus pressure from the Titanic's owner to travel at full speed, bring about the disaster? We'll look at the mistakes that caused this "unsinkable" luxury liner to go down on her maiden voyage. [TV G] 10:00 Titanic Tech. Welcome aboard the Titanic. Watertight compartments and a steel-plated hull render it all but unsinkable. Nearly every technological breakthrough of the previous 50 years was employed onboard, providing comfort and safety for passengers and crew. But none of this matters as the ship bore down on an iceberg on her maiden voyage, sinking the Titanic within hours with more than 1,500 lives lost. Learn the details of her construction and how the achievements of technology may have masked vulnerabilities. CC [TV G] 11:00 Infamous Murders. Royal Murders. Looks at the 1975 assassination of Saudi Arabia's King Faisal by his nephew Prince Faisal ibn Musaid, who had a history of mental illness and was quietly spirited away and never heard of again; the modern- day Romeo and Juliet tragedy of Crown Prince Dipendra of Bhutan, who murdered his father King Birendra in 2001 when he forbade his son to marry the woman of his choice due to political concerns; and the cold-blooded murders in 1918 of Csar Nicholas II and his family by the Bolsheviks. CC [TV PG] 11:30 Infamous Murders. Murder at the Top. In 1979, Lord Mountbatten, a member of the British royal family, died when his boat exploded. Two members of the IRA were arrested. In 1998, 74-year-old Bishop Juan Gerardi, head of the Catholic Church's inquiry into human rights abuse in Guatemala, was beaten to death after presenting his report. A retired army colonel had ordered his death. And we look at the Night of the Long Knives, when Ernst Roehm, head of Nazi Germany's SA, was killed amidst a purge ordered by Hitler in 1934. CC [TV PG] 04/02/2003 8:00 Dead Reckoning. Body Clues. A hardware storeowner found brutally murdered in his home. In bed, a mother stabbed to death while her children lay down the hall. When the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's forensics team arrives on a murder scene, there's often scant evidence with which to work. Mysterious markings on the skin, blood splatter in an unsuspected location, a hidden fiber nearly invisible to the eye. Watch as scattered, sparse clues add up and investigators piece together the real stories behind these hideous crimes. CC [TV 14] 9:00 The History of Sex. The 20th Century. A sensual, extensive series that looks at what sex has meant to the development of civilization--and what the development of civilization has meant to sex. From the first latex condom in the 1920s to the birth of the Pill in the 1960s, sexuality evolved at a rapid pace in the 20th century. How will sex change in the 21st century? CC [TV 14] 10:00 Coal Mines. Coal--the fuel responsible for more than half the electricity used daily. We unearth the amazing technological advances that have led to today's extremely efficient methods- -from ancient techniques to the simplistic bell pit method, from drift mining, surface mining, and strip mining to modern longwall mining, when a massive machine extracts an entire wall of coal in seconds. We go underground with miners in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming, and also address environmental concerns. CC [TV G] 11:00 Organized Crime: A World History. Russia. With the fall of communism, a rapacious new gangster class arose from all of the former Soviet Republics and became criminal millionaires. The Red Mafiya, which seized power with staggering speed in the post-Soviet free-market free-for-all, can be traced back centuries to the Thieves World--a secret criminal culture with a strict code of conduct based on loyalty and opposition to the government. We cover the Redfellas evolution--from roots in Imperial Russia to shocking global reach today. CC [TV PG] 04/03/2003 8:00 Dead Reckoning. The Body Searchers. Focusing on the work of an unusual forensics organization based in Colorado, NecroSearch is made up of forensic anthropologists, archaeologists, botanists, geologists, thermographers, geophysicists, criminalists, and bloodhound handlers who pool their resources and talents to help law enforcement agencies find clandestine graves and recover the evidence found there. As two cases unfold, we see how NecroSearch works, while treating an exhumation like an archaeological dig. CC [TV 14] 9:00 The History of Sex. The Middle Ages. In this steamy history, we trace the evolution of sexual beliefs and practices from the fall of the Roman Empire through the Renaissance. We'll also uncover the conflicting extremes of medieval romance and sex--from the bawdy life of European city dwellers to the staid and dangerous practice of courtly love. Medieval scholars offer humorous and interesting carnal tales of lusty knights, bawdy widows, naughty priests, and chaste maidens. CC [TV 14] 10:00 Nuclear Subs. The most priceless jewels in the arsenals of a handful of countries, some nuclear submarines carry more firepower than all the bombs dropped in history. Since the 1950s, these lethal steel sharks have been a cornerstone of U.S. defense policy. The Cold War launched an underwater race for supremacy with the Soviet Union. The result: engineering miracles, which roam 70% of the earth's surface, providing deterrence to enemies, intelligence about adversaries, and an abiding sense of dread. CC [TV G] 11:00 Infamous Murders. Deadly Ladies. Examines three examples of women who proved just as capable of heinous crime as a man! First up, Kate Barker, better known as Ma, who led a gang of bank robbers and kidnappers until killed in a fierce firefight with the FBI in 1935. Then, we examine the case of Velma Barfield, found guilty in 1978 of murdering her fiance by poisoning him with arsenic. She confessed to killing four others the same way before execution. Finally, we look at the trial and execution of pickax murderer Karla Faye Tucker. CC [TV PG] 11:30 Infamous Murders. Hollywood Murders. In the heyday of Hollywood, police investigate several bizarre tangles of murder, intrigue, and vice. In 1932, movie producer Paul Bern, who had married Jean Harlow just two months earlier, was found dead with a suicide note nearby, but circumstances were suspicious...In 1935, top stars and studio bosses are implicated when screen idol Thelma Todd becomes an "apparent" suicide...In 1958, 14-year-old Cheryl Crane, daughter of Lana Turner, is charged with the murder of her mother's boyfriend. CC [TV PG] 04/04/2003 8:00 Dead Reckoning. Left at the Scene. In a series that presents forensic crime history by making technology the star, we see how scientific crime techniques solved difficult cases. In 1994, Rhonda Maloney was abducted and raped by Robert Harlan in Thornton, Colorado. We retrace 7 days of Thornton Crime Scene Investigator Bob Lloyd- -from the abduction to arrest to autopsy-- as he methodically worked several crime scenes. Then, we watch Senior Crime Investigator Don Sollars finally solve the murder of 78-year-old Frida Winters. CC [TV 14] 9:00 The History of Sex. Ancient Civilizations. In this hour, we study sex in the ancient world--from Mesopotamians, who viewed adultery as a crime of theft, to Romans, who believed that squatting and sneezing after sex was a reliable method birth control. We also look at revealing Egyptian and Greek practices--from the origins of dildos, to intimate relations between Egyptian gods and goddesses, to the use of crocodile dung as a contraceptive. CC [TV 14] 10:00 Tunnels of Vietnam. Here is the heroic story of a daring band of infantry soldiers, the "Tunnel Rats", charged with a daring mission--to search for, find, and destroy a secret subterranean network of enemy tunnels in Vietnam. Armed with only a flashlight, valor, and a .45, they faced a determined foe and overcame lethal odds, uncovering secret enemy arms and intelligence caches. Tragically, many of these volunteers died and others were seriously wounded on this terrifying suicide mission. CC [TV PG] 11:00 Presidential Scandals: TWIH. Host Josh Binswanger heads to the historic Hay- Adams Hotel in Washington, with a commanding view of the White House, for an hour devoted to presidential scandals. We investigate the first presidential impeachment, that of Andrew Johnson after the Civil War; listen to LBJ's secret White House tape about the Gulf of Tonkin incident during the Vietnam War; and talk to Fred Thompson about his role in the Senate Watergate Hearings, and a reporter who reveals details about the Reagan Iran Contra scandal. CC [TV G] 04/05/2003 8:00 Battle of the Bulge (Movie) Epic story of the Nazi war machine's last desperate offensive. Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, and Charles Bronson star. (1965) CC [TV PG] 11:00 Hell's Battlefield. Battle of the Bulge: The First 15 Days. In December 1944, Hitler prepared a strike force to split the Allies, hoping to destroy all Allied forces north of the Antwerp-Brussels-Bastogne line. With 22 new divisions, re-equipped with tanks and Luftwaffe units to support his ground attack, Hitler was ready to surprise Allied commanders in a plan that he called "Operation Grief". See how the largest pitched battle in the history of U.S. warfare became the scene of some of WWII's fiercest fighting, making the Bulge one of Hell's Battlefields. CC [TV PG] 04/06/2003 8:00 Mail Call. The Jeep/HIMARS/Hurricanes. R. Lee Ermey, who portrayed the sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket", applies his gruff sense of humor in this half-hour series that answers viewers' mail about what the armed forces were, and really are, like! Shot on location, Ermey reads the questions on air and then sends them out to military experts in the field for answers and brief demonstrations. Ermey learns all about the Jeep; the new rocket launcher called HIMARS; and how and why the military hunts down hurricanes. CC [TV PG] 8:30 Mail Call. AVLB/Fulton Recovery System/Pilot Survival Kit/Trireme/Battleship Guns/Grape Shot. This week we find out about the Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge, used by combat engineers; the Fulton Recovery System, which allows fixed-wing aircraft to rescue downed pilots; a pilot's survival kit; the ancient Greek warship, the Trireme; how to aim, load, and fire battleship guns; and how "grape shot", used in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, got its name. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Mail Call. Civil War Rifles/1st Missile Sub/Navy Divers' Gear/Field Strip/Bowie Knife/Hedgechopper. R. Lee Ermey compares Civil War rifles from both sides; learns about the first missile fired from the deck of a sub; compares the Navy's Mark 21 deep-sea suit, used for depths as far as 300 feet below surface, to "crush- proof" suits used in extreme missions that can go almost 2,000 feet down; performs a field strip, breaking down a weapon; finds out why the Bowie knife is so special; and explains the evolution of a hedgechopper, used on tanks during D-Day. CC [TV PG] 9:30 Mail Call. Grenade Launchers/.30 Caliber Machine Gun/Flyer 21/Shrapnel/D-Day Paratrooper Gear/Jetpack. In this episode, we learn how grenade launchers work; how a .30 caliber machine gun compares to a .50 cal; watch Ermey behind the wheel of a Flyer 21--part dune buggy and part heavily-armed Jeep; and discover the origin of the word shrapnel, what gear was unique to D-Day paratroopers, and if the military ever used jetpacks. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Mail Call. Unmanned Aircraft/Bogey/1st Combat Helicopter/Forward Observers/Fairbairn- Sykes Commando Knife. If unmanned aircraft are so good, why do we need pilots? Travel with R. Lee Ermey to Edwards AFB for a look at the latest in experimental planes. See how Scottish kids, afraid of the Bogey Man, gave rise to the pilot term for unidentified aircraft. Watch the first combat helicopter, the U.S. YR-4B, flown in WWII by Lt. Carter Harman in Burma. See how forward observers direct artillery fire, and join Ermey as he demonstrates the Fairbairn-Sykes commando knife on his favorite target--a watermelon! CC [TV PG] 10:30 Conquest. Unarmed Combat. Bodies fly through the air as our team follows wrestling techniques painted on the walls of Egyptian tombs, and looks at Greek wrestling, one of the very earliest and most important sports. We learn how the Greeks invented boxing, and how the Romans developed it for use in the arena. Next, we look at the medieval science of unarmed combat known as "gripping". Finally, we examine ancient Eastern methods that used the body as a deadly weapon. Hosted by actor and fight master Peter Woodward. CC [TV PG] 11:00 The Color of War. At Ease. It's been said that war is 90% boredom mixed with 10% sheer terror. The Allied servicemen of WWII spent a majority of their time in what normally would be called "everyday" activities. Eating, sleeping, reading and writing letters--trying to snatch a few moments of enjoyment in the midst of the titanic conflict. Veterans describe how they spent those brief interludes that became treasured wartime memories. With vivid color film unearthed from archives and personal collections. Peter Coyote narrates. CC [TV PG] 04/07/2003 8:00 Mail Call. Knight's Armor/WWI Backpack/Landmine. Ermey learns about the different pieces of a 15th-century knight's armor; what was inside a WWI infantry back; and what makes up a landmine. CC [TV PG] 8:30 Conquest. Stone Age Weapons. Actor and fight master Peter Woodward introduces us to Stone-Age weapons--flint or bone hand- axes, spears, bows, and slingshots--and shows us how to make them and how to fire- harden wooden spears. Paleontologists and ethnographers help us examine the weapons of primitive societies that have survived into our own time--assegais (slender hardwood spears), blowpipes, footbows, and boomerangs. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Angels: Good or Evil. Winged messengers have mesmerized humans since the dawn of civilization. Isis, Hermes, Mercury, and Asmodeus set the stage for monotheism's angels--Gabriel, Michael, and Satan. Hebraic, Christian, and Muslim scripture all describe angels and demons that were invoked in magic spells, immortalized in art, trivialized as decorative accessories, and dismissed by science. We see how their legacies shaped religion and art and hear from those who testify to firsthand encounters with these curious creatures. CC [TV G] 11:00 Fatima Secrets Unveiled. In 1917, the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared six times to three children near Fatima, Portugal, and revealed three prophecies-- two of which were made public. She bore a message of peace and prayer--but warned of a horrifying hell. The second part prophesized the end of WWI, the outbreak of WWII, and the rise and fall of Soviet Communism. In 1978, the third secret was revealed to the Pope, who just recently related the prediction--that an assassin would try to kill the Pope in St. Peter's Square! CC [TV G] 04/08/2003 8:00 Deep Sea Detectives. Shipwrecks!: California. Some of the most exciting tales of human determination and survival can be found in the chronicles of shipwrecks. Hold your breath and go below the watery surface to view some of the historic shipwrecks that scatter California's coastline, many of which have created heated controversy between archaeologists, championing the preservation of the wrecks, and salvagers, looking for treasure. As we tour the dark waters, we shed light on the tension between profit and preservation, ambition and greed. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way. Opium, Morphine and Heroin. An examination of the history of the poppy plant and three of its deadliest derivatives. In ancient times, the poppy was considered divine, but in the 19th and 20th centuries, its addicting and lethal qualities caused unprecedented national outrage, social upheaval, and even sparked two wars. Used by the upper classes as patent medicines, heroin became the bane of society when the working class began to use it. In 1914, Federal law banned heroin and opium, and restricted morphine to medicinal use. CC [TV PG] 10:00 The Tool Bench: Hand Tools. Well over 2-million years before modern man evolved, his primitive ancestors were making tools. The ability to extend the hand and strengthen the arm is considered one of the keys to human evolution. Join us as we nail down the history of hand tools, and look at a new generation of computer- designed, high-tech hand tools. CC [TV G] 11:00 Infamous Murders. Red Light Murders. Almost every major city in the world has a red-light district, where the life of a prostitute can be brutal and short. We examine three cases of prostitutes who became victims of murder. CC [TV PG] 11:30 Infamous Murders. New York Mafia Murders. In the 1920s, New York City's streets became a battleground for the Mafia, and the murderous disputes raged until the 1990s. Join us for a riveting look at how the struggle for mob leadership led to an endless cycle of murder and blood feuds. We look at the murders of Salvatore Maranzano in 1931 and the infamous murder of Albert Anastasia. Finally, we examine New York's long battle with "Teflon Don" John Gotti, who nevertheless, died "peacefully" of cancer in a federal penitentiary. CC [TV PG] 04/09/2003 8:00 Bombing Germany. Like Hiroshima, the German city of Dresden epitomizes the horrors of modern warfare. But many other German cities suffered the same fate as Dresden, and hardly anyone knows about them- -Plauen, Pforzheim, Heilbronn, Hildesheim, Worms, and Wrzburg. By the spring 1945, just as WWII was nearly over, Allied bombers wreaked havoc over German cities, killing half-a-million civilians. Why? We investigate the military and political rationale for area bombardment, featuring aircrew and citizen testimonies. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way. Cocaine. Derived from South America's coca leaf, cocaine was touted as a cure-all in the late 19th century and was the secret ingredient in many medicines and elixirs such as Coca-Cola. But cocaine's allure quickly diminished as racism entered the picture--the concept of the "cocaine- crazed Negro" even led police to strengthen the caliber of their guns from .32 to .38. We'll see how, though it was outlawed in 1914, its popularity soared in the 1980s and '90s and gave birth to a deadlier form- -crack. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Garage Gadgets. Handy around the house? You will be after this history of the household garage. From lawn care products to snow removal and outdoor cooking, the garage gadgets for do-it- yourselfers have evolved over the decades to meet the ever-changing challenges of maintaining a home. With a typical garage as our starting point, we'll explore the uncommon histories behind some common garage items such as the lawn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, barbecue grill, and more. CC [TV G] 11:00 Hell's Angels. Are they romantic figures of rebellion, or traveling, rowdy misfits? Jump on you "hog" and ride along as we reveal the history of this motorcycle club with a punch! From inception by a former pilot from the "Hell's Angels" squadron, to the true incident on which "The Wild One" is based, to today, it's a ride you won't want to miss. CC [TV PG] 04/10/2003 8:00 Ancient Drugs. Since mankind's beginnings, and in all civilizations, we have found ways to alter our everyday consciousness in search of a greater reality. To this end, we have indulged in many frightening and often toxic substances in many different rituals. We'll look for answers in history as to why we take mind- altering trips off the well-trod path. CC [TV G] 9:00 Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way. Marijuana. In a series investigating the history of drug use, we begin our trip tracing the rise of marijuana and synthetic amphetamines. Marijuana, from the Indian hemp plant, has been used worldwide as a source of rope, cloth, and paper; its medicinal qualities were first documented 4,000 years ago in China. But it's best known as the drug of choice of the 1960s. WWII U.S. troops were given an estimated 200 million amphetamines to fight drowsiness and battle fatigue and they're still used to fight depression. CC [TV PG] 10:00 The Tool Bench: Power Tools. The history of civilization could easily be measured in terms of our ability to make, use, and improve tools--an activity that is at least 4-million years old! At the tip of our toolmaking timeline are power tools. We'll examine today's power tool industry, which is booming thanks to more powerful, lighter, and quieter cordless tools. CC [TV G] 11:00 Infamous Murders. The Trunk Murders. Often a murderer's most problematic task is not the actual crime, but body disposal. A surprising number of murderers find that a large trunk is just the right size to hold a human corpse. We'll look at two murders in England, where female bodies were found in trunks, and the Ira Einhorn case, in which the body of his girlfriend, Holly Maddux, was found stuffed in a black steamer trunk in his Philadelphia apartment. CC [TV PG] 11:30 Infamous Murders. Killing for Pleasure. An examination of murderers who perpetrate terrible crimes against women-- hurting and killing their random and unknown victims. First, we travel back to England in the summer that followed WWII, when Neville Heath, an ex-serviceman, brutally murdered two women. Then, we examine the infamous Hillside Stranglers-- Kenneth Bianchi and his cousin Angelo Buono- -who murdered 12 women in the hills surrounding Los Angeles. And finally, we look at the "Coed Slayer", who killed 7 women in Michigan. CC [TV PG] 04/11/2003 8:00 Killer Submarine. Recounts the deadly patrol of a Soviet S-13 submarine through the Baltic Sea. On January 30, 1945, it sank a German refugee ship filled with women and children. Of the 10,000 passengers, only 700 survived. A week later, the sub sank a German hospital ship- -4,000 perished. Survivors of the sub and sunken ships offer firsthand accounts. CC [TV G] 9:00 Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way. LSD, Ecstasy and the Raves. How did the psychedelic drugs LSD and Ecstasy journey from a scientific discovery to a popular recreation to banned drugs? Mental health professionals once believed that LSD could treat schizophrenia or alcoholism. Meanwhile, Ecstasy, the "penicillin for the soul", was used in marriage counseling. Now, continuing the cycle of the hallucinogen, some of the latest derivatives in this category of drugs, the "rave" drugs such as GHB and Ketamine, are about to be banned. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Home Tech. From the outhouse to the smart house, our lives have improved drastically in the last 150 years. Today, there are fully automated homes in which everything, from the home theater to the outdoor waterfall, can be operated at the push of a button. But life wasn't always so easy for homemakers who were wrapped in the "drudgery of the dishcloth." Other great gadgets examined include the dishwasher, SOS pads, garbage disposals, Teflon-coated pans, the Jacuzzi, hair dryers, and the recliner chair. CC [TV G] 11:00 Sex and History: TWIH. From sex scandals to the origin of sex toys, host Josh Binswanger uncovers an hour of steamy history. Burlesque star Dita Von Teese demonstrates the classic techniques of striptease that drove our grandfathers wild. CC [TV 14] 04/12/2003 8:00 Stories from the Hall of Fame. Golf. An exploration of the lives and career highlights of five Hall of Fame golfers: Payne Stewart, Ben Hogan, Seve Ballesteros, Babe Didrikson-Zaharias, and Billy Casper. Hosted by Pro Golfer Tom Lehman from the Golf Hall of Fame, we bring to life the unforgettable matches, memorable plays, dramatic upsets, and controversies. Viewers also learn interesting facts about the Golf Hall of Fame and the history of the institution that preserves the sport and enshrines its greatest players. CC [TV G] 9:00 Cleavage. Sexy and fun, this 2-hour special surveys mankind's fascination with breasts and cleavage, from the goddesses of antiquity to today's silicone-enhanced TV and film stars. Offering their opinions on why two simple mounds of flesh have wielded such power through the ages are comedian Joan Rivers; "Cosmopolitan" magazine's Helen Gurley Brown; a plastic surgeon; a female body builder; and others. Narrated by Carmen Electra. CC [TV PG-L] 11:00 The Death of Marilyn Monroe. Though ruled a "probable suicide" by L.A. County Coroner Thomas Noguchi, Marilyn Monroe's 1962 death by drug overdose remains a source of controversy. Rumors of an affair with both President John Kennedy and his brother Robert, as well as the bizarre events that took place at her home on the day she died, have led many to believe she died as the result of a nefarious conspiracy to keep her silent about the affairs. We'll investigate the details, present the conflicting evidence, and let you decide! CC [TV PG] 04/13/2003 8:00 Unconventional Warfare. Whether ingenious, inspired, or just nefarious, unconventional warfare is often used as a last resort. Today's top military tacticians look at previous unconventional techniques, from the Trojan Horse to Hannibal's army of elephants, British fire ships to flying corpses riddled with smallpox, as well as modern implementations, such as terrorism and computer viruses. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Mail Call. Flak Vest/Medieval Crossbow/WWI Pilots. In this episode, we find out: If a bullet can penetrate body armor? How accurate was a medieval crossbow? How did WWI pilots shoot through their propellers? CC [TV PG] 10:30 Conquest. Urban Ops. Peter Woodward and his team learn what it takes to be in a police SWAT team at the Direct Action Resource Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. They're put through the paces by FBI instructors John Hickman and Tim Williams and drilled in using all the special weapons and tactics employed by America's best hostage rescuers. Peter's challenge-- lead his team down a rope from a helicopter, maneuver into an enemy-held building, breach the doors, clear the rooms, subdue the bad guys, and rescue the hostage! CC [TV PG] 11:00 Russia: A Closer Look. A firsthand look at the stories behind our upcoming 4- hour series "Russia Land of the Tsars", which takes a look at the Russian Empire spanning a thousand years--from the birth of the Russian nation and the Orthodox Church in the 10th century to the fall of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Russian Revolution of 1917. Viewers go behind the scenes and see how the producers put together such a miniseries. CC [TV G] 11:30 Great Blunders in History. Chernobyl: Nuclear Meltdown. Probably the greatest of all nuclear accidents to date, Chernobyl's poisonous legacy still threatens hundreds of thousands of Russian children. How did the meltdown happen, and is it safe now? CC [TV G] 04/14/2003 8:00 Mail Call. Newest Coast Guard Ship/Carrier Battle Group/Tanks/Sherman Tank/XM-29 Rifle/WWII V-Mail. Go aboard the Coast Guard's latest and greatest--the multi-purpose 47-foot Motor Lifeboat (MLB); find out which and how many ships comprise a carrier battle group; learn why we call a tank a tank and not a toilet, and why the Sherman was considered a deathtrap; get a look at the M-16's replacement, the futuristic XM-29 rifle; and hear how WWII V- mail didn't talk, but kept letters flowing from the front to home. CC [TV PG] 8:30 Mail Call. Trebuchet/Troop Headcounts/BAR/Smart Bombs/Modern Parachutes/Boomerangs. In this episode, we learn how a trebuchet, or catapult, was used by medieval armies; how many troops are in a platoon, a company, and a division; the history of the Browning Automatic Rifle; how smart bombs work; the types of parachutes used by today's paratroopers; and how the weapon version of a boomerang was used. CC [TV PG] 9:00 April 1865. Based on Jay Winik's bestseller "April 1865: The Month That Saved America", our 2-hour documentary special offers a new look at the Civil War's final days that will forever change the way we see the war's end and the nation's new beginning. These 30 most pivotal days in the life of the U.S. witnessed the frenzied fall of Richmond, Lee's harrowing retreat, Appomattox, and Lincoln's assassination 5 days later. It's not only the tale of the war's denouement, but the story of the rebirth of our nation. CC [TV PG] 11:00 The Alamo. Released in 1960, the epic film "The Alamo" served as John Wayne's attempt to recreate one of America's most famous and controversial battles. From the moment the smoke cleared at the Alamo on March 6, 1836, the story of the 186 men who gave their lives became an integral part of Texas folklore and the inspiration for John Wayne's debut as producer and director. Features behind-the- scenes footage and interviews with actors, crewmembers, and leading historians, including the head curator at the Alamo. CC [TV PG] 04/15/2003 8:00 Deep Sea Detectives. Shipwrecks!: Cape Cod. Thousands of ships have come to grief on Cape Cod shores due to heavy maritime traffic in and out of Boston, shifting underwater shoals, and vicious northeast storms. Batten down the hatches as we review the Cape's shipwreck history stretching back more than three centuries to the Sparrow-Hawk, which went aground on the Cape in 1626. We also review life- saving efforts along the cape--from the sturdy men with surfboats of the 19th century U.S. Life-Saving Service, predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard. CC [TV PG] 9:00 In the Footsteps of Jesus. The Lost Youth of Jesus. Thousands of Christians make pilgrimages to the Holy Land yearly to visit sites connected to Jesus. But are they authentic? The search for the historical Jesus began with the first pilgrim--Constantine the Great's mother Helena Augusta. Scholars have been trying to prove--or disprove--her amazing claims ever since. Traveling to Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Sepphoris in the footsteps of Jesus, we run into heated debate about where he was born, baptized, and grew up, and reveal startling new discoveries. CC [TV G] 10:00 Pyramids: Majesty and Mystery. Standing majestically for centuries, the world's great pyramids have long inspired and mystified scholars. Leading experts and historians explore the engineering genius that created some of the largest structures on the planet. From ancient Egypt to Central America, we visit these technological masterpieces. CC [TV G] 11:00 The Mysteries of King Tut. Of all of Egypt's pharaohs, Tutankhamun remains the most famous and enigmatic. Despite amazing discoveries made when his tomb was unearthed, little historical information exists on him--and much of that is shrouded in debate. What really killed the Boy-King? Did the "Curse of King Tut" kill three of his tomb's discoverers? CC [TV G] 04/16/2003 8:00 James, Brother of Jesus? Has historical evidence for the existence of Jesus come to light, literally written in stone? An ossuary, a box that holds bones, was uncovered among the relics of a private collector in Jerusalem. It bears an amazing Aramaic inscription, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Hosted by Father Ken Deasy, we delve into the ossuary's discovery, dated to 63 AD, and interview religious scholars, archaeologists, and paleontologists about its authenticity and significance and the controversy it's stirred. CC [TV G] 9:00 In the Footsteps of Jesus. From Galilee to Jerusalem. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we dig for the truth behind "accepted" Holy Land sites and review archaeological controversy about these important religious places. We examine: an Israeli scholar's 1987 discovery of the lost city of Bethsaida, where Jesus called his first disciples, healed a blind man, and fed the multitudes; a boat on the Galilee's shoreline dating to the time of Jesus; a house in Capernaum that may have belonged to St. Peter; and the possible grave of Lazarus. CC [TV G] 10:00 The Great Wall of China. Winding 6,000 kilometers through undulating mountains, it is said to be visible with the naked eye from the moon. But who called for the Great Wall's construction and how was it accomplished? Historians, engineers, and scientists explore one of the wonders of the ancient world. CC [TV G] 11:00 Buried Treasure. Join us for a colorful, exciting treasure hunt as we team up with local explorers on their quest for riches. Did the pirate Blackbeard bury his loot off the New Hampshire shore? Can Thomas Beale's complex, coded map lead the way to a cache of coins hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains? What drives Florida treasure hunters in their search for centuries-old riches churned up onto the seashore? We'll match wits with resourceful treasure hunters in their relentless search for buried booty! CC [TV G] 04/17/2003 8:00 Oracle of Delphi: Secrets Revealed. Myth and science meet at Delphi, where the ancient Greeks said the oracle (always a woman), in a trance and often a frenzy, spoke on behalf of the gods. Scholarship rejected the claim that vapors rising from the temple's floor inspired the oracle. But now, a wealth of evidence compiled by a geologist, archaeologist, chemist, and toxicologist suggests the ancients were right, and the discovery of two faults intersecting below the temple indicate the geology could have released intoxicating fumes. CC [TV PG] 9:00 In the Footsteps of Jesus. The Way of the Cross. The search for evidence of Jesus's life moves to Jerusalem and the traditional sites associated with his final days. Deep beneath the city, we explore the buried remains of Herod's temple and tread a pavement where Jesus may have walked. Delving into the mysterious histories of the Cenacle Room, Gethsemane, and Roman Praetorium, we investigate the latest archaeological theories concerning probable sites of Jesus's last supper, arrest, and trial. Does science support or refute the Biblical accounts? CC [TV G] 10:00 The Colosseum. Nothing symbolizes the Roman Empire at its height or Rome in magnificent ruins more than the Colosseum. Built in 70 AD, it seated 80,000 people, boasted a retractable roof, underground staging devices, marble seating, and lavish decorations. It still serves as the prototype for the modern stadium. The complexity of its construction, the beauty of its architecture, and the functionality of its design made it the perfect place for massive crowds to congregate for the bloody spectacles it contained. CC [TV G] 11:00 The Roman Emperors. When the power of Rome was concentrated into the hands of supreme rulers, the empire began to corrode as the emperors led lives of increasing depravity. We'll visit their mansions to get an inside look at the splendor--and squalor--in which they lived, and insight into their sometimes inexplicable acts. CC [TV G] 04/18/2003 8:00 Stigmata: Marked for Life. Stigmata- -the mysterious appearance of the wounds of Christ in the hands, the wrist, feet, or around the brow. Some receive bruises on the shoulder as if carrying a heavy cross or a lance wound in the side. The most famous and well-documented case is St. Francis of Assisi, who received Christ's wounds during prayer in 1224. We investigate the phenomenon and its history, talking to doctors and religious scholars. Is stigmata caused by psychosis or hysteria, or is it a true supernatural occurrence? CC [TV PG] 9:00 In the Footsteps of Jesus. The Mysteries of Golgotha. Recounting the final footsteps in the life of Jesus, we explore the traditional sites of his crucifixion and burial. Does the Church of the Holy Sepulchre truly contain the Rock of Calvary and Jesus's tomb, or could the Garden Tomb be the authentic site? We investigate the most recent archaeological evidence and learn how it may finally answer this fascinating question. CC [TV G] 10:00 Cemeteries. More than 2-million people die in the U.S. each year. That works out to about 5,500 burials a day, with roughly 80 percent taking the long goodbye in a casket, and the remaining 20 percent electing to be cremated or finding some alternative method of crossing eternity's threshold. We take a look at dealing with the dead throughout the centuries, and at today's $20-billion funeral industry. Any way you look at it, it's a healthy business, with new generations of customers year after year! CC [TV G] 11:00 War of Independence: TWIH. Host Josh Binswanger heads to Lexington Green, where 77 Minutemen once faced 800 British Regulars in the first skirmish of America's first war. Find out if American patriots exaggerated what happened during the Boston Massacre to stoke war fever; where the "shot heard 'round the world" was really fired; how an ex-slave saved American forces during the Battle of Bunker Hill; and how America's first spies--the Culper Jr. Ring--helped the Colonial Army achieve victory over Britain. CC [TV G] 04/19/2003 8:00 St. Peter: The Rock. He was a simple fisherman on the Sea of Galilee until Jesus of Nazareth promised to make him a "fisher of men." The man we know as St. Peter was the leader among the Apostles- -the rock upon which the foundation of the Church was built and the keeper of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. We trace the life of Peter, from his humble beginnings to martyrdom in Rome in 64 AD. We also look at the Vatican's shocking announcement in 1968- -that the bones of St. Peter had been found! CC [TV G] 9:30 The Apostle Paul: The Man Who Turned the World Upside-Down. Paul of Tarsus--an ordinary man whose life became legend. We'll see how this zealous Jew came to believe that Jesus was humanity's savior, and how his transformation changed the course of the Western world, providing a foundation for the legacy of Jesus, as well as for Christianity's unique identity. CC [TV G] 11:00 Mary of Nazareth. Why does the Bible say so little about the mother of Jesus? What is the true nature of the Immaculate Conception, and how does it differ from the virgin birth of Jesus? This documentary examines these and other riddles about the Mother Mary. CC [TV G] 04/20/2003 8:00 Jesus of Nazareth, Pt. 4. Movie. Jesus (Robert Powell) is on the road to Calvary, and Part 3 paints an unforgettable picture of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection three days later. With Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdalene, Rod Steiger as Pontius Pilate, Peter Ustinov as Herod the Great, Ernest Borgnine as the Centurion, Ian McShane as Judas Iscariot, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli. (1977) CC [TV PG] 10:00 Digging for Truth: Archaeology and the Bible. The Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, may be the most important religious text in history. Revered as a divine scripture by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, it is a book of great spirituality and controversy. Recent archaeological finds seem to contradict many of its stories, threatening the foundations of these ancient religions and even the delicate balance of power in modern Israel. Stakes are high as these biblical archaeologists dig for the truth with a shovel in one hand and a bible in the other. CC [TV G] 04/21/2003 8:00 Mail Call. Unmanned Aircraft/Bogey/1st Combat Helicopter/Forward Observers/Fairbairn- Sykes Commando Knife. If unmanned aircraft are so good, why do we need pilots? Travel with R. Lee Ermey to Edwards AFB for a look at the latest in experimental planes. See how Scottish kids, afraid of the Bogey Man, gave rise to the pilot term for unidentified aircraft. Watch the first combat helicopter, the U.S. YR-4B, flown in WWII by Lt. Carter Harman in Burma. See how forward observers direct artillery fire, and join Ermey as he demonstrates the Fairbairn-Sykes commando knife on his favorite target--a watermelon! CC [TV PG] 8:30 Conquest. Unarmed Combat. Bodies fly through the air as our team follows wrestling techniques painted on the walls of Egyptian tombs, and looks at Greek wrestling, one of the very earliest and most important sports. We learn how the Greeks invented boxing, and how the Romans developed it for use in the arena. Next, we look at the medieval science of unarmed combat known as "gripping". Finally, we examine ancient Eastern methods that used the body as a deadly weapon. Hosted by actor and fight master Peter Woodward. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Rumrunners, Moonshiners and Bootleggers. Heroes who fight tax collectors and moral crusaders, or just common criminals? Like it or not, America was built by rumrunners, moonshiners, and bootleggers--even founding father John Hancock was a smuggler. In the 1920s, Prohibition turned fishermen into rumrunners and two-bit gangsters into millionaires, and moonshine haulers in their souped-up cars helped create NASCAR. Rare archival footage and photos help weave the compelling tale of our nation's love- hate relationship with illegal alcohol. CC [TV PG] 11:00 Outlaws: The Ten Most Wanted. Separates fact from fiction about Jesse James, John Wesley Hardin, Billy the Kid, and the Wild West's other most notorious gunslingers. Here are the gruesome truths, the exaggerations, and the outright lies about their lives. CC [TV G] 04/22/2003 8:00 Deep Sea Detectives. Shipwrecks!: Florida. The Sunshine State is bounded by treacherous waters littered with shipwrecks with tales of treasure and paradise lost, of conquest, hardship, and heroism--all told through the remnants of once mighty ships. Dive into Florida's waters as we examine three yarns, each shedding light on the region's contributions to U.S. history. We speak with archaeologists who uncovered a Spanish galleon from the 1500s, a mysterious English brig, and a U.S. Navy schooner, and learn how they unravel their stories. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Vendettas. Johnson County Cattle War. In the late 19th century, the wide- open plains of the American West proved a gold mine for cattle ranchers--that is, until the Homestead Act encouraged settlers to move in and claim plots of land as their own. Soon, settlers were not only claiming land, but cowboys were also claiming unbranded cattle, according to rich cattle barons. Thus began a fierce feud that escalated into full-blown war involving dirty politicians and the federal militia before it ended in a bloody three-day siege. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Cattle Ranches. From the 19th century's legendary cattle drives to the million-acre ranch kingdoms that sprang to life with the end of the Open Range to 21st- century techniques that include artificial insemination, embryo transplants, and genetic engineering, we review the history of cattle ranching. We'll ride herd with modern cowboys as they twirl ropes and brand calves, and look to the cattle ranch of the future, where cloning will produce the ideal meat-producing steer with a consistently juicy, low-fat carcass. CC [TV G] 11:00 Infamous Murders. Women Who Kill. In 1935 in England, a love triangle ended in the death of elderly Francis Rattenbury and conviction of his wife Alma's lover--17- year-old chauffeur George Stoner, who was sentenced to death. Alma later plunged a knife into her breast five times before jumping into the River Avon. In Germany during the late 1960s, journalist Ulrike Meinhof helped form the terrorist group Red Army Faction. Sentenced to 8 years, she hung herself in prison. Finally, we look at the case of serial killer Aileen Wuornos. CC [TV PG] 11:30 Infamous Murders. Crimes of Prejudice. Throughout history, hate killings have occurred due to ignorance and prejudice. We look at three cases where color, faith, or sexual orientation led to death. First, we look at the 1964 Ku Klux Klan murders of three civil rights workers- -Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner--in Mississippi. Then, we examine Klaus Barbie's "cleansing" of French Resistance sympathizers and Jews in France during WWII. Finally, we review Colin Ireland's murders of gay men in London in 1993. CC [TV PG] 04/23/2003 8:00 Nuclear Terror. Nuclear weapons didn't die with the Cold War and there's chilling evidence that a nuclear threat could endanger Americans more than ever--a diagram for a nuclear device at an al-Qaida safehouse in Kabul, cases of theft and sales of nuclear weapons material, nuclear scientists for sale, and nuclear materials poorly secured at dozens of Russian sites. Terrorist groups and rogue nations are intent on getting the bomb and, as we see, it may be more feasible than ever for them to succeed. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Vendettas. The Hatfields & McCoys: An American Feud. From the rugged hills of Appalachia arose America's most famous family feud, which purportedly began in 1878 with the theft of a hog and escalated with the blossoming of a star-crossed romance in 1880 and finally ended in 1889 with a legal hanging. We separate fact from fiction about this feud that claimed 12 lives and involved an extradition battle between Kentucky and West Virginia that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Historians and descendants from both families, now friendly, weigh in. CC [TV G] 10:00 The Winchester. Winchester...the name still evokes images of the Wild West and the taming of the frontier--it was the first reliable repeating rifle and settlers brought it along as they moved west. Prized by Civil War soldiers, the lever-action rifle was preferred by lawmen and outlaws alike. A classic Winchester can command upwards of $100,000 from collectors trying to buy a piece of the Old West. We see how a shirt manufacturer named Oliver Winchester became the most famous gun maker of the American West. CC [TV G] 11:00 Russia: A Closer Look. A firsthand look at the stories behind our upcoming 4- hour series "Russia Land of the Tsars", which takes a look at the Russian Empire spanning a thousand years--from the birth of the Russian nation and the Orthodox Church in the 10th century to the fall of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Russian Revolution of 1917. Viewers go behind the scenes and see how the producers put together such a miniseries. CC [TV G] 11:30 Infamous Murders. Lady Killers. An examination of several infamous 20th- century serial killers. First, we look at the case of John Christie, who murdered 6 women in London during the 1950s. One innocent man went to the gallows before Christie was finally caught. Next, we meet Richard Speck, who, in one night of horror, killed 8 nurses in Chicago. Only one nurse lived to testify against Speck. Finally, we compare the 1945 case of another Chicago killer--William Heirens, a violent youth whose final victim was a 6-year-old girl. CC [TV PG] 04/24/2003 8:00 The Hunt for the Lost Squadron. A team of U.S. adventurers hunts for a lost treasure on an Arctic glacier--a squadron of WWII fighter planes that disappeared after crash-landing in Greenland in 1942. Their quest to solve this historic mystery spans 20 years and demands heroic vision and innovative new technology, but also puts the team's lives in constant danger, destroys friendships, ends marriages, and causes individual financial ruin. It's a story of obsession, commitment, and the high cost of accomplishing the extraordinary. CC [TV PG] 9:30 Terror Survival Guide. What would you do in the event of a terrorist attack? What supplies do you need? Do you have an escape plan? What are the threats--both real and imagined? Host Josh Binswanger examines what every American needs to know about enduring an attack--from survival kit and medical supplies to securing your home. We also debunk some of the myths and misinformation about how to prepare, explore step-by-step response plans, and place today's events in an historical perspective. CC [TV PG] 10:00 The Railroads That Tamed the West. The year was 1869 and America had just completed the greatest building achievement in its history--the Transcontinental Railroad. A thin ribbon of steel and wood now connected East and West. But the fledgling country now faced an even greater challenge--how to harness the awesome potential of the railroad to tame the still wide-open and wild West. CC [TV G] 11:00 Infamous Murders. Murder for Hire. Throughout history, there have been some people who have paid for murder--and some who have murdered for money. We examine a strange case in California in 1958, when a mother hired two young Mexican men to murder her daughter-in-law; the 1955 murder of Judge Eugene Chillingworth and his wife in Florida by two hitmen employed by another judge against whom Chillingworth was compiling evidence; and 1997 conviction of Carlos the Jackal for the murder of two French policemen 20 years earlier. CC [TV PG] 11:30 Infamous Murders. Final Justice. Capital punishment remains a contentious issue in the modern world. In the U.S. there are almost 25,000 homicides each year, which may explain why opinion polls consistently show a large majority of citizens favoring the death sentence. We examine three death-penalty cases in California, Oregon, and Indiana. CC [TV PG] 04/25/2003 8:00 The Nazi Bomb. History books tell us that the U.S. developed the atom bomb during WWII to counter the potential of a nascent German one. We'll study the Nazi project, headed by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Werner Heisenberg, and ask baffling questions--Was the threat real? Did Heisenberg sabotage his own work with the aid of an U.S. spy? If so, why? CC [TV G] 9:00 Vendettas. Sutton vs. Taylor. In 1866, Texans were miserable. After losing the Civil War, they were at the mercy of Yankee overlords. The Taylor clan, a prominent ranching family, didn't take kindly to the "new law". But Billy Sutton, head of a vigilante group called the Regulators, and Jack Helm, head of the State Police, swore to rid Texas of the Taylors and other outlaws. Emotions still run deep as descendants recall tales of the blazing barrels of Billy Sutton, Jim Taylor, and Jack Helm in the bloody feud that lasted until 1873. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Saloons. From a ladle and tin cup in an 1850s mining camp and Civil War tent saloons to Prohibition-era speakeasies, we investigate the history of the American saloon, and go behind-the-scenes at Billy Bob's, a three-acre Texan saloon, and a Los Angeles sports bar with a computerized liquor-dispensing system. We see what it took to create the elaborate carved bars, the purpose of the brass foot-rail, the impact of refrigerated railroad cars on beer supply, and the transformational power of the bottle cap. CC [TV G] 11:00 Towering Achievements: TWIH. Host Josh Binswanger goes on location for an inside look at one of the world's most impressive unnatural wonders, Hoover Dam. In an hour devoted to engineering accomplishments great and small, we find out why FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was convinced that the Hoover Dam was a target for sabotage during WWII, how the elevator brake made skyscrapers possible, how workers created Mt. Rushmore, and if the father of the first modern New York City subway needlessly risked workers lives. CC [TV G] 04/26/2003 8:00 April 1865. Based on Jay Winik's bestseller "April 1865: The Month That Saved America", our 2-hour documentary special offers a new look at the Civil War's final days that will forever change the way we see the war's end and the nation's new beginning. These 30 most pivotal days in the life of the U.S. witnessed the frenzied fall of Richmond, Lee's harrowing retreat, Appomattox, and Lincoln's assassination 5 days later. It's not only the tale of the war's denouement, but the story of the rebirth of our nation. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Sex in the Civil War. It's perhaps the most widely discussed and hotly debated era in U.S. history. We know all about the glorious battles and godlike generals. But what about life when the lights went out? More than 50,000 books have been written about the Civil War, and yet, hardly a peep about sex. Only one book, in fact, deals directly and exclusively with the topic and reveals the secrets that have long been hidden in history's closet. Join us as we lift the covers on sexual practices during the Civil War. CC [TV PG] 11:00 More Sex in the Civil War. History depicts the Civil War era as a time when ordinary citizens put aside personal aspirations for a cause most believed was greater than they were. But behind the noble facade, sex provided a welcome escape from the horrors of war. For many, the war turned into a period of sexual excess and carnal indulgence. Well-respected officers became embroiled in notorious scandals, prostitution and pornography were big business, and soldiers from both sides found refuge in back-alley brothels. CC [TV 14] 04/27/2003 8:00 Battle of the Atlantic. Grey Wolves. The first TV documentary series about the Battle of the Atlantic--the longest and most costly battle of WWII. Over 30,000 merchant seamen lost their lives and 85 percent of the U-boat crews were killed. These are some of their untold stories. In this episode, we look at what Winston Churchill called "the U-boat peril", when Hitler's submarines threatened to do what his air force couldn't--starve Britain into submission. Featuring interviews with British seamen and U-boat men who hunted them down. CC [TV G] 9:00 Battle of the Atlantic. Keeping Secrets. During WWII, Britain depended on its lifeline to North America, but in the first 18 months of war, German U-boats sank more than 3-million tons of shipping. It was a battle for survival and Britain was losing it. But by the spring of 1941, a new source of naval intelligence promised to transform the war in the Atlantic and shape victory from defeat. Featuring new eyewitness accounts from both sides, dramatic reconstructions, and a wealth of archival material. CC [TV G] 10:00 Battle of the Atlantic. The Hunted. By the spring of 1943, the tide had turned and the hunter became the hunted. How in a matter of a few short months did the Allies manage to master the German U-boat threat? We draw on eyewitness accounts and use dramatic reconstructions and archive footage to tell the remarkable story of the victories in the spring of 1943 and the final destruction of the U-boat fleet. CC [TV G] 11:00 The Color of War. Anchors Aweigh. For the sailors who fought in World War II, combat at sea differed radically from any previous conflict. The jobs they performed were far more complex and technically more demanding than ever before, and the threats they faced were much more lethal. Utilizing vivid color film and photographs unearthed from archives and personal collections, along with firsthand accounts from veterans, we recall the remarkable true stories of these sailors and the battles they fought. Peter Coyote narrates. CC [TV PG] 04/28/2003 8:00 Mail Call. Civil War Cannoneers/Night Vision/Clearing a Minefield. Find out how Civil War cannoneers aimed their artillery pieces; exactly how night vision technology works; and how to clear a minefield. CC [TV PG] 8:30 Mail Call. Landing Craft, Air Cushion Hovercraft (LCAC)/U.S. Cavalry Saddles/Gas Masks. Ermey learns how to operate the Landing Craft, Air Cushion Hovercraft; what kind of saddles the cavalry used in the Old West; and how gas masks work. CC [TV PG] 9:00 The Louisiana Purchase. On April 30, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson completed one of the greatest real estate deals in history when he signed the Louisiana Purchase, buying more than 900,000 square miles west of the Mississippi from France for $15 million. The product of an unlikely chain of events born of mishap, backroom bargaining, and the whims of a few colorful personalities, this monumental deal heralded Napoleon's downfall and the twilight of European dominance in North America, and the U.S. rise in power. CC [TV G] 10:00 The Technology of Lewis and Clark. Explore the engineering and logistic feats of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the preparations that were shrouded in secrecy. A case study in self-sufficiency, they took state-of-the-art tools and gear, including an experimental collapsible boat, a prototype airgun, the first chronometer, and an "espontool"--an 8-foot multi- function weapon-tool. See how planning, technology, craftsmanship, improvisation, and sheer determination were key in the success of the most audacious expedition of the era. CC [TV G] 11:00 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: Outlaws out of Time. Historians and descendants of Butch Cassidy (Robert Leroy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh) compare the real outlaws with the charming film incarnations as portrayed by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in the 1969 film. Screenwriter William Goldman based his work on historic fact, but used dramatic devices to enrich the film. The film generated further exploration of their lives, uncovering new facts. Interviewees include Goldman, Newman, and Redford. Burt Reynolds narrates. CC [TV PG] 04/29/2003 8:00 Deep Sea Detectives. Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes cover 95,000 square miles, and the remains of over 6,000 shipwrecks cover their floors. Most are caused by violent storms with towering waves and destructive winds. We study one of the most nasty tempests, the "November Witch", responsible for 273 deaths in 1913, and the wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald in 1975. CC [TV G] 9:00 Ice Road Truckers. During the harsh winter of Canada's Northwest Territory, remote villages and work camps are cut off from the world. To keep them supplied, a tenacious group of long-haul truckers drive their rigs over hundreds of miles on ice roads cut across the surface of frozen lakes. Sometimes the ice cannot support the heavy rig, and driver and cargo plunge through the ice and sink to the bottom. Hitch a risky ride along with the Ice Road Truckers as they drive headlong into bone- chilling danger. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Loading Docks. Each day ships, trains, trucks, and planes haul supplies that keep store shelves full and factories moving. At every stop there's a loading dock--an interface where shipping and storage hook up. You may not think much about a loading dock, but to the transportation industry it's the very heart of their business. From ancient times to tomorrow's lights out facility, where computers and machines will store, sort, retrieve, and load stock without human interaction, we deliver the goods on loading docks. CC [TV G] 11:00 Ship of Gold. In 1857, en route to New York from California, the steamship Central America vanished in a killer storm off North Carolina's coast, taking with her 400 passengers and nearly 21 tons of gold bullion. Here is the story of the worst U.S. peacetime sea disaster, and how high- tech treasure hunters recovered her fortune over 130 years later. CC [TV G] 04/30/2003 8:00 B-25 Down: Hunt for a Hero. There are more missing WWII U.S. planes on the South Pacific mountain island of New Guinea than anywhere else on earth. This is the story of Alfred Hagen's 4-year quest, braving tropical diseases, jungle terrain, and native upset to search for signs of his great uncle's B-25 bomber. His uncle, Major Bill Benn, was a hero who changed the face of warfare in the Pacific when he perfected skip bombing. His plane, Red-Headed Gal, crashed just as the tide of battle shifted in favor of the U.S. CC [TV PG] 9:00 Snipers. Law Enforcement Snipers. Travel to Los Angeles, San Jose, and Albuquerque as snipers train with special enforcement units that work to subdue the deadliest and most cunning criminals. In Fairfax, Virginia, we stare over the shoulders of Secret Service snipers, who operate as the eyes and ears of the most important U.S. security detail. With precision shooting and sophisticated reconnaissance abilities, a well-placed law enforcement sniper can make the difference between a routine arrest and an impromptu massacre. CC [TV PG] 10:00 Machine Guns. The history of the machine gun from the first Gatlings in the Civil War to today's high-speed automatic rifles. CC [TV G] 11:00 Organized Crime: A World History. Sicily. The Sicilian Mafia, with its rigid codes of secrecy and ability to infiltrate all aspects of society, is the gold standard for organized crime. We see how 2,000 years of foreign occupation of the Mediterranean island spawned secret sects and instilled a fierce distrust of authority in Sicilians, who developed a culture of self-reliance and honor. But it wasn't until 1860, when Sicily joined the recently unified Italian State, that a truly organized Sicilian Mafia began to emerge. CC [TV PG]Previous History Channel primetime listings:
A&E Prime Time listings for this month
Find out more about any topic any time, including this day in history (your choice of decade), with our Best Search in History: www.historychannel.com
See if your favorite person, TV series or
motion picture is available on video:
