Short History Of... Episodes Episode guide
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The Moon Landing
In 1969, Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to step foot on the surface of the moon.
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The Mongol Empire
At the time, the Mongol Empire was the largest the world had seen. How did they do it?
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The Modern Olympics
The Modern Olympics has developed into the largest sporting festival in the world... How?
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The Maya
1511. Spanish explorers become some of the first Europeans to make contact with the Maya.
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The Lighthouse of Alexandria
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was a Wonder of the Ancient World. What's its story?
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The Kremlin
Over roughly a thousand years, the Kremlin has come to symbolise Russia itself.
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The Korean War
The Korean War led to 2.5 million deaths, and almost a third world war. What is the story?
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The Knights Templar
How did such a powerful international organisation suddenly find itself brought down?
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The Irish Potato Famine
1845-1852, Ireland suffered famine from its failed potato crop. What really happened?
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The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a time of innovation. But how did it shape the modern world?
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The Indian Ocean Tsunami
Dec 26th 2004, Sumatra, Indonesia. The deadliest natural disaster of the 21st Century
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The Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot is an epic tale of adventure and revenge but who was really behind it?
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The Great Wall of China
Built over 2,000 years, China's great wall has been the subject of legend for centuries.
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The Great Fire of London
1666, The Fire of London tore through London. What happened? What is its lasting legacy?
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The Gladiators
We're in Ancient Rome to discover the bizarre and barbaric world of the gladiators.
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The Fukushima Disaster
Japan's biggest earthquake and fear of a global nuclear meltdown. How close did we come?
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The French Revolution (Part 2)
How did the relationship between king and people deteriorate so badly in France?
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The French Revolution (Part 1)
The French Revolution introduced radical new ideas to Europe. But how did it come about?
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The French Resistance
In the years of Nazi occupation, who were the French and Allied citizens risking all?
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The Founding Fathers of the United States
The founding of the USA, 4th July, 1776 changed the world. Who were the founding fathers?
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The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is the largest palace complex anywhere in the world.
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The First Persian Empire
For over 200 years the First Persian Empire ruled over a vast expanse across 3 continents
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The Dambusters
The top-secret Dambusters mission... What is the story?
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The Cuban Missile Crisis, Part 2 of 2
With Soviet missiles on Cuban soil, The United States is now in Moscow's crosshairs.
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The Cuban Missile Crisis, Part 1 of 2
Three men 鈥� Kennedy, Khrushchev, and Castro 鈥� hold the fate of the planet in their hands.
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The Crown Jewels
A priceless collection of treasures kept in the Tower of London鈥� What's the real story?
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The Congo River
The world's deepest and most powerful waterway, with an exciting, often dark, history
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The Colosseum
The Colosseum, voted one of the seven wonders of the world. What is its remarkable story?
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The California Gold Rush
In 1848, the discovery of gold in the American River triggers an explosion of findings.
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The Boston Tea Party
America, 1773. 300 chests of tea are thrown into Griffin's Wharf. What happened, and why?