Short History Of... Episodes Available now
Jane Austen
One of the most famous female writers, but what do we know about Austen's life?
The Congo River
The world's deepest and most powerful waterway, with an exciting, often dark, history
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher, one of the 20th Century's most controversial leaders.
The Boston Tea Party
America, 1773. 300 chests of tea are thrown into Griffin's Wharf. What happened, and why?
The Fukushima Disaster
Japan's biggest earthquake and fear of a global nuclear meltdown. How close did we come?
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc, peasant girl turned symbol of national freedom. But who was she really?
The Suez Canal
The world's most famous canal - how and why does it still hold the key to global trade?
Marilyn Monroe
Why does Marilyn Monroe still inspire and exert such power, 60 years after her death?
The Irish Potato Famine
1845-1852, Ireland suffered famine from its failed potato crop. What really happened?
The Spartans
‘The 300’ fought to the death against the Persians, but who were the real Spartans?