The History Channel's blog

Saturday, November 26 at 6.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

An icon of medieval history, Joan of Arc is both a legendary heroine and a martyred saint. Inspired by voices she believed came from God, the illiterate peasant girl emerged at 17 from a war-torn corner of France to rally a demoralized army and change the course of history. As the English raided the countryside villages of France in 1425, 13-year-old Joan began hearing voices, voices that demanded she bring peace to war-ravaged France. By 17, Joan had convinced leaders of France to grant her an army, and she fearlessly mobilized her troops on a quest that stunned the English invaders and brought about the coronation of the Dauphin, the French heir to the throne. At 19, Joan was convicted of heresy and sentenced to an agonizing death-burning at the stake.

Thursday, November 24 at 9.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

The story of Thanksgiving, with its costumed Pilgrims, turkeys and pumpkin pie, zigzags through American history with some surprising twists. At the iconic Thanksgiving feast of 1621, no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce was served, and that event was wiped from the history books for 200 years! In the 19th Century, some southern states thought Thanksgiving was an abolitionist plot and refused to celebrate it. Thanksgiving didn’t become an annual national American holiday until WWII! What started as a sombre Puritan day of prayer is now about football and food. Join us as we serve up the Real Story of Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 23 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

This two-hour documentary special investigates the revolutionary theories of Gavin Menzies, British historian and former submarine commander, to give a fascinating insight into the extraordinary feats of China’s mighty Ming Fleet and its legendary Admiral Zheng He. Could the Admiral, leading a fleet of treasure junks on daring journeys of exploration, have been the first to discover America – decades before Columbus? Including a collaboration of leading maritime historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists, 1421 reveals and tests each critical point of Menzies’ argument to produce a thought-provoking history programme.

Wednesdays from November 9 at 7.30pm on The History Channel

An Englishman, an Irishman and a Welshman are taking part in a Gondola race. Rory McGrath, Dara O’Brian and Griff Rhys-Jones have reunited once again. For their sixth journey together the boys have been entered into a gondola race on Venice’s busiest waterway, the Grand Canal, in front of thousands of tourists. There’s just the small problem of getting there. The Three Men will be travelling up the stunning Dalmatian Coast battling rain and more rain and probably a little bit more rain to get to the city of love. They’ll be blending in with the locals, diving, flying and basically blagging their way onto any boat that will take them across borders to one of the greatest cities on earth.

Tuesday November 8 at 10.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

When you visit an elegant resort or rustic inn, a ghost story can amuse you. Until you find out the story is about your hotel… and the ghost is in your room! Haunted Hotels tells the grim and terrifying stories of the lost souls who have checked in, but never checked out – remaining forever in some of the world’s most unexpected retreats.

Sunday November 6 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

This one hour, rock and roll history documentary highlights Swinging Radio England, one of the original pirate radio stations in the UK in 1966. The sounds of the first ever 24 hour rock and roll station ushered in the Americanization of pop music in Great Britain, while flaunting equally brilliant British bands from across the pond, to forever change the face of radio, and rock and roll, as we know it today. This show brings to you the raucous musical climate of the 60s and the history of this great rebellion in a way that will inform and entertain even the most knowledgeable music lover.

Saturday November 5 at 8.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

A series about brilliant generals, ferocious warriors and individual selfless acts of courage. Hundreds of thousands owe their lives to the people featured in these films.

Friday, November 4 at 10.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

HMS Coventry brought down more aircraft than any other ship during the Falklands War. As other British ships sank around them, Coventry believed it was invincible. But at the height of the conflict, she was sent on a suicide mission – to lure lure enemy bombers away from the troops landing in San Carlos Bay. The Argentineans duly obliged by sending waves enemy bombers away from the troops landing in San Carlos Bay. The Argentineans duly obliged by sending waves of Skyhawks to take out the British destroyer. By late afternoon on May 25th 1982, Coventry had already survived two raids and shot down three enemy planes. However, just as the Captain and his crew thought they had weathered the storm, they faced one last attack. Now for the first time in 25 years the men of HMS Coventry tell their dramatic story.

Tuesday, November 1 at 8.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Throughout history, mankind’s ingenuity has pursued better ways to kill enemies and win wars. But hidden by our more famous inventions lie some highly unusual, sometimes unbelievable efforts. This special reveals the most absurd, ridiculous ridiculous and radical examples of warfare ever recorded. Moving from ancient times to the present, we and radical examples of warfare ever recorded. Moving from ancient times to the present, we ll ‘ll discover a host discover a host of weird weapons- from blankets covered with small pox to serpent bombs and toxic honey. Some have proved to be useless while others proved devastating.

Monday October 31 at 8.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

This special delves into the ancient Celtic origins and the dark fun of Halloween with an eerie journey back in time to experience the ancient beliefs and practices. Millennia have passed since the druids first celebrated Samhain, the feast ofof the dying sun; almost a thousand years have elapsed since the Christian church renamed the feast as Halloween; the dying sun; almost a thousand years have elapsed since the Christian church renamed the feast as Halloween; centuries have gone by since Halloween first left the shores of the Celtic lands in which it originated.