The History Channel's blog

Monday August 22 at 8.00pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Ever wondered about the monument you pass every day? Are you curious about a place name or discovered a hidden passageway in your house? Ever thought where it all might lead? Whether you’ve a mystery of your own or hit a dead end after years of your own local historical investigating, ‘History Mysteries’ may provide the answer you’ve been looking for.

Each episode follows the story of a historical mystery, revealing our national past buried in the local present, the small detail shown in the wider context, fastidiously sorting local fact from fiction. An experienced team of sleuths – Jonathan Foyle, historian of architecture, art and culture: Miranda Krestovnikoff, a specialist in natural history; and Nick Barratt, a historian and archivist – investigate when, where and why an event occurred.

Sunday August 21 at 8.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

In 1947 the state of Prussia was officially abolished to ensure the future peace of Europe. Nazi propaganda had portrayed a highly selective image of Prussia and its great leader Frederick who celebrated his martial zeal and benign despotism. despotism. But Frederick was an enlightened statesma But Frederick was an enlightened statesmann and Prussia was equally famous throughout Europe as a and Prussia was equally famous throughout Europe as a beacon of progressive, modern government. In this film, Cambridge historian Professor Christopher Clark looks at the life and the legacy of this Prussian king and uncovers the complex dynamics and forces that have made both Frederick the man and the state of Prussia such an extraordinary paradox.

Thursday, August 18 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

In a world where we are constantly bombarded by approved images of censored warfare you might be forgiven for thinking that a modern war could be fought without suffering or pain. What choices must a photographer make when they capture a conflict for the rest of the world? Images of Conflict looks at the work of seven war photographers – from visions of conflict in Vietnam to the current battles in Iraq.

Sunday August 14 at 8.00pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Killer Queens is a six part series that charts the lives of five very different women leaders in English History. Each of them gained fame or notoriety for their willingness to fight, scheme or even die for what they believed in. Presented by Rory McGrath, the series begins with a two part romp through the bloody rebellion of Boudicca, Queen of The Iceni, against the Imperial might of Rome. Later in the series we look at the stories of: Empress Matilda, a woman who nearly became the first Queen of England; Isabella “She Wolf of France”, who had her husband King Edward II murdered to advance her own aims; Mary Tudor “Bloody Mary” and her religious purges; and lastly Lady Mary Bankes – who whilst not a Queen was a “celebrity” of the English Civil war defending Corfe Castle Castle in Dorset against 3 different sieges by the forces of Parliament , in Dorset, against 3 different sieges by the forces of Parliament. This dramatic and fast paced series takes all around the south East of England and combines the striking scenery of places like Corfe Castle, The Tower of London and Castle Rising in Norfolk with action packed and moving dramatic reconstructions and interviews that give a simple but thoroughly engaging insight into the life and times of these Killer Queens.

Sunday August 14 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

In this six-part series comedian Vic Reeves explores his passion for nautical skulduggery as he embarks on a journey of pirate discovery. During his voyage stories of the world’s most notorious pirates unfold as he discovers how these cold blooded rogues murdered and pillaged on the high seas, lured by the promise of great treasures. The Pirates covered are Henry Avery; Blackbeard; Thomas Salkeld; William Dampier; Barbary Pirates and Woodes Rogers.

Thursday, August 11 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

It has been said that since the first fleet arrived Australians have been unsure whether they were on the side of the convicts or the guards. From that moment allegations of corruption and the Australian police have never been far apart.

By the 1970s many began to suspect that the 16,000 member New South Wales police force – the 3rd largest in the world – was rotten with entrenched corruption. There was talk of high-level police protecting drug dealers and trafficking drugs themselves, of police involved in assault, in verballing, in fabricating evidence… even in murder. If true this was not a case of a few bad apples but a diseased crop , this was not a case of a few bad apples but a diseased crop – the the police were out of control police were out of control. In 1994 an extraordinary confluence of events allowed a now legendary team of corruption fighters to take them on. To do so they unleashed an investigative model so extreme, it seemed to challenge the very boundaries of justice itself.

Told by the key players themselves: Independent MP John Hatton, Justice James Wood, Counsels Gary Crooke and and John Agi s and In estigator Nigel Hadgkiss The Inq isition is the stor of the Wood Ro al Commission into John Agius, and Investigator Nigel Hadgkiss, The Inquisition is the story of the Wood Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service that became an international model for battling entrenched corruption. Like The Untouchables, the stakes were high in their unprecedented investigation. For many, it was a matter of life or death.

Tuesday, August 9 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

“Hitler’s Atlantic Wall” tells the exciting story of the German Atlantic line of defence during the Second World War. AA megalomaniac project and a painful memory of a sombr megalomaniac project and a painful memory of a sombree episode in Western history this film is not only a episode in Western history, this film is not only a testimony to brilliancy but also the lust for power and the madness of the Nazi thinkers and strategists. It is also the story of those who lived, worked, fought and often died there.

Sunday, August 7 at 7.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

The Logie award winning dramatic story of Australia’s 23rd Prime Minister, HAWKE charts the successes and failures failures of the Labor Party legend who led the party to victory in the March 1983 general election and became of the Labor Party legend who led the party to victory in the March 1983 general election and became Australia’s longest serving Labor Prime Minister.

Saturday August 6 at 8.30pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

Timewatch reveals the untold story of the worst ever sea disaster involving British children, when the wartime evacuee ship, the SS Benares, was sunk in the Atlantic in 1940. A deadly torpedo strike on a stormy night resulted in 90 children and 140 crew members being lost at sea. The child survivors have a photographic minute-by-minute memory of the drama of the sinking and rescue. Many of them remain close friends, some even married.

Saturday August 6 at 8.00pm on THE HISTORY CHANNEL

How does our attitude to the past shape who we are? As we build new shops and schools and people try to make a living living our architectural past is reshaped Old buildings ar , our architectural past is reshaped. Old buildings aree often beautiful and are a part of our history but they can often beautiful and are a part of our history, but they can be expensive to keep, difficult to repair and may not suit modern uses. How do local communities, planners and heritage organisations negotiate what we keep and what we lose?