The beginnings: the Greeks and Romans
This program traces Greek civilization from the Minoans to the city-states dominated by Athens. The Trojan War, Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis are discussed as major historical turning points. The rise of the Roman Empire and its 500-year domina...
Christians, Jews, and Moslems in medieval Spain
Due partly to the weakness of its Visigothic rulers, partly to its proximity to Africa, the Iberian peninsula was conquered by Berbers and by Arabs belonging to the Ommayad Dynasty of Damascus. This program describes the history of Spain from the ti...
Brother, can you spare a dime?
This program shows the events of the Great Depression and explains how they prepared the way for the rise of Nazism, Japanese expansionism, and the altered role of government in the U.S. It covers the Bonus March in July 1932; the Boom of the 1920s ...
Greek Drama: From Ritual to Theater
Why do plays well over two millennia old still speak to audiences today? This program traces Greek theater from ancient harvest rites to the golden age of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. Key scenes from Antigone, Oedipus Tyrannus,...
History's turning points II: crisis in Korea
In this program, a Communist invasion in the Far East brings the world close to nuclear war. When communist North Korea invades the democratic South in 1950, the US World War II hero General MacArthur is determined to put an end to the Red menace f...
History's turning points II: Napoleon invades Russia
This program shows how the French army was destroyed by the Russian winter and a new Empire was created. In 1812, Napoleon, Emperor of France, determined to defeat Alexander I, Tsar of all Russias, and establish himself as the most formidable milita...
History's turning points II: revolution in Paris
A prison is stormed and modern France is born. On July 14th 1789, the starving and destitute citizens of Paris riot in search of food and weapons. The people storm the Bastille, dreaded symbol of royal rule, determined to liberate its prisoners and ...
Those who can ... teach
Historically, America has displayed an ambivalence toward public school teachers, expecting much from them while frequently offering little respect, meager pay, and inadequate working conditions. This program traces the evolution of teaching as a pr...
History's turning points: the battle of Tsushima
In 1902, the Japanese attacked the Russian city of Port Arthur. Using the teaching of his model Admiral Nelson, Admiral Togo defeated the corrupt Russian navy, with aristocrat-officers and brightly painted ships. Russia surrendered South Manchuria t...
History's turning points: the battle of Salamis
At Salamis Bay, the Golden Age began when the Greeks expelled the Persians, sinking 200 Persian ships while losing only 40 of their own. Themistocles not only was not rewarded for his victory, but was removed as Athens' leader for being too arrogant...