Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Is a Natural Birth Better For Your Baby? Jan 14, 2019

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When a baby is born surgically via C-section, it may miss out on the health benefits of passing through the birth canal.

The Origins of Modern-Day Yoga Jan 14, 2019

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Controversy surrounds the exact origins of yoga, but Dr. Jim Mallinson has been studying the practice for years and he has some interesting insight on the true origins.

Sloths are Harder to Chase Than You Think Jan 07, 2019

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Catching a sloth is no mean feat, as sloth researcher Bryson Voirin will attest as he chases Blaze the sloth through the canopy.

The Horrifying Way Rome Dealt With Wartime Loss Jan 07, 2019

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After the defeat in Cannae, Rome was in a state of panic and social disorder. To restore calm, Rome's ruler, Quintus Fabius Maximus, resorted to drastic and cruel measures.

Was Jack the Ripper Hiding in Plain Sight? Dec 24, 2018

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Jack the Ripper managed to commit his violent murders and escape without ever once being seen. Actually, he may have been spotted at one of his crime scenes.

Was This Egyptian Pharaoh More Important Than We Thought? Dec 17, 2018

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Psamtik I was believed to be a minor Egyptian pharaoh. But in 2017, an exquisite statue of him was uncovered, suggesting his status and importance in history may need to be revisited.

USS Indianapolis Crew Battled Sharks and Hallucinations Dec 17, 2018

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A Japanese torpedo attack against the USS Indianapolis leaves the men with no time to launch lifeboats. For four grueling days, the survivors float helplessly in the Pacific Ocean.

This Third Officer Docks His First MSC Oscar in Harsh Conditions Dec 10, 2018

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It's a big day for the 23-year-old junior officer of the MSC Oscar: he's bringing in the giant vessel to port for the first time in his career - a tricky maneuver in a narrow waterway known for its strong currents.

What Hieroglyphics Say About the Women of Ancient Egypt Dec 10, 2018

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The priests of Amun held an elevated position in ancient Egypt. But modern archaeologists were stunned to discover that a group of women were even more important - they were dubbed 'The Wives of Amun.'

A Honey Badger Barrels Through a Sharp Thorn Tree for Lunch Dec 03, 2018

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A rock rat is hiding from his predator, a honey badger, in the midst of a Namibian sweet thorn tree. But he doesn't count on his opponent's determination to get lunch, even at the price of a few cuts.