Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Why This Pharaoh Is Considered Egypt's Greatest Jun 27, 2016

Show notes

Ramesses II is thought of as ancient Egypt's greatest pharaoh. His importance is reflected in the size and scale of his magnificent funerary temple, in Luxor.

Jason Isbell Hears the Lost Lyrics to 'This Land Is Your Land' Jun 27, 2016

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Woody Guthrie captured the promise and frustration of the America he once knew in his famous song 'This Land Is Your Land.' Watch as country singer Jason Isbell learns the song's missing lyrics and pays tribute to the folk legend.

Why You Should Know the Prolific Princess of Paleontology Jun 20, 2016

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Mary Anning was a 19th-century working-class woman from Dorset with no formal education. She became one of the most celebrated fossil collectors in history.

Female Mantises Eat and Mate With Their Suitors at Once Jun 20, 2016

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Female praying mantises engage in what's known as sexual cannibalism. They first eat their suitors, then they mate with them.

Where Has the Iconic Miracle on Ice Flag Gone? Jun 13, 2016

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In 1980, the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Russia against all odds and later became gold medalists. But a very iconic piece of sports memorabilia from the championship game has mysteriously vanished.

Magnificent Leaf Homes Woven by Australian Green Ants Jun 13, 2016

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Green ants build their grand nests out of leaves, which they pull and join together with silk. Amazingly, this silk is produced by their newborn larvae.

Was King Tut's Tomb Built for a Woman? Jun 06, 2016

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An archeologist notes that King Tut's chamber was designed and decorated differently from other Egyptian pharaohs. One theory is that his tomb was originally created for a member of the opposite sex.

How One Man's Rage Sealed The Fate of 43 Plane Passengers Jun 06, 2016

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A murder aboard a commuter jet in December 1987 culminates in a catastrophic crash, bringing investigators from the NTSB and FBI together to search for answers.

How the Fastest Animal on Earth Attacks Its Prey May 30, 2016

Show notes

The Peregrine falcon is not your average avian predator. When hunting, this remarkable bird will fly to great heights, then dive bomb its prey abruptly at speeds of up to 242 mph.

This Bug Wears Its Victims' Carcasses as Camouflage May 30, 2016

Show notes

The assassin bug is one of the most cunning predators in the micro world, gluing the exoskeletons of its prey to its back as camouflage. While disturbing, it's a very effective survival strategy.