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43:21 | Recommended

Eight Days That Made Rome

Rome's First Emperor

Historian Bettany Hughes focuses on the day in 32 BC when Octavian stole the secret will of his most dangerous political rival, Mark Antony. It is a moment that casts a light on what it took to win in Roman politics, as the cunning, brilliant subterfuge required paved Octavian's path to power by undermining Antony's popularity and giving Octavian the crucial support of Rome's Senate and people in the civil war that followed.

Ancient history

22:56 | Recommended

Anzac Stories

Examine the personal experiences of six of the men and women whose stories are featured at the National Anzac Centre. We follow their remarkable journeys; from recruitment, departure by convoy from Albany, on to the battlefields and life post-war. Family members appear in newly filmed interviews, providing a lasting testament and deeply personal connection to the tumultuous events of a century ago.

History

59:02 | Recommended

Back in Time for Dinner

Guided by Annabel Crabb, an Aussie family goes on a time-travelling adventure to discover how the food we eat transformed the way we live, the fabric of the nation and defined family roles - starting in post-war 1950s.

History

Latest

53:06 | Published 4 days ago

The Day When...

De Gaulle

On 16 June 1940 in Bordeaux, a stranger under-secretary of state for war decides to secede and to rebel openly against the policy adopted by the French legal government, which is preparing to ask for an armistice. The following day, he flew to England. This is how a provisional general in a subordinate function will become De Gaulle, leader of Free France, without whom the country would have ended the war in the camp of the vanquished.

History

52:56 | Published 5 days ago

Who Do You Think You Are?

Marta Dusseldorp

Actress Marta Dusseldorp has become a household name on Australian television screens, playing strong female characters in Janet King, A Place To Call Home, and Jack Irish. Now, Marta wants to explore the characters in her own ancestral past. The daughter of a Dutch migrant, Marta always identified with the European roots on her father's side, more so because she knew so little about her mother's family. Marta embarks on a journey to find the origins of her beloved maternal grandparents, paediatric surgeon Sandy Robertson and his wife Gwenda.

History

47:10 | Published 5 days ago

Dictators Rulebook

Idi Amin

Through a combination of populist charm and brutal violence, Idi Amin managed to rule Uganda for eight years. But how did he rise from his humble beginnings and build such a powerful dictatorship? Alternative title: The Dictator's Playbook.

Modern history

43:57 | Published 6 days ago

Treasures of the British Library

Jamie Cullum

The British Library, the greatest repository of our culture, history and society. Drawing on his own passions, and aided by the expert British Library staff, Jamie Cullum will explore the archives to track down wonders as diverse as books hand-printed by Virginia Woolf and unique recordings of great jazz performances given six decades ago.

History

47:14 | Published 1 week ago

Chain of Command

Part 1: By, With and Through

With unprecedented access to the US Armed Forces and the innermost sanctums of the Pentagon, this series is an intimate portrait of the men and women devoting their lives to fighting terrorism at all levels.

History

53:34 | Published 1 week ago

Who Do You Think You Are?

Jennifer Byrne

Traumatised by the scandal of her parents' public divorce, investigative journalist Jennifer Byrne has avoided examining her family history until now, when both her parents have passed away. Although Jennifer loved her maternal grandfather, Victoria's longest serving governor, Sir Dallas Brooks, the privilege that came with his appointment was a source of embarrassment. But Jennifer soon discovers the scandal and privilege she grew up with was nothing compared to what lies in her mother's ancestry.

History

47:13 | Published 1 week ago

Dictators Rulebook

Manuel Noriega

He was the most feared man in Panama with connections ranging from Fidel Castro to the US Government; but exactly how did Noriega rise from poverty to become a dictator? Alternative title: The Dictator's Playbook.

Modern history

51:51 | Published 1 week ago

The Day When...

Churchill

On 28 May 1940, while the Wehrmacht crushed the allied armies in France, British officials are prepared to deal with Hitler. They even suggest a mediation from Mussolini. Alone against all in the war cabinet, Churchill, by his cleverness and willingness, finally convinced his collaborators to fight. Without him, the English government would have dealt with Germany with the illusion to preserve its empire: the course of the Second World War would have been upset.

History

40:46 | Published 2 weeks ago

Jesus: His Life

Judas: The Betrayal

His name a synonym for traitor even to this day, Judas is known as the devoted disciple who ultimately betrays Jesus. What prompted one of Jesus' closest friends to turn on him remains one of the Bible's great mysteries, one explored as Jesus and his disciples enter Jerusalem for Passover and what will become the Last Supper.

History

40:41 | Published 2 weeks ago

Jesus: His Life

Pilate: The Trial

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, has to make a decision about a troublesome preacher called Jesus. As pressure builds to execute Jesus, Pilate's wife, inspired by a prophetic nightmare, urges him to leave Jesus alone. Instead, Pilate sends him away to be crucified, and publicly washes his hands of responsibility.

History

50:08 | Published 2 weeks ago

Crossroads: 2000 Years on the Silk Road

The ancient silk road promoted the development of human civilisation through goods circulation with cultural exchanges among the regions of different languages.

History

42:19 | Published 2 weeks ago

Canada: The Story of Us

New Identity (1946 to 1970)

The extraordinary tale of some of the people, places and events that shaped Canada - stories of change makers and rule breakers, dreamers and visionaries, scientists and entrepreneurs who forged a nation in a vast and harsh land. With groundbreaking CGI and a cast of celebrity interviews that take us inside Canada's biggest stories, this series is truly a celebration of a nation that has transformed its differences into understanding and created an identity that is uniquely diverse. This episode, post World War II, marginalised Canadians fight for their rights. Canada experiences a boom time after the war, but not all are happy with the status quo. They seek to reshape the country and challenge dark legacies of injustice. The circle of confederation grows and Canada emerges as a complex and cosmopolitan nation on the world stage.

History

47:11 | Published 2 weeks ago

Dictators Rulebook

Francisco Franco

An exploration of the methods and tactics of Generalissimo Francisco Franco, who controlled Spain with absolute power for four decades and whose victims are still being exhumed to this day. Alternative title: The Dictator's Playbook.

Modern history

43:38 | Published 2 weeks ago

What On Earth?

Images from satellites orbiting the Earth have revealed some baffling anomalies that defy explanation. Can scientists and experts unravel these mysteries?

History

53:16 | Published 2 weeks ago

Who Do You Think You Are?

Scott Cam

TV personality Scott Cam reveals his paternal family changed their surname from Caminiti to Cam during World War II. But, beyond this historical detail, Scott knows little about his Italian ancestors, including what compelled them to leave their homeland for a 'sunburnt country'.

History

58:37 | Published 2 weeks ago

The Story of Wales

The Makings of Wales

Beginning with The Red Lady of Paviland, the oldest human burial in Western Europe, this first episode explores Wales' pre-history. Visiting ancient stone tombs we discover cults of the dead and fertility rituals, and investigate legends of invading Celtic warbands sweeping across Wales. What can an Iron Age sword placed in a lake and the Roman invasion tell us about lost communities?

History

1:42:43 | Published 3 weeks ago

William Kelly's War

In Australia during the Great War, two brothers decide to join the service in Europe. One of them proves to be an outstanding sniper, earning him honourable recognition.

History

49:39 | Published 3 weeks ago

Crossroads: 2000 Years on the Silk Road

The ancient silk road promoted the development of human civilisation through goods circulation with cultural exchanges among the regions of different languages.

History

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