Magnificent Leaf Homes Woven by Australian Green Ants
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.
Jun 13, 2016•3 min
Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week
The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
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Episodes
Where Has the Iconic Miracle on Ice Flag Gone?
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.
Jun 13, 2016•3 min
How One Man's Rage Sealed The Fate of 43 Plane Passengers
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.
Jun 06, 2016•4 min
Was King Tut's Tomb Built for a Woman?
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.
Jun 06, 2016•4 min
This Bug Wears Its Victims' Carcasses as Camouflage
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.
May 30, 2016•2 min
How the Fastest Animal on Earth Attacks Its Prey
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.
May 30, 2016•4 min
How a U.S. Veteran Held off More Than 35 Enemy Soldiers
During the Vietnam War, veteran David Larson was helping transport a special ops team into a mission zone when his crew was ambushed. In the midst of a raging shootout, Larson courageously fired back until his companions were safe.
May 23, 2016•2 min
How Psychological Warfare Scared German Troops
During WWII, the 1st Special Service Force was an elite unit with a remarkable record of never having lost a battle. Because they were outnumbered, they resorted to vicious psychological tactics to intimidate German troops.
May 23, 2016•2 min
The Secret Behind the Sparkle
Take a look behind the scenes to see how the Smithsonian keeps the ruby slippers sparkling in the spotlight.
May 09, 2016•2 min
Braveheart Was Much More Than an Average Joe
Recently discovered clues to the true identity of William "Braveheart" Wallace may prove that the hero's story wasn't exactly as the movie depicted.
May 03, 2016•4 min
Flamethrower vs. Spider Trench
During WWII, spider trenches, bunkers dug into the jungle, provided battle cover for the Japanese. These holes were highly effective in protecting soldiers from most U.S. weapons... except one.
May 02, 2016•3 min
The Woman That Swept Lou Gehrig Off His Feet
When Lou Gehrig met Eleanor Twitchell at a Yankees party, he saw in her something he desperately needed. That's why he wasted no time courting her.
Apr 11, 2016•3 min
Why This Hiroshima Survivor Believes in Forgiveness
Despite the devastating events of 1945, some Japanese survivors now look to promote peace and forgiveness. One man who lived through Hiroshima explains his philosophy.
Apr 11, 2016•4 min
Hank Aaron's Boundary-Shattering 715th Home Run
In 1974, Hank Aaron was closing in on Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. But in the run up to this amazing feat, he faced a number of racially motivated threats. Here, we examine what breaking that record meant.
Apr 04, 2016•4 min
Slo-Mo Footage of a Bumble Bee Dislodging Pollen
Buzz pollination is a special technique for dislodging pollen from certain types of plants - and bumble bees are among the few species of bee capable of doing it.
Apr 04, 2016•2 min
Why You Should Take the Honey Bee Shortage Seriously
Our entire agricultural system relies on the wellbeing of honey bees. And for them to do well, they need diverse vegetation, not just farmland.
Mar 28, 2016•2 min
Here's a Glimpse of What American Life Used to Be
Tucked away from modernity, New Castle gives us a glimpse of what American life used to look like.
Mar 21, 2016•2 min
Are Alpha Male Elephants Gentler Than We Thought?
When the lead bull of an elephant herd goes missing, the group is thrust into chaos. In order to restore the peace, a new elephant king must be crowned.
Mar 21, 2016•4 min
Investigating How Mt. Vesuvius's Victims Died
The Herculaneum victims were thought to have died from volcanic gas asphyxiation. But a closer look at their skeletons suggests the gas may have killed them in a different way.
Mar 14, 2016•5 min
These Adorable Foxes Are Ruthless Hunters
In summer, Arctic foxes shed their white coats in order to blend in. This gives them a natural advantage when hunting for their favorite food: fresh goslings.
Mar 07, 2016•2 min
Why You Should Avoid the Arctic in Summer
There's one thing most Arctic wildlife have in common during the summer: a shared hatred for the mosquitoes and black flies that swarm the region.
Feb 29, 2016•58 sec
Meet the First Self-Made Female Millionaire
Madam C.J. Walker was suffering from poverty and hair loss when she decided to concoct a hair regrowth lotion to heal her damaged scalp. Fast forward a handful of years and millions of dollars later, Walker was leading one of the most successful, and philanthropic, cosmetic companies to date.
Feb 22, 2016•5 min
Polar Bear Carcass-Eating Etiquette
A dead whale on the shore is an ample feast for several polar bears drawn to the smell. But the rules are simple: The biggest bear gets the biggest share.
Feb 22, 2016•2 min
The Affair that Financially Ruined Gloria Swanson
In 1927, Joe Kennedy teamed up with silent film star Gloria Swanson to produce films together. Within three years, he'd broken up her marriage, abandoned their shared business, and ruined her financially.
Feb 15, 2016•5 min
This Color-Changing Mutant Has Three Hearts
The cuttlefish has the largest brain-to-body ratio of all invertebrates, which explains why its camouflage is so intricate and masterful.
Feb 08, 2016•3 min
Hitler and Eva Braun's Disturbing Wedding
For 14 years, Hitler refused to marry his mistress Eva Braun, fearing it would alienate his female fans. Toward the end of his reign, he changed his mind--but their wedding came with a sinister caveat.
Feb 08, 2016•6 min
Incredible: A Caracal Slaps Down a Bird in Flight
The caracal is a fierce and agile predator. And the way it pursues airborne prey is astounding.
Feb 01, 2016•3 min
High Speed Footage of Samurai Instincts
Grand Master Tanaka's students must learn to react to attacks in the blink of an eye.
Feb 01, 2016•2 min
This Inventor Risked His Life on His Own Invention
In 1916, 32 men were trapped in a mine near Lake Erie. Garrett Morgan saw an opportunity to prove his fireproof hood worked - and went in to rescue them.
Jan 25, 2016•5 min
Why Would Someone Fake a Mummy's Gun Wound?
Late 19th-century sideshows specialized in curiosities like mummies to attract crowds. And curiosities didn't come bigger than Sylvester, who was supposedly killed in a gunfight.
Jan 18, 2016•4 min
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