From over 100,000 films, discover the handful you'll love.
Free or premium access to the world's largest documentary library.
32 films
Geoff Shepard, the youngest lawyer on Nixon’s Watergate defense team, presents newly uncovered documents that challenge the narrative of the scandal.
Thomas Paine's influential writings and ideas played a crucial role in igniting the American Revolution and shaping modern concepts of reason and religion.
In November 1983, NATO's Able Archer exercise was misinterpreted by the Soviet Union, bringing the world perilously close to nuclear conflict.
Craig L. Symonds provides a comprehensive narrative of World War II's naval battles across all oceans and seas from 1939 to 1945.
Thomas Jefferson's complex legacy regarding Christianity, slavery, race, and philosophy is examined through insights from Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter Onuf.
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced critical decisions that shaped the outcome of World War II and influenced the course of history.
Actor Richard Dreyfuss performs a dramatic reading of Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, delivered on March 4, 1865.
In 2012, librarian Abdel Kader Haidara and his team in Timbuktu rescued approximately 370,000 manuscripts from destruction by Al Qaeda militants.
2,403 Americans died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States entering World War II.
George Washington's financial papers reveal how he transformed Mount Vernon into a thriving enterprise and laid the groundwork for the national economy.
Noel Rae presents firsthand accounts from former slaves, slave owners, and African slavers to illustrate the realities of American slavery.
John F. Kennedy's campaign for the presidency is examined through journalist Thomas Oliphant's insights and behind-the-scenes access to key events.
Lynne Cheney presents a new biography of James Madison, exploring his contributions to American history, followed by a book signing event.
George Washington's final years were marked by his reluctant return to military command, conflicts with successors, and frustration over partisan criticism.
The creation of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and the American Dream, is explored through the insights of author Elizabeth Mitchell, who dispels surrounding myths.
Abraham Lincoln's strategic use of journalism and political patronage to influence public opinion during the Civil War is examined through discussions with scholar Harold Holzer and journalist Frank Bond.
A December 1862 general order from General Ulysses S. Grant to expel Jews from Tennessee was countermanded by President Abraham Lincoln after Jewish citizens protested.
Washington baseball's history, highlighted by the 1924 World Series championship and the Homestead Grays' legacy, reflects the sport's deep ties to the nation's capital.
Sally Ride made history as NASA's first female astronaut during the seventh shuttle mission, inspiring generations amid significant social and scientific changes.
Francis Scott Key, known for writing "The Star-Spangled Banner," is examined through the lens of historian Marc Leepson, revealing his lesser-known legacy.
John Adams served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, facing challenges that defined the role of the presidency.
Tom Davis and Martin Frost analyze legislative gridlock in Congress and propose a bipartisan reform plan during a panel discussion at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
A book signing with author Harold Holzer follows a discussion on the life and work of Daniel Chester French, the sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial.
General Ann Dunwoody, the first female four-star general, shares leadership lessons from her 38 years in the U.S. Army, followed by a book signing.
In the 1830s, President Andrew Jackson sent merchant John M. Forbes on a secret mission to establish trade relations with Eastern potentates amid post-Napoleonic market challenges.
Vietnam War veterans share their experiences and the impact of their service on families, as recounted by professor James Wright in a reflective narrative.
Professor Joseph Janes examines significant documents that have shaped human activity, exploring their creation, influence, and relevance to modern information trends.
Four women, known as the Colored Girls, discuss their political careers and the challenges they faced while shaping U.S. politics.
Mark Leibovich spent four years inside the NFL, gaining access to owner meetings, the draft, and crucial game sidelines while examining the sport's impact on American culture.
Historian Joseph Wheelan discusses the events leading to Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox and the subsequent assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
22 years of friendship are tested when one friend reveals she is the granddaughter of Nazi Amon Goeth, surprising her companion in Israel.
Frances O’Roark Dowell discusses her book Shooting the Moon, which follows 12-year-old Jamie as her brother enlists in the army and is sent to Vietnam.
