Browse - Most popular shows on Smithsonian Channel

To many, the legacy of King Henry VIII begins and ends with his six wives. But remarkable though his marital history is, it is not what defines him. Just as influential were the men who surrounded him before and during his 37-year reign as King of England. Join host Dr. Tracy Borman as she reveals the story of Britain's most famous monarch and how his male advisors, ministers, family, and friends molded his views, shaped his destiny, suffered his ruthlessness, and, in the end, exploited his vulnerability.

The Great Lakes, home to a fifth of the world's fresh water and the backbone of a vast ecosystem, are explored from every angle on this documentary series.

Experience the liberation of Western Europe from every angle, as astonishingly colorized and expertly restored footage bring the historic turning point of World War II back to vivid life.

Raymond is prized for her tenacity in finding hidden gems and for her encyclopedic knowledge of designer fashion. The Way We Wore(R) is a destination for Hollywood's modern-day glitterati as well as high-profile stylists to the stars. "L.A. FROCK STARS" offers an inside look at the quest for the perfect dress. Raymond and her colorful staff, Sarah, Shelly Lyn, Jascmeen and Kyle, assist an endless stream of clients, all with unique needs, from Dita von Teese and Debi Mazar to Linda Ramone and a host of others.

Retracing the astonishing rise of monkeys through evolution on Earth for almost 60 million years.

Australia is a vast island-continent of diverse habitats-including beaches, deserts, grasslands, and tropical forests-that make it a haven for many unusual and rare bird species. From its largest bird of prey, the wedge-tailed eagle, to the emu, an implausible flightless wonder, take an aerial odyssey through the lives of some of Australia's amazing avian ambassadors.

As the deadliest war in history draws to an end, the bloodshed is far from over. For ten soldiers and civilians caught in this theatre of war's final act, the last days of World War II would change their lives forever. Witness the stories of the courageous men and women whose sacrifice and survival, triumph and tragedy provide unique insight into some of the most terrifying days in history. Their firsthand accounts will take you into Hitler's Bunker, to the scene of Mussolini's capture and murder, and to the horrific discovery of the Nazi's most ghastly secret.

UNDISCOVERED VISTAS is an awe-inspiring journey that reveals some of the most beautiful places in the world. Spectacular aerial vistas of cavernous canyons and lush rainforests draw viewers into an immersive natural landscape, while lyrical writing tells the stories of the nature, history and mythology that shaped the planet's geographic wonders. From the beautiful islands of the Bahamas to the majestic volcanoes of the Chilean desert, the globe's unspoiled beauty is uncovered here.

Across the planet, every animal-predator or prey-has survival advantages honed by millions of years of evolution. Watch some of nature's most accomplished survivors as they put their talents to the test, with their very lives at stake.

Zambia is home to some of the world's most exotic wildlife. From elephants to eagles and baboons to hippos, this collection of films features a range of different species, exploring their fascinating behaviour and taking viewers on a virtual safari into some of the wildest and most beautiful habitats on Earth.

A number of iconic species call the vast biodiversity of Africa home. From close-knit communities of hamadryas baboons to graceful herds of springbok, get a closer look at the some of the remarkable wildlife within the continent's mighty ecosystem.

The ocean floor is home to centuries' worth of sunken vessels integrated into marine habitats. Explore extraordinary wrecks around the world and learn how these artificial structures have become a part of the ecosystem-and in some cases, a vital tool in reversing the effects of human impact.

They were mythical gods of the stadium who symbolized the American Dream. No one in baseball could match the power, the popularity, the consistency, or the durability of Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Lou Gehrig. But their accomplishments on the field only tell part of their remarkable stories. Narrated by Martin Sheen, Major League Legends goes beyond the highlight reels. Join us as we examine these men's lives before, during, and after they came up to the plate and swung their way into American history.

Witness some of the most daring air rescue missions of the last half-century, featuring old, single-engine warhorses and high-tech wonders of ingenuity and design.

Where do waves come from, and why are they always parallel to the shore, no matter which way the shore faces? THE LIVING BEACH highlights the world's most unique and amazing beaches, and reveals how physics, nature and our own interactions contribute to the creation and evolution of these coastlines.

The narrow coast that runs along the southern tip of Africa is home to an abundance of vibrant wildlife, thanks to the two ocean currents that wash up along its opposite shores. Explore the vast ecosystems that make it a haven for biodiversity.

This four part series explores the challenges and opportunities of modern space exploration. NASA is sizing up a new but familiar challenge: how to transport humans into deep space. After 30 years spent circling the Earth, NASA is building spacecraft to take astronauts beyond the Moon to an asteroid and eventually Mars. From rocket testers in Mississippi, to capsule builders in Florida, this is the story of the spacecraft and the technicians aiming to follow in the footsteps of their Apollo ancestors.

Follow the evolution of advertising from the 1950s through the 1980s, via interviews with the industry's top ad executives, and through classic ads and commercials.

Some of the most coveted and valuable treasures from history's greatest games and players are missing or misidentified. It's up to the Sports Detectives to find the items and get to the truth. Follow private investigator Kevin Barrows and sports reporter Lauren Gardner as they travel the country on the hunt for Ali's missing Olympic gold medal, Jim Craig's Miracle on Ice flag, Dale Earnhardt's first racecar, and other legendary items.