Monday, March 19
Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story Smithsonian Channel, 5pm EST
During the Great Depression, the WPA writers searched for America’s story, and found something much deeper than they expected. This special explores one of the most controversial public assistance programs, and how it came to develop America’s first self-portrait.
Tuesday, March 20
Into the Deep: American, Whaling and the World PBS, check local listing
The history of the American whaling industry from its 17th-century origins in drift and shore whaling off the coast of New England and Cape Cod, through the golden age of deep ocean whaling, and on to its demise in the decades following the American Civil War. [From PBS] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/whaling/
The Fatal Attraction of Adolf Hitler: Part 1 and 2 Military Channel, 8pm EST
This special focuses on how Hitler’s propaganda machine came to capture and gain the support of the German people. After fallen prey to Hitler’s propaganda, see how he and the German people fell under the impression that the Third Reich would rule for a thousand years.
The Plague H2, 10pm EST
It began like the common cold. Then fever, baseball-sized black swellings on the neck, coughing of blood. Few lived more than two days. The year: 1347. It was history's worst biological disaster and almost half of Europe's population died within three years. Visit the plague ships' rat-infested holds, witness the terror that swept through the towns, and walk with the religious flagellants. Follow a princess as she travels into the center of the plague, a doctor who struggles to understand what is happening, and a Jewish merchant caught up in violent attacks. Hear the actual words of the victims, taken from diaries and journals. From the Pope's palace to the humble huts of medieval peasants, watch as people live and die in the unforgiving grip of fear and death, and wonder how we would act if such a terrible event happened today. [From H2]
Wednesday, March 21
Frontline: The Vaccine War PBS, check local listing
The controversy surrounding the vaccine regimen that young children face is examined. Although scientists and public-health officials say the many recommended inoculations are safe, a coalition of activists, parents and others say otherwise. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vaccines/
Ben Franklin H2, 10am EST
Meet Dr. Benjamin Franklin--a far more complex figure than the squeaky-clean, larger than life Founding Father whose grandfatherly visage graces the hundred dollar bill. Inventor, politician, writer, businessman, scientist, diplomat--that, of course, is the mythic, legendary Ben Franklin. But it's not the only Ben Franklin. By his own admission, Franklin had more than his share of shortcomings and failures. Photographed largely on location in Philadelphia, and featuring in-depth interviews with biographers and historians, as well as liberal doses of Franklin's own, often humorous observations, the special allows viewers to "walk" in Franklin's footsteps. In this vivid portrait, we meet an earthy, brilliant, and flawed Franklin that one biographer believes would feel right at home in today's world. [From H2]
*Saturday, March 24, watch 10 Things You Don’t Know About: Benjamin Franklin at 3:30pm EST on H2.
Thursday, March 22
Cities of the Underworld *Mini-Marahon H2, 2pm-6pm EST
Friday, March 23
The Seven Wonders H2, 2pm EST
The Seven Wonders of the World are a celebration of religion, mythology, art, culture, and power. The architects of these sites pushed engineering to great heights, and their creations continue to astound the world everyday.
Saturday, March 24
The Epic History of Everyday Things History Channel, 12pm EST
This two-hour special takes the viewer into the history of things that we use everyday, but may not know the history of. The history of things such as coffee, shoes, and mirrors, are vividly brought to life in order to shed light on the great deeds that these certain things have brought to the world.
