The History Channel

On a unique planet, a unique species takes its first steps: Mankind begins. But it s a world full of danger. Threatened by extinction, we innovate to survive--discovering fire and farming; building cities and pyramids; inventing trade--and mastering the art of war. From humble beginnings, we become the dominant creature on the planet. Now the future belongs to us.

A mysterious band of pirates plunders the Mediterranean coast--leaving destruction in its wake. Empires fall, but out of the chaos, we discover iron. Armed with this wonder metal, ordinary folk can overthrow tyrants and build a new world order. From the birth of democracy in Athens, to the creation of the Bible in Babylon--people power reshapes Mankind.

What if I told you that the crystal ball for our future may be found in the work of Leonardo Da Vinci? Experts believe an obscure sketch that was stolen and hidden by a Cardinal in the Catholic Church may be part of Da Vinci's cryptic prophecies. But what exactly was Leonardo predicting, and why was it so dangerous that a Cardinal felt the need to hide it from the world? To comprehend Da Vinci's predictions for our future, the team investigates history's greatest mind, uncovering Da Vinci's controversial political views, his blasphemous obsession with death, and even the mystery shrouding the Mona Lisa's identity.

What if I told you there's a place in Alaska that claims more bodies than the Bermuda Triangle? The Alaska Triangle--the region between Anchorage, Juneau and Barrows--has a disappearance rate sixteen times the national average, and scientists are entirely incapable of explaining why. Is it Alaska's extreme geological activity that creates magnetic anomalies causing instruments--and humans--to act crazy? Or is it vortexes--swirling, turbulent flows of energy--that are causing entire ships, planes and people to disappear without a trace? Local tribesmen, Search and Rescue workers, and the families of the missing all have their theories as to what is causing people in Alaska to vanish off the face of the earth.

What if I told you that for two thousand years, many of the world's most powerful men have pursued an ancient artifact they believed would bring them unparalleled power? It's the lance that allegedly pierced Jesus' side while he was nailed to the cross. Known as the Spear of Destiny, it passed through the hands of leaders like Napoleon and Adolf Hitler, and today there are a number of shadowy institutions around the world that are still chasing the Spear. Yet the question remains: does the Spear really exist, or has it been lost forever? Decoded pursues the truth about the Spear across two continents, and tries to solve this centuries-old mystery.

Best-selling author Brad Meltzer and the team jump at the chance to take on one of the FBI's most puzzling unsolved crimes: the 1971 disappearance of airline skyjacker D.B. Cooper, who bailed out of a jetliner at ten thousand feet over Washington state with two parachutes and two hundred thousand dollars in ransom money strapped to his body. Working closely with the former FBI agent who headed up the unsuccessful search for Cooper, Brad and the team examine new evidence that points to a former airline employee named Kenny Christiansen, whose own brother suspects he was actually the skyjacker who called himself D.B. Cooper. This sets up a climactic meeting between the Decoded team and Christensen's possible accomplice, the man who may have helped D.B. Cooper and his two hundred thousand dollar ransom vanish into thin air.

What if I told you that the Vatican--seat of the Catholic Church--may be responsible for the murder of one of its own popes? Pope John Paul the First was in office just thirty-three days before he was found dead of mysterious causes and whisked away by Vatican officials with no investigation. Decoded travels to Rome and learns that the fallen Pope was at the center of a banking scandal involving Freemasons and even Mafia members operating from within the walls of the Vatican. Some even say that the scandal and the murder were foretold in a prophecy delivered by the Virgin Mary that the Vatican conspired to withhold from its followers. Could Pope John Paul the First, who vowed to reform corruption in the Vatican, have been murdered by the criminals he vowed to expose?

Pledge allegiance to the Pawn Stars when the guys check out a flag cut straight from a WWI fighter plane. Flown in the same famous squadron as Teddy Roosevelt s son Quentin, will the guys engage in a dogfight for these stars and stripes or will this deal cry mayday? Then, Rick checks out a gun that belonged to Old West lawman Fred Coates. Used to fend off cattle thieves during the Wyoming Range Wars, will Rick be quick to draw his cash, or will this deal be put out to pasture? And later, when Chumlee gets caught faking his timecard, Corey has to fix the problem. Will he find a way to beat the clock?

Step up to the plate with the Pawn Stars as they check out a Babe Ruth baseball card from when the Bambino was a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox. Will they swing for the fences for this rare card, or will the seller throw them a curveball? Then, Corey eyes an officer's artillery sword from the War of 1812. Will he keep his edge or will the deal be cut short? And later, Corey and Chumlee are offered a keyboard used by the band Three Dog Night. Can this piece of classic rock memorabilia have the guys singing "Joy to the World?"

While visiting the `Godfather of petroliana,' Mike falls for a one-of-a-kind vintage motorcycle sign and must resist the urge to overpay for it. In Virginia, the guys meet a Southern gentleman named Ned who keeps his treasures in a creepy cabin in the woods. Back in Iowa, Danielle s unique company car drives her crazy.

All hail the Pawn Stars when they check out a uniform from the King of England s royal guard. Used by those guarding the royal palace in England since the 1700s, can the guys get the seller to crack a smile, or is he strictly business? Then, Rick checks out a guitar made from a tortoise shell. Does a slow and steady negotiation win this rare piece, or will the price leave Rick shell shocked? And later, when a seller brings in an antique BBQ built in the shape of a pig, the Old Man reminisces about the good old days smoking pork in the South.

In an attempt to prove he should get an ownership stake in the Gold & Silver, Corey buys a sword without getting a second opinion. Rick and the Old Man think he got ripped off, but Corey s convinced he got a deal. They call in a local expert to determine who s right. And a one of a kind item from the beaches of D-Day creates a lot of noise in the shop.

Get ready for a half hour of history's most infamous gangsters, kidnappers, and witchcraft practitioners. Find out which Chicago mobster went by Snorky, why Bonnie & Clyde were like Fleetwood Mac, and exactly how many U.S. vice presidents have shot people while in office. The answer may surprise you.

The Pawn Stars travel to Utah for a rare shot at a 19th century Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon. A rapid-fire weapon used decisively in the Spanish American War, will Rick overwhelm the seller with an explosive offer, or will negotiations hit a turn for the worse and blow up in his face? Then, Corey and Chumlee try to get the party started, when an antique Wurlitzer jukebox grooves its way into the shop. Will the guys be able to stay in tune long enough to make a deal or will they be left singing the blues? And later, a woman comes in hoping to sell her antique medical quackery device. An electric zapping machine called a "Master Violet Ray," will this piece of weird science heal all of the shop's problems or cause them to seek a second opinion?

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Dangerous, discreet, and enterprising, Confederate scout and guerrilla raider John Singleton Mosby kept the Yankees "alert". In December 1862, Mosby was authorized to create an independent cavalry battalion that came to be called Mosby's Partisan Raiders. We see how Mosby's guerrilla operations, led behind enemy lines, embarrassed generals and wreaked havoc through the end of the war.

Master illusionist Steve Cohen tracks down, decodes, and resurrects some of the most thrilling and terrifying magic effects ever witnessed. Magic has a secret history, and it takes an insider like Cohen to gain access to the ancient incantations, secret sorcery, and mysterious contraptions that have shocked audiences for centuries. Can their secrets somehow be rediscovered? And can they thrill and shock today's audiences like they once did? Explore the mysteries of how these legendary effects were influenced by their times, and even how the illusions themselves changed the course of history. Steve Cohen discovers that there is much more to magic than meets the eye, and he becomes drawn closer and closer to taking the same sometimes death-defying risks that conjurors have been taking for the sake of an illusion since magic began, over a thousand years ago.

What if I told you Harry Houdini's death was not an accident, as we've been led to believe, but an act of murder? Most contend the world's most famous magician died when one of his tricks went fatally wrong, but new evidence suggests that his death may have been no accident. Most compelling is the long list of famous--and infamous--suspects who all had their reasons for wanting Houdini dead. By investigating Houdini's possible murder, the team discovers the world's most thrilling entertainer may have had an equally exciting life off the stage, including deadly feuds, love affairs, and even involvement in international espionage.