The History Channel

The Pawn Stars huddle up when a 1966 Miami Dolphins playbook rushes into the shop. A relic from the short lived American Football League, will Rick think buying the book of secret strategy is a worthy goal, or will he have to pass? Then, a woman reels in who claims she has unseen footage of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Can Corey and the Old Man make a blockbuster deal for the celluloid stash or will the film be a flop? And later, Corey and Chum hit the road to check out a vintage cash register from the 1920s. Will the seller press the right buttons to make a big pay day from the guys, or will Corey only offer him small change?

Kick off your shoes with the Pawn Stars when Rick and the Old Man are offered a pair of slippers owned by Pope Leo XIII. Considered one of history's most influential popes, will the guys have a prayer of making a deal? Then, Chumlee and Olivia are working the night shift when a guy brings in a driver's license owned by god guitarist of Guns N Roses: Slash. Is this rock memorabilia worth waking up Rick? And later, the Old Man's 20 cup-a-day coffee habit sparks a family intervention. But can you really teach this old dog a new trick?

Best-selling author Brad Meltzer and the team race against time to decipher ancient prophecies that warn of worldwide destruction in the year 2012. In fact, Christians, Jews, Muslims and even Native Americans have eerily similar visions as to how the world will end. And now computer models with tremendous accuracy ratings are said to have predicted hurricane Katrina, the anthrax scare and even 9-11. What these same computer models predict for the year 2012... is terrifying. Is this the beginning of the end of world? Brad begins the search for answers by sending the Decoded team to the American southwest. They'll check out the famous Hopi prophecy rock, whose centuries-old carvings seem to have reliably foretold cataclysmic world events.

The Pawn Stars huddle up when a 1966 Miami Dolphins playbook rushes into the shop. A relic from the short lived American Football League, will Rick think buying the book of secret strategy is a worthy goal, or will he have to pass? Then, a woman reels in who claims she has unseen footage of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Can Corey and the Old Man make a blockbuster deal for the celluloid stash or will the film be a flop? And later, Corey and Chum hit the road to check out a vintage cash register from the 1920s. Will the seller press the right buttons to make a big pay day from the guys, or will Corey only offer him small change?

The Book of Revelation, the most terrifying and controversial book of the Bible, was written by an exiled prophet almost two thousand years ago. The final chapters of the New Testament describe mankind's violent end of days--a seven-year period of unparalleled death and destruction. Jesus breaks seven seals that unleash three waves of devastation--natural and man-made, from the sky and from deep within the earth. The Antichrist will rise. Pestilence, famine, war, and natural disasters will purge humanity before Jesus returns for the final battle between good and evil. But who is the Antichrist? Who will survive God's wrath? And when will this apocalypse happen?

In 1994, Italian journalist Enza Massa was at the Italian National Library in Rome when she stumbled upon an unusual find. It was a manuscript dating to 1629, titled: Nostradamus Vatinicia Code. Michel de Notredame, the author's name, was on the inside in indelible ink. The book contains cryptic and bizarre images along with over eighty watercolor paintings by the master visionary himself. Follow the investigative trail of how the manuscript was found in the archives and exactly how it got there. New insight is given into the life of Nostradamus and his relationship with Pope Urban VIII, who knew about this manuscript and in whose possession it was for many years.

Whatever is in store--a massive cosmic collision, a global environmental disaster, an Armageddon-like religious showdown, or a more subtle transformation--many believe that December 21, 2012 will mark a major shift in the history of our planet. There is no cogent distinction between the sobering facts and hysterical fiction--what, if any, modern scientific proof exists? Is there any other compelling evidence throughout history that 2012 will be a year of unprecedented, deadly upheaval? This special looks for the parallels between the nightmarish daily headlines and the 2012 prophecies from Nostradamus and others. From the mystical realms of the Guatemalan jungles to the Hopi elders and Mayan shaman to respected thinkers of the modern age--Nostradamus' doomsday warning will be cast in a frighteningly modern context.

An antique horse drawn sleigh arrives at the shop needing a complete transformation for the holidays. Rick gets a "knock out" of a gift at Rick Harrison's Christmas party and it gets him in the spirit. Later, Big Mike comes by with a 1930's Dixie Cup dispenser that's missing a key part.

A vintage scooter is shipped to the shop for a complete restoration. Rick is stumped on the make and model, so he calls on Danny "the Count" to take a look at it. Will Danny be able to shed some light on the mystery or will the job turn cold? A dentist stops by with his 1920's x-ray machine and Rick is concerned that the machine could be dangerous to restore.

An inventor comes to The Cave with his creation in hopes of getting a shot a deal that could earn him a fortune. But Scotty and Reichart aren t quite sure what to make of the inventor s "Skorpian." Then Scotty and Reichart head east to check out a product that the inventor says will allow homeowners everywhere to cash in on all of the fallen leaves littering their yards.

A dynamic duo of inventors serve up an invention that they say will forever change the way we eat ribs, wings and other finger foods. Now, it's up to Scotty and Reichart to decide if the two deserve a shot at a deal that could lead the inventors to millions. Then, Scotty goes crash test dummy and Reichart breaks out the big guns when the guys test an invention called the RES-Q Pod. Is it a revolutionary lifesaver or a floating bone crusher?

Did you know that the quaint custom of Christmas caroling actually began with drunk and rowdy revelers threatening people door to door looking for food and liquor? Early versions of the heartwarming legend of Santa Claus described him as a horrible devil named Krampus who beat and kidnapped naughty children. In America during the 17th and 18th Centuries, celebrating Christmas was against the law! There's a lot to tell about the history of Christmas, and a lot you may not know. Along the way, meet Ebenezer Scrooge and George Bailey, The Grinch and Rudolph, and learn the true origins of our Christmas traditions. So grab some eggnog and a slice of fruitcake as HISTORY unwraps The Real Story of Christmas.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

Informational programming.

In 1994 a secret manuscript hidden in the Vatican Library revealed a previously unknown apocalyptic prophesy credited to history's most notorious seer, Michel de Nostradamus. Where did this "Lost Book" come from and who was its author? The answers to these questions might help establish whether the horrible illustrations in the book point to mankind's violent end. Although the book's cover displays the name Michel Nostradamus, some believe the true author is his eldest son, Cesar. Was Cesar Nostradamus also a prophet? One who struggled with his own visions? Did he, like his father, operate in the shadow of a powerful and unforgiving Church? And was he, too, cursed with the ability to see mankind's doomed future in order to warn future generations?

The Great Pyramids of Egypt have amazed and mystified humanity for 45 centuries. A new look at their mysterious design reveals shocking architectural prophecies containing profound messages about a violent end to our future. Evidence shows that the construction and layout of the entire Giza complex, including the Sphinx, contain coded warnings about terrible tribulations set to strike us in our own times. New research will deconstruct the architectural clues and shed light on our doomed future. Why did the Egyptians believe that a rogue comet, called the Destroyer, which passes by earth every 3,000 years, will cause unimaginable destruction again in the year 2012? What prophecy-laden stones inside the Great Pyramid predicted that September of 2001 would mark the beginning of the end of the world? And what was the role of the ancient, secret society of Freemasons in creating these predictions and carrying Egyptian knowledge into the new world of America?

In 1947, ancient scrolls were discovered in desert caves near the Dead Sea. One of the texts, now called the War Scroll, spells out in chilling detail a future apocalyptic war that will end the world. Are modern events fulfilling the prophecy of The War Scroll? In fear of imminent death, the Qumran settlers hid the War Scroll along with other records of the Hebrew Bible. Soon afterward, they disappeared into the dust of history, leaving a grim prophecy of doom. Now, researchers explore the writings in the War Scroll and search our world for clues that the apocalypse foretold may be approaching. Visit the Dead Sea ruins--where it all began--to examine the cultural and spiritual conflicts in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were born. Experts point to an amazing coincidence of events that occurred then and that are happening now. Could ancient horrors herald a warning of terror today that could lead to our annihilation?

When millions of people all over the world vanish, a biblical prophecy that has come to be known as the Rapture will be fulfilled, and a floodgate of horrors will be opened on those who are left behind. The Apostle Paul foresaw a moment when all Christians would suddenly be caught up into the air with their Messiah. This would occur prior to the final outpouring of God's wrath upon the wicked. Even Native America Hopi predicted the faithful would be taken off the Earth in advance of a final war between good and evil. Many claim that all of the events that presage the Rapture have already happened. Does this mean that the Rapture is almost upon us? If so, we are now on the threshold of an Apocalypse.