This special examines the theories outlined by Gavin Menzies in his best-selling book. An amateur historian and former submarine commander in the British Navy, Menzies poses an argument that could...

Explore the lives of visual artists who made the Harlem Renaissance one of the 20th century's richest artistic moments. Archival footage, newsreels, and photographs recall the influential force of...

American troops begin a round-the-clock bombing attack on Germany and fight for ground in New Guinea and Sicily. With the constant threat of war on the horizon, war marriages and a rising pregnancy...

J. Q. Adams, B. Harrison, FDR, Kennedy: A republican office with no bloodline, the U.S. presidency retains a royal similarity. American families prominent in high office bespeak homes with a strong...

Tyler, Fillmore, A. Johnson, Arthur, Truman: Happenstance has played its part in politics and the presidency, with nearly a quarter of U.S. presidents succeeding a deceased predecessor. Often...

J. Adams, Taylor, Hayes, Carter: Each president is alone accountable for his administration, but powerful interests continually push and pull him on all sides. The four grouped here raised...

Van Buren, Buchanan, Lincoln, LBJ: By the mid-19th century, politics had emerged as a vocation, a life's work for a worthy man. Each of these four presidents dedicated his life to cultivating the...

Jefferson, Coolidge, Hoover, Reagan: If the American national identity is less a condition than an idea, no one is better positioned to express it than the president. "The vision thing" is an...

Monroe, McKinley, Wilson, G. H. W. Bush: Modern statesmen seek to fashion a new order in the world, while Americans debate their role in it. A president's greatest is to represent the nation to the...

Washington, W. H. Harrison, Grant, Eisenhower: National heroes renowned for selfless service to country often become Commander-in-Chief, rallying people to their sides by appearing to stand beyond...