Skip to content
Washington on HISTORY
Washington on HISTORY

Press release -

HISTORY Highlights August 2020

ROUEN TO HIROSHIMA

Thursday 6 August at 20.30

On 6 August 1945, the B-29 Superfortress bomber Enola Gay, piloted by Paul Tibbets, dropped the first atomic bomb used in combat over Hiroshima, Japan, bringing the Second World War to an end. But the story began three years earlier – 17 August 1942, in French skies over Rouen – when the same pilot led the first daylight bombing mission against occupied Europe. (1x60”).

BLACK PATRIOTS: HEROES OF THE REVOLUTION

Sunday 23 August at 19.40

Many people don’t know that African Americans played an integral role in the fight for the USA’s independence. Anchored by sit down interviews with NBA legend, best-selling author and esteemed activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as well as numerous esteemed historians and supported with archival material, “Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution” will cover both sides of the fight, highlighting black heroes of the American Revolution who stood up against British rule to help establish the United States of America, and, conversely, black loyalists who fought for the Crown—and the promise of freedom. The documentary will also present Abdul-Jabbar’s personal journey, revealing his own unique discovery of important historical figures like Crispus Attucks and others and how they helped change the perception of his own heritage. (1x60”)

WASHINGTON

Sundays from 23 August at 20.30

This epic docu-drama tells the story of how a fatherless young soldier full of personal ambition becomes a leader of men willing to sacrifice all for the common cause. How a once-loyal British subject rises to battle an empire in a liberty-or-death campaign to forge a new nation. And then how, at the zenith of his power, the victorious general voluntarily steps down, becoming what King George III would call “the greatest man in the world.”

Believing his public duty complete, he heads into retirement ready to be a farmer. But with the young country on the verge of collapse, he is once again called to lead, creating the most powerful and successful democracy in history. You may think you know George Washington, but there’s more to this preeminent founding father than you’ve been told. Washington chips away the marble to reveal the man at the heart of a nation’s story. You’ll never look at George Washington, or the founding of the United States of America, the same way again. Narrated by Emmy award-winning actor Jeff Daniels and executive produced by world-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize®-winning bestselling author Doris Kearns Goodwin. (3x120”)

FORGED IN FIRE: BEAT THE JUDGES

Wednesdays from 12 August at 20.30

It’s the most frequently asked question from fans of Forged in Fire —”When will we see bladesmiths compete against our judges?” Now, they are about to get their wish. In each episode, previous Forged in Fire Champions return to the forge for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—to square off against our renowned Forged in Fire Masters in the highest stakes forging competition yet!

The challenges require higher skillsets and there are more tests to pass. First, the smiths must prove they have what it takes to challenge an icon by beating each other in a series of win-or-go-home forging challenges. The remaining two smiths will then compete with one of our seasoned Judges to create a fully functioning blade that will be evaluated and tested. If the challenger can find a way to prevail against our Judge in an intense bladesmithing showdown, they’ll walk away with $10K and eternal bragging rights.

PAWN STARS

Saturdays from 29 August at 21.25

Pawn Stars is back! Long before banks, ATMS and check-cashing services, there were pawn shops. Pawning was the leading form of consumer credit in the United States until the 1950s, and pawn shops are still helping everyday people make ends meet. Pawn Stars takes you inside the colorful world of the pawn business. At the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on the outskirts of Las Vegas, the Harrison family – father Rick and son Corey along with childhood friend Chumlee - run the family business, and there’s clashing and camaraderie every step of the way. The three men use their sharp eyes and skills to assess the value of items from the commonplace to the truly historic, including a 16th-century samurai sword, a Super Bowl ring, a Picasso painting and a 17th-century stay of execution. It’s up to them to determine what’s real and what’s fake, as they reveal the often-surprising answer to the questions on everyone’s mind, “What’s the story behind it?” and “What’s it worth?”

SWAMP PEOPLE: SERPENT INVASION

Wednesdays from 26 August at 18.50

The Florida Everglades are under siege. An invasion of Burmese pythons is decimating this natural wonder of the South. Entire species of animals are being wiped out. Aggressive, ravenous and incredibly fast-breeding, these pythons have no natural predator to stop them…except for man.

To combat these serpents, the state created the Python Elimination Program. With alligator season over, Louisiana’s best hunters—”King of the Swamp” Troy Landry, his sharpshooting son Chase, legendary gator hunter Bruce Mitchell and big fish wrangler Zak Catchem—are stepping up to help. Together with professional snake hunter Bill Booth, the men dive deep into the underbelly of the Everglades to capture these sinister beasts.

In a primordial battle between man and snake, the swampers are determined to protect the community, native species and environment at all costs.

Topics

Categories


A+E Networks® UK, a joint venture between Hearst and Sky, is a leading media network reaching 60 million homes across 100 countries. With our portfolio of popular, high-performing and creative brands - HISTORY®, Crime+Investigation®, Lifetime®, HISTORY2® and UK free to air BLAZE® - we have entertained and inspired audiences for over 20 years; telling the stories that need to be told.

Our award-winning factual and entertainment content includes global hit franchises like Forged in Fire and Born this Way, must see dramas Knightfall and Vikings as well as original local commissions including: Al Murray’s Why Does Everyone Hate the English and Murdertown with Katherine Kelly (UK), Married at First Sight (Africa) and The Hunt for Baltic Gold (Poland). We complement our programming with innovative talent-led exclusive digital content and top rated podcasts.


We currently partner with over 360 operators broadcasting throughout the Nordics, Benelux, Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We have offices in London, Warsaw, and Johannesburg.

Bringing human stories to life

A + E Networks UK is a media company with a portfolio of high-quality fact-based entertainment channels, which in Benelux includes The HISTORY Channel, HISTORY HD, and Crime+Investigation. The channels are broadcast 24 hours a day. The company, which is a joint venture between Hearst and UK Sky, has channels in nearly 100 countries in the UK, Scandinavia, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

A+E Networks
1 Queen Caroline Street
W6 9YN LONDON
United Kingdom
Visit our other newsrooms