History by the Numbers

The story of fast food is the story of the American Dream; from a converted streetcar in Wichita, Kansas, the humble patty goes on to global domination; fried chicken turns a serial failure into a serious success; a burger ends the Cold War.

Where earth meets sky: how the most thrilling and dangerous point at the top of the world continues to fascinate, and what it takes to conquer the Big One.

Victoria & Elizabeth II: in the last 200 years, 2 women have sat on the British throne for two-thirds of the time; finding out what it takes to be a royal success in an ever-changing world.

Discovering the secrets of five of the world's most notorious crime bosses; how they did it, who got away with it, and which of them didn't.

The inside scoop on six of the wealthiest people in history; revealing how they became crazy rich.

In the wake of the Spanish flu, the 1920s became the decade of flappers, jazz, and the speakeasy; for many, it was a time of unprecedented opportunity.

Discovering who's been under the influence, from Salem witches to Steve Jobs.

The inside track on five of the greatest heists in history; these are not petty robberies, but high-stakes operations meticulously planned and audaciously executed, with a cast of colorful characters from the mastermind to the snitch.

When the lost tomb of King Tut is opened in 1922, it's not only the famous Curse that is unleashed.

The Soviet Red Army and the Western Allies are in a race to the finish line.

Finding out how the insidious 'standard man' makes it hard to find a place where the gap doesn't impact us.

The Amazon rainforest is one of the enduring mysteries of the natural world.

From royal mistresses to White House scandals, ancient texts to the internet, the history of infidelity is loaded; the science behind the salacious history and shockingly common behavior may be surprising.

Whether it's for a chance to cut loose, to break the rules, or to just plain show off, there's no knowing which party will go down in history; thirteen of them stand out for excess, success, or epic failure.

The history of skyscrapers is the history of American cities, technological ingenuity, and a global boom in urbanization; from west to east, from five stories up to one kilometer high, there's nowhere to go but up.

From the first brave passenger flying across Tampa Bay in 1915 in a rickety rust bucket, to 40 million commercial flights each year, how innovation, coach class, and sex have made flying possible.

Discovering what it takes to become an astronaut, blasting into outer space at 17,000 mph.

Discovering the furball history of cats and dogs, from caveman to Instagram, hunting companion to pampered pooch.

Genghis Khan is responsible for over 40 million deaths; 16 million people carry his personal DNA.

6 million African Americans leave the southern states in the Great Migration to seek freedom and opportunity in the north and west.