In Billie Holiday, a Voice Against Injustice, host Kathleen Turner explores the early struggles of the legendary jazz singer, Billie Holiday. Rising from a tragic childhood, Holiday overcame unimaginable hardships to captivate the world with her unique voice, even as she faced overt racism. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Billie Holiday and Strange Fruit, host Kathleen Turner recounts how Billie Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit” became an iconic protest anthem during the Civil Rights Movement. Despite struggles with addiction, police harassment, and being blacklisted, Holiday's bravery and artistry made a lasting impact. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Cassius Clay Becomes Muhammad Ali, sports journalist Clare Balding describes how, Muhammad Ali, as a Muslim, refused to fight in the war in Vietnam and how his defiance connected him to people all over the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Muhammad Ali's Comeback, sports journalist Clare Balding describes the first time Muhammad Ali lost a professional fight when he fought against Joe Frazier in 1971, and his subsequent comeback against George Foreman. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Martin Luther King Jr., Iconic Activist, host Sanjeev Bhaskar discusses the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. who was deeply committed to non-violent protest and inspired other activists who came after him. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In The Fight for Freedom and Democracy in Haiti, host Andrew Marr describes how enslaved people in the French colony of Saint-Domingue learned about the ideals of the French Revolution. The idea of freedom and democracy spread from plantation to plantation through voodoo ceremonies. One leader, Dutty Boukman, was instrumental in inspiring Haitians to revolt, which led to the creation of the first Black republic. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Racism in the Suburbs, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how a Black family was targeted when they moved into Levittown. Old footage shows the prejudiced views of white people living there. When houses were first sold, a covenant was in place, stating that houses could only be sold to whites. Racist policies like these were not outlawed until 1968. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In From Emancipation to Convict Leasing, historian Lucy Worsley learns that although enslaved people were free after the Civil War, a new type of enslavement arose. If Black people were found guilty of even minor crimes, they ended in slavery of a new kind: convict leasing. Conditions were harsh and many people died. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In The Truth About Tiger Stripes, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explains why these big cats' stripes are orange and black. Learn how melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and fur color, creates the distinctive camouflage patterns of a tiger’s coat. Discover the ways tigers use their stripes for survival in the wild, blending into their surroundings to avoid predators and enhance their hunting capabilities. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Billie Holiday, a Voice Against Injustice, host Kathleen Turner explores the early struggles of the legendary jazz singer, Billie Holiday. Rising from a tragic childhood, Holiday overcame unimaginable hardships to captivate the world with her unique voice, even as she faced overt racism. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Billie Holiday and Strange Fruit, host Kathleen Turner recounts how Billie Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit” became an iconic protest anthem during the Civil Rights Movement. Despite struggles with addiction, police harassment, and being blacklisted, Holiday's bravery and artistry made a lasting impact. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Cassius Clay Becomes Muhammad Ali, sports journalist Clare Balding describes how, Muhammad Ali, as a Muslim, refused to fight in the war in Vietnam and how his defiance connected him to people all over the world. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Muhammad Ali's Comeback, sports journalist Clare Balding describes the first time Muhammad Ali lost a professional fight when he fought against Joe Frazier in 1971, and his subsequent comeback against George Foreman. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Martin Luther King Jr., Iconic Activist, host Sanjeev Bhaskar discusses the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. who was deeply committed to non-violent protest and inspired other activists who came after him. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In The Fight for Freedom and Democracy in Haiti, host Andrew Marr describes how enslaved people in the French colony of Saint-Domingue learned about the ideals of the French Revolution. The idea of freedom and democracy spread from plantation to plantation through voodoo ceremonies. One leader, Dutty Boukman, was instrumental in inspiring Haitians to revolt, which led to the creation of the first Black republic. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Racism in the Suburbs, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how a Black family was targeted when they moved into Levittown. Old footage shows the prejudiced views of white people living there. When houses were first sold, a covenant was in place, stating that houses could only be sold to whites. Racist policies like these were not outlawed until 1968. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In From Emancipation to Convict Leasing, historian Lucy Worsley learns that although enslaved people were free after the Civil War, a new type of enslavement arose. If Black people were found guilty of even minor crimes, they ended in slavery of a new kind: convict leasing. Conditions were harsh and many people died. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In The Truth About Tiger Stripes, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explains why these big cats' stripes are orange and black. Learn how melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and fur color, creates the distinctive camouflage patterns of a tiger’s coat. Discover the ways tigers use their stripes for survival in the wild, blending into their surroundings to avoid predators and enhance their hunting capabilities. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.