History documentaries

From the dawn of civilization to the emergence of modern-day superpowers, BBC Select hosts a wide-ranging collection of world history documentaries. If you live in the US or Canada, you can sign up to watch these BBC history documentaries hosted by the likes of Bettany Hughes, Lucy Worsley, Simon Schama and David Olusoga today.

Napoleon

Watch Napoleon with BBC Select

This epic 3-part BBC Napoleon documentary sees Andrew Roberts retrace the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte to learn about the life of the legendary French leader.

With access to a unique archive of personal letters, historian Andrew Roberts brings the story of Napoleon vividly to life.

As he retraces the footsteps of the legendary leader, he sheds new light on Napoleon as an extraordinarily gifted military commander and mesmeric leader, whose private life was, contrary to popular belief, littered with disappointments and betrayals.

D-Day

Watch D-Day with BBC Select

The planning for the Allied invasion against the Nazi forces on June 6th 1944 took two years, cost thousands of lives and involved a deception of breathtaking audacity.

Presenting events through the eyes of the men and women who were there, this extraordinary D Day documentary explores the story in full.

With personal testimonies and compelling drama, this two-part World War II series recreates the biggest seaborne invasion in history.

Armada: The Untold Story

Watch Armada: The Untold Story on BBC Select

When Elizabeth I ascended to the English throne in 1558, she rejected Philip II, Emperor of Spain, as a suitor. Thirty years later, he would lead a huge invasion force against her, seeking to depose Elizabeth and bring Protestant England back into the Catholic fold. It was a decision that would define them both.

Historian Dan Snow looks at this monumental time in European history in this European history documentary on the Spanish Armada.

Border Country

Border Country

How are borders created and what impact do they have on nations and individuals? In this compelling documentary series, historian and former politician Rory Stewart investigates the Scottish-English borders, one of the most brutally contested frontiers in history and the Roman construction of Hadrian’s Wall. He also draws on illuminating border stories from Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.

Ep 1: Building the Wall
How Hadrian’s Wall between England and Scotland still impacts life in Britain today. The building of Hadrian’s Wall was one of the single most important events in Britain’s history.This dividing line between England and Scotland, created by the Romans, has repercussions still felt today. In this insightful history documentary, Rory Stewart explores the impact of Rome’s occupation and departure, and the affect it had on the nations on each side of the divide.

EP 2: A Nation Divided
The role Hadrian’s Wall played in Britain being torn in two creating England and Scotland. Hadrian’s Wall cut a deep scar across Britain that would never be forgotten. 1000
years after the Romans left, the island split once again, near the line of the wall, into the Kingdoms of England and Scotland. Rory Stewart tells the story of how Britain was torn in two. The border country dividing Britain became a zone of anarchy, as violent as border areas in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Border Country

Border Country

How are borders created and what impact do they have on nations and individuals? In this compelling documentary series, historian and former politician Rory Stewart investigates the Scottish-English borders, one of the most brutally contested frontiers in history and the Roman construction of Hadrian’s Wall. He also draws on illuminating border stories from Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.

Ep 1: Building the Wall
How Hadrian’s Wall between England and Scotland still impacts life in Britain today. The building of Hadrian’s Wall was one of the single most important events in Britain’s history.This dividing line between England and Scotland, created by the Romans, has repercussions still felt today. In this insightful history documentary, Rory Stewart explores the impact of Rome’s occupation and departure, and the affect it had on the nations on each side of the divide.

EP 2: A Nation Divided
The role Hadrian’s Wall played in Britain being torn in two creating England and Scotland. Hadrian’s Wall cut a deep scar across Britain that would never be forgotten. 1000
years after the Romans left, the island split once again, near the line of the wall, into the Kingdoms of England and Scotland. Rory Stewart tells the story of how Britain was torn in two. The border country dividing Britain became a zone of anarchy, as violent as border areas in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.