Captivating Mysteries. Advance Review: Greatest Mysteries: Smithsonian

Season 1, Series Premiere

Air Date: Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 9/8c on Travel Channel

Rating: ★★★★★

American history has always fascinated me. I love museums, and I found the secrets of our nation’s history quite remarkable during my American History classes in high school. With Travel Channel’s series like Mysteries at the Museum, and now Greatest Mysteries, and soon, America Declassified, I’m no longer hankering for something to satiate my curiosity about the conundrums that have plagued and inspired our nation.

In the first special of Greatest Mysteries, host Don Wildman goes to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. Wildman is the perfect choice for this series. His excitement about historical artifacts and the history behind them shines through. It doesn’t feel forced or faked. When you have a host who can lure you in and hold your attention as well as Wildman does, it is the perfect catalyst to learning something you may not have known about history.

There are several great revelations in this first installment, and one of the stories melts my heart. It’s about Owney, the postal dog from Albany, NY. Admittedly, I had no knowledge of Owney and his story made me sigh with happiness.

The story of a small camera used to capture a sensational image during an execution really resonated with the writer in me. I know many journalists go to great lengths to get a cover story or a juicy photo, but this set the precedence for what may have inspired some of the ruthless tabloid paparazzi to go to the extreme measures they do today.

There is also a scandalous story involving scientists, businessmen, and Hollywood stunt men about a jet pack. And the touching story about the boy in the bubble and how NASA helped him get out of the bubble…even for a little while.

Without giving too much away, Greatest Mysteries: Smithsonian is a must-see. With captivating narration by Wildman who retells compelling stories from our nation’s history, Travel Channel definitely has found the right blend for what it takes to make learning about history fun and entertaining.

Tune in to Greatest Mysteries: Smithsonian, November 3, 2013 at 9/8c, only on Travel Channel.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.