Animation by David Newton, Sound Design by Marc Sylvan. Copyright Potion Pictures Limited. The title "Bayeux Tapestry" (1066-82) is a bit of a misnomer—the textile is embroidered wool on linen, and not actually a woven tapestry. The wool was dyed using the plants Woad, Madder, and Rocket. The linen canvas measures 20 inches in height by 230 feet in length (50 cm x 70 m), and supports the narrative embroidery that tells of the Norman invasion of England—though very much from the Norman perspective. The tapestry depicts Duke William of Normandy's conquest of Harold Godwinson—England's new and ill-fated King. The conquest is portrayed as fully justified, and Harold is represented as an opportunist who broke his oaths to Edward the Confessor, former King of England, and to William himself. Although first known as William the "Bastard" (he was the illegitimate son of Robert the Magnificent and Herleva of Falaise), a name change accompanied his military success: he became known as William the “Conqueror." The Norman conquest is a key turning point in Western history, and the English language still reflects this dominance of French over Saxon culture.

The Bayeux Tapestry. The BBC's David Dimbleby describes the historical significance of the Bayeux Tapestry for his forthcoming BBC One Series, Seven Ages of Britain.

The Bay of Pigs Invasion. Created by Sal Khan.

The Bay of Pigs Invasion. Created by Sal Khan.

David explains what beat frequency means, how to find it, and solves a sample problem involving beat frequency. Created by David SantoPietro.

Francis Guy, Winter Scene in Brooklyn, 1820, oil on canvas, 147.3 x 260.2 cm (Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art). Speakers: Dr. Margaret C. Conrads, Director of Curatorial Affairs, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Dr. Beth Harris, Smarthistory. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker. Find learning related resources here: https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/

The awesome beauty of the hole dug for Pennsylvania Station. George Bellows, Pennsylvania Station Excavation, c. 1907–08, oil on canvas, 79.2 x 97.1 cm (Brooklyn Museum), a Seeing America video Speakers: Dr. Margarita Karasoulas, Assistant Curator, American Art, Brooklyn Museum and Dr. Steven Zucker. Created by Smarthistory. Find learning related resources here: https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/

From the ancient discovery of the camera obscura to the 18th century mechanical devices used to create silhouettes such as the physionotrace, this initial chapter explores the inventions and inventors that preceded photography. It recreates the experiments of Johann Schulze who proved the light sensitivity of certain silver salts and Thomas Wedgwood’s early attempts to make photographic images. These early pioneers contributed to the discovery of photography in 1839. This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, grant number MA-10-13-0194.

Before the Civil War, the Mexican-American War as prelude. Richard Caton Woodville, War News from Mexico, 1848, oil on canvas, 68.6 × 63.5 cm (Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas). Speakers: Dr. Mindy Besaw, curator, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Dr. Steven Zucker. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker. Find learning related resources here: https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/

An overview of the run up to and very beginnings of World War II.

An overview of the run up to and very beginnings of World War II.

Is it okay to begin a sentence with a conjunction like "but" or "because"? Yes. David explains why.

Early Muslims escape Quraysh persecution by migrating to Medina in 622. With Medina as the base of their community, they are able to convert Mecca and most of Arabia to Islam during the remainder of the life of Muhammed (next 10 years).

The early life of Muhammad including his work as a merchant, his marriage to Khadijah, his early revelations and the persecution of early Muslims by his own Quraysh tribe.

When Banksy shredded his artwork the moment after it sold at auction, he left many questions unanswered. What are we to make of the stunt?

Dorothea Lange's photograph changed how we saw the Great Depression. Dorothea Lange, Migrant Mother, Nipomo California, 1936, printed later, gelatin silver print, 35.24 x 27.78 cm (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, PG.1997.2), a Seeing America video. Speakers: Eve Schillo, Assistant Curator, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Steven Zucker. Find learning related resources here: https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/

Most visitors to the National Gallery come to look at the paintings. But in this behind-the-scenes look at the work of the Gallery’s Framing Department, the richness and importance of the collection’s frames is revealed. A fascinating insight into recent conservation work and historic frame purchases with the National Gallery’s Head of Framing, Peter Schade, and Vivmar Curatorial Assistant, Harriet O’Neill.

Explore Buddhism through clips of significant sites in South Asia and interviews with members of the Bay Area South Asian community.