We all know that the United States was the first nation to put a man on the moon, but did you know that the Soviets were there too? What about the true origins behind our beloved Star Spangled Banner (hint: it may or may not have been a drinking song!), or the secret ingredient in the original Coca-Cola recipe? For every great story that people remember, there are hundreds of others that remain untold. Now, these fascinating and surprising stories come alive in American Heroes Channel's (AHC) new, six-part series, WHAT HISTORY FORGOT.
Hosted by history buff and veteran high school teacher Joe Moniaci, WHAT HISTORY FORGOT tells famously forgotten tales that shaped some of America's greatest icons, scandals and disasters. The all-new series premieres tonight, June 2 at 10/9c only on AHC.
"These are the incredible stories that never make it into textbooks or classrooms," said Kevin Bennett, general manager of American Heroes Channel. "Led by Moniaci's passion and thirst for knowledge, WHAT HISTORY FORGOT ignites
CURIOSITY in viewers everywhere and will change the way they think about American history."
Each episode of WHAT HISTORY FORGOT features Moniaci as he navigates four stories of "forgotten" history, speaking to experts and examining historical sites first hand to bring these stories to life.
Premieres of WHAT HISTORY FORGOT are as follows:
Icons of Freedom
Premieres Tuesday, June 2 at 10/9c
We know that World War I was fought in Europe, but did you know the attack on American soil that nearly destroyed the Statue of Liberty? We've all played the board game Monopoly, but during WWII it was a real life get out of jail free card for POWs. We all know the music to the Star Spangled Banner - but what is its connection to a lurid drinking tune from a country we were once at war with? And Amelia Earhart - was she really the best female pilot of her time? Host Joe Moniaci uncovers the secrets behind some of America's biggest icons.
Crooks
Premieres Tuesday, June 9 at 10/9c
We all know about the 9/11 terrorist attack, but did you know there was another deadly act of terrorism in New York City on Wall Street in 1920? Or how about the fact that the boy scouts, a deeply American tradition, was actually founded by a British spy! And, would you guess one of America's most beloved beverages -- Coca-Cola got so popular because it used to have an ingredient that made it impossible to resist? Plus, what about DB Cooper? A lot of people have heard his name but very few know the details of how his heist went down. Moniaci exposes the secrets behind some of America's biggest crooks, schemes, and scandals.
To the Ends of the World
Premieres Tuesday, June 16 at 10/9c
We've heard the story of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII, but did you know there was a second surprise designed to devastate America's mainland? We've seen the famous footage of the Hindenburg airship disaster... but was it the worst airship crash ever? Not by a long shot. And what about the first astronaut to be in space for more than 24 hours- Gordon Cooper....How did he manage to pilot his Faith 7 spacecraft after a complete system failure? Plus, can you believe when the United States astronauts first walked on the Moon- the Soviets were there, too? Moniaci uncovers the stories behind some of the biggest disasters, threats and conquests that took place in America's skies.
Secret Weapons
Premieres Tuesday, June 23 at 10/9c
We know that the U.S. and Soviets went to extreme lengths to win the cold war, but few people know about a top secret project by the US government to bury nuclear missiles under the ice in Greenland within striking distance of the USSR! There was another top secret project during the Vietnam War...the U.S. tried to weaponize the weather to beat the Vietcong. And during WWII, the U.S. military fought the Germans not just with guns and ammo, but with magic tricks and inflatable tanks. Plus, our best defense in the cold war wasn't a nuclear missile... it was a double agent. Moniaci finds the stories of some of the incredible plots, ploys and people behind America's secret weapons.
Verge of Destruction
Premieres Tuesday, June 30 at 10/9c
During World War II, the world was on the verge of total destruction...but did you know that the war was also full of top secret missions that most people know nothing about? A hidden bomb shelter inside of the Brooklyn Bridge; a clandestine cover-up after a D-Day rehearsal leaves dozens of Allied troops dead; and contrary to what most people have been led to believe, those A-bombs the United States dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki weren't the deadliest bombs in WWII...the firebombings in Tokyo were.
Rebels With A Cause
Premieres Tuesday, July 7 at 10/9c
The M-1 Carbine Rifle gave American G.I.'s a fighting edge during WW2, but did you know it was invented by an ex-con busted for making Moonshine? And what about the American pilot who risked everything during the Berlin Airlift to surprise starving German kids with candy? And many believe Rosa Parks was the first lady of civil rights, but long before she refused to get off the bus in the 1950's, came a 19TH century New York activist who stood up to segregation 100 years earlier. Moniaci uncovers WHAT HISTORY FORGOT about these rebels with a cause.
WHAT HISTORY FORGOT is produced for
AMERICAN HEROES CHANNEL by Atlas Media, with Bruce David Klein and Lorri Leighton as executive producers and Fae Moore as co-executive producer. For American Heroes Channel, Max Culhane is executive producer, Sara Kozak is senior vice president of production, Kevin Bennett is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President.
About Joe Moniaci
A native New Yorker and 17-year high school history teacher, Joe Moniaci was born and raised on Long Island, where he developed a love of history at a young age. Determined to share his passion for learning with others, Moniaci attended SUNY Binghamton where he majored in history. After graduation, Moniaci was a substitute teacher for his junior high school back on Long Island, before returning to the classroom to obtain his Master's degree in education from Teacher's College, Columbia University. Shortly after, Moniaci started teaching at Valley Stream North High School, where he currently teaches Advanced Placement United States History and United States History and Government, while also serving as the advisor for the school's drama club. A beloved educator, Moniaci was spotlighted as a "Featured Teacher" by local newspaper, The Valley Stream Central High School District Observer and was nominated by a former student for inclusion in "Who's Who Among American Teachers." Moniaci is most passionate about US history, and hopes to inspire and excite his students to learn more about our nation's past.
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