When Weather Changed History

Seasons

2008

7.7

A look at defining historical moments in early and modern history in which weather greatly played a factor in certain events.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Challenger

A look at how cold weather may have played a factor in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, which disintegrated shortly after take-off in 1986.

S1 • E2

Battle of the Bulge

S1 • E3

Air Florida Potomac Crash

The story of the Potomac air disaster in which Florida Flight 90 after take-off immediately crashed into a bridge.

S1 • E4

Operation Eagle Claw

A look at how a dust storm contributed to the failure of Operation Eagle Claw, a rescue mission to bring hostages out of Iran.

S1 • E5

Rescue from the South Pole

S1 • E6

Dunkirk Evacuation

May 26, 1940: The course of World War II is at stake as the British army attempts to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, despite severe weather. Estimates are that only about 10 percent of the troops can successfully evacuate because smaller boats are needed. Thousands of British citizens with small civilian boats volunteer to help in the effort, and in nine days, more than three hundred thousand French and British soldiers are rescued.

S1 • E7

Delta 191 Crash

On August 2, 1985, Delta Airlines Flight 191 is was route to Dallas, taking off from Fort Lauderdale. When the plane was landing in Texas, a strong thunderstorm named microburst caused the plane to crash.