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The Best Episodes of History 101

Every episode of History 101 ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of History 101!

Binge this in 7h 27m•Peaking at 7.5/10

Infographics and archival footage deliver bite-size history lessons on scientific breakthroughs, social movements and world-changing discoveries.

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Seasons2

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    History 101 Season 2 Episode 2 - MP3s
    7.5/10(127 votes)

    #1 - MP3s

    S2:E2

    MP3s transformed how we listen to music — and spawned digital piracy. Streaming helped the industry recover, but how can artists get their fair share?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. History 101 Season 1 Episode 3 - The Rise of China
    7.4/10(460 votes)

    #2 - The Rise of China

    S1:E3

    In the 21st century, China has become a global economic powerhouse. Why was the rest of the world so slow to notice its rise to the top?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. History 101 Season 1 Episode 4 - Plastics
    7.4/10(364 votes)

    #3 - Plastics

    S1:E4

    Plastics have transformed how we live, but progress comes at a high price: 7.8 billion tons of waste. Are plastics a miracle or a catastrophe?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. History 101 Season 2 Episode 5 - Bottled Water
    7.4/10(112 votes)

    #4 - Bottled Water

    S2:E5

    Bottled water is a big business, selling itself as a tastier and healthier alternative to the tap variety. Is there truth behind the claims?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. History 101 Season 2 Episode 1 - GPS
    7.3/10(136 votes)

    #5 - GPS

    S2:E1

    Once a secret military program, GPS now guides our daily lives, from providing directions to finding friends. But what do we trade for this convenience?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. History 101 Season 2 Episode 3 - Credit Cards
    7.3/10(113 votes)

    #6 - Credit Cards

    S2:E3

    Credit cards changed the global economy and attitudes about personal spending, but record levels of consumer debt beg the question: Just who's in charge?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of History 101

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  7. History 101 Season 2 Episode 10 - High Fructose Corn Syrup
    7.3/10(92 votes)

    #7 - High Fructose Corn Syrup

    S2:E10

    Sweet deal or bitter pill? High fructose corn syrup rose up to dominate supermarket shelves, but what is it doing to our health?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. History 101 Season 2 Episode 7 - Lasers
    7.2/10(99 votes)

    #8 - Lasers

    S2:E7

    They're used for everything from entertainment to medicine — and now for weapons straight out of science fiction. Have lasers become too hot to handle?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. History 101 Season 1 Episode 2 - The Space Race
    7.1/10(440 votes)

    #9 - The Space Race

    S1:E2

    Fifteen international agencies spend $62 billion every year on space travel. What's fueling our costly — and dangerous — drive to explore the universe?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. History 101 Season 1 Episode 1 - Fast Food
    7.0/10(576 votes)

    #10 - Fast Food

    S1:E1

    Cheap, quick and tasty, fast food became a culinary craze in the 1950s. But has our quest for convenience created an irreversible health crisis?

    Director:Laura Stevens
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. History 101 Season 1 Episode 5 - Oil and the Middle East
    7.0/10(381 votes)

    #11 - Oil and the Middle East

    S1:E5

    Oil has brought great wealth to the Middle East and ignited major wars. Is it a blessing or a curse for the region, as well as the rest of the world?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. History 101 Season 1 Episode 10 - Genetics
    7.0/10(282 votes)

    #12 - Genetics

    S1:E10

    DNA analysis has given us the tools to map disease, solve crimes and more. But in our rush to decode DNA, are we leaping before we look?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. History 101 Season 2 Episode 4 - Psychedelics
    7.0/10(115 votes)

    #13 - Psychedelics

    S2:E4

    Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic drugs could treat brain injuries and psychological problems. But can we get past their controversial history?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. History 101 Season 1 Episode 6 - Robots
    6.9/10(321 votes)

    #14 - Robots

    S1:E6

    We share the planet with an estimated 9 million robots, from self-driving cars to surgical arms. Could they one day completely replace humans?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. History 101 Season 1 Episode 9 - AIDS
    6.8/10(280 votes)

    #15 - AIDS

    S1:E9

    Nearly 40 million people are living with HIV. After decades of research and activism, how far have we come in finding a cure and battling the stigma?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. History 101 Season 2 Episode 9 - IVF
    6.8/10(93 votes)

    #16 - IVF

    S2:E9

    A groundbreaking medical reproductive procedure has made parenthood possible for millions around the world... but at what cost?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. History 101 Season 2 Episode 6 - Dating Apps
    6.7/10(105 votes)

    #17 - Dating Apps

    S2:E6

    Thanks to dating apps, finding love is easier than ever. But are we now so focused on playing the game that we're missing out on real connection?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. History 101 Season 1 Episode 8 - Nuclear Power
    6.5/10(334 votes)

    #18 - Nuclear Power

    S1:E8

    Over 10% of the world's electricity comes from nuclear power. But with radioactive waste and the threat of nuclear meltdown, are we playing with fire?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. History 101 Season 1 Episode 7 - Feminism
    6.3/10(382 votes)

    #19 - Feminism

    S1:E7

    Feminism has ushered in sweeping changes to society, securing rights for women around the world. How much further do we have to go?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. History 101 Season 2 Episode 8 - Home Workouts
    6.3/10(99 votes)

    #20 - Home Workouts

    S2:E8

    The home fitness revolution has exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry. Are home workouts a healthy habit... or just hype?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"MP3s" is the best rated episode of "History 101". It scored 7.5/10 based on 127 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 8/25/2022. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Rise of China".