NUCLEAR SUPER BUNKER Hidden in D.C. | Cities Of The Underworld (S2, E10) | Full Episode

Recent questions

• What is the historical significance of Fort McHenry?

  Fort McHenry, built in the late 1790s, played a crucial role in US military history. It covers about 42 acres with a unique five-sided design. After the War of 1812, where the British targeted Baltimore and bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours, the US military upgraded the fort's defenses. The bunkers were reinforced with thicker brick walls and added dirt for protection. Improved weapons storage prevented explosions, with antechambers redirecting blasts. Francis Scott Key's experience during the Battle of Baltimore inspired him to write "In Defense of Fort McHenry," which later became The Star-Spangled Banner.

• How did the Confederates utilize Organ Cave during the Civil War?

  Organ Cave in West Virginia served as a Confederate underground ammunition factory during the Civil War. The Confederates produced saltpeter for gunpowder in secrecy, carrying it through treacherous paths and using signals to avoid detection by Union troops. The saltpeter was boiled down into crystals, showcasing the challenges of making gunpowder during the war. Despite nearly 300 casualties for the South in the Battle of Droop Mountain, the Confederate weapons factory at Organ Cave remained undiscovered. After the Civil War, America began to rebuild, eventually becoming the wealthiest and most powerful nation.

• What security measures were implemented in Washington D.C. post-9/11?

  Washington D.C., as the capital of the United States, implemented heightened security measures post-9/11. Underground tunnels connect key buildings like the White House, Capitol, and FBI headquarters. The city's oldest underground system, the sewers, played a crucial role in combating diseases like cholera. The Tiber Creek, turned into a sewer in 1871, was covered up to prevent disease spread. Security in D.C.'s sewers intensified post-9/11, with restricted access and surveillance measures to ensure the safety of the capital.

• What was the purpose of the super bunker in West Virginia?

  The super bunker in West Virginia was designed to serve as a secure location for leaders during nuclear threats. General Robert E. Lee's hidden weapons factory in a cave under a union army camp showcased the historical reliance on underground facilities for defense. The bunker at the Greenbrier was equipped to accommodate congressional limousines and army trucks, with supplies and facilities for a two-month stay. Decontamination showers were crucial for survival, processing 120 persons per hour. The bunker's existence was kept top secret, known to only a few, highlighting the importance of maintaining security in times of crisis.

• How did the US military learn from the defenses of Fort McHenry?

  The US military adopted the defenses of Fort McHenry after the War of 1812, where the British fleet bombarded the fort during the Battle of Baltimore. The fort's bunkers were upgraded post-attack, with increased brick wall thickness and added dirt for protection. Weapons storage was improved to prevent explosions, with antechambers redirecting blasts. Francis Scott Key's experience during the battle inspired him to write "In Defense of Fort McHenry," which later became The Star-Spangled Banner. The lessons learned from the defense of Fort McHenry influenced military strategies and fortifications in subsequent conflicts.