History channel announces new original programming

History (formerly known as The History Channel) unveiled its most aggressive slate of original programming to date today. The network's 2009-2010 schedule will include: the 12-part series America: The Story of Us, which chronicles the rise of the United States; Pawning History, about a family of Las Vegas pawn shop operators; Madhouse, which follows the action at a North Carolina racetrack; and WWII in HD, which offers up color footage from the 1940s war in high-definition. History also will air The Naturalized, a Jon Stewart-produced special about immigrants becoming U.S. citizens.