National Geographic Explorer Bob Ballard reveals the inside stories behind his most exciting discoveries while sharing the personal triumphs, challenges and tragedies that led him to them. | National Geographic Africa

Legendary oceanographer and Explorer at Large Bob Ballard is best known for his historic discoveries of hydrothermal vents, the sunken R.M.S. Titanic, and numerous other contemporary and ancient shipwrecks around the world. However, when asked about his greatest discovery, Ballard always says, “The one I’m about to make.” Today, on his birthday, we celebrate his efforts and contributions that have inspired generations of ocean explorers. | National Geographic Society

Bob Ballard's mission to find the wreckage of The Titanic was used as cover to actually find and document the wrecksites of 2 nuclear submarines that were lost during the Cold War. Bob Ballard: An Explorer's Life premieres tonight at 10/9c on National Geographic. | National Geographic TV

Bob Ballard, who first discovered the Titanic in 1985, tells @kyraphillips: "We knew instantly that it was game over." 'Titanic' director James Cameron adds: "The only scenario I could imagine was a catastrophic implosion." | ABC News Live