History

American Experience

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

The Riot Report

1h 53m

When Black neighborhoods across America erupted in violence during the summer of 1967, President Johnson appointed a commission to determine what happened, why it happened, and what could be done to keep it from happening again. The bi-partisan commission’s final report offered a shockingly unvarnished assessment of American race relations that would doom its finding to political oblivion.

Episodes

  • The Riot Report: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Riot Report

    S36 E5 - 1h 53m

    When Black neighborhoods across America erupted in violence during the summer of 1967, President Johnson appointed a commission to determine what happened, why it happened, and what could be done to keep it from happening again. The bi-partisan commission’s final report offered a shockingly unvarnished assessment of American race relations that would doom its finding to political oblivion.

  • Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal

    S36 E4 - 1h 52m

    The dramatic and inspiring story of ordinary women who fought against overwhelming odds for the health and safety of their families. In the late 1970s, residents of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, NY, discovered that their homes, schools, and playgrounds were built on top of a former chemical waste dump. Housewives activated to create a grassroots movement that galvanized the landmark Superfund Bill.

  • The Cancer Detectives: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Cancer Detectives

    S36 E3 - 52m 54s

    The Cancer Detectives tells the untold story of the first-ever war on cancer and the coalition of people who fought tirelessly to save women from cervical cancer: a Greek immigrant, Dr. George Papanicolaou; his intrepid wife, Mary; Japanese-born artist Hashime Murayama; Dr. Helen Dickens, an African American OBGYN in Philadelphia; and an entirely new class of female scientists.

  • Fly with Me: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fly with Me

    S36 E2 - 1h 52m

    Fly With Me tells the story of the pioneering women who became flight attendants at a time when single women were unable to order a drink, eat alone in a restaurant, own a credit card or get a prescription for birth control. The job offered unheard-of opportunities for travel and independence. These women were on the frontlines of the battle to assert gender equality and transform the workplace.

  • Nazi Town, USA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Nazi Town, USA

    S36 E1 - 52m 32s

    Nazi Town, USA tells the story of the German American Bund, a pro-Nazi group which in the 1930s had scores of chapters across the country, representing what many believe was a real threat of fascist subversion in the United States. They held joint rallies with the KKK and ran summer camps for children centered around Nazi ideology and imagery, melding patriotic values with virulent anti-Semitism.

Extras + Features

  • Trailer | The American Vice President: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | The American Vice President

    S36 E6 - 2m 3s

    The American Vice President tells the little-known story of the second-highest office in the land, tracing its evolution from a constitutional afterthought to a position of political consequence. Focusing on the fraught period between 1963 and 1974, the film examines the passage and first uses of the 25th Amendment and offers a fresh perspective on succession in the executive branch.

  • Trailer | The Riot Report: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | The Riot Report

    S36 E5 - 2m 20s

    When Black neighborhoods across America erupted in violence in the summer of 1967, President Johnson appointed a commission to find the cause for the unrest. Their findings offered an unvarnished assessment of American race relations.

  • Trailer | Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal

    S36 E4 - 2m 34s

    In the late 1970s, residents of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, NY discovered their neighborhood had been built on a former chemical waste dump. Housewives activated to create a grassroots movement that galvanized the landmark Superfund Bill.

  • Trailer | The Cancer Detectives: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | The Cancer Detectives

    S36 E3 - 1m 35s

    The Cancer Detectives tells the untold story of the first-ever war on cancer and the coalition of people who fought tirelessly to save women from cervical cancer: a Greek immigrant, Dr. George Papanicolau; his intrepid wife, Mary; Japanese-born artist Hashime Murayama; Dr. Helen Dickens, an African American OBGYN in Philadelphia; and an entirely new class of female scientists.

  • Who's Who: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Who's Who

    S36 E2 - 1m

    The integrator. The networker. The advocate. The organizer.

  • Trailer | Fly with Me: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | Fly with Me

    S36 E2 - 2m 2s

    Fly With Me tells the story of the pioneering women who became flight attendants at a time when single women were unable to order a drink, eat alone in a restaurant, own a credit card or get a prescription for birth control. The job offered unheard-of opportunities for travel and independence. These women were on the frontlines of the battle to assert gender equality and transform the workplace.

  • Trailer | Nazi Town, USA: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | Nazi Town, USA

    S36 E1 - 1m 26s

    Nazi Town, USA tells the story of the German American Bund, a pro-Nazi group which in the 1930s had scores of chapters across the country, representing what many believe was a real threat of fascist subversion in the United States. They held joint rallies with the KKK and ran summer camps for children centered around Nazi ideology and imagery, melding patriotic values with virulent anti-Semitism.

Schedule

  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Roberto Clemente

    Wednesday
    Sep 18

    1 Hour

    A committed humanitarian, baseball great Roberto Clemente challenges racial discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Roberto Clemente

    Thursday
    Sep 19

    1 Hour

    A committed humanitarian, baseball great Roberto Clemente challenges racial discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Thursday
    Sep 19

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Friday
    Sep 20

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Friday
    Sep 20

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Saturday
    Sep 21

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: Beautiful Texas/My Fellow Americans: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    LBJ: Beautiful Texas/My Fellow Americans

    Saturday
    Sep 21

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his early years in Texas politics, early presidency, and war against poverty and discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Roberto Clemente

    Saturday
    Sep 21

    1 Hour

    A committed humanitarian, baseball great Roberto Clemente challenges racial discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: Beautiful Texas/My Fellow Americans: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    LBJ: Beautiful Texas/My Fellow Americans

    Saturday
    Sep 21

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his early years in Texas politics, early presidency, and war against poverty and discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Saturday
    Sep 21

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Roberto Clemente

    Sunday
    Sep 22

    1 Hour

    A committed humanitarian, baseball great Roberto Clemente challenges racial discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Sunday
    Sep 22

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Sunday
    Sep 22

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Sunday
    Sep 22

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Roberto Clemente

    Monday
    Sep 23

    1 Hour

    A committed humanitarian, baseball great Roberto Clemente challenges racial discrimination.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Monday
    Sep 23

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer

    Monday
    Sep 23

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines his plans for a "Great Society" and his plummeting popularity in the Vietnam years.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    The Lie Detector

    Wednesday
    Sep 25

    1 Hour

    A look at the polygraph, a device created by two men in the 1920s that could tell if a person was lying, and how it has transformed police work.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    Reagan: Lifeguard

    Thursday
    Sep 26

    2 Hours

    How Ronald Reagan's opponents underestimated him as he made the transition from acting to public office.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    Reagan: Lifeguard

    Friday
    Sep 27

    2 Hours

    How Ronald Reagan's opponents underestimated him as he made the transition from acting to public office.

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