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.

Mr. Polaroid

52m 20s

Long before the iPhone, another inventive device allowed everyone to instantly chronicle their lives — the Polaroid camera. The product, and the company’s unique culture, would launch not only instant photography mania but also become the model for today’s Silicon Valley tech culture. Mr. Polaroid tells the little-known story of the man behind the camera, Edwin Land.

Episodes

  • Mr. Polaroid: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Mr. Polaroid

    S37 E3 - 52m 20s

    Long before the iPhone, another inventive device allowed everyone to instantly chronicle their lives — the Polaroid camera. The product, and the company’s unique culture, would launch not only instant photography mania but also become the model for today’s Silicon Valley tech culture. Mr. Polaroid tells the little-known story of the man behind the camera, Edwin Land.

  • Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

    S37 E2 - 53m

    The emotional and dramatic story of the decades-long push for equality and accessibility that culminated in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. A story of courage and perseverance, the film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to achieve their goal and change the lives of all Americans. From AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

  • Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP

    S37 E1 - 1h 52m

    The civil rights movement was set in motion by activists of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. While some of its leaders are familiar, Walter White — NAACP head from 1929 to 1955 and one of America’s most influential Black men — has been all but forgotten. This film traces the fascinating and complex life of this neglected civil rights hero. From AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

Extras + Features

Schedule

  • Image
    American Experience: The Riot Report: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    The Riot Report

    Monday
    Jul 28

    2 Hours

    President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints the 11-member Kerner Commission to investigate the riots that engulfed Black urban communities across the country in 1967.
  • Image
    American Experience: The Riot Report: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    The Riot Report

    Monday
    Jul 28

    2 Hours

    President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints the 11-member Kerner Commission to investigate the riots that engulfed Black urban communities across the country in 1967.
  • Image
    American Experience: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    Reagan: Lifeguard

    Monday
    Jul 28

    2 Hours

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

    American Experience

    Reagan: An American Crusade

    Tuesday
    Jul 29

    2 Hours

    Actor Ronald Reagan turns to politics, gaining popularity and stirring controversy as president.
  • Image
    American Experience: Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History

    Tuesday
    Jul 29

    1 Hour

    The story behind the board game Monopoly.
  • Image
    American Experience: Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History

    Tuesday
    Jul 29

    1 Hour

    The story behind the board game Monopoly.
  • Image
    American Experience: Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History

    Wednesday
    Jul 30

    1 Hour

    The story behind the board game Monopoly.
  • Image
    American Experience: Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History

    Wednesday
    Jul 30

    1 Hour

    The story behind the board game Monopoly.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: Beautiful Texas/My Fellow Americans: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    LBJ: Beautiful Texas

    Wednesday
    Jul 30

    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: Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History

    Wednesday
    Jul 30

    1 Hour

    The story behind the board game Monopoly.
  • Image
    American Experience: Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History

    Wednesday
    Jul 30

    1 Hour

    The story behind the board game Monopoly.
  • Image
    American Experience: LBJ: We Shall Overcome/The Last Believer: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    LBJ: My Fellow Americans

    Thursday
    Jul 31

    2 Hours

    A profile of Lyndon B. Johnson examines how he pushed through historical social legislation on a scale that rivaled FDR's New Deal before his presidency began to ravel.
  • Image
    American Experience: The American Vice President: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    The American Vice President

    Thursday
    Jul 31

    1 Hour

    Exploring the period between 1963 and 1976 when America was forced to confront the purpose of the vice president and the succession process that is enacted if a president is unable to serve.
  • Image
    American Experience: American Coup: Wilmington 1898: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    American Coup: Wilmington 1898

    Thursday
    Jul 31

    2 Hours

    The race massacre and insurrection that occured in Wilmington, N.C., in 1898, saw the murder of dozens of Black residents.
  • Image
    American Experience: Mr. Polaroid: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    Mr. Polaroid

    Thursday
    Jul 31

    1 Hour

    Scientist Edwin Land, inventor of the Polaroid camera, revolutionizes amateur photography in 1948 with a camera that provides pictures instantly.
  • Image
    American Experience: The American Vice President: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    The American Vice President

    Friday
    Aug 1

    1 Hour

    Exploring the period between 1963 and 1976 when America was forced to confront the purpose of the vice president and the succession process that is enacted if a president is unable to serve.
  • Image
    American Experience: American Coup: Wilmington 1898: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    American Coup: Wilmington 1898

    Friday
    Aug 1

    2 Hours

    The race massacre and insurrection that occured in Wilmington, N.C., in 1898, saw the murder of dozens of Black residents.
  • Image
    American Experience: Mr. Polaroid: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    Mr. Polaroid

    Friday
    Aug 1

    1 Hour

    Scientist Edwin Land, inventor of the Polaroid camera, revolutionizes amateur photography in 1948 with a camera that provides pictures instantly.
  • Image
    American Experience: The American Vice President: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Experience

    The American Vice President

    Friday
    Aug 1

    1 Hour

    Exploring the period between 1963 and 1976 when America was forced to confront the purpose of the vice president and the succession process that is enacted if a president is unable to serve.
  • Image
    American Experience: American Coup: Wilmington 1898: TVSS: Iconic

    American Experience

    American Coup: Wilmington 1898

    Friday
    Aug 1

    2 Hours

    The race massacre and insurrection that occured in Wilmington, N.C., in 1898, saw the murder of dozens of Black residents.

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