American Masters

The true story behind "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents"

Julia Alvarez and her sisters recount the day they had to escape from the Dominican Republic with their parents, because of her father's involvement in a plot to overthrew the dictator, Rafael Trujillo. The experience inspired a scene in her first novel, "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents."

The true story behind "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents"

2m 5s

  • Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]

    13m 31s

    This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation and open captions. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

  • Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [Extended Audio Description + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [Extended Audio Description + OC]

    16m 54s

    This version contains extended audio description and open captions. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

  • Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future

    13m 31s

    An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

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