American Experience

Plague at the Golden Gate
American Experience, TVs most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.
Full Episodes
Plague at the Golden Gate
May 24, 2022
Discover how bubonic plague in 1900 set off fear and anti-Asian sentiment in San Francisco...
Flood in the Desert
May 3, 2022
Explore the 1928 dam collapse, the second deadliest disaster in California history.
Zoot Suit Riots
March 29, 2022
In June 1943, Los Angeles erupted into the worst race riots in the city to date.
Zoot Suit Riots (español)
March 29, 2022
En 1943, se desataron en LA, los peores disturbios raciales en la ciudad hasta la fecha.
The American Diplomat
February 15, 2022
Three Black diplomats who broke racial barriers at the State Department during Cold War.
Riveted: The History of Jeans
February 7, 2022
Discover the fascinating and surprising story of this iconic American garment.
Roberto Clemente (español)
January 25, 2022
The exceptional life and career of Puerto Rican baseball star Roberto Clemente.
Sandra Day O'Connor: The First
September 13, 2021
Discover the story of the Supreme Court’s first female justice - Sandra Day O'Connor.
Billy Graham
May 17, 2021
One of the best-known and most influential religious leaders of the 20th century.
American Oz
April 19, 2021
The life and times of L. Frank Baum, creator of the beloved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The Blinding of Isaac Woodard
March 30, 2021
How a horrific incident of racial violence became catalyst for the civil rights movement.
Voice of Freedom
February 15, 2021
The life of singer Marian Anderson and her triumphant 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial...
Goin' Back to T-Town
February 8, 2021
A thriving Black community in Tulsa, rebuilt after a 1921 racially-motivated massacre.
The Codebreaker
January 11, 2021
The fascinating story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, the groundbreaking cryptanalyst.
Clips and Previews
Plague at the Golden Gate | Preview
May 24, 2022
How the bubonic plague in 1900 set off fear and anti-Asian sentiment in San Francisco.
Zoot Suit Riots | Teaser
March 29, 2022
In 1942, the murder of a young Mexican-American man ignited a firestorm in Los Angeles.
The American Diplomat | Trailer
February 15, 2022
Explores the lives and legacies of three African American ambassadors.
Trailer | Riveted: The History of Jeans
February 7, 2022
Discover the fascinating and surprising story of this iconic American garment.
Roberto Clemente | American Experience
January 24, 2022
In the bottom of the ninth inning, David and Goliath were tied, 9-9. As Pittsburgh held its...
Citizen Hearst | Trailer
September 27, 2021
Explore the life of William Randolph Hearst, who transformed how Americans get the news.
Trailer | Sandra Day O'Connor: The First
September 13, 2021
Discover the story of the Supreme Court’s first female justice, Sandra Day O'Connor.
Trailer | Mr. Tornado| American Experience
June 29, 2021
Ted Fujita's groundbreaking work in research and applied science saved thousands of lives....
The Polio Crusade | Preview
June 15, 2021
The polio crusade was a time when Americans banded together to conquer a terrible disease....
Billy Graham | Trailer
May 17, 2021
One of the best-known and most influential religious leaders of the 20th century.
L. Frank Baum | Trailer
April 19, 2021
An actor, businessman and writer, L. Frank Baum published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
American Oz | Trailer
April 19, 2021
Explore the life and times of L. Frank Baum, creator of the beloved The Wonderful Wizard o...
Blinding of Isaac Woodard | Trailer
March 30, 2021
In 1946, a local police chief savagely beat and permanently blinded a Black army sergeant....
Voice of Freedom | Trailer
February 15, 2021
Hailed as a voice that comes around once in a hundred years by maestros in Europe.
Goin Back to T-Town | Trailer
February 8, 2021
A thriving Black community in Tulsa that rebuilt after a 1921 racially-motivated massacre....
The Codebreaker | Trailer
January 11, 2021
The fascinating story of the groundbreaking cryptanalyst, Elizebeth Smith Friedman.