American Experience

Episodes

Extras

Features

Schedule

The 1930s Series Preview
1m 2s
Air Date: 08/20/09 | Rating: NR

Watch the five-part series Mondays through November 23, 9PM on PBS.

Interview Dr. Alfred Crosby
6m 7s
Air Date: 12/21/09 | Rating: NR

Dr. Alfred Crosby, author of Epidemic and Peace 1918: America's Forgotten Pandemic.

Original Interview: Angelene Forester
2m 57s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

Angelene Forester remembers Walter Freeman's first patient -- her mother Ellen Ionesco.

Interview Dr. Shirley Fannin
9m 22s
Air Date: 12/21/09 | Rating: NR

Dr. Shirley Fannin is currently a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases in LA.

Government Film: Target Tokyo
21m 45s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

Produced by the Army Air Forces in 1945 and narrated by Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan.

Original Interview: Howard Dully
2m 43s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

Howard Dully discusses the lobotomy that Walter Freeman performed on him when he was 12.

Original Interview: Janis Jones-Thomson
1m 26s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

Janice Jones-Thomson looks back on the lobotomy done to her mother, Beulah Jones.

Soylent Green Trailer
3m 28s
Air Date: 02/15/10 | Rating: NR

From 1973, Soylent Green shows a future void of natural resources due to over-consumption.

Author Interview: Neil Maher
7m
Air Date: 09/24/09 | Rating: NR

Neil Maher tackles issues related to the CCC and the Great Depression.

Government Film: Combat America
8m 21s
Air Date: 01/12/10 | Rating: NR

Selections from the 1943 Clark Gable film.

Government Film: Memphis Belle
10m 6s
Air Date: 01/12/10 | Rating: NR

Excerpts from a U.S. Government film on the bombing missions of the Memphis Belle.

Behind the Scenes With the Turban Maker
5m 59s
Air Date: 03/27/11 | Rating: NR

Learn more from the creator of the film's turbans like Dolley was so famous for donning.

Deleted Scene on Women’s History
2m 47s
Air Date: 03/27/11 | Rating: NR

A scene cut from the film about the important role of women in political history.

Government Film: Botulism
9m 43s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

A U.S. Government film on the effects of botulism toxin on Rhesus monkeys.

On the Set of The Living Weapon
6m 36s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

See how the production team shot the desert recreation scenes.

Government Film: Dispersion
8m 26s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

A U.S. Government film on the procedure for the dispersion of a biological weapon.

Government film: Incapacitation by Enterotoxin
5m 46s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

A U.S. Government film about food poisoning, and testing Enterotoxin on monkeys.

Government Film: Operation Cover Up
9m 9s
Air Date: 03/18/10 | Rating: NR

U.S. Army film about the effects of protective hoods in a toxic atmosphere.

Victory in the Pacific – Preview
30s
Air Date: 03/22/10 | Rating: NR

"Take no prisoners. Fight to the bitter end." Those were everyday words to combat troops.

America’s Gift to Famine Stricken Russia
7m 1s
Air Date: 04/10/11 | Rating: NR

An ARA film tracks the path of food aid to the Soviet Union.

Season Recap 2012
1m
Air Date: 07/23/12 | Rating: NR

Highlights from our 2012 season.

Garrison Gets Attacked
1m 59s
Air Date: 01/08/13 | Rating: NR

William Lloyd Garrison is attacked by an anti-abolitionist mob in Boston in 1835.

Coming this Winter
2m 59s
Air Date: 11/29/12 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels on what is coming up on American Experience this winter.

Memorial Day
2m 55s
Air Date: 12/17/12 | Rating: NR

The origin of what we have come to know as Memorial Day. --From "Death and the Civil War"

Paying Tribute to Triangle Fire Victims
1m 40s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

The 1911 Triangle factory fire killed 146 and changed beliefs about workplace safety.

Immigrant Workers & the American Dream
1m 15s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

In the early 20th Century, many female immigrants worked in garment factories.

Slaves of the Machines
1m 16s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

Machines in garment factories could be cruel taskmasters, as could employers.

No Protections for Garment Workers
32s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

In the early 20th Century, the United States has no workplace safety laws.

Where Is America?
29s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

An immigrant worker questions the American Dream.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Strike
1m 30s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

Factory owners could be brutal to striking workers.

Calling for an Industry-Wide Strike
1m 16s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

How one young woman inspired a citywide strike.

Police Brutality against Strikers
49s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

The general public showed no sympathy for striking garment workers.

Bodies Falling from the Sky
1m 5s
Air Date: 02/28/11 | Rating: NR

Memories of the 1911 Triangle factory fire.

Culebra Cut
2m 59s
Air Date: 01/24/13 | Rating: NR

Goethals made excavation of the Culebra Cut a top priority on the construction site.

The Mic Went Dead
1m 5s
Air Date: 10/29/13 | Rating: NR

The War of the Worlds has become the one most legendary radio broadcasts in history.

Coming this Fall
3m
Air Date: 09/18/13 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels on what is coming up on American Experience this fall.

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’s 25th Anniversary
2m 59s
Air Date: 10/03/13 | Rating: NR

On October 4, 1988. PBS broadcast The American Experience’s first documentary.

The Gettysburg Address @ 150

Air Date: 11/19/13 | Rating: NR

The Gettysburg Address, 150 years later - of the people, by the people, for the people.

Coming in January 2014
2m 59s
Air Date: 12/16/13 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels discusses new films coming in January 2014.

Coming in February 2014
2m 59s
Air Date: 02/01/14 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels describes the new documentaries coming in February to PBS.

Last Days in Vietnam Extended Preview
2m 15s
Air Date: 03/31/15 | Rating: NR

The heroic efforts to help evacuate 135,000 South Vietnamese during the fall of Saigon.

First Days Story Project
3m 47s
Air Date: 07/27/14 | Rating: NR

Crowdfunding to preserve stories of Vietnamese-American immigrants and Vietnam veterans.

Beyond the Doc: Wildfires
2m 5s
Air Date: 08/20/14 | Rating: NR

American wildfire fighting policy and resources over the last century.

“I Had Lost Everything”
2m 7s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

After fleeing Saigon, the South Vietnamese Navy holds a solemn flag-lowering ceremony.

Coming in Winter 2015
2m 59s
Air Date: 11/19/14 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels on what's coming to American Experience in Winter 2015.

“A Terrible Moral Dilemma”
52s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Col. Stuart Herrington helps a South Vietnamese family escape. Premieres April 28 on PBS.

“We Jumped Out”
1m 57s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Miki Nguyen recounts his family's daring escape from Vietnam. Premieres April 28 on PBS.

Why We Made Last Days in Vietnam
2m 2s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels talks about "Last Days in Vietnam." Premiering 4/28 on PBS.

Last Days in Vietnam, Chapter 1
7m 27s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

In April 1975, the North Vietnamese Army was closing in on Saigon. Premieres 4/28 on PBS.

The Pilot’s Story
2m 59s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Gerry Berry was a marine helicopter pilot during the fall of Saigon in 1975.

The South Vietnamese Officer’s Story
2m 59s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

In 1975, Dam Pham was a South Vietnamese Army Officer Lieutenant.

My Lai, Chapter 1
8m 46s
Air Date: 04/21/15 | Rating: NR

Who were the men of Charlie Company? My Lai re-airs April 21 on PBS American Experience.

“Dead Men Walking”
1m 27s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Col. Stuart Herrington helped evacuate his Vietnamese counterparts. Premieres 4/28 on PBS.

“Option Four”
3m 57s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

In April 1975, the US Ambassador was left with just one evacuation option. Premieres 4/28.

“Chaos Had Descended”
3m 26s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

South Vietnamese citizens arrive at the US Embassy, desperate to escape. Premieres 4/28

“Like Something Out of Exodus”
2m 5s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

The USS Kirk escorted thousands of refugees to the Philippines. Premieres 4/28 on PBS.

“One Helicopter at a Time”
2m 12s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

The flight deck of the USS Kirk could only fit one helicopter at a time. Premieres 4/28

“Desperate Eyes”
1m 36s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

In April 1975, chaos had descended on the US Embassy in Saigon. Airs April 28 on PBS.

“What Would Happen to Them?”
2m 20s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Soldiers like Dam Pham were in peril when the North Vietnamese entered Saigon. Airs 4/28.

Last Days in Vietnam Preview
30s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

"Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

“We were the last eleven”
2m 24s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Eleven U.S. Marines were stranded on the US Embassy roof. Premieres 4/28 on PBS

Armitage’s Story
2m 59s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

In 1975 Richard Armitage was a special forces advisor in Saigon. Premieres 4/28 on PBS

Extended Clip: The Journey Downriver
11m 4s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Watch an extended clip from "Last Days in Vietnam." Premieres 4/28 on PBS.

The Marine Guard’s Story
2m 14s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Marine Guard Juan Valdez tells his story. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 29 at 9/8c.

“A Sea of Humanity”
1m 35s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

News footage shows the panic permeating South Vietnam in April 1975. Premieres 4/28.

“We Had Deserted Them”
1m 46s
Air Date: 04/28/15 | Rating: NR

Journalist Jim Laurie recounts the looting in Saigon after US soldiers left. Airs 4/28.

Coming in January 2016
1m 50s
Air Date: 01/01/16 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels on what's coming to American Experience this January.

Coming in 2016
2m 16s
Air Date: 02/02/16 | Rating: NR

Executive Producer Mark Samels on what's coming to American Experience this Feb. & March.

The Presidents, 2016
1m
Air Date: 08/08/16 | Rating: NR

Six documentaries from our Presidents Collection will re-air this August on PBS.

The Presidents 2016: JFK
30s
Air Date: 08/08/16 | Rating: NR

JFK airs on August 8 and 9 at 9/8c on PBS.

Tesla Coil
30s
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

Tesla created Tesla coil to make his wireless inventions work. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.

The Triumph of Alternating Current from Tesla
35s
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

Tesla's alternating current transformed life in the 20th century. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.

Cold Light from Tesla
1m 11s
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

Nikola Tesla develops wireless electricity he called "cold light". Premieres 10/18 on PBS.

The Columbian Exposition from Tesla
1m 2s
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

160,000 light bulbs lit the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Premieres 10/18 on PBS.

Nikola Tesla and Wireless Charging
2m 27s
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

Nikola Tesla pioneered Wireless power 100 years ago.

Behind the Scenes of “Tesla”
57s
Air Date: 10/18/16 | Rating: NR

Go behind the scenes for the making of "Tesla."

The Battle of Chosin, Web clip 2
2m 35s
Air Date: 11/01/16 | Rating: NR

Surrounded, from The Battle of Chosin

Command and Control trailer
2m 18s
Air Date: 01/10/17 | Rating: NR

A routine check at a Titan II missile complex in Arkansas leads to a chilling nightmare.

Flight Nurse
8m 16s
Air Date: 11/01/16 | Rating: NR

Captain Kinkela, one of the most decorated women in US military history.

Oklahoma City: Coming February 2017
30s
Air Date: 12/05/16 | Rating: NR

The bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995.

January 2017 premieres
2m 58s
Air Date: 01/10/17 | Rating: NR

The 2017 season premieres on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.

Command and Control, Chapter 1
9m 21s
Air Date: 01/10/17 | Rating: NR

A chilling nightmare at a Titan II missile complex in Arkansas in September, 1980.

Oklahoma City trailer
2m 49s
Air Date: 02/07/17 | Rating: NR

The worst act of domestic terrorism in American history.

Command and Control, Goldsboro 1961
2m 6s
Air Date: 01/10/17 | Rating: NR

Sometimes all that stands between the world and nuclear disaster is the flip of a switch.

Command and Control The Socket
3m 26s
Air Date: 01/10/17 | Rating: NR

Director Robert Kenner breaks down the scene for The Socket.

Malaria and the Silent Spring
12m 30s
Air Date: 01/24/17 | Rating: NR

In 1963, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring sparked a government investigation into pesticides

The Race Underground, Chapter 1
8m 24s
Air Date: 01/31/17 | Rating: NR

The dramatic story of the nation's first subway, chapter 1.

StartUp Success Story
2m 41s
Air Date: 01/31/17 | Rating: NR

The Boston subway system is one of our nation’s oldest startup success stories.

Timothy McVeigh at Waco, from Oklahoma City
1m 53s
Air Date: 02/07/17 | Rating: NR

Timothy McVeigh at Waco, Texas in 1993.

Oklahoma City, Chapter 1
8m 23s
Air Date: 02/07/17 | Rating: NR

The worst act of domestic terrorism in American history.

OKC scene breakdown
1m 32s
Air Date: 02/07/17 | Rating: NR

Oklahoma City bombing scene break down.

OKC Press Tour Filler
2m 13s
Air Date: 02/07/17 | Rating: NR

PBS and American Experience present an inside look at the new film OKLAHOMA CITY.

Ruby Ridge scene breakdown
2m 40s
Air Date: 02/14/17 | Rating: NR

Original footage of Ruby Ridge from the U.S. Marshals of the Weaver's cottage.

The Great War: An Inside Look
2m
Air Date: 04/10/17 | Rating: NR

An inside look at the making of The Great War, premiering April 10 at 9/8c.

The Great War, Part 3: Trailer
30s
Air Date: 04/12/17 | Rating: NR

The climactic struggle and ensuing peace that forever changed a president and a nation.

Eugene Bullard: An American in France
1m 11s
Air Date: 04/10/17 | Rating: NR

An American who escaped the racism of Georgia, and fought on the battlefields of France.

Death of a Colonel
2m 32s
Air Date: 09/14/17

In October 1967, a Viet Cong ambush nearly wiped out an American battalion.

Napalm in Vietnam
1m 37s
Air Date: 09/14/17

In 1965, The Dow Company — best known for making Saran Wrap — began making Napalm.

Police Tactics at the DOW Demonstration
2m 45s
Air Date: 09/14/17

In October of 1967, a massive protest at the University of Wisconsin turned violent.

The Demonstration that Sparked
1m 31s
Air Date: 09/14/17

In 1967, a demonstration at the University of Wisconsin sparked the antiwar movement.

Adam Forepaugh: The Competitor
1m
Air Date: 10/08/18

Having started Circus during the Civil War, Forepaugh became Barnum's biggest competitor.

Black History
30s
Air Date: 02/11/22

American Experience celebrates Black History.

The Asian American and Pacific Islander History
30s
Air Date: 05/10/22

American Experience celebrates The Asian American and Pacific Islander History.

Earthkeeping: Toxic Racism
4m 33s
Air Date: 04/09/24

Learn about the beginning of the environmental justice movement.

The Don’t Miss List – May 2024

Each month we have a variety of amazing programs, which can make it hard to decide what to watch! We’ve compiled a ranking of programs airing this month with number one being an absolute MUST watch.

The Don’t Miss List – April 2024

The Don’t Miss List – March 2024

The Don’t Miss List – February 2024

Celebrate Pride Month

June is Pride Month and we are excited to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQIA+ community not only this month, but all year long.

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Join us as we celebrate the impact that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made on this country’s past, present, and future this month and all year long.