Watch Full Films | American Experience | Official Site

John Brown's Holy War

Aired February 28, 2000

Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith — yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution set off a chain of events that led to the Civil War.

More

The Duel

Aired February 14, 2000

The most famous duel in American history climaxed a longstanding conflict between two of the most important men in the country. The conflict between Alexander Hamilton, an architect of the Constitution and designer of American capitalism, and Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States and the first modern politician.

More

Nixon's China Game

Aired January 31, 2000

In February 1972, after a quarter-century of mutual antagonism between the United States and China, President Richard Nixon traveled to Beijing for an historic encounter with Chairman Mao Tse-tung.

More

Houdini

Aired January 24, 2000

In 1912 Harry Houdini was lowered into New York's East River in a crate wrapped in chains. The crowd of spectators gasped; reporters pulled out their stop watches. Houdini was out in less than a minute. The resulting media blitz established him forever as the world's greatest escape artist. On stage, Houdini subjected himself to the Water Torture Cell, being buried alive, and other perils of his own design. Throughout his rise from Hungarian immigrant to international star, Houdini confronted our greatest fears entrapment, pain, death -- and emerged victorious. Produced by Nancy Porter. Mandy Patinkin narrates.

More

Eleanor Roosevelt

Aired January 10, 2000

Eleanor Roosevelt supported her husband's New Deal and advocated for civil rights, becoming one of the 20th century's most influential women.

More

New York: A Documentary Film

Aired November 14, 1999

This seven-part, 14 and a half hour television event explores New York City's rich history as the premier laboratory of modern life. A sweeping narrative covering nearly 400 years and 400 square miles, it reveals a complex and dynamic city that has played an unparalleled role in shaping the nation and reflecting its ideals. This program was produced before the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

More

Fly Girls

Aired May 24, 1999

In the midst of WWII, the call went out: women with flight experience were needed to fly for the military. Women postponed their weddings, put their educations on hold, and quit their jobs to respond.

More

MacArthur

Aired May 17, 1999

No soldier in modern history has been more admired — or more reviled. Douglas MacArthur, liberator of the Philippines, shogun of occupied Japan, mastermind of the Inchon invasion, was an admired national hero when he was suddenly relieved of his command. A portrait of a complex, imposing and fascinating American general.

More

Lost in the Grand Canyon

Aired April 5, 1999

In the summer of 1869 a one-armed Civil War veteran, John Wesley Powell, led an epic journey down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was the last important exploration within the continental United States. Powell wrote a literary classic about his trip, explored the region for another ten years, studied Native American cultures, and used his position as director of the U.S. Geological Survey to argue against the over development of the West.

More

Meltdown at Three Mile Island

Aired February 22, 1999

At 4:00 AM on March 28, 1979, a reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear power facility near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania suddenly overheated, releasing radioactive gases.

More

Rescue at Sea

Aired February 15, 1999

On January 23, 1909, two ships -- one carrying Italian immigrants to New York City, the other, American tourists to Europe -- collided in dense fog off Nantucket Island. In a moment, more than 1,500 lives became dependent on a new technology, wireless telegraphy, and on Jack Binns, a twenty-six-year-old wireless operator on board one of the ships.

More

Alone on the Ice

Aired February 8, 1999 | 53 min

Admiral Richard E. Byrd became an American hero for his daring expeditions to the North and South Pole.

More