American Experience | PBS (original) (raw)

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Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The film highlights the determined people who literally put their bodies on the line to pass the legislation that changed the lives of all Americans.

What does the Challenger disaster have to do with wheelchair access?

January 28, 1986 was a fateful day—in more than one way.

How Captions Went from Niche to Necessity | The Curb Cut Effect

The fight for closed captioning was a battle for access and inclusion.

They Took Sledgehammers to Sidewalks – Here’s Why | The Curb Cut Effect

Curb cuts—those small ramps at the edge of sidewalks—were not always a given.

Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP

The story of civil rights hero Walter White — one of the most influential Black men in mid-century America and leader of the NAACP from 1929 to 1955, yet one of the least known figures in civil rights history.

The NAACP's Anti-Lynching Campaign

How did a flag on the streets of Manhattan help end lynching in the United States?

Documentaries to Watch Now

Stream these American Experience documentaries anywhere, anytime. We will update this page as new films become available.

American Experience Presents Podcast

"American Experience Presents" brings a fresh take on the iconic stories told on TV's most-watched history series. Launching with three powerful narratives in podcast form: Joseph McCarthy, whose anti-communist crusade terrorized 1950s America; media titan William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper mogul whose empire shaped public opinion for decades; and Sgt. Isaac Woodard, the decorated World War II veteran whose brutal assault by police sparked a civil rights awakening. This new GBH podcast examines how these three transformative figures shaped pivotal moments in 20th century America, bringing their stories to life for a new generation of listeners.

Your Own Backyard - Last Days in Vietnam

There are over 300 PBS Stations across the country, with many sharing history right from their own backyard. Check out more stories of the lasting impact of the war in Vietnam from California, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas, and Georgia.

American Coup: Wilmington 1898

The little-known story of a deadly 1898 race massacre and coup d’état in Wilmington, North Carolina, when white supremacists overthrew the multi-racial government of state’s largest city through a campaign of violence and intimidation.

How to Cover up a Coup

To understand the erasure of a landmark event in our nation’s history, look to the books.

When White Supremacists Overthrew a Government

Fear, loathing, and the only successful coup d’état in American history.