American Experience

History Series / 15 Seasons

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

52m 54s

"We Jumped Out"

1m 57s

When a South Vietnamese helicopter was too large to land on the US Navy ship, the USS Kirk, the family on board had no chance, but to make a leap of faith. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

Armitage's Story

2m 59s

In April 1975, the Pentagon assigned Richard Armitage to remove or destroy South Vietnamese naval equipment to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy. After rendezvousing at Con Son Island, he saw the remnants of the South Vietnamese fleet crammed with thousands of refugees trying to escape Vietnam. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

Why We Made Last Days in Vietnam

2m 2s

American Experience Executive Producer, Mark Samels, discusses why the events depicted in "Last Days in Vietnam" are an important chapter in American history. Premiering April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

"We were the last eleven"

2m 24s

As North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon, eleven U.S. Marines found themselves on the roof of the American Embassy with no U.S. helicopters in sight. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

"Desperate Eyes"

1m 36s

South Vietnamese veteran Dam Pham and U.S. Army veteran Stuart Herrington describe the chaos at the U.S. Embassy during the final days of Saigon in April, 1975. "Last Days in Vietnam" airs April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

"We Had Deserted Them"

1m 46s

Journalist Jim Laurie recalls the looting that took place after the last U.S. helicopters left the American Embassy in Saigon in April, 1975. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

My Lai, Chapter 1

8m 46s

In December 1966, 140 members of Charlie Company began training in Hawaii under Captain Ernest Medina. The next year, these ordinary young men from across the country would leave for Vietnam and commit one of the worst atrocities in American military history -- the My Lai Massacre.

Last Days in Vietnam Extended Preview

2m 15s

Nominated for an Academy Award® for Documentary Feature. In April of 1975, the North Vietnamese Army was closing in on Saigon as South Vietnamese resistance was crumbling. With the clock ticking and the city under fire, 135,000 South Vietnamese managed to escape with help from a number of Americans who took matters into their own hands in a desperate effort to save as many people as possible.

A Day with Thomas A. Edison

15m 52s

In the fall of 1922, a film crew came to West Orange, New Jersey to document Thomas Edison going about his day. In this silent film, they capture the prolific inventor discussing new ideas with employees, conferring with his secretary, and checking in on the newest production techniques for producing one of his most famous inventions: his incandescent light bulb.

"Come West and Be Cured"

1m 42s

Starting in the 1840s, health-seekers fanned out across the United States in search for “the cure.” The pure Western air, they were told, would make them strong and well again. Together with pioneers and explorers, consumptives played an integral role in settling the West. Premieres February 10 on PBS American Experience.

Annie Oakley's Moving Picture

28s

In 1894, the famous gunslinger, Annie Oakley came to Edison’s Black Maria studio in West Orange, New Jersey. Edison wanted to see if his kinetograph – a primitive version of a movie camera – was sensitive enough to capture the smoke from Oakley’s gun. The experiment was a success, as you can see in this short, silent film of “Little Sureshot” demonstrating her marksmanship.

The Climate Cure

1m 43s

Railroad companies advertised their station stops as havens for consumptives. Towns like Los Angeles, Denver and Pasadena grew as more health-seekers traveled west along the railroads. But promoters gave little thought to what would happen if climate was not a cure-all. Premieres February 10 on PBS American Experience.

The Stigma of Tuberculosis

1m 32s

As the scientific knowledge of tuberculosis progressed, so too did the prejudice towards people with the disease. Once it was learned that TB was not in fact hereditary, but was transmitted through person-to-person contact, those who suffered from the disease were ostracized from society. Premieres February 10 on PBS American Experience.

The Forgotten Plague, Chapter 1

8m 49s

By the dawn of the 19th century, tuberculosis had killed one in seven of all people that had ever lived. Doctors believed it was hereditary, but had begun to observe that fresh air and outdoor living could sometimes change the course of the illness. Physician and TB patient Edward Trudeau was convinced the clean mountain air was like medicine for the lungs.

The Forgotten Plague Preview

30s

By the dawn of the 19th century tuberculosis had killed one in seven of all the people who had ever lived. The battle against the deadly bacteria had a profound and lasting impact on the US, shaping medical and scientific pursuits, social habits, economic development, western expansion, and government policy. Premieres February 10 on PBS American Experience.

The Big Burn Preview

30s

In the summer of 1910, hundreds of wildfires raged across the Northern Rockies. By the time it was all over, more than three million acres had burned and at least 78 firefighters were dead. It was the largest fire in American history, and it assured the future of the still-new United States Forest Service.

The Big Burn, Chapter 1

7m 59s

In the summer of 1910, hundreds of wildfires raged across the Northern Rockies. By the time it was all over, more than three million acres had burned and at least 78 firefighters were dead. It was the largest fire in American history, and it assured the future of the still-new United States Forest Service. The Big Burn premieres February 3 on American Experience PBS.

"Hire Everybody You Can Find"

1m 45s

In the summer of 1910, the Forest Service had less than 500 rangers nationwide. With hundreds of fires already burning, the organization set out to hire more men; in some instances, they even let out felons from local jails to help battle the blazes. "The Big Burn" premieres February 3 on PBS American Experience

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