America's Untold Story

Watch America's Untold Story

  • 2017
  • 1 Season

America's Untold Story is a documentary series that aims to shed light on lesser-known events and figures in American history. Produced by PBS, it features six episodes that cover a diverse set of topics ranging from the history of Chinese Americans to the legacy of the Tulsa race massacre.

The first episode titled 'The Chinese Exclusion Act' explores a pivotal moment in American history when Chinese immigrants were banned from entering the country due to fears of economic competition and racial prejudice. The episode delves into the political climate of the late 19th century and the role of prominent figures such as Denis Kearney and Senator John F. Miller in fanning anti-Chinese sentiments.

Subsequent episodes focus on similarly transformative events and individuals such as the pioneering efforts of a Black female detective in the 1920s in 'The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow' and the devastating effects of the opioid crisis in 'The Fentanyl Epidemic'. The show features insightful interviews with scholars, activists, and family members of those affected by the events depicted.

One particularly resonant episode is 'The Vaccine Wars' which delves into the history of vaccination in America and the cultural and political conflicts surrounding it. The episode covers the story of a young boy who contracted polio in the 1950s and the massive effort to develop and administer a vaccine that eventually eradicated the disease. It also addresses the contemporary issue of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another standout episode is 'Black Wall Street: The Tulsa Race Massacre' which details the little-known event in which a white mob destroyed the prosperous Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. The episode features moving testimonies from descendants of those who perished in the massacre and explores the historical context of racial violence and segregation in America.

Overall, America's Untold Story is a compelling and thought-provoking series that adds to PBS's long history of producing informative and impactful documentary content. It serves as a reminder that history is always evolving and that there are always new perspectives to be gained on familiar events and figures. By spotlighting lesser-known stories and voices, the series contributes to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of American history.

America's Untold Story is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (4 episodes). The series first aired on December 26, 2017.

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Seasons
The 14th and 15th Colonies
4. The 14th and 15th Colonies
December 26, 2017
Once the British colonists took control of Florida, they divided it into two parts, East and West Florida, which became the 14th and 15th British colonies. In 1812 the Patriot's War began. Although East Florida won, in 1821 Spain handed both East and West Florida over to the Americans and Florida became U.S. territory.
The British Are Coming
3. The British Are Coming
December 26, 2017
In 1763, at the end of the Seven Years War in Europe, Spain ceded Florida to England in order to keep its valuable port of Havana. The entire city of St. Augustine, except for a few families, fled to Cuba and Mexico to avoid British rule. This episode ends with the exile of 3000 Spanish residents of St. Augustine to Cuba. As the Spanish move out, the British move in - and with them, slavery.
Men of God, Men of Greed
2. Men of God, Men of Greed
December 26, 2017
A fleet of 42 pirate ships led by the Englishman Sir Francis Drake bore down on St. Augustine, and burned the entire town to the ground. By 1607 when Jamestown was founded, St. Augustine was undergoing urban renewal, but English colonists were ready to attack once again. In 1620 Plymouth was founded, and by 1664, 11 of the 13 British colonies had been established.
Struggle to Survive
1. Struggle to Survive
December 26, 2017
We travel to Spanish archives to hear the firsthand accounts written in diaries discovered in the Archives of the Indies and in a private collection held by an ancestor of Pedro Menendez. This episode follows the survivors through their first year - through the artifacts and writings that unveil a very different America.
Description
Where to Watch America's Untold Story
America's Untold Story is available for streaming on the PBS Documentaries website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch America's Untold Story on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    December 26, 2017