Episode guide

American Experience: Season 9

22 episodes · first aired Oct 5, 1996

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1 T.R.: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt (1): The Long Campaign Oct 6, 1996 · 55m TR is born into a wealthy New York family that has a strong sense of social justice. He fights his severe asthma through a strenuous exercise program. He becomes New York State…
2 T.R.: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt (2): The Bully Pulpit Oct 6, 1996 · 55m After McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt becomes an "accidental" president. Seeing himself as a crusader, TR uses the presidency to advance his agenda of social reform. He expands the…
3 The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie Jan 20, 1997 · 55m A look at the poor emigrant boy who built a fortune in railroads and steel, and, unlike any industrialist of his time, began to systematically give it away; a man full of contradictions…
4 Hawaii's Last Queen Jan 27, 1997 · 55m Liliu'okalani moved easily between two worlds -- she had dined at the White House, had been a guest at Buckingham Palace, yet never abandoned her Hawaiian traditions. A writer and…
5 The Telephone Feb 3, 1997 · 55m At first rented only "to persons of good breeding," seen as an expensive luxury for doctors and businessmen, within a decade the telephone had begun to transform American life. Trees gave…
6 Big Dream, Small Screen Feb 10, 1997 · 55m The little known story of Philo T. Farnsworth, a Utah farm boy who first sketched out his idea for electronic television at the age of fourteen. An eccentric genius, Farnsworth spent years…
7 New York Underground Feb 17, 1997 · 55m It began with the blizzard of 1888 -- mountains of snow twenty feet high, horse cars and omnibuses abandoned, the city paralyzed. There was no doubt New York needed a public transportation…
8 Troublesome Creek: A Midwestern Apr 14, 1997 · 55m A story of the realities leading to the vanishing role of the family farm in the United States.
9 Around the World in 72 Days Apr 28, 1997 · 55m At the age of nineteen, Nellie Bly talked her way into an improbable job on a newspaper, then went on to become "the best reporter in America." She was serious and spunky. To expose abuse…
10 Gold Fever May 12, 1997 · 55m The 1890's in America were desperate times. A depression brought bank and business failures and forced millions of men and women from their jobs. When gold was discovered in a frozen no…
11 Vietnam: A Television History (Part 1 & 2) May 26, 1997 · 1h 51m "Vietnam: A Television History" begins by tracing the "Roots of a War" to French colonialism. "America's Mandarin" looks at the start of America's involvement in Vietnam during the 1950s…
12 Vietnam: A Television History (3): LBJ Goes to War Jun 2, 1997 · 55m LBJ Goes to War (1964-65) examines the escalating American involvement following the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. Interviewed: Gen. William Westmoreland (USA Ret.) and former Secretary of State…
13 Vietnam: A Television History (4): America Takes Charge Jun 9, 1997 · 55m In "America Takes Charge (1965-67)," GIs recall combat experiences during the years of U.S. military escalation. Also: a sequence in which Americans and Vietnamese describe the same…
14 Vietnam: A Television History (5): America's Enemy Jun 16, 1997 · 55m As "Vietnam: A Television History" continues, "America's Enemy (1954-67)" examines the escalating war from the point of view of North Vietnamese leaders and their followers, beginning with…
15 Vietnam: A Television History (6): Tet 1968 Jun 23, 1997 · 55m Vietnam: A Television History": TV-news footage graphically recalls "Tet 1968," the bold North Vietnamese and Vietcong offensive. The attacks gave the enemy a "brilliant political victory"…
16 Vietnam: A Television History (7): Vietnamizing the War Jun 30, 1997 · 55m "Vietnam: A Television History": The gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops and their replacement by the South Vietnamese are recalled in "Vietnamizing the War (1968-73)." But morale was low…
17 Vietnam: A Television History (8): Cambodia and Laos Jul 7, 1997 · 55m America's involvement in—and secret bombing of—Cambodia and Laos are chronicled as "Vietnam: A Television History" continues. After the bombing halt in August 1973, the Communist Khmer…
18 Vietnam: A Television History (9): Peace is at Hand Jul 14, 1997 · 55m "Vietnam: A Television History": "Peace Is at Hand (1968-73)" recalls the peace negotiations in Paris, including Henry Kissinger's "secret" talks with Le Duc Tho. As the talks dragged on…
19 Vietnam: A Television History (10): Homefront USA Jul 21, 1997 · 55m "Vietnam: A Television History - Homefront U.S.A.," traces the widening rift between supporters and opponents of the war, from the first demonstrations in the mid-1960s to the May 1970…
20 Vietnam: A Television History (11): The End of the Tunnel Jul 28, 1997 · 55m "Vietnam: A Television History" concludes with "The End of the Tunnel," which recalls the 1973 Paris accords and the subsequent collapse of South Vietnam. Included: vivid footage of…
30 T.R.: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt (3): The Good Fight Oct 7, 1996 · 55m TR is just 46 years old when he is inaugurated as president. He builds the Panama Canal, wins the Nobel Prize for Peace, and combatively introduces widesweeping social reforms. As his…
31 T.R.: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt (4): Black Care Oct 7, 1996 · 55m TR opposes his old friend Taft for the 1912 Republican nomination. When Taft wins, TR runs for president with his own Progressive Party. Despite enormous popular support, he loses to…