PBS History Shows: NOVA, History Detectives & More

Robert Downey, Jr. and Maggie Gyllenhaal

Finding Your Roots

Sun Apr. 22, 2012

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the ancestral pasts of actors Robert Downey, Jr. and Maggie Gyllenhaal: two individuals whose family histories can be traced far back through the centuries. Continue

Stills from Slave Ship Mutiny

Secrets of the Dead

Tue Nov. 09, 2010

See archival images and stills from reenactments in Slave Ship Mutiny. Continue

Archival Image Gallery for "Deadliest Battle"

Secrets of the Dead

Tue May. 18, 2010

Browse an the online image gallery for Deadliest Battle, which contains archival images of battle and individuals featured in the episode during their time of duty. Continue

Michelle Rodriguez's Puerto Rican Roots

Finding Your Roots

Tue May. 15, 2012

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. finds some surprising connections when he traces actress Michelle Rodriguez's Puerto Rican roots. Continue

Forgotten Genius

NOVA

Tue May. 15, 2012

The story of how African-American Percy Julian defied the odds to become a famous chemist. Continue

Finding Your Roots: Michelle Rodriguez, Adrian Grenier & Linda Chavez - Preview

Finding Your Roots

Fri May. 11, 2012

See how the American experience has been shaped by people who were in the New World long before the Mayflower. 5/20/2012 Continue

Nomad's Land: Interactive Map

Independent Lens

Thu May. 10, 2012

Our ancestors were nomads, but today, out of 6.8 billion people, only 30 million lead migratory lives. Summer Pasture (airing May 10 on Independent Lens on PBS) spotlights a nomadic family in the grasslands of Dzachukha in eastern Tibet. Many nomadic societies around the world are facing threats to their way of life, including forced relocation and climate change. Continue

Fighting for Freedom

Finding Your Roots

Thu May. 10, 2012

An overview of how the Revolutionary War helped slaves attain their freedom. Continue

The Story of Peyton Polly

Finding Your Roots

Thu May. 10, 2012

A look at how John Legend’s ancestor, Peyton Polly, attained his freedom. Continue

Wanda Sykes’s Free Black Ancestors in the 1850s

Finding Your Roots

Thu May. 10, 2012

A look at the lives of Wanda Sykes’s ancestors in the 1850s and how a marriage certificate proves their free status. Continue

That Was What It Was

Finding Your Roots

Mon Apr. 23, 2012

Actor Samuel L. Jackson discusses his experience growing up in segregated Chattanooga in the mid-20th century. Continue

Archival Image Gallery from "Churchill's Deadly Decision"

Secrets of the Dead

Fri May. 07, 2010

See archival photos pf Sir Winston Churchill of England and Vice Admiral Francois Darlan, two of the major historical figures in Churchill's Deadly Decision. Continue

Minneapolis, MN (Hour Three) - Preview

Antiques Roadshow

Tue May. 15, 2012

An 1863 Ulysses S. Grant letter; a circa 1950 Charles Shulz Li'l Folks original cartoon; and two paintings - one by Victor Higgins, the other by Spencer - purchased together for $5, but valued considerably higher. 5/21/2012 Continue

Adrian Grenier's Conquistador Ancestor