American Experience | Official Site

Film

American Experience | America and the Holocaust

Complex social and political factors shaped America's response to the Holocaust, from "Kristallnacht" in 1938 through the liberation of the death camps in 1945. For a short time, the US had an opportunity to open its doors, but instead erected a "paper wall," a bureaucratic maze that prevented all but a few Jewish refugees from entering the country. It was not until 1944, that a small band of Treasury Department employees forced the government to respond.

War Letters | Timeline

U.S. Military Actions and Wars, 1775 - 1994

From the first guerilla war for American independence from England in 1775 to end of the Bosnian War in 1995.

JFK | Clip

The Vietnam Question

JFK justfied his use of force in Vietnam as a stand against Communism.

America 1900 | Timeline

Timeline

View a selection of events from 1900.

JFK | Article

JFK: The Legacy

"...my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." JFK

The Great Fever | Map

Major American Epidemics of Yellow Fever (1793-1905)

Yellow fever appeared in the U.S. in the late 17th century. The deadly virus continued to strike cities, mostly eastern seaports and Gulf Coast cities, for the next two hundred years, killing hundreds, sometimes thousands in a single summer.

Article

Grover Cleveland

The only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland's second term coincided with a financial depression, the Panic of 1893.

The Man Behind Hitler | Article

Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Together with U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt and Soviet premier Joseph Stalin, British prime minister Winston Churchill led the Allied armies to victory over Adolf Hitler and the Axis powers in World War II.

The Kennedys | Article

Teacher's Guide

The Kennedys offers insights into American history topics.

America 1900 | Article

Notable People: Military/Government Officials and Politicians

Read about some notable politicians and officials from this time period.

Article

James Buchanan

Buchanan's faith that the legal system would resolve the slavery issue locked him into inaction.

America 1900 | Article

1900s Devastation and Conflict

Learn about some devastating and violent events during this period, including the war in the Philippines, the Boxer rebellion and the Galveston hurricane.

The Great Fever | Article

Walter Reed (1851-1902)

Walter Reed is known today for the Army medical center that bears his name. But a century ago he was known as the Army officer who helped defeat one of the great enemies of the time: yellow fever.

Hijacked! | Article

The American Hijacker

Explore the life story of Patrick Arguello, the hijacker who was a U.S. citizen.

The Fight | Article

Jack Johnson (1878-1946)

As one of the toughest boxers who ever lived and the first black heavyweight champion, Johnson stirred up controversy.

JFK | Article

Politics on Television

John F. Kennedy's skillful use of media ushered in a new era of politics.

Film

Around the World in 72 Days

At the age of nineteen, Nellie Bly talked her way into an improbable job on a newspaper, then went on to become known as "the best reporter in America." The daring Bly continually risked her life to grab headlines. To expose abuse of the mentally ill, she had herself committed. When she traveled around the world in just 72 days, beating Jules Verne's fictional escapade, she turned herself into a world celebrity.

The Kennedys | Timeline

Generations of the Kennedy Family

Browse a timeline of the Kennedy family.