History

History programs on WXXI TV and Radio as well as online discussion and special events hosted by WXXI are featured below.

Featured Programming

Finding Your Roots: Songs of the Past

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - 8:00pm

on WXXI-TV

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. accompanies Broadway stars Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nathan Lane as they meet a cast of inspiring ancestors hidden in the branches of their family trees.

Watch On-Demand American Experience: The Vote

Watch Part 1 and Part 2 On-Demand: This film, tells the dramatic story of the epic — and surprisingly unfamiliar — crusade waged by American women for the right to vote.

PBS Latino Americans Resources & On-Demand

Resources from the PBS Latino-Americans, a three-part documentary series chronicling the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos over the past 500 years. Watch Online in English or Spanish

PBS Latino Americans PBS LearningMedia Collection

PBS LearningMedia Collection for PBS Latino-Americans series includes lesson plans for exploring the series, chronicling the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos over the past 500 years.

Return to Pearl On-Demand

Host Mark Siegrist travels with nineteen World War II veterans from around Wisconsin as they return to Pearl Harbor in June of 2012. He captures their memories, stories, thoughts and feelings about the event that catapulted the United States into World War II. For many of the veterans, this is the first time talking about those experiences.

A Gathering of Heroes On-Demand

Recounts the stories of these ordinary men who became extraordinary heroes, as they gather one last time.

Chinese Exclusion Act from American Experience On-Demand

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 excluded Chinese immigrants to the U.S. for 60 years. Chinese immigrants already here could not become citizens. Watch On-Demand & Access the Teacher Guide to the documentary.

Asian Americans Full Series On-Demand

The PBS Asian Americans 5 episode series shows the impact and contributions of Asian Americans, the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the United States. Watch the full series on PBS LearningMedia.

On-Demand World Channel: Race in America

A collection of films by and about individuals regarding race across the country and around the globe. Watch on-air, stream online and share the voices, the stories on WORLD and from our partners in public media.

On-Demand World Channel: Black Stories

A collection of films by and about individuals amplifying and affirming black voices across the country and around the globe. Watch on-air, stream online and share the voices, the stories on WORLD and from our partners in public media.

Asian Pacific American Our Experience: Local Stories On-Demand

Asian Pacific Americans are the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the United States. WXXI in partnership with the Asian Pacific Islander American Association of Greater Rochester is featuring stories from local members of the community that provide examples of culture, heritage, history and contributions to our region and nation.

The Draft: On-Demand

On-Demand

Hear how a single, controversial issue—who serves in the military—continues to define America. Watch On-Demand

Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - 10:00pm

on WXXI-TV

In this documentary series, David Rubenstein explores America’s 400-year history through a close examination of iconic national symbols.

Medici: The Art of Power

Friday, April 7, 2023 - 8:30pm

on WXXI-TV

Dr. Rocky Ruggiero examines the rise to power and legacy of the most famous family of the Renaissance.

American Experience: Freedom Riders

Saturday, April 1, 2023 - 8:00pm

on WXXI World

From May until November 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives by simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South.