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American Experience

The Acrobat

“The Acrobat,” explores the contemporary social circus movement through the eyes of Sidney “Iking” Bateman. Growing up in St. Louis, Sidney “Iking” Bateman was exposed to gang life at an early age. This is the story of how he found a community of amateur acrobats, chose circus life over gang life and became a performing artist now touring the world with Cirque du Soleil.

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Casa Susanna
1:36:51
Casa Susanna was a refuge for transgender women and cross-dressing men in the 1950s-60s.
The Sun Queen
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52:22
Unsung scientist Mária Telkes dedicated her career to harnessing the power of the sun.
The Movement and the "Madman"
1:22:29
Discover the story of the 1969 showdown between President Nixon and the antiwar movement.
Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History
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52:17
Discover the unexpected history behind Monopoly, America’s favorite board game.
Women in American History
1:52:24
The influential author and anthropologist whose work reclaimed and honored Black life.
The Lie Detector
52:45
The story of the polygraph, the controversial device that transformed modern justice.
Plague at the Golden Gate
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1:52:39
Discover how bubonic plague in 1900 set off fear and anti-Asian sentiment in San Francisco
Earth Month
Flood in the Desert
52:45
Explore the 1928 dam collapse, the second deadliest disaster in California history.
The Blinding of Isaac Woodard, Spanish
1:52:49
The Blinding of Isaac Woodard with Spanish subtitles.
The Blinding of Isaac Woodard
1:52:23
How a horrific incident of racial violence became catalyst for the civil rights movement.
Part 2 | The Vote | American Experience
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1:52:47
Part Two examines the mounting dispute over strategies and reveals the pervasive racism.
Part 1 | The Vote | American Experience
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1:52:42
The fiery campaign that led to passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the vote.
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