Watch America's Untold Story

America's Untold Story is a documentary series that aims to shed light on lesser-known events and figures in American history. Produced by PBS, it features six episodes that cover a diverse set of topics ranging from the history of Chinese Americans to the legacy of the Tulsa race massacre.

The first episode titled 'The Chinese Exclusion Act' explores a pivotal moment in American history when Chinese immigrants were banned from entering the country due to fears of economic competition and racial prejudice. The episode delves into the political climate of the late 19th century and the role of prominent figures such as Denis Kearney and Senator John F. Miller in fanning anti-Chinese sentiments.

Subsequent episodes focus on similarly transformative events and individuals such as the pioneering efforts of a Black female detective in the 1920s in 'The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow' and the devastating effects of the opioid crisis in 'The Fentanyl Epidemic'. The show features insightful interviews with scholars, activists, and family members of those affected by the events depicted.

One particularly resonant episode is 'The Vaccine Wars' which delves into the history of vaccination in America and the cultural and political conflicts surrounding it. The episode covers the story of a young boy who contracted polio in the 1950s and the massive effort to develop and administer a vaccine that eventually eradicated the disease. It also addresses the contemporary issue of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another standout episode is 'Black Wall Street: The Tulsa Race Massacre' which details the little-known event in which a white mob destroyed the prosperous Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. The episode features moving testimonies from descendants of those who perished in the massacre and explores the historical context of racial violence and segregation in America.

Overall, America's Untold Story is a compelling and thought-provoking series that adds to PBS's long history of producing informative and impactful documentary content. It serves as a reminder that history is always evolving and that there are always new perspectives to be gained on familiar events and figures. By spotlighting lesser-known stories and voices, the series contributes to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of American history.

America's Untold Story is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between December 26, 2017 and on PBS Documentaries