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Back to: Celebrate the Work of Ken Burns
S1E1
1861: "The Cause"
September 07, 2015
Beginning with a searing indictment of slavery, this first episode dramatically evokes the causes of the war, from the Cotton Kingdom of the South to the northern abolitionists who opposed it. Here are the burning questions of Union and states' rights, John Brown at Harpers Ferry, the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the firing on Fort Sumter, and the jubilant rush to arms on both sides.
Country Music
“The Sons and Daughters of America” (1964 – 1968)
S1E5
New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.
"Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” (1968 – 1972)
S1E6
Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.
“Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’” (1984 – 1996)
S1E8
Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.
“The Rub” (Beginnings – 1933)
S1E1
So-called “hillbilly music” reaches new listeners and launches its first stars’ careers....
“Hard Times” (1933 – 1945)
S1E2
Nashville transforms into Music City as America falls for singing cowboys and Texas Swing....
“The Hillbilly Shakespeare” (1945 – 1953)
S1E3
Meet the country stars of post-war America, including the Hillbilly Shakespeare.
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” (1953 – 1963)
S1E4
Visit Memphis during the era of rockabilly, and see how Patsy Cline rises to stardom.
Hemingway
The Blank Page (1944-1961)
S1E3
Hemingway writes The Old Man and the Sea but is overcome by mental illness.
The Avatar (1929-1944)
S1E2
Hemingway, having achieved literary fame, goes to report on the Spanish Civil War.
A Writer (1899-1929)
S1E1
Hemingway moves to Paris and finds success with his second novel, A Farewell to Arms.
Muhammad Ali
Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016)
S1E4
Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman and becomes world famous.
Round Three: The Rivalry (1970 - 1974)
S1E3
Muhammad Ali returns from exile and twice faces his greatest rival, Joe Frazier.
Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970)
S1E2
Muhammad Ali is banished from boxing for refusing induction into the Army.
Round One: The Greatest (1942-1964)
S1E1
Cassius Clay rises from boastful amateur boxer to contender for the heavyweight title.
The American Buffalo
The Civil War
1865: "War Is All Hell"/"The Better Angels of Our Nature"
S1E5
Richmond falls to Grant's army, Lee surrenders, Lincoln is assassinated, and the war ends....
1864: "Valley of the Shadow of Death"/"Most Hallowed Ground"
S1E4
While causalities mount, Lincoln’s re-election chances dim.
1863: "Simply Murder"/"The Universe of Battle"
S1E3
Follow the Battle of Gettysburg, draft riots, and the first African-American troops.
1862: "A Very Bloody Affair"/"Forever Free"
S1E2
Lincoln’s war to preserve the Union transforms to a war to emancipate the slaves.
The National Parks
Morning of Creation (1946-1980)
S1E6
Examine the proliferation of protected lands and the protection of predatory animals.
Great Nature (1933-1945)
S1E5
Learn about the changes to the national parks during the Great Depression and WWII.
The Last Refuge (1890-1915)
S1E2
Investigate the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and others to protect the land.
The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)
S1E1
Examine the radical idea of creating national parks for the enjoyment of everyone.
The U.S. and the Holocaust
“The Homeless, Tempest-Tossed” (1942 - )
S1E3
As the Allies liberate German camps, the public sees the sheer scale of the Holocaust.
“Yearning to Breathe Free” (1938-1942)
S1E2
As war begins, some Americans work tirelessly to help refugees; others remain indifferent....
“The Golden Door” (Beginnings-1938)
S1E1
Reversing open borders, a xenophobic backlash prompts Congress to restrict immigration.
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