A More Perfect Union (1968-2013)
african americans: many rivers to cross

This series chronicles the full sweep of African American history, from the origins of slavery on the African continent through five centuries of historic events right up to present day -- when America has a black President, yet remains a nation deeply divided by race. It explores the origins of the people from Africa whose enslavement led to the creation of the African American people, as well as the multiplicity of cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives that African Americans have developed against unimaginable odds. All of these elements define black culture and society in its extraordinarily rich and compelling diversity from slavery to freedom, from the plantation to the White House. Hosted by Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and drawing on some of America's top historians and heretofore untapped primary sources, the series guides viewers on a journey across 500 years and two continents to shed new light on the experience of being an African American.

Duration: 1 hour 28 minutes and 10 seconds

Episode Number: 106


Watch African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross - Clips, Episodes & Previews




NHPBS Over-the-Air Broadcast

WENH-TV Ch. 11 Durham

WLED-TV Ch. 48 Littleton

WEKW-TV Ch. 18 Keene

W50DP-D Ch. 50 Hanover

W34DQ-D Ch. 34 Pittsburg

Cable and Satellite Channels


NHPBS Five Channels

NHPBS - 11.1

Explore - 11.2

World - 11.3

Create - 11.4

Kids - 11.5

All of our channels and NHK World Japan are streaming LIVE ONLINE and on the PBS App, available on most devices.

Learn More


 

Community Impact

NHPBS NHPBS Passport Passport

Happiness | Episode 1
Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir | Hope of the Season: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir
Austin City Limits | ACL Presents 24th Annual Americana Honors
The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come | The St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Our Hope for Years to Come
Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen | Charlotte Church
The Caverns Sessions | Flatland Cavalry
The Great Escaper | The Great Escaper
The American Revolution | In Order to Be Free (May 1754 - May 1775)
RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service | Sieve & Sort
Lidia Celebrates America | Lidia Celebrates America: A Nation of Neighbors
Great Performances | Twelfth Night
Nature | Jaguar Beach
Secrets of the Dead | Picturing Shakespeare
American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute | American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute
After Action | We Were There
Antiques Roadshow | Pretty or Pretty Ugly?
Salute to Service: A Veterans Day Celebration | Salute to Service 2025: A Veterans Day Celebration
The Last 600 Meters: The Battles of Najaf and Fallujah | The Last 600 Meters
The World of Olive Oil | The World of Olive Oil
Kanenon:we - Original Seeds | Kanenon:we - Original Seeds
In the Wake of Justice Delayed | In the Wake of Justice Delayed
Uncovering Boarding Schools: Stories of Resistance and Resilience | Uncovering Boarding Schools: Stories of Resistance and Resilience
Price of Paradise | Price of Paradise
The State of BBQ: A Texas Monthly Special | The State of BBQ: A Texas Monthly Special
Corpsman! Pearl Harbor | Corpsman! Pearl Harbor
Crossroads of a Nation: Missouri's Indelible Role in American History | Crossroads of a Nation: Missouri's Rifts, Roads and Civil Rights
Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer | Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer
The True Cost of Defense | The True Cost of Defense
NOVA | Ancient Desert Death Trap
Kitchen Curious with Vivian Howard | Fat
Being Texan: A Texas Monthly Special | Being Texan: A Texas Monthly Special
Rick Steves' Europe | Kraków: Poland's Historic Capital
American Masters | Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore [EAD]
Art & Science Collide | Art & Science Collide
King of Them All: The Story of King Records | King of Them All
The Gold | Episode 5
Big Cats 24/7 | Succession
Maigret | Episode 1: The Lazy Burglar, Part 1
Fork & Hammer | It Started with a Crepe