American Coup: Wilmington 1898
american experience

American Coup: Wilmington 1898 tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina's largest city in 1898 -- the only coup d'etat in the history of the US. Stoking fears of "Negro Rule," self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington's democratically-elected, multi-racial government. Dozens of Black residents were murdered, and thousands were banished. The story of what happened in Wilmington was suppressed for decades until descendants and scholars began to investigate. Today, many of those descendants -- Black and White -- seek the truth about this intentionally buried history.

Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 3607

About American Experience:

As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation.


Watch American Experience - Clips, Episodes & Previews


Future Broadcast times for "American Experience": (show all)

Wed, May 6 2:00 P.M. The Movement and the "Madman"     NH World (11.3)
Fri, May 29 8:00 P.M. Victory in the Pacific     NH World (11.3)
Sat, May 30 1:00 A.M. Victory in the Pacific     NH World (11.3)
Sat, May 30 9:00 A.M. Victory in the Pacific     NH World (11.3)
Sat, May 30 3:00 P.M. Victory in the Pacific     NH World (11.3)


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

Bring Them Home | Bring Them Home - ASL
This Old House | E19 | Suburban Victorian | Everything Old is New Again
Ask This Old House | E19 | Arch Accent, Pea Stone Patio | Ask This Old House
Martha Graham Dance Company: We Are Our Time | American Spirit
American Masters | Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House [EAD]
Antiques Roadshow | Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Hour 3
White with Fear | White With Fear
The Forsytes | Episode 1
History with David Rubenstein | Ken Burns
The Making of The American Revolution | The Making of The American Revolution
The Count of Monte Cristo | Episode 4: The Red Room
Nature | The Greatest Adventure | Parenthood
Finding Your Roots | Artistic Roots
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History |
NOVA | Mammal Origins
Austin City Limits | Leon Thomas
Secrets of the Dead | The Quest for Camelot
Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine | Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine
A Fuller Education | A Fuller Education
North to New York: The Great Migration in NY's Capital Region | North to New York: The Great Migration in NY's Capital Region
Bigger than Africa | Bigger Than Africa
Independent Lens | Vivien's Wild Ride
The Puzzle Lady | Episode 1
All Creatures Great and Small | Episode 1: Gathering the Flock
American Experience | Bombshell
From That Small Island: The Story of the Irish | New Worlds
London's New Year's Day Parade | The London Parade 2026
Rome New Year's Day Parade 2026 | Rome New Year's Day Parade 2026
Bookish | Slightly Foxed, Part 1