Freedom Riders
american experience

In 1961, segregation seemed to have an overwhelming grip on American society. Many states violently enforced the policy, while the federal government, under the Kennedy administration, remained indifferent, preoccupied with matters abroad. That is, until an integrated band of college students ? many of whom were the first in their families to attend a university ? decided, en masse, to risk everything and buy a ticket on a Greyhound bus bound for the Deep South. They called themselves the Freedom Riders, and they managed to bring the president and the entire American public face-to-face with the challenge of correcting civil-rights inequities that plagued the nation.

Episode Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes and 45 seconds

Episode Number: 2311

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.


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Sat, Oct 5 1:00 A.M. Zoot Suit Riots     NH World (11.3)
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Sat, Oct 5 9:00 A.M. Zoot Suit Riots     NH World (11.3)
Sat, Oct 5 10:00 A.M. The American Vice President     NH World (11.3)
Sat, Oct 5 3:00 P.M. Zoot Suit Riots     NH World (11.3)
Sat, Oct 5 4:00 P.M. The American Vice President     NH World (11.3)
Sat, Oct 19 8:00 P.M. The Sun Queen     NH World (11.3)
Sat, Oct 19 9:00 P.M. The American Diplomat     NH World (11.3)
Sun, Oct 20 12:00 A.M. The Sun Queen     NH World (11.3)
Sun, Oct 20 1:00 A.M. The American Diplomat     NH World (11.3)
Wed, Oct 23 1:00 P.M. Casa Susanna     NH Explore (11.2)
Sat, Oct 26 8:00 P.M. Plague at the Golden Gate     NH World (11.3)
Sun, Oct 27 12:00 A.M. Plague at the Golden Gate     NH World (11.3)
Wed, Oct 30 1:00 P.M. Fly with Me     NH Explore (11.2)
Fri, Nov 15 7:00 P.M. Nazi Town, USA     NH World (11.3)
Fri, Nov 15 8:00 P.M. American Coup: Wilmington 1898     NH World (11.3)


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