PBS

Lite Version (View in Full Site)

American Experience

Freedom Riders

Season 23 Episode 11 | 1h 52m 28s

Loading Player...

The story behind a courageous band of civil rights activists called Freedom Riders who in 1961 challenged segregation in the American South.

Aired: 02/06/12 | Expires: 07/19/23 | Rating: NR

Original funding for Freedom Riders provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS stations. Additional funding for Freedom Riders provided by The Documentary Investment Group: Lynn Bay Dayton and Nordblom Family Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Watch Preview

Extras From This Episode

See all Extras from this Episode

More Episodes

See all Episodes

Short | external link

The Chinese Six Companies

On May 28, 1900, San Francisco policemen formed a perimeter around Chinatown as officials diagnosed bubonic plague in the neighborhood and wanted to quarantine the nearly 20,000 residents. As tensions flared, an influential group of merchants known as the Chinese Six Companies sprang into action.

Watch

More History Shows

Browse all History Shows

Sign into PBS

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Confirm Your Local Station

To help you find your favorite shows and great local content, we've selected a PBS station in your area.

Please confirm that WETA is your preferred local station, or choose another station below.