Playlist History
History
PBS's Coverage of Donald Trump's Second Impeachment
Find all the ways you can watch the House's impeachment trial, either over-the-air or digitally, here.
Unpacking the Complicated Legacy of One of Chicago’s ‘Forgotten Founders’
When it comes to Chicago’s early history, people like William Ogden or Cyrus McCormick and their families are often brought up as the city’s founders. But, according to one expert, one of Chicago’s “forgotten founders" is the writer and historian Juliette Kinzie.
Recovering a Beloved Chicago Candy and the Story of the Family Business Behind It
Lanzi Candy's Cashew Nut and Rice Crunch was once sold internationally and on American Airlines, all while made out of a small family-owned factory in Chicago. A documentary follows the business's story and a quest to recreate its most popular treat.
The Influential Plan That Sought to Make Chicago Beautiful
The 1909 Plan of Chicago recommended the lakefront be public parkland, extensive parks and forest preserves throughout the city, and other proposals that helped make Chicago the city we know today.
How Abner Mikva Inspired People to Believe in Government's Power for Good
Attending college on the G.I. Bill changed Abner Mikva's life. As a congressman, judge, and mentor to Barack Obama, Elena Kagan, and numerous young people, Mikva tried to show that government could be a force for good in people's lives.
The 40th Anniversary of the Polish Movement That Toppled Communism - And Chicago's Supporting Role
40 years ago, the Polish trade union Solidarity was formed. It would go on to force the first free elections in Communist Poland and win resoundingly, ending the Communist regime there. Chicago's Polish community played a strong supporting role throughout.
‘Forgotten Feminist’ Sophonisba Breckinridge was a Woman of Many Firsts
Sophonisba Breckinridge, a feminist and social reformer, accomplished a lot in her long career, much of which was spent at the University of Chicago. But despite all she achieved, she is what historian Anya Jabour calls a "forgotten feminist."
Revisiting the Great Chicago Fire 149 Years Later
The Great Chicago Fire: A Chicago Stories Special reveals new details with recreations and animation that bring the fire to life. Executive producer Dan Protess and producer and writer Peter Marks talked about their approach to telling the old story in a new way.
“Chicago, I Love You!” Margaret Burroughs’ Creative Legacy in Chicago
Margaret Burroughs, an influential Chicago artist, poet, and teacher, established two of the city's important cultural institutions: the South Side Community Arts Center and the DuSable Museum of African American History.
Rudy Lozano's Multigenerational Legacy and the Growing Power of Chicago's Latino Community
Rudy Lozano sought more political power for Latinos in Chicago, and although his life was cut short, his legacy lives on in his friends and family members who continue his political campaigns and activism.
Drawing Lessons from the History of War
“It’s tempting to think that military history is just about, ‘Here’s a tank, it does X, Y, and Z.’ But essentially, for good or ill, war is a huge catalyst of change," says the president of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, which has a new series called This Week in Military History.
Chicago's 1966 Division Street Riot
While it has been overshadowed by other unrest of the late '60s in Chicago, the Division Street riot was an important point in the history of Chicago's Puerto Rican community, drawing attention to issues faced by the community.
Chicago's Postal History and the Meltdown That Led to Reforms
A huge backlog of mail in Chicago in 1966 caused long delays and led to bipartisan reforms of the postal service. Chicago's role was unsurprising, given that it was an important part of the national postal system, which had also contributed to the city's growth.
From the Archive: Leontyne Price
"It's never been the Black artist's problem, it has been other people's problem," the legendary Leontyne Price told WTTW in 1981 about the lack of Black artists, specifically in opera. "It's so simplistic, it's fairly ridiculous." Watch excerpts of the archival interview.
Milwaukee's Long Legacy of Socialism
Buffalo may soon unseat Milwaukee as the only large American city to have a socialist mayor. Chicago's neighbor to the north has a long history of elected socialist leaders, an appropriate background in the era of Bernie Sanders and other progressives.
