VOCES: AMERICAN HISTORY: THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF LATINO (New Series Premiere)

Premieres on Fridays, September 27 – October 11, 2024 at 8:00 PM on KPBS 2 / PBS app + reruns on Tuesdays, October 8 – October 22 at 9:00 PM on KPBS TV

Join host John Leguizamo as he explores the achievements and development of Great Empires and civilizations in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, from the Taino to the Olmecs, Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, and more. Despite ultimately being decimated by the conquistadors, these societies had a lasting impact on culture, agriculture, and science. Rather than focusing on the “discovery” of a new world, the episode tells the story of the fall of great civilizations that predated Columbus’ arrival, while challenging the cultural narrative surrounding our understanding of these great empires and what truly led to their destruction.

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1: “Echoes of Empires” will premiere on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. KPBS 2 and Tuesday, October 8 at 9:00 p.m. on KPBS TV – Join host John Leguizamo as he explores the achievements and development of Great Empires and civilizations in Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, from the Taino to the Olmecs, Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, and more. Despite ultimately being decimated by the conquistadors, these societies had a lasting impact on culture, agriculture, and science. Rather than focusing on the “discovery” of a new world, the episode tells the story of the fall of great civilizations that predated Columbus’ arrival, while challenging the cultural narrative surrounding our understanding of these great empires and what truly led to their destruction.

Episode 2: ““Threads in the American Tapestry” premieres Friday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m. on KPBS 2 and Tuesday, October 15 at 9:00 p.m. on KPBS TV – Discover how Latino DNA was woven into the identity of the United States before its founding and has been crucial throughout. John Leguizamo reflects on precolonial North America, the American Revolutionary War, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and westward expansion as we learn how Latino participation shaped the course of the nation’s history. Despite severe discrimination and violence, Latinos were present and contributed in key ways to the fabric of this nation. This episode highlights key figures and events of colonization in the United States, the Caribbean, and Central America, illustrating how Latinos helped build the United States we know today.

Episode 3: “Solidarity in a New Era” premiere on Friday, October 11 at 8:00 p.m. on KPBS 2 and Tuesday, October 22 at 9:00 p.m. on KPBS TV – John Leguizamo considers the rise of a new empire, the United States, and the challenges Latinos faced in preserving their cultural identity. Throughout the twentieth century, Latinos were often marginalized from mainstream society. Nevertheless, they made profound contributions to the fabric of the United States and beyond. Young Latino activists were among the first to fight for civil liberties and equal education, while on the battlefield, Latino patriots overcame discrimination to become heroes. Reflecting on his journey, John learns that Latinos are not just a star in history, but that Latino history is the history of the United States.

Watch on your schedule: VOCES: AMERICAN HISTORY: THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF LATINOS will be simulcast with the broadcast tour and available on all PBS platforms operated by the station, including PBS.org and the PBS app, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO.

Authors: A production of NGL Studios, The WNET Group, Latino Public Broadcasting and ITVS. For The WNET Group: Lesley Norman is executive producer and Stephen Segaller is executive director. For NGL: John Leguizamo, Ben DeJesus, Nicole Pritchett, Jill Krikorian and David Chitel are executive producers. For Latino Public Broadcasting: Sandie Viquez Pedlow is executive producer. For ITVS: Sally Jo Fifer is executive producer. Donald Thoms is also executive producer. Financing is provided by PBS, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Anderson Family Charitable Fund, the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, an initiative of The WNET Group’s Chasing the Dream, the Ford Foundation/JustFilms and Seton J. Melvin.