American Experience · SEASON 26

Freedom Summer

Episode 6 · 2014-06-24

★ 5.5
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Season 26Episode 6★ 5.5/10
  • Documentary

Episode overview

Recalling the summer of 1964 in Mississippi, when student volunteers from around the country joined local activists in an effort to register to vote as many African-Americans as possible. (Due to intimidation and arcane tests, less than seven percent of the state's African-Americans were registered.) Activists also set up schools to teach children about African-American history; and created a rival Democratic Party to challenge the all-white delegation to the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

55 minutes

Season 26 episodes