American Experience · SEASON 5
The Donner Party
Episode 3 · 1992-10-28
- Documentary
Episode overview
Of all the 19th century pioneer stories, none exerts so powerful a hold on the American imagination as this, during the worst winter ever recorded in the High Sierras. In June, 1846, 87 men, women and children began their legendary 2,000 mile journey from Illinois to California. They packed huge wagons, took food, hired servants. When family leaders made the fateful decision to take an untried short cut to beat the coming winter, only half would come out alive.
55 minutes
Season 5 episodes
1. The Kennedys (1): The Father, 1900-611992-09-20
2. The Kennedys (2): The Sons, 1961-801992-09-21
3. The Donner Party1992-10-28
4. Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II1992-11-04
5. George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King1992-11-18
6. Last Stand at Little Big Horn1992-11-25
7. If You Knew Sousa1993-01-11
8. Simple Justice1993-01-18
9. Knute Rockne and His Fighting Irish1993-02-08
10. Sit Down And Fight1993-02-01
11. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring1993-02-15
12. Goin' Back to T-Town1993-03-01
20. Ishi: The Last Yahi Indian1992-12-02
