VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos

Join creator and host John Leguizamo on a quest to uncover Latino and Latina heroes and their contributions in this three-part PBS documentary.

In this series, John Leguizamo takes viewers on a captivating journey, delving into both well-known and lesser-known stories of Latino history, spanning thousands of years, from the Ancient Empires to the present, and shining a light on the rich and often overlooked history of Latinos.

This is a three-part series. Please note the showing dates and times for each episode:

9/16 from 6:30-7:30 pm: Episode 1- Echoes of Empires (60 minutes)

John examines the accomplishments and rise of the Great Empires and civilizations in Mexico, South America and the Caribbean, from the Taino to the Olmec, Inca, Maya, Aztec, and more. Despite the fact that they were ultimately decimated by the conquistadors, these societies had an enduring influence on culture, agriculture, and the sciences. Instead of focusing on the “discovery” of a new world, the episode tells the story of the fall of the great civilizations that were already here before Columbus landed, while also challenging the cultural narrative around our understanding of these great empires and what truly led to their destruction.

9/23 from 6:30-7:30 pm: Episode 2- Threads in the American Tapestry (60 minutes)

Explore how Latino DNA has been woven into the identity of the United States since before her inception, and has been pivotal all along the way. Despite facing severe discrimination and violence, Latinos were present and contributed in pivotal ways to the fabric of this nation. Highlighting key figures and events, John shows how Latinos helped build the United States we know today.

9/30 from 6:30-7:30 pm: Episode 3 - Solidarity in a New Era (60 minutes)

John explores the rise of the new empire, the United States. While Latinos were often relegated to the fringes of mainstream society, they made profound contributions to the fabric of the U.S. and beyond. Reflecting on his journey, John learns that Latinos were not just an asterisk in history, but that Latino history is the history of the United States.

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