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Journey through the 20th century with archival films on public affairs.

Covering American History C-SPAN style: with event coverage, eyewitness accounts, and discussions with authors, historians and teachers. Every weekend from 8am ET Saturday to 8am ET Monday on C-SPAN3.

In January, 2011, C-SPAN expanded its programming offerings with a new history-based service airing weekends on C-SPAN3. American History TV (AHTV) features programming geared toward history lovers with 48 hours every weekend of people and events that document the American story.

C-SPAN began C-SPAN3 operations in January 2001 as a digital service. C-SPAN3 is currently available in 49 million digital cable TV households and is streamed live online at C-SPAN.org.

At the time of the launch of American History TV, C-SPAN co-president Susan Swain said: "We’re hoping American History TV does for history enthusiasts what Book TV has done for non-fiction book lovers."

Most Recent Reel America Videos

September 9, 2023
Constitutional Basis for U.S. Army

This 1988 U.S. Army video explained the origins of the U.S. Constitution and specific provisions which deal with the…
January 5, 2019
Meet Your Federal Government

This is a 15-minute classroom film from 1946 that described how the three branches of government work. In Meet Your…
September 9, 2023
Wind - An Energy Alternative

This 1980 Department of Energy video looked at the history and use of wind power for national energy resources. Reel…

September 2, 2023
The Autobiography of a Jeep

Narrated in first person by a Jeep, this 1943 Office of War information film talked about wartime production and uses…
September 2, 2023
Extraterrestrial Life - 1975

This 1975 film from NASA included experts, including astronomer Carl Sagan, considering the implications of the…
December 31, 2022
Managing Grasshopper Crop Destruction

This U.S. Department of Agriculture film from 1955 explained grasshopper crop damage and steps farmers could take to…