![American Experience](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/zoZJOtC-white-logo-41-2rEQNrf.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
The Massachusetts 54th
Clip: Season 1 | 2m 52s
With the Emancipation Proclamation, the war merged with the abolitionist cause.
With the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the war merged with the abolitionist cause. The Proclamation had included an unexpected clause: at last, black men could enlist in the armed services of the United States.
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
![American Experience](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/zoZJOtC-white-logo-41-2rEQNrf.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
The Massachusetts 54th
Clip: Season 1 | 2m 52s
With the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, the war merged with the abolitionist cause. The Proclamation had included an unexpected clause: at last, black men could enlist in the armed services of the United States.
How to Watch American Experience
American Experience is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
![When is a photo an act of resistance?](https://image.pbs.org/curate/portrait_thumbnail_a-2-qk5s8o.jpg?format=webp&resize=860x)
When is a photo an act of resistance?
For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipChapter 1 of Part 2 of JFK - Ask not what your country can do for you... (7m 28s)
Video has Closed Captions
Watch the exclusive 30-minute sneak peek of "JFK," premiering on PBS Nov 11&12 at 9/8c. (33m 45s)
JFK's First Lady: Jackie and the White House
Jackie Kennedy led a televised tour to debut her restoration of the White House. (2m 59s)
JFK's First Lady: Jackie and Culture
Jackie Kennedy worked to curate a new culture of elegance in the White House. (2m 14s)
Before that moment, beyond the glamour, behind the charm lies the true story of JFK. (30s)
The first chapter in Part 1 of the American Experience biography "JFK" - special exemption (9m 5s)
JFK on the Enemy: The Red Threat
Kennedy left his first diplomatic meeting with Soviet Premier Khrushchev feeling uneasy. (2m 44s)
JFK on Policing the World: The Vietnam Question
JFK decided to make a stand against communism in Vietnam. (2m 59s)
JFK on Policing the World: The Soviet Menace
JFK wanted to show Americans he wouldn't be bullied by Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev (1m 58s)
Premiering Nov 11 & 12, 9/8c. The biography of one of America's most beloved leaders. (2m 30s)
JFK and Military Service: The Rescue
In 1943, Kennedy kept his crew safe after their boat was destroyed by a Japanese vessel. (2m 40s)
JFK and Crisis: The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis would become one of Kennedy's most lasting legacies. (2m 56s)
JFK and Age: The Young Congressman
As a 29-year-old congressman, JFK had little interest in his day-to-day duties. (1m 29s)
JFK and Abusing Power: Private Life
Kennedy's personal aides knew about his extramarital activities, as did much of the press (2m 36s)
A Titan of American Industry Gives a Piggy Back Ride
Despite being hard on his only son Edsel, Henry Ford doted upon his grandchildren. 1920 (1m 42s)
Henry Ford Gives Dance Lessons
Henry Ford hosted dance lessons in Dearborn twice a week to teach the old ways of dancing. (1m 21s)
Henry Ford "Camping" with Edison and Firestone
Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone lunching while "camping" in 1923. (1m 23s)
Thomas Edison was Henry Ford's hero. The inventors remained friends their whole lives. (36s)
Harriet Beecher Stowe writes the most popular and influential book in American history. (2m 56s)
Abolitionist activists Angelina Grimke and Theodore Weld come together. (2m 49s)
The day after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Garrison was met by 10,000 freed slaves. (1m 59s)
An 1849 Cholera outbreak in Cincinnati claims Harriet Beecher Stowe's beloved son Charlie. (2m 52s)
Frederick Douglass agrees to join William Lloyd Garrison to advocate for abolitionism. (2m 53s)
In 1856 Brown and four of his sons hacked five pro-slavery men to pieces with broadswords. (1m 26s)
Escaped slave George Latimer's imprisonment and subsequent release affects the country. (1m 26s)
With the Emancipation Proclamation, the war merged with the abolitionist cause. (2m 52s)
In 1862, Lincoln promises to sign an Emancipation Proclamation on New Year's Day. (2m 3s)
John Brown Gathers His Arsenal
John Brown put little stock in peaceful abolition. In 1855 he left New York for Kansas. (2m 2s)
After four decades and 1,803 issues, William Lloyd Garrison closed The Liberator. (1m 17s)
Garrison Burns the Constitution
William Lloyd Garrison believes the Republic was corrupt and burns the constitution. (1m 41s)
Frederick Douglass Finds Freedom
Frederick Douglass and his wife settle in New Bedford, MA where he does hard manual labor. (49s)
In the Spring of 1854, fugitive slave Anthony Burns sat in Boston's city jail. (2m 55s)
Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into effect January 1, 1863. (2m 14s)
The Dred Scott decision had the potential to legalize slavery everywhere in the U.S. (2m 58s)
Douglass Publishes "The North Star"
In Rochester, NY, Frederick Douglass publishes abolitionist newspaper "The North Star." (2m 24s)
In September of 1838, Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison met in Nantucket. (2m 37s)
American Civil War reunited abolitionists who had grown apart in recent years. (1m 40s)
The Burning of Pennsylvania Hall
An anti-abolitionist mob threatens a meeting and burns Pennsylvania Hall to the ground. (1m 29s)
After Harper's Ferry, Brown goes on trial where he dominates the proceedings and the press (2m 50s)
John Brown seizes a federal armory at Harpers Ferry, VA, but fails to incite revolution. (2m 8s)
The Abolitionists Extended Preview
A preview for "The Abolitionists," premiering January 8, 15 & 22, 2013. (2m)
After the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, abolition takes on a new urgency for enslaved people (2m 54s)
Clinton: American Experience, Part 2 - Preview
Airs Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 8:00 pm. ET/PT. Check your local listings. (30s)
Clinton: American Experience - Preview
Airs Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Check your local listings. (30s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipCorporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.