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American Experience

Zoot Suit Riots

Season 14 Episode 6 | 51m 32s

In June 1943, Los Angeles erupted into the worst race riots in the city to date. For ten straight nights, American sailors armed with make-shift weapons cruised Mexican American neighborhoods in search of "zoot-suiters" — hip, young Mexican teens dressed in baggy pants and long-tailed coats. The military men dragged kids — some as young as twelve years old —  and viciously beat them.

Aired: 02/09/02 | Expires: 03/28/25
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Extras
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Preview: S37 E3 | 1:45
Watch • 2:24
American Experience
Trailer | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:24
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American Experience
Trailer | ASL | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
ASL The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:23
Watch • 9:17
American Experience
Chapter 1 | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
Watch a preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 9:17
Watch • 9:17
American Experience
Chapter 1 | ASL | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
ASL Watch a preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 9:17
Watch • 2:50
American Experience
Trailer | Extended Audio Description | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
EXTENDED AD The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Preview: S37 E2 | 2:50
Watch • 11:31
American Experience
Chapter 1 | Extended Audio Description | Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act
EXTENDED AUDIO DESCRIPTION A preview of Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act.
Clip: S37 E2 | 11:31
Watch • 53:02
American Experience
Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [ASL]
The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.
Special: 53:02
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American Experience
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Clip: S37 E2 | 3:29
Watch • 7:12
American Experience
How one carrot peeler revolutionized design | Extended Audio Description | The Curb Cut Effect
EAD Many household products were originally designed by or for people with disabilities.
Clip: S37 E2 | 7:12