Join John Leguizamo on a journey into the rich and often overlooked history of Latinos.
Join creator host John Leguizamo on a quest to uncover Latino and Latina heroes and their contributions. In this three-part series, 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.
Join John Leguizamo on a journey into the rich and often overlooked history of Latinos.
Join creator host John Leguizamo on a quest to uncover Latino and Latina heroes and their contributions. In this three-part series, 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.
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Filmmaker Q&A
Making American Historia
Filmmaker Ben DeJesus and John Leguizamo, host of “American Historia," discuss working with historical advisors and how AI technology supported their storytelling initiatives.
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Photo Gallery
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Join creator host John Leguizamo in front of the great pyramid of Teotihuacán, the ancient capital of Mesoamerica.
© NGL Studios
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American labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta.
© NGL Studios
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Director Ben DeJesus and creator/host John Leguizamo on the set of American Historia.
© NGL Studios
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José Moya, series advisor and Professor of History at Barnard College.
© NGL Studios
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Join creator host John Leguizamo with Sharyll Teneyuca, niece of labor organizer and civil rights activist Emma Tenayuca.
© NGL Studios
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María Elena Fernández, series advisor and Professor of Chicana/o Studies at California State University, Northridge.
© NGL Studios
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Davíd Carrasco, series advisor and Professor of Latin American Studies at Harvard University.
© NGL Studios
More About the Show
Join creator host John Leguizamo on a quest to uncover Latino and Latina heroes and their contributions. In this new three-part series, John 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.
Episode 1: Echoes of Empires
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.
Episode 2: Threads in the American Tapestry
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.
Episode 3: Solidarity in a New Era
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.
VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos is a production of NGL Studios, The WNET Group, Latino Public Broadcasting and ITVS.
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