Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr. (2010)

EndedDocumentary showHistory

Our American Stories exploring the dynamic and shifting relationship America had with her new immigrants in the 20th century. Becoming American - exploring the many journeys to becoming American that defined the "Century of Immigration" (1820s - 1924) and transformed the United States from a sleepy agrarian country into a booming industrial power. Making America - tells the story of the peopling of the New World, of how land came to define the settling and identity of America, and of how the guests' ancestors were part of this history. Know Thyself - takes up the search for the guests' ancestries where the historical record leaves off and links their distinctive family histories to the broader history of "the family of man".

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Scheduleevery Wednesday at 20:00 (60 min)

Last Episode

Know Thyself
Season 1Episode 460 min

Know Thyself

Know Thyself takes up the search for the guests’ ancestries where the historical record leaves off and links their distinctive family histories to the broader history of “the family of man.” Combining the documented stories of some of the guests’ last known ancestors with DNA evidence, the series travel backward through time to reveal both distant relatives and surprising shared ancestral connections. Elizabeth Alexander learns that she is a direct descendent of Charlemagne, and that her paternal roots are not only European, but Jewish. Meryl Streep and Mike Nichols discover that they are distant cousins, as do Yo-Yo Ma and Eva Longoria. Interwoven with these stories and others is the journey of the host, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. as he and his father and brother undertake an historic project to have their entire genomes mapped, and thereby to learn everything they possibly can about their own family. This episode offers a compelling and thought-provoking meditation on the importance of ancestry, the meaning of family and the role of both in creating identity.
Mar 3, 2010

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E04Know ThyselfMar 3, 2010
S01E03Making AmericaFeb 24, 2010
S01E02Becoming AmericanFeb 17, 2010
S01E01Our American StoriesFeb 10, 2010
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Cast

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

plays himself
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Characters

Host

Host

played by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
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Also known as

  • Faces of America

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