The BEST episodes of American Experience season 16

Every episode of American Experience season 16, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of American Experience season 16!

Presents an absorbing look at the personalities, events and resources that have had a profound impact on the shaping of America's past and present.

Last Updated: 4/1/2026Network: PBSStatus: Continuing
star
9.00
1 votes

#1 - Citizen King

Season 16 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/19/2004

Contemporaries of Martin Luther King reflect on the later years of his life.

Directors: Orlando Bagwell
star
8.00
3 votes

#2 - New York (8): The Center of the World

Season 16 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/8/2003

A documentary film examines the rise and fall of the World Trade Center -- from its conception in the post-World War II economic boom, through its controversial construction in the 1960s and 1970s, to its tragic demise in the fall of 2001 and extraordinary response of the city in its aftermath.

Directors: Ric Burns
star
8.00
1 votes

#3 - Remember the Alamo

Season 16 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/2/2004

Residents of Tejas (Texas) fight for independence from Mexico, only to face annexation by the United States soon after.

Directors: Joseph Tovares
Golden Gate Bridge
star
8.00
1 votes

#4 - Golden Gate Bridge

Season 16 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/3/2004

The struggle of Joseph Strauss to spearhead the construction of the amazing bridge so important to San Francisco today.

Directors: Ben Loeterman
star
7.40
5 votes

#5 - Emma Goldman

Season 16 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/12/2004

Story of the Russian immigrant who was deemed so radical and subversive that she was persecuted and deported by the US government.

Directors: Mel Bucklin
Writer: Mel Bucklin
Tupperware!
star
6.25
4 votes

#6 - Tupperware!

Season 16 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/9/2004

The invention of the plastic containers and the story of Brownie Wise, the woman who realized how to market them.

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0.00
0 votes

#7 - Reconstruction: The Second Civil War (1): Revolution

Season 16 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/12/2004

The long road to recovery after the Civil War, as the south seeks to establish a society separate from its African American citizens.

Directors: Llewellyn Smith
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0.00
0 votes

#8 - Reconstruction: The Second Civil War (2): Retreat

Season 16 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/13/2004

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0.00
0 votes

#9 - Patriots Day

Season 16 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/19/2004

A study of modern-day Americans who re-enact the opening skirmish of the Revolutionary War each year.

Directors: Marian Marzynski