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Repairing the Panama Railroad
Clip: Season 23 | 2m 2s
New Chief Engineer John Stevens turned his focus to repairing the Panama Railroad.
Upon the arrival of new Chief Engineer John Stevens, the rusty and decrepit Panama Railroad was by that time 60 years old. Stevens realized that he was unable to cart out the spoil at the same furious rate that the canal was being dug. He ordered all excavation in Culebra Cut to be temporarily halted and turned his attention toward the repair of the railroad.
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)
Repairing the Panama Railroad
Clip: Season 23 | 2m 2s
Upon the arrival of new Chief Engineer John Stevens, the rusty and decrepit Panama Railroad was by that time 60 years old. Stevens realized that he was unable to cart out the spoil at the same furious rate that the canal was being dug. He ordered all excavation in Culebra Cut to be temporarily halted and turned his attention toward the repair of the railroad.
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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 | Stonewall Uprising | PBS
Video has Closed Captions
Watch Chapter 1 of Stonewall Uprising. (7m 37s)
The Greely Expedition: Chapter 1
Video has Closed Captions
Watch Chapter 1 of the Greely Expedition. (8m 4s)
The Presidents 2016: Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter airs on August 15 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience. (30s)
Airs Monday, May 9, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Check your local listings. (30s)
New Chief Engineer John Stevens turned his focus to repairing the Panama Railroad. (2m 2s)
Panama Canal: Early Inefficiencies
The 50-year old rail system in Panama proved incapable of getting the job done. (1m 3s)
The Decision to Build a Lock Canal
Stevens realized that building a sea level canal would doom the project to failure. (2m 22s)
Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific
On Dec. 10, 1913, after a final push of excavation, the Atlantic & Pacific were connected. (1m 56s)
This biography of Grant paints a portrait of one of America's most paradoxical leaders. (30s)
Video has Closed Captions
The American effort to relieve starvation in Soviet Russia in 1921. (10m 14s)
The deadliest workplace accident in New York's history changed American factories forever. (30s)
In 1914 the Panama Canal opened, connecting the world's two largest oceans. (30s)
Clinton and Policing the World: Bosnia
When Bosnian soldiers murdered thousands in 1995, Clinton initiated a NATO response. (2m 56s)
Video has Closed Captions
In this video from 1961, two Freedom Riders explain what they're doing. (36s)
Travelling in the Segregated South
Video has Closed Captions
For African-Americans, travel in the segregated South was insulting at best. (28s)
Video has Closed Captions
May 1961, a busload of Freedom Riders were confronted by an angry mob in Montgomery, AL. (2m 8s)
Video has Closed Captions
Learn about the 1961 Freedom Rides from the Freedom Riders themselves. (1m 35s)
Video has Closed Captions
Civil rights activists rehearsed non-violence, and were prepared to face violence. (1m 3s)
Rebroadcasts Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Check your local listings. (30s)
Video has Closed Captions
Two activists reflect on what the Freedom Rides meant for the Civil Rights movement. (1m 3s)
Video has Closed Captions
Even in prison, the Freedom Riders found ways to advocate for their beliefs. (2m 16s)
Before Rosa Parks, There Was Irene Morgan
Video has Closed Captions
Irene Morgan fought her 1944 arrest for sitting in the front of an interstate bus. (52s)
Carter on the Economy: Energy Crisis
Carter asked Americans to cut down their energy usage during a fireside chat in 1977. (1m 37s)
Video has Closed Captions
Rebroadcasting Wednesday July 27, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. Check your local listings. (30s)
Alicia Skeeter: James Farmer Quotes
Alicia Skeeter talks with her peers about the words of civil rights leader James Farmer. (1m 41s)
Charles Reed Jr. discusses his thoughts at the end of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. (2m 59s)
Student Freedom Rider Esther Kim sings and plays "We Shall Overcome" on the ukulele. (3m 59s)
Sarah Cheshire interviews original riders Jim Zwerg and Joan Mulholland. (2m 49s)
Student Tania Smith's video about the importance of music to the Freedom Riders. (1m 29s)
Michael Tubbs Speaks at Jim Hill High School
Student freedom rider Michael Tubbs speaks to students at Jim Hill High School. (2m 56s)
Day 7 at the 16th Street Church
The student freedom riders attend a concert in the 16th Street Baptist Church. (38s)
Doaa Dorgham films her fellow Student Freedom Riders' doing their own "freedom dances." (1m 19s)
Student Freedom Rider JoyEllen Freeman interviews Montgomery, AL native Stephanie Burton. (1m 47s)
Karl Kumodzi shows the enthusiastic welcome received by the 2011 Freedom Ride. (1m 53s)
2011 Student Freedom Rider Will Dale reflects on the last few days of the ride. (1m 21s)
Student Freedom Rider Meghna Chandra shares some of her favorite moments from Day 8. (2m 6s)
Student Freedom Rider Rachael DeMarce places her name on the Wall of Tolerance. (46s)
Benjameen describes three things he has learned on the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. (2m 53s)
Be one of 40 college students to join original Freedom Riders in retracing the 1961 Rides. (2m 55s)
Nathan Roberson: Student Freedom Rider
An introductory video to Nathan Roberson, one of the forty 2011 Student Freedom Riders. (1m 20s)
Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez: Student Freedom Rider
An introductory video to Lu-Anne Haukaas Lopez, one of the forty Student Freedom Riders. (49s)
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.