European Heritage Month: Gateway Resources

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• Old World, New World

  The story of 35 million Europeans who left their troubled homelands for the promise of freedom and opportunity, and the hardships of the transatlantic voyage they endured to reach America. (52 minutes)
• Out of Ireland: the Story of Irish Emigration to America

  Out of Ireland is a documentary about Irish emigration to America, from the famine-swept villages of 19th century Ireland to the industrialized cities of 20th century America. It is told through the lives and letters of eight immigrants and features the voices of Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Gabriel Byrne and more.
• City of the Big Shoulders

  Polish immigrants were the driving force behind Chicago’s remarkable industrial growth. But they never achieved political cohesiveness, and while a million Poles now live in Chicago, their political power is not commensurate with the number of votes they cast. (52 minutes)
• The Statue of Liberty, United States: Symbol of Freedom

  Made in Paris by the French sculptor Bartholdi, with help on the metalwork from Gustave Eiffel, this symbolic monument to liberty was a gift from France on the centenary of American independence. Standing at the entrance of New York Harbor, it has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States of America since it was inaugurated in 1886.
• Where Have All the Germans Gone?

  More than 10% of Americans have German blood in their veins. Their ancestors came as religious and political refugees, but their dream of building a German society within America was largely shattered by the two world wars. (52 minutes)
• The Guid Scots Tongue

  The Scottish tongue is one of the oldest in Britain, a Northern variety of English that, but for the accidents of history, might have become a separate language. This classic PBS program deals with the influence of the Scots in spreading the language of their historic enemies—the Sassenachs of the South—around the world. The program begins in the 15th century, the golden age of the Scottish tongue; it follows the linguistic path of the Scots as they settled in Ulster and then crossed the Atlantic into Appalachia and the American sunbelt. A look at the English of the Scottish Highlands is also included, studying the influence of the Gaelic languages that still survive on the Outer Hebrides. (58 minutes)
• Lapland: Land of the Sami (Scandinavian indigenous people)

  Sweden, Norway, and Finland are united by Lapland, the land of the Sami. The populations blended during WWII when many Finnish fled their homeland as refugees. Finnish culture is derived from Swedish culture.
• Basque Country

  The homeland of the proud and resilient Basque people is split between France and Spain. From our San Sebastián home base, join European travel expert and best-selling author, Rick Steves, as we tour the ancient Basque capital of Gernika, the dazzling Guggenheim Modern in Bilbao, and then cross into France for more Basque Country charms. From yummy tapa bars to lightning-fast jai alai games, we’ll experience Basque culture at its most vivid. (30 minutes)
• Joanna Lumley's Silk Road: Georgia and Azerbaijan

  Joanna continues her adventure following the ancient Silk Road from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, across the rapidly changing post-Soviet states of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Joanna kicks off her journey in the brash, booming seaside resort of Batumi, where post-Soviet era new money has seen casinos and high-rise hotels built alongside old Soviet tenement blocks. It’s a huge change from when it was a small backwater and the border to Turkey was closed.
• Ancient Roots: Tina Fey, David Sedaris, George Stephanopoulos (Greek-Americans)

  Ancient Roots traces the family history of three quintessential voices in American life. All three descend from ancestors that were part of the wave of Greek immigrants that flooded America's shores in the early decades of the 20th century. But along the way, the stories of their Greek ancestors were lost. In recovering these stories, we'll find that their ancestors overcame terrible hardship, and showed remarkable courage in times of war.
• The Human Family Tree: Promoting Tolerance Through Ancestry

  Bosnian New Yorker Alma's ancestors migrated north from the Middle East around 35,000 years ago. Her immediate family was forced to flee due to ethnic cleansing; she hopes her DNA testing will reveal common genetic history among groups in conflict. Irish musician Eamon hopes his South Korean partner's family will accept him. A National Geographic Production.