PBS Origins

The U.S. produces more trash than any other country in the world—and today, Emelle, Alabama, is home to the nation’s largest hazardous waste landfill. This mostly Black, rural town faces serious long-term health risks due to a troubling mix of weak environmental protections, economic inequality, and systemic racism: youtube.com/watch?v=tOEnk3K6FEE&list=...

So, how did Emelle become America’s dumping ground—and what’s being done to change that?
In The Margins returns to uncover Alabama’s long history as a hub for hazardous waste and the ongoing fight to protect communities most at risk. This episode is part of our Earth Month lineup! If you’re interested in learning more about our planet, see more Earth-Month related episodes from across our network at the link above!

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3 days ago | [YT] | 264

PBS Origins

ONLY A FEW HOURS LEFT TO VOTE! We’re sooo close to first place in the ‪‪@TheWebbyAwards‬ 🎉

Breaking The News: Press Pass is nominated in the News & Politics category — and we need your help to win! 🗳 Cast your vote now: vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVo...

Thank you for your support!

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1 week ago | [YT] | 56

PBS Origins

We're nominated for a Webby! 🎉 Breaking The News: Press Pass is up for a ‪@TheWebbyAwards‬ — in the News & Politics category! If you enjoyed this series, if it taught you something new or sparked conversation, help us win by casting your vote here: vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2025/video-film… After voting, catch up on episodes in our playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u_9D.... We'll let you know if we win! Thank you!

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1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 127

PBS Origins

Large urban firestorms like the Great Chicago Fire used to be a thing of the past. Now, they’re on the rise again. But why? PBS new film, Weathered: Inside the LA Firestorms, offers a thorough examination of the events in Southern California. It examines the history of wildfire mitigation and urban design, and reveals how our cities have become so vulnerable when the climate conditions are right. The film then reveals what we can do differently in the future to avoid a similar outcome.

You can watch the film for free on PBS streaming platforms here to.pbs.org/LAFirestorm or on PBS Terra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX9t...

1 month ago | [YT] | 135

PBS Origins

What better way to kick off the weekend than with a pop quiz!? 🧠 Which groundbreaking project, primarily led by a team of women mathematicians, helped the U.S. uncover Soviet spies in the 1940s by cracking seemingly unbreakable codes?

1 month ago | [YT] | 131

PBS Origins

We're kicking off Women's History with our collection of episodes all about the accomplishments, history, and powerful stories of influential women. Why was Utah the first place for women to vote? How have women shaped journalism and film narratives? Learn this and more by tuning into our playlist! www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

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1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 331

PBS Origins

Can a 24-hour boycott make a difference?

We recently did an episode https://youtu.be/rUCrmh58GrU of Roots of Resistance, where we examined boycotts from The Boston Tea Party to the Delano Grape Strike. This history exposes how easily boycotts can fall short and what a boycott must do to achieve a lasting impact.

This is relevant today as U.S. grassroots organizations are calling for an economic blackout on February 28, 2025 -- a no-spend day where consumers will refrain from making purchases, especially at large retailers, as an act of resistance against big corporations and the billionaires who run them. Retailers will likely feel a dent in sales -- but will the boycotts sustain larger change?

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 215

PBS Origins

Trivia time! 🧠 Which person refused to give up their bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks?
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Before Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old who refused to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery Alabama. Other brave Black women also took a stand against segregation, yet their names and stories are rarely told. But why? Swipe to uncover the truth behind the Rosa Parks story and discover why we may not have heard about Colvin. Watch "Is the Rosa Parks Story True?" from Origin of Everything here for more!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9fl5...

1 month ago | [YT] | 153

PBS Origins

It's time for some trivia! 🧠 Which secret militant group spent 10 years training to launch an enslaved rebellion before the Civil War?
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If you answered C, you're correct! Before the Civil War, a secret all-Black militant group called the Knights of Liberty spent 10 years preparing to launch the largest enslaved rebellion in history. Moses Dickson, a traveling barber, was one of twelve members who sought to recruit men who were 'courageous, patient, temperate, and possessed of sound common sense.' Their coordinated insurrection aimed to seize land for Black people in the South. Watch this episode of Rogue History: youtube.com/watch?v=ClWa8R1yU5s&t=7s to uncover how they almost succeeded, and see how their story reshapes our understanding of African American resistance.

1 month ago | [YT] | 467

PBS Origins

The clock is ticking! ⏳ Roots of Resistance & In The Margins are nominated for Outstanding Short Form Video at this year’s ‪@naacpplus‬ 🏆 Have you voted yet? Let us know what your voting status is (we listen and we don't judge😬 ) Vote here! vote.naacpimageawards.net/#Cat131

1 month ago | [YT] | 56