TV American Experience - Season 5 Episode 3 : The Donner Party American Experience - Season 5 Episode 3 : The Donner Party 6.6/10 by 43 users Of all the 19th century pioneer stories, none exerts so powerful a hold on the American imagination as this, during the worst winter ever recorded in the High Sierras. In June, 1846, 87 men, women and children began their legendary 2,000 mile journey from Illinois to California. They packed huge wagons, took food, hired servants. When family leaders made the fateful decision to take an untried short cut to beat the coming winter, only half would come out alive. Details Casts Posters Images Title American Experience - Season 5 Episode 3 : The Donner Party Alternative Titles The American Experience First Air Date 1988-10-04 Last Air Date 2026-01-06 Number of Episodes 400 Number of Seasons 38 Genres Documentary, Networks PBS, Casts Plot Keywords , Episodes List American Experience Season 5 :Episode 1 The Kennedys (1): The Father, 1900-61 The Kennedys (1): The Father, 1900-61 1992-09-20 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 2 The Kennedys (2): The Sons, 1961-80 The Kennedys (2): The Sons, 1961-80 1992-09-21 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 3 The Donner Party The Donner Party 1992-10-28 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 4 Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II 1992-11-04 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 5 George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King 1992-11-18 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 6 Last Stand at Little Big Horn Last Stand at Little Big Horn 1992-11-25 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 7 If You Knew Sousa If You Knew Sousa 1993-01-11 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 8 Simple Justice Simple Justice 1993-01-18 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 9 Knute Rockne and His Fighting Irish Knute Rockne and His Fighting Irish 1993-02-08 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 10 Sit Down And Fight Sit Down And Fight 1993-02-01 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 11 Rachel Carson's Silent Spring Rachel Carson's Silent Spring 1993-02-15 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 12 Goin' Back to T-Town Goin' Back to T-Town 1993-03-01 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today. American Experience Season 5 :Episode 20 Ishi: The Last Yahi Indian Ishi: The Last Yahi Indian 1992-12-02 TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.