A Grave Announcement

Watch Episode

See TV Schedule

A Grave Announcement American Experience

Premiered October 29, 2013

A Grave Announcement

In Oct. 1938, a panicked radio announcer reported that Martians had landed in New Jersey.

More Ways to Watch

See TV Schedule

Episode Extras

Americans were living in fear during the height of the Great Depression.

Watch (00:18)

Clip

Fear and the Great Depression

Actors, antique radios, and the greatest prank of all times.

Watch (02:59)

Clip

Making War of the Worlds

Many Americans were in awe that some people had believed the War of the Worlds broadcast.

Watch (00:18)

Clip

The Power of Propaganda

Watch chapter 1 of War of the Worlds, premiering on PBS October 29, 2013 at 9/8c.

Watch (07:16)

Clip

War of the Worlds Chapter 1

Airing October 29, 9/8c. The most famous invasion that never happened.

Watch (00:30)

Preview

War of the Worlds Preview

In Oct. 1938, a panicked radio announcer reported that Martians had landed in New Jersey.

Watch (00:22)

Clip

A Grave Announcement

Letters from a library archive come alive in the American Experience documentary.

Watch (02:59)

Clip

Dear Mr. Welles: Uncovering Original Material

"Alien army invader in the late '30s was quickly translatable from Martian to German."

Watch (00:48)

Clip

From Martian to German

The press conference was one of Welles great performances as an actor.

Watch (00:32)

Clip

Orson Welles' Best Performance

Orson Welles could not imagine how anyone could believe that Martians had really landed.

Watch (00:23)

Clip

Orson Welles' Press Conference

During the height of the Great Depression, radios were being purchased by the millions.

Watch (00:29)

Clip

Radios by the Millions

CBS network executives ordered a break in the broadcast, but Welles could not be stopped.

Watch (00:26)

Clip

There Was No Stopping Orson Welles

Outtakes from the recreation shoot for War of the Worlds.

Watch (01:18)

Clip

War of the Worlds: Outtakes

In the 1930s, Americans worried when radio programs were interrupted by news bulletins.

Watch (00:16)

Clip

We Interrupt this Program...

All Episodes

American Experience: Season 25

The Abolitionists: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (2:34:01)

The Abolitionists

JFK: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (3:41:20)

JFK

War of the Worlds: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (51:47)

War of the Worlds

Silicon Valley: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:23:11)

Silicon Valley

Henry Ford: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:52:10)

Henry Ford

About the Program

American Experience

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Connect with American Experience

Program Specials & Extras

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.

Watch (53:02)

Special

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [ASL]

The dramatic story of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990.

Watch (1:00:42)

Special

Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act [Extended Audio Description]

Learn about the beginning of the environmental justice movement.

Watch (04:33)

Clip

Earthkeeping: Toxic Racism