American Experience S5E3 — The Donner Party

8.2

American Experience•Season 5•Episode 3

The Donner Party

8.2/10 · 526 votesOct 28, 199255 min

Ranked #2 of 12 in Season 5•+0.8 vs season avg

Discussion

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

Previous episodeE2 · The Kennedys (2): The Sons, 1961-80 Next episodeE4 · Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

Seasons37

All 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Season 5 Episodes13

No image

E1 7.9

The Kennedys (1): The Father, 1900-61

No image

E2 7.9

The Kennedys (2): The Sons, 1961-80

E3 8.2Now viewing

The Donner Party

No image

E4 7.5

Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II

No image

E5 6.6

George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King

No image

E6 7.2

Last Stand at Little Big Horn

If You Knew Sousa

Simple Justice

Knute Rockne and His Fighting Irish

Sit Down And Fight

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

E12 7.7

Goin' Back to T-Town

No image

E20

Ishi: The Last Yahi Indian

Discussion

0 comments

Join the conversation

Share your take and reply to other fans.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts on this episode.

Episode Summary

"The Donner Party" is episode 3 of American Experience season 5. It scored 8.2/10 from 526 votes, ranking #2 of 12 episodes this season (season average 7.4). It aired on October 28, 1992.

Next: E4 · Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II Best of Season 5