Cavalcade of America
Season 2
"Cavalcade of America" documented historical events using stories of individual courage, initiative and achievement, often with feel-good dramatizations of the human spirit's triumph against all odds.
Where to Watch Season 2
33 Episodes
- Sam and the WhaleE1
Sam and the WhaleSam Mulford, a famous American whale hunter who resents the English tax on whales and the methods employed by the King's tax collectors along the coast of Long Island goes to England, where, with the help of Lady Montagu, he takes his complaint to the royal court. Time: 1712. - Breakfast at Nancy'sE3
Breakfast at Nancy'sIn Georgia during the American Revolution, a beautiful girl and a gleaming rifle bring aid to the cause of freedom. Messengers vital to the cause of the Colonies are hidden by Nancy Hart beneath the floor of her cabin in the Georgia hills. When the safety of one messenger is threatened, she uses cunning and force to protect him. - Sunset at AppomattoxE4
Sunset at AppomattoxA dramatization of the meeting of General Lee and General Grant at Appomattox based on detailed accounts of fourteen eye-witnesses to the surrender. The surrender of Robert E. Lee's army to the Union Army headed by U.S. Grant in 1865 ends the four years of war between the Union and the Confederacy. - And to Fame UnknownE5
And to Fame UnknownShows how a high school science teacher is helping to develop a better America for younger generations through his efforts in the field of science education. Explains that educators can alleviate the manpower shortage in scientific fields by stimulating the interest of exceptional high school students and encouraging them to pursue scientific careers. - Tiger's TailE7
Tiger's TailBecoming aware of corruption in politics in New York, Thomas Nast, known for his drawings of Santa Claus, initiates a series of cartoons in which Boss Tweed is symbolized as a snarling tiger. In spite of threats and slander the cartoonist continues his work and inflames the public to the overthrow of the corrupt Tweed political machine. Time: 1870's. - Riders of the Pony ExpressE11
Riders of the Pony ExpressA historical drama. The pony express era is initiated by Alexander Majors, one of the owners of a transport firm, who, in searching for methods of transporting mail and packages across the West, delves into history and adapts the relay courier system as used by Genghis Khan. - One Nation IndivisibleE12
One Nation IndivisibleThe editor of the Tribune, Horace Greeley,(America's Titan of the Press) influenced by a conversation with President Lincoln, changes his views regarding Jefferson Davis and proceeds, with some risk to his career, to conduct a successful crusade to free the ex-Confederate president from prison. Time: latter half of nineteenth century. - Mr. Peale's DinosaurE13
Mr. Peale's DinosaurA drama relating the events which led to Charles Willson Peale's conception of the idea of establishing in Philadelphia a national museum of natural history and his efforts to provide the museum with noteworthy exhibits. Time: 1794. Painter Charles Wilson Peale risks his career and possessions to excavate and reconstruct a fossilized mastadon, the greatest skeleton ever seen in his day. - Smyrna IncidentE15
Smyrna IncidentA historical drama. The captain of an American ship, anchored in the Turkish port of Smyrna, risks of a battle with three Austrian ships when he demands the release of an Austrian-born prisoner who has applied for American citizenship. U.S. Naval Commander Ingraham defies the Austrian Navy to protect an American subject. - Man of GlassE16
Man of GlassDramatizes the life of Henry William Stiegel, who came to America from Germany and rose from a worker in an iron foundry to be head of a large glass factory. Describes Stiegel's realization, following his financial ruin, that material success did not make him superior to other men, but that his greatness lay in the beauty of the glassware which he created. He built a church and received as rent, one red rose. - Margin of VictoryE18
Margin of VictoryA historical drama about an American spy, posing as a loyal Tory, who is responsible for the strategic landing of French troops in America while British forces are being concentrated in New York City to withstand a supposed attack by General Washington. The Culpers, famous spies, enable reinforcements to land in Rhode Island during the American Revolution. - Riddle of the SeasE24
Riddle of the SeasRelates the story of the life work of Matthew Fontaine Maury, founder of the United States Weather Bureau, who advanced and proved his revolutionary theory that the paths of the sea--winds, currents, and temperature--could be accurately predicted and charted. Time: mid-nineteenth century. - Crazy JudahE25
Crazy JudahThe life of Theodore Judah portray his attempts to realize his dream of unifying the country with a railroad system. Portrays his trips from California to Washington by boat and burro, his initial failure in 1859 to secure help from Congress and from California businessmen, his work in surveying a route through the Sierra Mountains, the encouragement of Leland Stanford and Charles Crocker, the formation of a company to start work, and Judah's death before the fulfillment of his dream. ""Crazy Judah"" is the name Theodore Judah gets when he tries to sell his idea of a transcontinental railroad to the politicians of 19th century Americans. - A Strange JourneyE26
A Strange JourneyA historical drama about the adventures of George Merchant, an American rifleman from the Virginia backwoods who is captured by the British at Quebec, sent to England as a prisoner, and released early in 1776 by colonial sympathizers to deliver to Hancock several letters which affect the decision of the Continental Congress to declare independence for the Colonies. - Saturday StoryE28
Saturday StoryDramatizes the career of Mark Wilson, a high school football coach who taught principles of living as well as football fundamentals to his players, one of whom was Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns. Frank Leahy, former Notre-Dame coach, introduces the story and participates in a closing interview with Mark Wilson and Otto Graham. - SpindletopE29
SpindletopDramatized incidents tell the story of the efforts of Captain Anthony Lucas, an Austrian mining engineer, to prove his theory regarding the feasibility of drilling for oil in the salt-dome formations of the Beaumont area. Describes the equipment and methods which he used in drilling, his unsuccessful attempts, and his ultimate success when the first big gusher in the Southwest came in at Spindletop, Texas.