Roots (1977) was one of the most illustrious and impressive achievements in the history of television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3). A miniseries twelve hours in length, it was broadcast over eight consecutive evenings on ABC. The series was an adaptation of Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1976), by African American writer Alex Haley (1921–1992). Haley's book chronicled his quest to discover his ancestry: to discover where his forefathers and fore-mothers had hailed from and the manner in which they came to America and lived their lives as slaves.

LeVar Burton, as Kunta Kinte, from the groundbreaking miniseries Roots, which showed the plight of slaves in America. Archive Photos. Reproduced by permission.

The United States is a nation of immigrants. Its citizens have come to its shores from across the globe, and mainly they have come freely. All, that is, except for one race: African...