Celebrate the Century is an American documentary series produced by David L. Wolper Productions in association with CNN and narrated by Christopher Plummer in which CNN celebrates the innovations, headlines and culture of the 20th century.
The series originally aired in the USA on CNN from 2 May to 4 July, 1999. There are 10 hour-long episodes in the series.
Celebrate the Century premiered in South Africa on SABC3 on Sunday 27 June 2010, at 17h00. New episodes air weekly.
Synopsis
A celebration of the innovations, headlines, and culture of the 20th century, from an American perspective, created by news network CNN.
Episodes are as follows:
Episode 1
The first program features the major headlines of the day, including the flight of the Wright Brothers and the sinking of the Titanic.
Major innovations of the early 20th century are covered, such as the invention of the automobile, the car, and plastic.
From 1900-1914, American culture was primarily influenced by the music and style of ragtime and the blues. The episodes takes an in-depth look at America at the dawn of a new century.
Episode 2
1915-1929, features the major headlines of the day, including the Russian Revolution and the panic on Wall Street.
The episode also covers the major innovations of the early 20th century, such as the invention of the liquid fuel rocket and the La-Z-Boy recliner.
Also, a look at the most influential film Birth of a Nation and how jazz began to make its mark on the American music scene.
Episode 3
1930-1939, features the major headlines of the day, including Amelia Earhart's solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932 and her attempt to fly around the world that ended tragically when she crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 1937.
The episode also recounts the rise of Adolf Hitler's power and the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, as well as the major innovations of the early 20th century such as the invention of sliced bread.
Culturally, America was enraptured with the comic book superhero Superman.
Episode 4
1940-1945, features the major headlines of the day, including the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the birth of the United Nations.
Also, a spotlight on the major innovations of the early 1940's, such as the nifty fastener Velcro, the first computer, and the horrific napalm bomb.
Culturally, America was enraptured with Ernest Hemingway, Orson Welles, and superstar Frank Sinatra.
Episode 5
1945-1954, features the major headlines of the day, including the effects of the barrier between the Soviet bloc and Western Europe known as the Iron Curtain, the independence of Israel in 1948, and the Korean War.
The episode recounts the major innovations of the late 1940s and early 1950s, such as color TV, the powerful hydrogen bomb, and the discovery of the polio vaccine.
Episode 6
1954-1961, features the major headlines of the day including the Suez Crisis, the Soviet satellite Sputnik, and the beginning of the civil rights movement.
The episode recounts the major innovations and events of the mid-1950s and early 1960's, such as the first microchip and humans' first walk on the moon.
Culturally, America was enraptured with the birth of the sound of Motown.
Episode 7
1961-1969, features the major headlines of the day, including the birth of the Berlin Wall surrounding West Berlin, Mao's Red Guards, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Culturally, America was falling in love with four young lads from Liverpool, the Beatles.
Episode 8
1970-1979, features the major headlines of the day, including the massacre at Kent State University and the impeachment and resignation of President Nixon.
The episode also recounts the major innovations and events of the 1970s, such as the space probe and the breaking of the sound barrier.
Culturally, America was enraptured with director Stanley Kubrick and his breakthrough film A Clockwork Orange, as well as with the disco beats of the film Saturday Night Fever.