1619

The New York Times

In August of 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. America was not yet America, but this was the moment it began. No aspect of the country that would be formed here has been untouched by the 250 years of slavery that followed. On the 400th anniversary of this fateful moment, it is time to tell the story. “1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast. read less

Our Editor's Take

The 1619 podcast is a powerful historical exploration by The New York Times. It explains the deep roots of slavery and its lasting impact on America today. Nikole Hannah-Jones, who created this project for the newspaper, hosts this five-episode podcast. The show uses vivid storytelling and factual analysis. Each episode tells the history of enslaved Americans. It also discusses the resilience of black people in the face of oppression.

The number 1619 is the podcast's title for a reason. It signifies the year Jones counts as the true start of America instead of 1776. In 1619, 20 enslaved Africans arrived on American soil. A slave ship brought them to Virginia. This moment marked the beginning of what would become over two centuries of enslavement for millions. The host explains the impact of this one journey.

The 1619 podcast explores the history of oppression against Black Americans. Each episode examines different aspects related to slavery's lasting effects on modern-day society. Topics include how slave labor built much of America's infrastructure. Listeners will gain insight into lesser-known stories. Those include redlining practices used against Black communities.

The podcast examines how slavery shaped so many aspects of American life. Subjects include politics, healthcare, education, democracy, and music. By talking about these fields, 1619 provides a comprehensive historical understanding. It also explains how ingrained slavery is in the US.

This influential series educates listeners. The 1619 podcast also provides an opportunity for reflection upon America's past actions. It reveals how this history affects marginalized groups within its borders today. That makes it valuable listening material because it has historic and social relevance. Episodes vary in length from approximately 25-60 minutes each. The short length makes it easy for listeners to digest information at their own pace. This educational series encourages listeners to take a closer look at America's shared past and present. It also leads the way to a more just future.

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Introducing ‘1619’

Introducing ‘1619’

In August of 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. America was not yet America, but this was the moment it began. No aspect of the country that would be formed here has been untouched by the 250 years of slavery that followed. On the 400th anniversary of this fateful moment, it is time to tell the story.

Episodes

Introducing ‘1619’

Introducing ‘1619’

In August of 1619, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. America was not yet America, but this was the moment it began. No aspect of the country that would be formed here has been untouched by the 250 years of slavery that followed. On the 400th anniversary of this fateful moment, it is time to tell the story.

Episode 1: The Fight for a True Democracy

Episode 1: The Fight for a True Democracy

America was founded on the ideal of democracy. Black people fought to make it one.“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.This episode includes scenes of graphic violence.

Episode 2: The Economy That Slavery Built

Episode 2: The Economy That Slavery Built

The institution of slavery turned a poor, fledgling nation into a financial powerhouse, and the cotton plantation was America’s first big business. Behind the system, and built into it, was the whip. On today’s episode: Matthew Desmond, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and the author of “Evicted,” and Jesmyn Ward, the author of “Sing, Unburied, Sing.”“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.This episode includes scenes of graphic violence.

Episode 3: The Birth of American Music

Episode 3: The Birth of American Music

Black music, forged in captivity, became the sound of complete artistic freedom. It also became the sound of America. On today’s episode: Wesley Morris, a critic-at-large for The New York Times.“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.This episode contains explicit language.

Episode 4: How the Bad Blood Started

Episode 4: How the Bad Blood Started

Black Americans were denied access to doctors and hospitals for decades. From the shadows of this exclusion, they pushed to create the nation’s first federal health care programs. On today’s episode: Jeneen Interlandi, a member of The New York Times’s editorial board and a writer for The Times Magazine, and Yaa Gyasi, the author of “Homegoing.”“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.

Episode 5: The Land of Our Fathers, Part 1

Episode 5: The Land of Our Fathers, Part 1

More than a century and a half after the promise of 40 acres and a mule, the story of black land ownership in America remains one of loss and dispossession. June and Angie Provost, who trace their family line to the enslaved workers on Louisiana’s sugar-cane plantations, know this story well. On today’s episode: The Provosts spoke with Adizah Eghan and Annie Brown, producers for “1619.”“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.

Episode 5: The Land of Our Fathers, Part 2

Episode 5: The Land of Our Fathers, Part 2

The Provosts, a family of sugar-cane farmers in Louisiana, had worked the same land for generations. When it became harder and harder to keep hold of that land, June Provost and his wife, Angie, didn’t know why — and then a phone call changed their understanding of everything. In the finale of “1619,” we hear the rest of June and Angie’s story, and its echoes in a past case that led to the largest civil rights settlement in American history.On today’s episode: June and Angie Provost; Adizah Eghan and Annie Brown, producers for “1619”; and Khalil Gibran Muhammad, a professor of history, race and public policy at Harvard University and the author of “The Condemnation of Blackness.”“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.