Skip to main content
American Experience

Tuesday, November 12 at 9pm on MPT - American Coup: Wilmington 1898

American Coup: Wilmington 1898 tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina's largest city in 1898 -- the only coup d'etat in the history of the US. Stoking fears of "Negro Rule," self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington's democratically-elected, multi-racial government. Dozens of Black residents were murdered, and thousands were banished. The story of what happened in Wilmington was suppressed for decades until descendants and scholars began to investigate. Today, many of those descendants -- Black and White -- seek the truth about this intentionally buried history.

American ExperienceTrailer | American Coup: Wilmington 1898

The little-known story of the deadly 1898 race massacre and coup d’etat in Wilmington, NC.

About the program

Discover the incredible characters and epic stories that have shaped America’s past and present. Television’s most-watched history series, acclaimed by viewers and critics alike, has been honored with every major broadcast award.