Feb 09, 2010 | WDC: 26.6 °F
Washington’s source for compelling television and inspiring classical music
Washington in the '60s
Premieres November 2, 2009 at 9 p.m.
on WETA TV 26 and WETA HD
The people. The protests. The progress.
Join WETA TV 26 as we examine the people and events of the dramatic decade that changed our city... forever.
The new one-hour documentary Washington in the '60s looks at the political, social and cultural events that shaped the history of the Washington area.
Watch "Washington in the '60s," a WETA TV 26 production exploring a dramatic decade for what was until then a sleepy southern town. Narrated by Connie Chung.
Watch the preview
Preview: Washington in the '60s
Preview WETA's latest local production, Washington in the '60s! This one-hour documentary looks at the political, social and cultural events that shaped the history of the Washington area.
Photos from the show
This dramatic time in area history is brought to life through the memories of notable Washingtonians such as Ben Bradlee, Marion Barry, Patrick Buchanan, Maury Povich and Chuck Brown. Iconic music, archival stills and footage coupled with fascinating insights from those who experienced and shaped the events of the time transport viewers back to a period when the Nation's Capital was transformed from a sleepy Southern town to the bustling world class metropolis we know today.
WETA Extra
Ed Walker and Willard Scott were the very funny Joy Boys of Washington radio for many years. A video of their last radio show in October 1972 is on YouTube. Click below to watch a video extra about the duo filmed for Washington in the '60s!
Joy Boys
WETA takes a look back to the 1960s when "Joy Boys" Ed Walker and Willard Scott ruled Washington's airwaves.
Featured songs
The following songs are featured in the show Washington in the '60s. So many great songs to choose from — what do you think of this list?
- Hold On I'm Coming — Sam and Dave
- A Change is Gonna Come — Sam Cooke
- High Hopes — Frank Sinatra
- Camelot — Richard Harris (original 1982 cast)
- Duke's Place(C-Jam Blues) — Duke Ellignton and Ella Fitzgerald
- Let's Go (Pony) — The Routers
- Last Night — The Mar-Keyes
- Eternal Father Strong to Save — Navy Band
- You Can't Lose What You Never Had — Muddy Waters
- When Will I Get to be Called a Man — Big Billy Broonzy
- The In Crowd — Ramsey Lewis
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough — Roberta Flack
- Buses Are A'Comin, Freedom Song — Bernice Johnson Reagon
- Oh Freedom — Odetta
- I Want to Hold Your Hand — The Beatles
- Desafinado — Charlie Byrd
- Concerto #2 for Horn and Orchestra — Mozart
- The Sound of Silence — Simon and Garfunkel
- Little Boxes — Pete Seger
- Crosstown Traffic — Jimi Hendrix
- Money (That's What I Want) — Barrett Strong
- The Bourgeoise Blues — Taj Mahal
- Hail to the Redskins — Sammy Shreiber and the Redskins Pro Orchestra with the Redskins Singers
- Fortunate Son — Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison
- Purple Haze — Jimi Hendrix
- Respect — Aretha Franklin
- The End — The Doors
- Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud — James Brown
- I'll Take You There — The Staple Singers
- Go Down Moses — New Bethel
- Street Fighting Man — The Rolling Stones
- For What It's Worth — Buffalo Springfield
Featured events
The following events are featured in the show Washington in the '60s.
- 1964: The Beatles play their first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum
- 1964: The Capital Beltway opens
- 1965: Groundbreaking for The Kennedy Center
- 1967: Arena Stage premieres "The Great White Hope"
- 1969: The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. leads to DC riots
- 1969: 600,000 Vietnam War protestors in DC
Featured people
Interviews with the following people are featured in the show Washington in the '60s.
Share your memories and comments
Were you at the Washington Coliseum for the Beatles concert in 1964? Did you hear Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963? Did you wear a mini-skirt? How about bell bottoms?!
Share your memories of life in the DC area in the 1960s.
Click here to add your comments »
Discussion guide
The Washington in the '60s discussion guide contains questions designed to be used with the bonus clips below in both informal and formal educational settings.
Bonus Clips
We couldn't fit all of the great commentary into the show! Check out the clips below for further reflection on Washington in the 1960s.
Please note: To fully enjoy the interactive features of this website, you must have Javascript turned on and Adobe Flash Version 8 or higher installed. Download Flash now »
Reviews
"The documentary is the first retrospective of its kind to explore the collective political, social and cultural events that took place during this seminal period in Washington's history." - The Metro Herald
"All told, 'Washington in the '60s' is a roller coaster ride through the century's most interesting decade, set to a sound track full of familiar favorites." - The Georgetown Current
"It's chock full of information on the District's ongoing transformation from a sleepy, segregated Southern town into the capital of the free world." – The Washington Times
Also see the following
The following productions from WETA TV 26 shine a spotlight on many of the special people, places, and events in the Washington area, and are available for viewing online:
WETA Newsletter
See the latest issue for new program & event info.
To contact us
Audience Services: TV
Office Hours: 9 am to 3 pm
Phone: 703-998-2724
Email »
Support WETA | About WETA | Press Room | Contact Us Newsletter | Shop WETA | RSS
2775 S. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 703-998-2600 | Map & Directions
Public Broadcasting for Greater Washington
Copyright © 2010 WETA. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Drupal.
WETA Television and Classical WETA 90.9 FM are community-based public broadcasting stations serving the Washington area and supported by listeners and viewers. WETA is also a major producing station for PBS.
By visiting this site, you agree to our Terms of Service. Please also read our Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines.