Tonight the Henry Louis Gates series on African Americans will begins.

It is aired on WHYY on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. with repeats on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 9 p.m., with taping opportunities in the middle of the night at other times.

The first of the six-part series will be on

The Black Atlantic (1500-1800)

Henry Louis Gates Jr. chronicles the history of African-Americans, beginning with the years 1500 to 1800. Included: the first documented introduction of slaves to North America, which occurred in 1619 at Jamestown, Va.

A recommended interview with Gates.