Roots (1977)

Roots was a 1977 miniseries based on Alex Haley's book Roots: The Saga of an American Family, his critically acclaimed genealogical novel. The show followed Haley's family through generations starting with slave Kunta Kinte.
Roots remains one of television's landmark programs. The twelve-hour mini-series aired on ABC from 23-30 January 1977. For eight consecutive nights it riveted the country. The finale still stands as the 3rd highest rated U.S. program ever.

In 1979, a sequel series Roots: The Next Generations was made.