Fifty years ago, a dedicated group of Alaskans took their first major step toward self-government. The 49th Star is an inspiring account of democracy in action, chronicling Alaska's journey from Russian territory to America's largest state. Seventy-five days and nights of discussion, argument, and passionate debate, along with creativity, compromise, and consensus, produced a state constitution widely regarded as one of the best ever written. The 49th Star weaves interviews with original convention delegates and staff, historians, and Alaskan leaders to reveal the behind-the-scenes struggles for statehood.

Sunday, 4/8/07 from 4-5 a.m. ET