The year was 1955. The new Ford Thunderbird was cruising Woodward, the Mickey Mouse Club put on its ears, and WTVS Channel 56 was on the air, thanks to a coalition of Detroit educators and citizens who saw value in a non-commercial, educational TV service.

Much has changed in 50 years. For example, black-and-white classroom instruction programs have morphed into a full daytime schedule of sophisticated PBS KIDS programs. Yet the mission of the station has never wavered. We've always sought to educate, entertain, and inspire in partnership with the community we serve.

Fifty-Six at Fifty looks at memorable moments in our history to illustrate the many ways that Channel 56 has connected with its viewers. Tune in and revisit the birth of PBS with its pioneering programs like Sesame Street and Electric Company, and recall Detroit Public TV productions like Latenight with Dennis Wholey, The Beethoven Festival and, of course, the Channel 56 Auctions.

In 2005, Detroit Public Television serves its community in many ways that go beyond broadcasting - services that could not have been imagined in 1955. Yet the founding mothers and fathers of Channel 56 knew that they started something worthy of support.

Sunday, 1/1 from 2-2:30 p.m. ET

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