Overview: The first permanent European settlement in the United States was founded two generations before the Pilgrims arrived in 1565. 'America's Untold Story' uncovers the story of America's past that never made it into textbooks.

DVD Verdict: Narrated by Jimmy Smits, produced by Robbie Gordon, Josh Wallace, Jenny Mottier, Jaime Greco, and Stephanie Carte, 'Secrets Of The Dead: America's Untold Story' brings us this wondrous, and yet very, very true tale.

Before Jamestown… before Plymouth… the first permanent European settlement in the United States was founded two generations before the Pilgrims arrived - in 1565 - not by English Protestants, but by a melting pot of Spanish, Africans, Italians, Germans, Irish and converted Jews, who integrated almost immediately with the indigenous tribes.

Indeed, in 1534, Jacques Cartier planted a cross in the Gaspé Peninsula of what's now known as Quebec, Canada and claimed the land in the name of King Francis I. It was the first province of New France. However, initial French attempts at settling the region met with failure.

A small group of French troops occupied Parris Island, South Carolina in 1562 to build Charlesfort, but left after a year. Another early French attempt at settlement in North America was Fort Caroline, established in what is now Jacksonville, Florida, in 1564. Intended as a haven for Huguenots, Caroline was founded under the leadership of René Goulaine de Laudonnière and Jean Ribault.

However, as we discover here, It was sacked by the Spanish led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés which then established the settlement of St. Augustine on September 20, 1565. 'America's Untold Story' uncovers the story of America's past that never made it into textbooks. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.