TV top picks

7 p.m. on PBS Secrets of Spanish Florida — A Secrets of the Dead Special

This new documentary, narrated by Emmy winner Jimmy Smits, recalls European settlers who arrived in Florida two generations before the better-known arrivals of emigrants in Jamestown and Plymouth. Travelers not only from Spain, but also from Africa, Italy, Germany and Ireland made their way to America nearly five centuries ago, forming a then-unique melting pot. Archaeologists, scientists and historians weigh in on the present-day influence that may have resulted from that combination of cultures.

7 p.m. on ABC Happy New Year, Charlie Brown

Good grief! Who assigns elementary-school children War and Peace? Charlie Brown’s teacher, that’s who. He has to read it over the Christmas break and write a report, but holiday distractions keep getting in the way. He ends up leaving a New Year’s party and sitting outside to read, but that doesn’t end well in this animated 1986 Peanuts special, pictured.

8 p.m. on CBS The 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors

A yearly tradition is maintained with this celebration of five major contributors to American culture, staged at the title site in Washington, D.C. This year’s honorees are music superstars Gloria Estefan and Lionel Richie, television producer Norman Lear (All in the Family, among numerous other shows), hip-hop icon and NCIS: Los Angeles co-star LL Cool J and actress-dancer-choreographer Carmen de Lavallade.