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PBS America @ 250 Continues with Semiquincentennial-Themed Programming to Mark the Nation's Historic Anniversary
ARLINGTON, VA; May 7, 2026 - PBS America @ 250, a multiyear celebration of U.S. history, culture, and children's programming, which began in spring 2025 and continues through America's Semi-quincentennial in 2026 and beyond, is part of the largest national and local engagement effort in its history. New programming will air throughout 2026 and will include rebroadcasts of Ken Burns's groundbreaking 12-hour film, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
All six episodes of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, which premiered on PBS in November 2025, will stream for free across all PBS platforms from Memorial Day (May 25) through July 12.
The acclaimed series broke all PBS streaming records when it premiered, pushing PBS - for the first time in its history - onto Nielsen's Weekly Top Ten Streaming list, with 565 million minutes viewed. Viewers have watched more than 4 billion minutes of the series since March 2026.
In addition, the first episode of each of Ken Burns's major war documentaries will be available for free on the Ken Burns Channel on YouTube, beginning with THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION on May 25, THE CIVIL WAR on June 1, THE WAR on June 6, and THE VIETNAM WAR on June 15.
On broadcast, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will air June 27-28, then re-air beginning July 3 at 9:00 PM ET, with the remaining episodes airing July 4 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM ET, leading into AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER (w.t.).
In addition to THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, from June 26 until July 4, PBS will schedule encores of PBS America @ 250 programs to mark the anniversary. These programs will include ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: 250 YEARS OF AMERICANA, FINDING YOUR ROOTS "Secret Lives," LUCY WORSLEY INVESTIGATES: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, NOVA - "Athens: Birth of Democracy" and NOVA - "Revolutionary War Weapons," along with the premiere of the new documentary, DECLARATIONS: BLACK AMERICANS AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Descriptions and airdates for PBS America @ 250 programs can be found below. To view the full catalog, go to America at 250 | PBS.
"This next phase of PBS America @ 250 builds on the momentum of this extraordinary national effort," said Sylvia Bugg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming at PBS. "We're excited to continue with a new slate of programming that deepens our exploration of American history and culture, and to further engage communities across the country as we approach the Semiquincentennial."
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
GREAT PERFORMANCES "SUFFS"
A musical performance tells the story of the American suffragist movement and the remarkable friendships, heartbreak, and action that brought women together - or, in some cases, tore them apart.
Premieres Friday, May 8, at 9:00 pm ET
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT
Hosted by Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna and Emmy Award-winner Gary Sinise, the 2026 concert features personal stories and tributes interwoven with musical performances by world-renowned artists and the National Symphony Orchestra to commemorate the real meaning of the holiday.
Premieres Sunday, May 24, at 8:00 PM ET
DECLARATIONS: BLACK AMERICANS AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
A documentary that follows the stories of enslaved and eventually freed Black Americans who believed, exercised, and fought for fundamental tenets of democracy for themselves, their families, and their community.
Premieres Monday, June 29, at 10:00 PM ET
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "The Presidents: George H. W. Bush"
A two-part documentary examining the life and presidency of George H.W. Bush.
Re-airs Friday, June 19 and June 26, at 9:00 PM ET
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "The Presidents: JFK"
A two-part documentary exploring the life, presidency, and legacy of John F. Kennedy.
Re-airs Wednesday, July 10 and July 17, at 9:00 PM ET
AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER (w.t.)
A two-hour broadcast special live from Colonial Williamsburg, blending live performance, historical interpretation, and more, offering a powerful reflection on America's past, present, and future.
Premieres Saturday, July 4, at 8:00 PM ET
BREAKING THE DEADLOCK
A program featuring a politically diverse panel, exploring contemporary dilemmas and key founding principles - freedom of speech and protest, and the power of the vote, with the goal of finding common ground through civil discourse.
Premieres Tuesday, July 7, at 9:00 PM ET
SECRETS OF THE DEAD "Lady Liberty"
This episode highlights the unique partnership between the United States and France that made the iconic monument possible.
Premieres Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 PM ET
SECRETS OF THE DEAD "Saving Tangier Island"
Watch as scientists race to save the tiny island off the coast of Virginia, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," from rising sea levels.
Premieres Wednesday, November 4 at 10:00 PM ET
SECRETS OF THE DEAD "Who Fought the American Revolution"
Produced in partnership with SCETV, this episode explores how the Continental soldiers' devastating loss at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina turned the tide of the war.
Premieres Wednesday, November 11 at 10:00 PM ET
IN PURSUIT: Lessons of American Leadership (w.t.)
In partnership with More Perfect's groundbreaking IN PURSUIT project, Retro Report brings leadership lessons learned from presidents and first ladies to life, weaving together new voices, archival material and documentary storytelling.
Premieres Fall 2026
CRAFT IN AMERICA: "North" and "South"
North investigates the impact of the environment on craft artists in the Northern U.S. "South" discovers craft artists in the Southern U.S. who are building an inclusive and hopeful future.
Premieres Friday, December 18 at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM ET
PBS PLUS
BECOMING AMERICAN: PHILADELPHIA'S STORY
Explore the founding of the United States through the lens of Philadelphia and how diverse communities shaped a new nation.
Premieres Monday, June 15, on the PBS App and PBS.org (check local listings)
CAPTURING AMERICA: THE CAROL HIGHSMITH STORY
Follows Carol Highsmith on her decades-long journey to document every nook and cranny of the United States, from its majestic mountains to quirky roadside attractions and more.
Premieres Saturday, July 4, on the PBS App and PBS.org (check local listings)
PBS DIGITAL STUDIOS
As previously announced, PBS America @ 250 will include an array of digital programs. New episodes of ROGUE HISTORY from PBS North Carolina and IN THE MARGINS Season 2 from WHYY continue to publish monthly on the PBS Origins YouTube Channel along with a special episode of A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF NATIVE AMERICA in July.
SOUND FIELD
Hosted by Arthur "L.A." Buckner and Lucia Sarmiento, the acclaimed music education series will break down the sounds of freedom with in-depth discussions on music theory, history, and culture.
New episodes publish monthly on the Sound Field YouTube Channel and pbs.org.
PBS FILM CLUB
The film club members have a special conversation about the "American Dream" and how it's changed over the years, through the lens of three documentary films from the past and present.
Premieres Thursday, July 9th on the PBS Documentaries YouTube Channel
PBS KIDS ACROSS AMERICA
WOWSABOUT
A vibrant family-friendly adventure from the Jim Henson Company set in Sequoia National Park, featuring live-action puppets.
Available now on PBS KIDS
AMERICA'S AWESOME KIDS
A series of 25 live-action shorts showcasing kids across America, showing viewers "all kinds of awesome kids, one awesome country."
Premieres Friday, May 22
CITY ISLAND: USA!
A series of shorts that follow Watt and Windy as they travel across the country, meeting real-life landmarks that come to life to share their stories.
Premieres Friday, June 12
MOLLY OF DENALI "Happy Birthday Qyah"
This episode of MOLLY OF DENALI celebrates the history of Native land and populations.
Premieres Monday, June 15
XAVIER RIDDLE CELEBRATES AMERICAN HEROES
A series of four hour-long specials highlighting "ordinary" American kids throughout history who went on to do extraordinary things.
Premieres Monday, June 22
ALMA'S WAY Vertical Short: America 250!
Alma celebrates America's 250th birthday by comparing pictures of her neighborhood from a long time ago to today.
Premieres Thursday, July 2
The programs above will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS app, which is available on iOS, Apple TV, Android mobile and tablets, Android/Google TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and tablets, Comcast, Samsung Smart TV, VIZIO and LG Smart TVs. PBS KIDS content will be available on PBS stations and the PBS KIDS Channel and will stream for free on the PBS KIDS Video app, connected TV devices, pbskids.org, and more (no subscription required).
As part of PBS America @ 250, PBS LearningMedia is helping to connect teachers and students to educational resources and learning events that draw from the broad range of new programming.
PBS MEMBER STATIONS
Many PBS member stations are partnering with educators and a wide range of local organizations to spark meaningful conversations about the nation's founding and its evolving story.
Some examples of local Member Station activities include:
· WHYY (Philadelphia, PA) is producing the digital series THE DECLARATION'S JOURNEY; the digital-first children's series WE, THE PIGEONS; the civics-focused children's series GOOD NEIGHBOR CLUB; the audio-series AMERICAN FEELING; and is hosting a series of public screenings and discussions.
· New Hampshire PBS (Durham, NH) is partnering with New Hampshire Humanities on The Big Watch to host more than 80 screenings throughout the state in 2026, including screenings of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
· South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (Columbia, SC) is premiering two new local documentaries, new episodes of local series including History in a Nutshell and Curiosity Trek, and more featured on a dedicated America 250 landing page.
· Louisiana Public Broadcasting (Baton Rouge, LA) produced Louisiana's Hidden History: Spanish Louisiana in the American Revolution, a set of standards-aligned resources for students in grades 3-8 and are engaging teachers throughout the state in a series of related learning events.
· Georgia Public Broadcasting (Atlanta, GA) is producing MARKED!, a new digital series hosted by Maiya May that explores the complex story of the 13th original colony during America's revolutionary period.
· WKAR (East Lansing, MI) is producing Before America, a five-part digital series reframing Revolutionary-era history through Native perspectives as a companion to THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
· PANHANDLE PBS (Amarillo, TX) is working with local partners to host screening events, teacher workshops, and historical exhibitions that foster civic discourse around the topics of freedom, liberty, democracy, and independence among Texas Panhandle audiences.
· PBS Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) is hosting the America 250 Utah Speaker Series and launching Gathered at the Table, a special edition of their Book Club in a Box initiative.
PBS is also partnering with American Public Television (APT) to feature content from their America is Local collection on pbs.org. This collaboration brings together national and local storytelling to connect communities with the history and impact of the nation's founding.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 36 million adults on linear primetime television, more than 16 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, 53 million viewers on YouTube, and 60 million people view PBS content on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS's broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV - including a PBS KIDS channel - and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. With PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Across media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS sparks children's curiosity, helping them succeed in school and life. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime on the PBS KIDS Video app, connected TV devices, pbskids.org and more (no subscription required). Kids can play hundreds of educational games on the PBS KIDS Games app and pbskids.org. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support children's learning anytime, anywhere - empowering parents, caregivers, and teachers. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Facebook and Instagram.
About PBS DIGITAL STUDIOS
PBS Digital Studios produces original programming for YouTube and other digital platforms designed to engage, enlighten, and entertain online audiences. The PBS Digital Studios network has more than 30 million subscribers on YouTube, generating an average of 50 million views a month, and has acquired more than five billion lifetime views. Currently, PBS Digital Studios has over a dozen active series, including the Webby Award-winning BE SMART and CRASH COURSE, as well as popular series like TWO CENTS, EONS and PBS SPACE TIME.
About PBS LearningMedia
PBS LearningMedia, a partnership between PBS and GBH, is a transformative digital media platform for PreK-12 educators, providing free access to thousands of media-centric classroom resources from PBS member stations and esteemed partners. PBS LearningMedia delivers a dynamic mix of national and locally relevant content - including videos, interactives, lesson plans, teaching tips, and primary sources - that elevates classroom teaching and brings learning to life. Designed with teachers and subject matter experts, classroom resources are aligned to state and national standards and are compatible with the tools teachers use most, such as Google Classroom. Learn more at pbslearningmedia.org or by following PBS Teachers on Facebook or Instagram.
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