Jul 09 How satire shaped American history By Judy Woodruff From Benjamin Franklin to The Onion, satire has long been a part of how Americans process politics and power. In this episode of “In Pursuit of Happiness,” Judy Woodruff talks to Sophia McClennen of Penn State University and Joshua Johnson… Continue reading
Jul 02 Watch 13:09 A look at America's founding from the room where independence was declared By Judy Woodruff, Lorna Baldwin In July of 1776, the Second Continental Congress officially voted to sever political ties with Great Britain and declare independence. In this week celebrating 250 years since the founding of the nation, and just ahead of Independence Day, Judy Woodruff… Continue watching
Jul 02 How George Washington shaped America By Judy Woodruff What can George Washington's life tell us about the country he helped found? In the first episode of her new limited-run podcast, "In Pursuit of Happiness," Judy Woodruff speaks with historian Lindsay Chervinsky about Washington's achievements, contradictions and enduring influence… Continue reading
Jun 24 Watch 7:15 Walter Isaacson on what he calls 'The Greatest Sentence Ever Written' By Judy Woodruff, Lorna Baldwin Ahead of America's 250th anniversary, author Walter Isaacson has turned his attention to a single sentence in the Declaration of Independence. Judy Woodruff spoke with Isaacson about the enduring power of those words and his new book, "The Greatest Sentence… Continue watching
Jun 22 3 things I've learned talking with Americans about the country's 250th birthday By Judy Woodruff PBS News' Judy Woodruff set out to talk to a cross-section of people across the country to understand what it means to be an American at the two-and-a-half-century mark. Continue reading
Jun 10 Watch 9:52 America's 250th anniversary revives questions about religion and the founders By Judy Woodruff, Frank Carlson As the nation nears its 250th anniversary next month, Judy Woodruff reports on how old questions about faith and the founding are once again being pushed to the forefront. It’s part of her series, America at a Crossroads. Continue watching
May 25 Watch 9:18 Ohio volunteers locate and honor graves of Revolutionary War veterans By Judy Woodruff, Sam Weber Memorial Day was first established in the aftermath of the Civil War, but has become a day to mark all those who died serving in the military. As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Judy Woodruff reports on a local… Continue watching
May 13 Watch 9:08 The overlooked history of Asian Americans and the struggle for belonging By Judy Woodruff, Sarah Clune Hartman Asian Americans are the fastest-growing demographic group in the U.S., but across American history, their stories and the discrimination they faced have often been overlooked. For her series, America at a Crossroads, Judy Woodruff looks at how that past continues… Continue watching
Apr 29 Watch 9:24 The local communities hoping America's 250th birthday will help bridge divides By Judy Woodruff, Sam Weber This summer, many of the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday will be grand in scope. But in communities across the country, smaller celebrations are also taking place, hoping to use some of the year’s patriotic energy to engage neighbors and… Continue watching
Apr 15 Watch 8:36 Why the spirit of volunteering is a defining part of America's identity By Judy Woodruff, Lorna Baldwin Before the United States was founded, the idea of volunteering was well underway in the colonies. Now, Americans consistently donate more of their time than citizens of any other country. Judy Woodruff explores how the idea took root and why… Continue watching