Arts Jul 28 Thomas Hampson celebrates U.S. musical history with 'Song of America' By Fred de Sam Lazaro
Politics Jul 22 WATCH: House holds hearing on oversight of Smithsonian's National Museum of American History The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History pushed back Tuesday against a recent White House report that branded the institution's leadership as radical activists who cannot be trusted. By News Desk and Associated Press
Nation Jul 03 Watch 3:51 Why George Washington believed in the strength of differing viewpoints This week, PBS News launched “In Pursuit of Happiness,” a six-episode podcast series hosted by Judy Woodruff, exploring the people, culture and ideas that have shaped America. In this clip from the first episode, presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky takes a… By Judy Woodruff, Sarah Clune Hartman, Frank Carlson
Nation Jul 02 Watch 13:09 A look at America's founding from the room where independence was declared 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… By Judy Woodruff, Lorna Baldwin
Politics Jun 24 WATCH: Congress dedicates national time capsule ahead of America's 250th anniversary The Time Capsule Act, a 2016 law creating the nonpartisan America250 commission mandated that a time capsule be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026, and dug up 250 years later in 2276. By Associated Press
Jun 19 Comparing the mood of America's 250th anniversary with its 200th in 1976 By Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, a look back five decades to 1976 — the year of the nation’s bicentennial — reveals notable similarities with today. Continue reading
Jun 15 Watch 6:56 New book explores America's history of celebrating freedom while excluding millions By Geoff Bennett, Jonah Anderson The United States is preparing to mark 250 years since its founding, a milestone often framed as a celebration of democracy, freedom and national promise. But Eddie Glaude Jr. argues that America’s anniversaries have always been shadowed by a deeper… Continue watching
Jun 03 The Revolutionary War's chief villain is being rehabilitated — just in time for America's 250th By Laurie Kellman, Associated Press “Mad” King George III — the villain of “Hamilton,” “Schoolhouse Rock” and the Revolutionary War — has undergone a makeover in time for America's 250th birthday. Continue reading
Aug 01 Smithsonian removes Trump from an exhibit's impeachment display, but says it's temporary By Hillel Italie, Associated Press The Smithsonian Institution has removed from an exhibit a reference to President Donald Trump's two impeachments, a decision that comes as the White House exerts pressure to offer a more positive — and selective — view of American history. A spokesperson said the… Continue reading
Jul 05 Watch 6:32 What the U.S. has accomplished in 250 years of innovation and what's next By John Yang, Zoie Lambert President Donald Trump went to Iowa on Thursday to start the countdown to the nation’s 250th Independence Day next year. To mark the anniversary, the nonpartisan Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress is looking at 250 years… Continue watching