The American Revolution

Join WHYY for a preview screening of Ken Burns's upcoming documentary series, The American Revolution, followed by an exclusive interview by Terry Gross, co-host of WHYY's "Fresh Air with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley"

As part of the nation's semiquincentennial commemoration, this event highlights Greater Philadelphia region's  pivotal role in the founding of the United States.

The American Revolution - a new documentary series by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt - tells the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation. Through moments of triumph and hardship, it explores the profound crises they endured and the ideals they pursued.

By weaving together the voices of America's political leaders, their British counterparts, and the perspectives of ordinary people who lived through the conflict, the documentary offers an expansive and balanced look at both the promise and the paradoxes of the fight for independence and the birth of a new nation.

We look forward to seeing you at The American Revolution: An Evening with Ken Burns!

Seating Package Donation Options

Choose among three seating packages below, and you can contribute a one-time donation on this form. If you'd prefer to make a sustaining donation and request one of these seating levels, please visit our donation form at www.whyy.org/donate, and select, "I'd like to select a TV gift", and then choose within the TV gift drop down.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:

 
Ken Burns, is widely recognized as one of the greatest documentary filmmakers of his time. He is our country's foremost chronicler, in film, of the American experience. As historian Stephen Ambrose famously said, "More Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source." Burns has received numerous awards, including the Emmy and Peabody Awards, and two Academy Award nominations.

 
Sarah Botstein, is an award-winning filmmaker who has been producing groundbreaking documentary films about American history, life and culture for more than twenty years. Her work with directors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick is some of the most acclaimed and popular programming on PBS and includes Hemingway (2021), College Behind Bars (2019), The Vietnam War (2017), Prohibition (2011), The War (2007) and Jazz (2001).

 
David Schmidt, is the producer and co-director, along with Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, of The American Revolution. Schmidt began working with Florentine Films as a researcher and apprentice editor for The Roosevelts (2014). His research on The Vietnam War (2017) won him the Jane Mercer Footage Research of the Year award. With Burns, Schmidt also produced the two-part biography Benjamin Franklin (2022) for PBS.

FUNDING CREDITS:

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst

Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.