How PBS Plans to Celebrate the American Semiquincentennial in 2026 (Exclusive)

As the US federal government turns its back on PBS, PBS is celebrating the Republic.

PBS is in total in the semi -snack of the United States in 2026. You, of course, you know what that word means: the 250 birthday of the country. From June 27 to July 4, 2026, PBS will have a whole week of programming celebrating the milestone, which is calling «the greatest effort of national and local participation in its history.» A large amount of programming is also in process in the months prior to that week.

How much of this will be financed by the tax dollars of the spectators remains an open question.

He PBS AMERICA @ 250 The concept was first announced in 2024; The Hollywood Reporter Now you can announce the details. The initiative will be headed by the next great document of Ken Burns, the six -part and 12 hours The American RevolutionBut the history of benefits, and Burns Buffs, already knew about that.

New today is your complementary series. On November 24, the network will debut A more perfect union: inspired civic and civil conversations throughout the United Stateswhich is transmitted after Doc Burns and «examines how we think about the foundation of the United States and how ideas and articulated values ​​250 years ago remain relevant to conversations about governance today.» In the spring 2026 tap is a two parts of BBC Studios, Lucy Worsley investigates: the American revolution. Worsley will dissect how the British empire, the most powerful in history, lost the war of independence against «a band of American rebels.» Their jackets and line formation probably didn’t help.

There is more, much more.

As, in the summer of 2026, Roadshow of antiques A «250 years of American» will appear The special episode will have elements from 1775 until today, and a trip over time through material culture.

And for smaller patriots, the children of PBS will be released Map of the BuildersA new series of PBS Arkansas that follows three common children who run into an exhibition of museums that contain artifacts from all states and territory in the United States. «When they accidentally activate a piece of technology that teleports, or ‘zaps’, all the artifacts back to their place of origin,» the Map of the Builders Logline says: «The trio of friends travels throughout the country, recovering the lost artifacts and learning what it means to be American on the road.»

There will also be a new special episode of Denali Mollynewer «content with civic themes» of Rosie rules and Alma’s Way. Because children these days simply cannot obtain enough content with civic theme.

«PBS AMERICA @ 250 It is an extraordinary task, made possible by the dedication of our member stations, PBS Learningmedia, PBS Digital Studios, producers and innumerable others, «said Paula Kerger, president and executive director of PBS, said THR. «I could not be more proud of the powerful content that emerges from these collaboration efforts. The history of our nation deserves to be honored, and through this work, we are doing exactly that. PBS was made for this type of national reflection.»

Here is a complete group more PBS AMERICA @ 250 Programming, with descriptions in the words of the transmission channel:

Manual work: a trade in America 250 specialA series of four parts will celebrate 250 years of handmade art with the first two episodes, «East» and «West», which will be released on December 19. Each episode is counted through the hands of manufacturers and explores ancestral traditions and modern innovation. Celebrating the importance of artisanal objects in the configuration and reflection of the diverse cultural heritage of the United States, these episodes are a part of Manual work: celebrating US crafts 2026A multifaceted national initiative organized by Craft in America. Community exhibitions and events will be carried out throughout the country in collaboration with the PBS member stations, and educational programs for K-12 will be available in PBS Learningmedia.

Declarations of independenceA documentary from Virginia Public Media, explores the US revolution through the eyes of free and enslaved black people in 1700-1800. It will be released in the summer of 2026.

Great performances «suffers» based on Tony’s award -winning musical created by Shaina Taub, tells the story of the passionate American women who fought for the right to vote and explore the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality. It will premiere in the spring of 2026.

PBS will bring several back American experience: presidential profilesExamining the history of the US presidency, in addition to several original films. Capitol concerts 2026 It will have a variety of known musical artists to celebrate America.

On the marginsof PBS Digital Studios and Whyy, reveals less known figures who had great impacts on the form of the country and tells stories that expand our understanding of US history. Season 2 will premiere on June 25, in PBS Origins Channel.

Civic made easy It is a digital series organized by the author Ben Sheehan that explains how the US government and the constitution of the United States work. Produced by Second Peninsula, the team behind PBS’s Brief but spectacularWith the support of the Corporation for Public Radiodice, the series opens on June 26, on the PBS YouTube channel.

There will also be local activations of the member station, which include: