PBS Celebrates America’s 250th with Special Programming and Events in 2026

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As the American federal government is turning its back on PBS, PBS is celebrating the republic.

In 2026, America’s 250th birthday (its quincentennial), PBS is planning a grand celebration. This term ‘quincentennial’ simply refers to a 500th anniversary. From June 27-July 4, 2026, they will air an entire week of special programming to commemorate this significant milestone, which they’ve dubbed their “most extensive national and local involvement initiative ever.” In the months leading up to that week, a variety of other programs are being developed as well.

How much of it will be funded by the tax dollars of viewers remains an open question.

Back in 2024, I was thrilled to hear about the unveiling of the PBS America @ 250 initiative. As a history enthusiast, I’m excited to share more details now, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter. This exciting project will be spearheaded by Ken Burns’ upcoming masterpiece, “The American Revolution,” a six-part, 12-hour documentary. Admittedly, the title had already piqued the interest of history buffs and fans of Ken Burns’ work. But this announcement has added a new layer of anticipation!

Starting today are new companion series. On November 24, a show called “A More Perfect Union: Inspiring Civic & Civil Conversations Across America” will premiere on the network. This program explores how the principles and values from America’s founding 250 years ago continue to influence discussions about governance today. For spring 2026, BBC Studios will air a two-part series titled “Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution“. In this production, Lucy Worsley will delve into how the most powerful empire in history, the British Empire, lost its war against the American rebels during the War of Independence. The fact that these rebels were a disorganized group may have played a role in their victory.

There’s more — so much more.

In the summer of 2026, the popular show Antiques Roadshow is set to broadcast a special episode titled “A Quatercentennial Celebration: 250 Years of Americana”. This extraordinary episode will showcase artifacts from as early as 1775 up until the present day, offering viewers a captivating journey through time using material culture.

For our tiniest patriots, PBS Kids is set to debut a new show titled Map Zappers. This series comes from Arkansas PBS and tells the story of three ordinary children who discover a museum exhibit filled with artifacts from every U.S. state and territory. When they accidentally trigger a piece of technology that sends these items back to their original locations, our intrepid friends embark on a journey across the country, collecting the lost artifacts while learning about what it truly means to be an American throughout this exciting adventure.

Apart from a unique, fresh episode of “Molly of Denali”, there will also be additional “civics-focused content” from “Rosie’s Rules” and “Alma’s Way”. Today’s youngsters seem to have an insatiable appetite for such civics-themed material.

PBS America @ 250 is an amazing achievement, thanks to the commitment of our member stations, PBS LearningMedia, PBS Digital Studios, producers, and numerous others,” said Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS. She expressed her immense pride in the impactful content generated from these collaborative efforts. “Our country’s history merits recognition, and through this work, we are indeed honoring it. PBS was created for moments like this, serving as a platform for national introspection.

I’m excited to share even more content from the PBS America @ 250 milestone celebration! Here are some captivating programs, as described by the channel itself:

1. “Explore the history of one of the most powerful and enduring institutions in the world – the British Monarchy – in ‘The Crown’. This riveting drama series tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.”

2. “Embark on a fascinating journey through time with ‘Secrets of the Dead’, as modern investigative techniques are used to solve historical mysteries.”

3. “Delve into the complexities and triumphs of human civilization in ‘Civilizations’. This groundbreaking series presents an unprecedented look at the artistic, political, and technological achievements of civilizations past and present.”

4. “Travel back to the 1960s and witness the transformation of America during one of its most turbulent periods in ‘The Vietnam War’.”

5. “Discover the incredible story of the women who shaped the course of American history in ‘American Experience: Women Who Changed America’.”

Titled “Handwork: A Craft in America 250 Special“, this four-part series commemorates 250 years of handmade craftsmanship. The first two installments, “East” and “West”, will debut on Dec 19th. Each episode delves into the tales of creators and showcases both ancestral customs and contemporary ingenuity. By highlighting the impact of handcrafted items on America’s rich cultural tapestry, these episodes form part of “Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026“, a wide-ranging, countrywide project spearheaded by Craft in America and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In association with PBS member stations, exhibitions and community events will take place nationwide, while educational resources for K-12 learners will be accessible via PBS LearningMedia.

In the summer of 2026, an enlightening documentary titled “Declarations of Independence” from Virginia Public Media is set to debut. This captivating production delves into the American Revolution, offering a unique perspective through the eyes of both free and enslaved African Americans in the 1700s and 1800s.

The Tony Award-winning musical by Shaina Taub, titled “Great Performances,” is set to depict the compelling narrative of the American women who fiercely advocated for voting rights. The production delves into both the victories and setbacks of their quest for equality. It is scheduled to make its debut in the spring of 2026.

PBS is planning to air a series titled “American Experience: Presidential Portraits“, delving into the historical aspects of the American presidency, alongside some original productions. Meanwhile, the special event “Capitol Concerts 2026” will showcase a collection of renowned musical artists to celebrate our nation’s spirit and heritage.

On the Edges, a production by PBS Digital Studios and WHYY, uncovers lesser-known individuals who significantly influenced the development of our nation and shares tales that broaden our comprehension of American history. The second season is set to debut on June 25, exclusively on the PBS Origins Channel.

Ben Sheehan hosts a digital program titled “Making Sense of Civics,” which simplifies the workings of the American government and U.S. Constitution. This educational series is produced by Second Peninsula, creators of PBS’s “Brief but Spectacular,” and receives backing from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The premiere is set for June 26th on the PBS YouTube Channel.>

There will also be local member station activations, including:

  • WHYY (Philadelphia) is producing The Declaration’s Journey, a digital series in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution that explores untold stories behind the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence. Additional projects include Tap Room Revolution, a live comedy/history radio show recorded in historic Philadelphia taverns, Pigeon History, a quirky puppet-led kids’ series, and The Good Neighbor Club, a civics-focused children’s show supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, premiering in 2026.
  • IdahoPTV (Boise, Idaho) will document how Idahoans celebrate the 250th anniversary through content focusing on people, communities and celebrations around the state. Amongst other new 250-themed programs, IdahoPTV will be reinventing its 1990 series on Idaho history for kids to align with Idaho’s 4th-grade content standards. To explore Idaho history, IdahoPTV will premiere documentaries including the story of Sacajawea, who was born in the Salmon River country in what is now Idaho, and stories of outdoor volunteerism.
  • WUCF (Orlando, Florida) will produce Dishin’ Democracy, a civics-focused dinner event where Central Floridians will gather for a facilitated conversation over a meal. Local and national video content will be shown to prompt meaningful conversation. Dishin’ Democracy is part of WUCF’s three-year America250 initiative and will premiere in September 2025.
  • Arkansas PBS (Conway, Arkansas) will partner with 12 stations across the country to explore historical objects and artifacts as they relate to their local communities.
  • GPB (Atlanta, Georgia) is planning a multi-platform video series working with the Georgia Historical Society around its historical markers across the state, with a focus on American Revolutionary themes. They are also working with the Georgia Historical Society to bring back the Today in Georgia History short video series. Their community team will be partnering with the National Archives and/or the Library of Congress to hold various events around their historic documents transcription project and working with libraries across the state for The American Revolution community screenings and time capsule projects that will engage communities to think about the future. They are working with GPB’s Student Voices Collective to gather stories from students around the ideas of liberty, freedom and democracy, and more. 

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2025-05-19 23:27