Join WCNY in commemorating the country’s 250th Anniversary with content exploring how the United States came together, showcasing its rich history, treasured artifacts, and the performances, stories, and art that help define America. Discover the people, places, ideas, and moments that have shaped our nation and reflect on what makes America unique as we celebrate this historic milestone together.
A star-filled tribute to America’s Semiquincentennial from revolutionary Colonial Williamsburg. Featuring live performance, historic interpretation, large-scale spectacle and fireworks. This is the place where the path to independence truly began.
Antiques Roadshow: 250 Years of Americana
This special edition of ROADSHOW features discoveries reflecting 250 years of American art, artifacts, crafts and collectibles. One valuable treasure reaches $300,000!
Celebrating America 250: Made With Love
Explore America’s founding spirit through the works of modern artisans keeping traditions alive. From boatbuilders to blacksmiths to a glassblower remaking the ancient art, these creators illustrate the many cultures that built this country. A commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the series crisscrosses the country to profile these dedicated artisans.
Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War
In 1776, the Founders’ promise of “all men are created equal” remained distant for many. Trace the heroic stories of the enslaved and freed Black Americans who fought to define democracy and their liberty through the Revolutionary War.
Hallowed Ground: NY’s Forgotten Revolutionary War Battlefields
WCNY has travelled to northern and southwestern New York communities to explore four Revolutionary War battlefields, all sites of pivotal battles and all on the list of the National Park Service’s endangered battlefields. WCNY has interviewed historians and tribal leaders, archaeologists and preservationists, battlefield friends and interested citizens, to uncover each battlefield.
Narrated by Julien Icher, historian and founder of the “Follow the Frenchman” YouTube series, “Lafayette: A Hero’s Return” explores Lafayette’s enduring legacy in both New York and American history. It traces his deep-rooted commitments to freedom, self-governance, and commerce, and examines the significance of his 1824–25 “Farewell Tour.”
Lucy Worsley Investigates the American Revolution
Over two episodes, Lucy Worsley delves deeper into the American Revolution by examining it from the British perspective, discovering the human drama, radical ideas, and political missteps behind this seismic split, and revealing how losing America changed Britain forever.
Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world.
Who Are We? A Conversation with Barack Obama at Hamilton College
Former President Barack Obama waited 72 days into the second term of President Donald Trump before commenting publicly on the actions of the new administration. In a talk at Hamilton College, a small liberal arts school in upstate New York, Obama told the audience he had a few things to say.
I LOVE NY: America 250 in New York State
Explore New York’s significant role in the nation’s founding and 250 years of American history. This resource features America 250 events, Revolutionary War sites, historic destinations, trip ideas, and stories of influential New Yorkers, offering opportunities to connect with the state’s rich history and its impact on the nation.
Explore New York’s pivotal role in the American Revolution and the history of liberty and freedom with this comprehensive resource guide from the New York State Education Department. Designed for educators across elementary, middle, and high school levels, the guide offers standards-based, interdisciplinary activities, project-based learning ideas, and experiential opportunities connected to Revolutionary War sites across New York. The resource supports critical thinking, creativity, civic engagement, and real-world problem solving while aligning with NYSED’s Portrait of a Graduate and Seal of Civic Readiness.
New York at 250: A Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners
Celebrate New York’s rich history with this practical guide from the New York State Library, designed to help public libraries and cultural organizations develop programs for the 250th anniversary. The guide features best practices, program examples tied to six interpretive themes, turnkey event ideas for organizations of all sizes, and resources to help communities stay connected throughout the commemoration.
New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide
The New York State 250th Commemoration Field Guide provides six interpretive themes to help educators and communities explore New York’s complex history before, during, and beyond the American Revolution. The themes encourage a deeper look at Indigenous history, differing perspectives, places of historical significance, civic participation, and the evolving interpretations of the Revolution. The guide also highlights classroom-ready resources from the Office of Cultural Education to support teaching and learning around the 250th commemoration.
New York State 250th Commemoration Commission
The New York State Museum’s Educator Resources collection brings together a wide range of teaching materials for exploring the American Revolution and New York’s history. Resources cover topics including Indigenous history, the Revolutionary era, slavery and abolition, women’s suffrage, immigration, and more, with lesson plans, primary sources, virtual exhibits, and other classroom tools.
Benjamin Franklin, A Film by Ken Burns
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Explore the life, ideas, accomplishments, and complicated legacy of Benjamin Franklin through classroom resources connected to Ken Burns’ documentary. The collection provides educational materials that help students examine Franklin’s role in shaping the United States and his influence during the Revolutionary era.
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
“Civics Made Easy,” hosted by Ben Sheehan, breaks down the complexities of American government and civic participation, empowering viewers with essential knowledge to actively participate in their democracy. Each episode transforms complicated topics into clear and relatable lessons, making civics accessible and engaging for all.
George Washington and the American Revolution
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Dive into media-rich resources from George Washington’s Mount Vernon that highlight his role as a leader during the American Revolution. See the progress of the war through the actions and decisions of General George Washington, such as direct confrontation, military strategy, disease prevention, and spy techniques.
Grades: 9-12
Ken Burns and his collaborators have been creating historical documentary films for more than forty years. Known for a signature style that brings primary source documents, images, and archival video footage to life on screen, these films present the opportunity to pose thought-provoking questions for students, and introduce new ideas, perspectives, and primary sources. .
The Shot Heard ’Round the World
Grades: 9-12
The American Revolution: Youth Media Challenge invites students to explore the history of the American Revolution through storytelling, research, and media production. The challenge helps young people develop media literacy and critical-thinking skills while creating projects that connect the people, events, and ideas of the Revolution to the world around them.
The Shot Heard ’Round the World
Grades: 9-12
“The Shot Heard ’Round the World” collection chronicles the 19 years leading up to the American Revolution. Excerpted from the full-length documentary, these videos introduce students to the people and events in England and the 13 colonies that changed the course of history.
Grades: 9-12
Expand students’ understanding of U.S. History with engaging resources that bring the major people, events, and trends in history alive, while integrating often untold stories into the curriculum. Curated clips of trusted PBS programs and a diverse array of other media and interactive resources develop students’ historical thinking skills while broadening their appreciation of history’s multiple perspectives and complexity.
