How PBS Is Celebrating the Semiquincentennial (Exclusive)

Because the American federal authorities is popping its again on PBS, PBS is celebrating the republic.

PBS goes all-in on America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. You, in fact, know what that phrase means: the nation’s 250th birthday. From June 27-July 4, 2026, PBS will run a complete week of programming celebrating the milestone, which it’s calling “the biggest nationwide and native engagement effort in its historical past.” A bunch of programming within the months main as much as that week can also be within the works.

How a lot of will probably be funded by the tax {dollars} of viewers stays an open query.

The PBS America @ 250 idea was first introduced in 2024; The Hollywood Reporter can now announce the small print. The initiative shall be headlined by Ken Burns’ subsequent large doc, the six-part, 12-hour The American Revolution, however historical past buffs — and Burns buffs — already knew about that one.

New as we speak are its companion collection. On November 24, the community will debut A Extra Good Union: Inspiring Civic & Civil Conversations Throughout America, which airs following the Burns doc and “examines how we take into consideration America’s founding and the way the concepts and values articulated 250 years in the past stay related to conversations about governance as we speak.” On faucet for spring 2026 is a two-parter from BBC Studios, Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution. Worsley will dissect how the British Empire, essentially the most highly effective in historical past, misplaced the Battle of Independence towards “a ragtag band of American rebels.” Their jackets and line formation in all probability didn’t assist.

There’s extra — a lot extra.

Like, in summer time 2026, Antiques Roadshow will air a “250 Years of Americana” particular episode will function objects from 1775 by means of as we speak, and a journey by means of time through materials tradition.

And for the littlest patriots, PBS Youngsters will premiere Map Zappers, a brand new collection from Arkansas PBS that follows three peculiar youngsters who stumble throughout a museum exhibit that comprises artifacts from each U.S. state and territory. “After they by accident activate a chunk of expertise that teleports, or ‘zaps,’ all of the artifacts again to their hometown,” the Map Zappers logline reads, “the trio of mates journey throughout the nation, recovering the misplaced artifacts and studying about what it means to be an American alongside the best way.”

There will even be a particular new episode of Molly of Denali, plus new “civics-themed content material” from Rosie’s Guidelines and Alma’s Method. As a result of youngsters nowadays merely can’t get sufficient civics-themed content material.

“PBS America @ 250 is a rare enterprise, made doable by the dedication of our member stations, PBS LearningMedia, PBS Digital Studios, producers, and numerous others,” Paula Kerger, the president and CEO of PBS, advised THR. “I couldn’t be prouder of the highly effective content material rising from these collaborative efforts. Our nation’s historical past deserves to be honored, and thru this work, we’re doing simply that. PBS was made for this sort of nationwide reflection.”

Here’s a complete bunch extra PBS America @ 250 programming, with descriptions within the broadcast channel’s personal phrases:

Handwork: A Craft in America 250 Particular, a four-part collection, will have a good time 250 years of handmade artistry with the primary two episodes, “East” and “West,” premiering Dec. 19. Every episode is advised by means of the fingers of makers and explores ancestral traditions and fashionable innovation. Celebrating the importance of handcrafted objects in shaping and reflecting America’s numerous cultural heritage, these episodes are one a part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a multi-faceted, nationwide initiative organized by Craft in America. Exhibitions and neighborhood occasions shall be held nationwide in collaboration with PBS member stations, and academic applications for Okay-12 shall be obtainable on PBS LearningMedia.

Declarations of Independence, a documentary from Virginia Public Media, explores the American Revolution by means of the eyes of free and enslaved Black individuals within the 1700-1800s. It can premiere in summer time 2026.

Nice Performances “Suffs” based mostly on the Tony Award-winning musical created by Shaina Taub, tells the story of the passionate American ladies who fought for the appropriate to vote and explores the triumphs and failures of a wrestle for equality. It can premiere in spring 2026.

PBS will deliver again a number of American Expertise: Presidential Profiles, inspecting the historical past of the American presidency, along with a number of authentic movies. Capitol Concert events 2026 will function quite a lot of well-known musical artists to have a good time America.

Within the Margins, from PBS Digital Studios and WHYY, reveals lesser-known figures who made big impacts on the form of the nation and tells tales that develop our understanding of American historical past. Season 2 will premiere on June 25, on PBS Origins Channel.

Civics Made Straightforward is a digital collection hosted by creator Ben Sheehan that explains how the American authorities and the U.S. Structure work. Produced by Second Peninsula, the staff behind PBS’s Temporary however Spectacular, with assist from the Company for Public Broadcasting, the collection premieres June 26, on the PBS YouTube Channel.

There will even be native member station activations, together with: