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U.S. History
Learn about the American Revolution with Arizona PBS
Take part in a fascinating exploration of history and science as Arizona PBS commemorates the country’s 250th Anniversary. Explore the founding of the United States, peek into the past with “What Happened in AZ?”, learn about treasured artifacts and the history that defines America.
What happened in AZ?
Sons and Daughters: Proving Ancestry
The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution (SAR and DAR) are organizations dedicated to honoring the legacy of the patriots who fought in the American Revolution. To become a member, you have to trace direct ancestry to someone who fought in or supported the war. But how do you prove that kind of connection?
Learn about the American Revolution with PBS
a film by Ken Burns
The American Revolution
“The American Revolution,” a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, examines how thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired centuries of democratic movements around the globe.
‘Benjamin Franklin,’ a film by Ken Burns
Ken Burns’ two-part, four-hour documentary “Benjamin Franklin” explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.
stream now
SPONSOR MESSAGE:
Rogue History
The Colonial Mean Girl Who Almost Ended America
Was Peggy Shippen the real mastermind behind Benedict Arnold’s betrayal? Peggy successfully fooled the most powerful men in America, including George Washington, into believing she was just an innocent and naive creature. It wasn’t until 150 years later that her role in the plot was discovered, when pages of secret correspondence were uncovered.
Nova
Revolutionary War Weapons
How did a ragtag army defeat the most powerful army in the world to win American independence? Discover the key military technologies that helped propel the colonies to victory, from the Brown Bess musket to the world’s first military submarine.
ARIZONA Horizon
Author inspired by Founding Fathers’ pursuit of happiness
President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, Jeffrey Rosen, joined us to share what inspired him to write his book “The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America.” What started as a COVID reading project quickly spiraled to understanding the nation’s Founding Fathers’ beliefs on happiness and how it shaped our democracy.
SPONSOR MESSAGE:
A unique retelling of the stories of the American Revolution
We know about George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. But most Americans have never heard about Georgia mother Nancy Hart. During the American Revolution, Hart captured five British soldiers after getting them drunk off her homemade corn whiskey. And she’s not alone.
Student journalists at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU who are part of the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab are working on an interactive project telling the stories of ordinary people who stepped up during the Revolution.
Led by Retha Hill, Director of the Lab and also Professor of Practice at the Cronkite School, students discovered most of the names of these ordinary patriots are unknown except by their descendants and genealogists, who gladly shared these incredible stories with the students.
Like Elizabeth Freeman who sued for her freedom from a violent mistress; she not only won in a Massachusetts court but forced the state to reconsider slavery altogether.
These ordinary people were heroes of the American Revolution, now brought to life by the students. With the help of immersive technology and skillful journalism storytellers, ancestors in the third tier of interactivity will be represented as full 3D avatars that are capable of real time conversation.
Watch for information here as the project develops.
In the meantime, watch a video about the making of this unique student project.
Stand on the dock and take part in the Boston Tea Party
On Dec. 16, 1773, American colonists, disgruntled with the tax on products from England including tea, boarded a merchant vessel in the Boston Harbor and dumped crates of tea overboard. King George III was not happy, and ordered his troops in Massachusetts to seal off the city.
The Boston Tea Party is considered the opening volley that eventually led to the American Revolution.
Take part in a re-creation by students from the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab, part of their immersive look at the Revolution and the regular people who fought for freedom.
Stand on the dock in Boston Harbor in this interactive 3D rendering.
For more on the commemoration of the Boston Tea Party’s anniversary, visit December16.org.
Civic engagement and downloadable activities
Be a virtual volunteer
Help transcribe Library of Congress documents
Volunteers at the Library of Congress create and review transcriptions to improve search, access and discovery of pages from history. There are various campaigns to choose from, and anyone can contribute.
Lesson plans and activities for kids
classroom resources
Request a civic calendar
Looking for ways to support your learning all year long in the lead up to America’s 250th birthday? This free 2025–2026 Civic Calendar from The National Constitution Center is a month-by-month guide weaving the founding stories of the United States into lessons and discussions. Request your free calendar, and don’t miss their other lesson plans and classroom activities.
blog
Teaching the American Revolution in today’s society: Lessons for the 250th anniversary
The American Revolution is more than a series of battles and documents; it is a living story that continues to shape our nation. As we mark the 250th anniversary of this defining era, educators have a powerful opportunity to go beyond memorization and engage students in exploring how the Revolution’s ideals, conflicts and consequences remain relevant today.
downloadable activities
Being a kid during the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, children found joy in play just as kids do today. Using simple materials like corn husks, scraps of cloth, carved wood or stones, they created toys and games that sparked imagination and laughter. Our friends at WUCF have created how-to pages of how to make and play with simple toys of the American Revolution. Visit their website to download the activities.
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.
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