The American Revolution

[dpep]

For any of you who have not already heard about it, Ken Burns is presenting The American Revolution on PBS in a multipart series starting one week from today, Sunday, November 16th. I think most of us are old enough to remember how transfixed the whole country was by The Civil War series that came to us now 35 years ago (can you believe it's been 35 years?)

Obviously to coincide with the 250th birthday of the nation in 2026 and probably could not have come at a better time in our history. I know where I am going to be every evening next week.

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution/

[Baatfam]

Thanks Don, I'll enjoy that.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Yes. When it comes time to make a doc on Ken Burns, who would be worthy?

[Buffalo Bill]

I had relatives in that war, on both sides.
Funny, I'm just thinking how this series might light up some trolls,

[storm 64]

dpep, you gave me a idea...

I think next summer, "Summer of 2026" would be a great time to tour the New England States and visit some of the Revolutionary War places of interest.

I remember the Bicentennial 1976 it was a big to do. I'm sure 250 years will be the same... maybe.

[Nessism]

Ken Burns is the BEST! Love his work.

I truly hope his work continues to be properly funded. With the big PBS cutback, it's something that worries me.

And sorry for the somewhat political comment. Please, let's not turn this thread towards politics.

I have fast internet, but no cable TV connection. An antenna on the roof provides me what I need in terms of TV coverage. And speaking of that, there are several PBS channels I can receive. It's the bulk of my (very minimal) watchage. I will go out of my way to watch Ken Burns, though.

[GS1150Pilot]

Burns is the industry gold standard. I love his UNUM Project, too.

[Rob S.]

Ken Burns is the BEST! Love his work.

I truly hope his work continues to be properly funded. With the big PBS cutback, it's something that worries me.

Couldn't agree more.

[allojohn]

Hopefully Peter Coyote is the narrator...

[dpep]

Ken Burns is the BEST! Love his work.

I truly hope his work continues to be properly funded. With the big PBS cutback, it's something that worries me.

And sorry for the somewhat political comment. Please, let's not turn this thread towards politics.

I have fast internet, but no cable TV connection. An antenna on the roof provides me what I need in terms of TV coverage. And speaking of that, there are several PBS channels I can receive. It's the bulk of my (very minimal) watchage. I will go out of my way to watch Ken Burns, though.

Ed and I don't always share the same opinion, but this post could easily have been written by me, word for word.

I have fiber optic internet but only antenna TV which I watch sparingly. And when I do it is almost exclusively PBS--documentaries and science programs primarily (though British mystery shows are my guilty pleasure).

The concern that in today's environment just the continued existence of Burn's work could be considered political is one I also had before starting this thread. It confirmed for me the need to start a similar thread in Vortex to hold the most directly political commentary which I have done.

And enough good cannot be said about Ken Burns' work. Before him history for most Americans consisted of pages in a book. After him it is real live people doing real live things just like we do today. Because of Burns we know historical figures; we don't just know OF historical figures.

The funding concern I also share. I read somewhere that this American Revolution series was seven years in the making. In today's media world that kind of investment of resources could have only been made by public broadcasting. But with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting defunded and in the prcess of dissolution any future for this kind of programming falls squarely on the local PBS/NPR station affiliates. If you are not a member of your local public broadcasting affiliate I strongly urge you to join and contribute. The streaming services included with your membership make it an excellent deal even before the public good you will be doing. Be generous. We have a billion dollars to make up.

[Nessism]

Hey dpep

If you haven't read this, please do so. It's the gold standard, next to Burn's work. I promise, you won't be disappointed...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_War

[storm 64]

After doing a quick search.
Yes, next summer between Memorial Day and 4th of July.
There will be a bunch of things going on across America to celebrate the Sesquicentennial.

They're billing it as "America 250"
Stickers, hats, tee shirts... all for sale now.
I'm excited about it!

[trevor]

Ken Burns....another thing you can thank PBS for.

I love Ken Burns!

Fun fact...he's on Stephen Colbert tonight.

[Rob S.]

Stephen Colbert tonight.

I thought he was in the gulag...

[Cipher]

After doing a quick search.
Yes, next summer between Memorial Day and 4th of July.
There will be a bunch of things going on across America to celebrate the Sesquicentennial.

They're billing it as "America 250"
Stickers, hats, tee shirts... all for sale now.
I'm excited about it!

It r the Semiquincentennial