America’s 250th anniversary presents a unique opportunity to have a national conversation about the significance of our nation's founding. NWPB is proud to engage with our audiences during this important milestone.
With the release of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION series in fall 2025, NWPB hosted local screening and community conversation events and created an original short film, "America? Reflections on 250 Years," featuring Northwest residents reflecting on themes of liberty, freedom, independence, and democracy.
Together, we can seek a deeper understanding of how our shared history is relevant today and is shaping our future. Funding for this program was provided, in part, by a community engagement grant from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION project.
Ways to watch The American Revolution
According to PBS, The American Revolution will be available to all viewers in the U.S. through July 12, 2026. PBS Passport members will be able to watch through Nov. 15, 2032.
- PBS Passport (Membership required)
- PBS App
- watch.nwpb.org
- PBS.org
Local reflections on 250 years
NWPB asked people across Washington what the American Revolution—and America today—mean to them. From reflections on independence, taxes, and the Revolutionary War to candid thoughts about freedom, opportunity, diversity, fear, and pride, Northwest residents shared their honest, unscripted perspectives on the country’s past and future.
"...It’s a surprising and deeply relevant story, one that is hugely important to understanding who we are as a country and a people. The Revolution changed how we think about government – creating new ideas about liberty, freedom, and democracy.” - Sarah Botstein, Filmmaker
What is tribal sovereignty?
NWPB, together with Whitman College, hosted ‘The American Revolution and Tribal Sovereignty: A Screening & Community Conversation' in fall 2025 featuring keynote speaker J.D. Tovey, executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), as well as panelists Joel Satterwhite, Whitman College Šináata Scholar, and Miracle Edmiston, CTUIR Senior Youth Leadership Council vice chair.
Examining the American Revolution
NWPB, together with Washington State University Tri-Cities, hosted ‘The American Revolution: Screening & Community Conversation' in fall 2025 featuring presentations by storyteller Arthur Broady and keynote speaker Lawrence B. A. Hatter, WSU Associate Professor of History.
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.