As the birthplace of the Revolution, Massachusetts is at the center of a national movement to acknowledge this historic moment. GBH’s America 250 efforts have four pillars: Convening, Content, Collaboration and Community. Anchoring our America 250 initiative is the content planned across every GBH program. From ANTIQUES ROADSHOW to The World, to NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, GBH News and more — with partners in Boston and across the Commonwealth, we are creating multi-platform content that connects to themes embedded in the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Explore the collection as it evolves from now until July 2026 and beyond.
Upcoming Events & Programs
SOLD OUT: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: An Evening with Ken Burns Presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra & GBH
Revolutionary War Weapons
Premieres April 9, 9PM
In 1775, a ragtag army of farmers and tradesmen defeated the most powerful army in the world to win American independence. What military technology did the American colonies use in their fight for freedom, and how did it help propel them to one of history’s most unlikely victories? Archeologists and historians uncover the real stories of innovation, skill, and strategy that determined the outcome of important battles. From the Brown Bess musket to the world’s first military submarine, get a closeup look at the powerful and sometimes ingenious weapons that helped win our independence. See the pre-show, which features a crossover with the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW team,
here
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From Colony to Commonwealth
From its harbors to its hills, Massachusetts ignited a revolution against the British crown 250 years ago. Our rolling series, From Colony to Commonwealth: Massachusetts and the American Revolution, reveals spectacular stories about that tumultuous path to self-governance.
More From GBH News
Coming Soon: AAPB and America 250
In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB) is proud to join the national effort to commemorate this milestone by reflecting on our nation’s past through the diverse stories, experiences, and accomplishments of Americans throughout history.
To mark this anniversary, the AAPB’s America 250 landing page will highlight pivotal moments in U.S. history and culture. Organized into three key themes—America’s Culture, American Innovation, and Civics, History, and America’s Future—this curated page features special collections, exhibits, and archival media materials that capture the nation’s rich and diverse legacy.
A collaboration between the Library of Congress and GBH, the AAPB was established in 2013 with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). As a national initiative to digitally preserve and provide access to historically significant public radio and television programs, the AAPB offers a growing archive of more than 200,000 programs, all freely available for streaming in the Online Reading Room.