The newest documentary from Ken Burns, The American Revolution, takes a look at the war that founded America like you’ve never seen before. By approaching history through the perspectives of previously underrepresented voices, the founding of our nation takes on new meaning. It offers a deeper understanding of how people of all ages, races, and backgrounds played a role in shaping our country, even kids!

Documentarians

The American Revolution filmmakers, David Schmidt, Sarah Botstein, and Ken Burns

This six-part series premieres November 16, 2025, and airs nightly through November 21, 2025. All episodes will also be available to stream.

To support this documentary and the focus on our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday, PBS LearningMedia has curated an incredible collection of resources appropriate for all K–12 classrooms.

American Revolution Battle

  • All resources are curriculum-aligned and connected to themes in the film.
  • Designed for all grade levels, more than 35 resources bring history to life in your classroom.
  • Materials include primary source analysis, critical thinking practice, and opportunities for students to explore cause-and-effect relationships.
  • Created by teachers and vetted by content experts, these resources are ready for immediate use.
  • Resources support inquiry-based learning.
  • Organized by topic, the collection can also be browsed by unit.

 

As we prepare to mark America’s semiquincentennial, encourage your students to reflect on the uniqueness of the United States, the privilege of citizenship, and the hard-won freedoms we enjoy thanks to those who dared to be bold not so long ago. Explore this wealth of resources today!