Celebrating Independence Day & America’s 250th Anniversary

Watch America 250 Specials and Performances Celebrating Independence Day

This Independence Day, celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with PBS North Carolina! Watch performances and tributes from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and Colonial Williamsburg, then dive into North Carolina’s own Revolutionary roots with the special NC Weekend: America250 Celebration. Round out this important milestone with documentaries and programs that bring fresh perspectives and even some science to our understanding of American history. 

Find films and specials honoring Independence Day and our nation’s history on PBS NC and the PBS app. 

Enjoy a whole day of special programs to celebrate Independence Day, Saturday, July 4th on PBS NC. See the list below for programs and broadcast times.

• 6 AM – Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes: Innovators
• 7 AM – Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes: Leaders
• 8 AM – Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes: Artists
• 9 AM – Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes: Athletes
• 10 AM – NC Weekend's "America 250 Celebration"
• 10:30 AM – Travels with Darley's "North Carolina Revolutionary Road Trip"
• 11 AM – Savors of Flavor's "It's a Great Pumpkin"
• 11:30 AM – Taste of History
• 12 PM – America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston
• 1 PM – George H. White: Searching for Freedom
• 1:30 PM – A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story
• 3 PM – The Playmaker: The Story of Paul Green
• 4:30 PM – PBS News Presents "Bruce Springsteen: Finding America in Song"
• 5 PM – Sci NC's "Historical Science"
• 5:30 PM – NC Weekend: America250 Celebration
• 6 PM – Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution, episode 1, "The Break Up"
• 7 PM – Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution, episode 2, "A Messy Divorce"
• 8 PM & 10 PM – America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together

America Made In Virginia: 250 Years Together

A star-filled tribute to America’s Semiquincentennial from revolutionary Colonial Williamsburg. Featuring live performance, historic interpretation, large-scale spectacle and fireworks. This is the place where the path to independence truly began.

Watch America Made In Virginia: 250 Years Together, Saturday, 7/4, 8 PM & 10 PM and Sunday, 7/5, 6 PM on PBS NC. 

NC WEEKEND

America250 Celebration

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we explore Revolutionary sites across the state, walking the same paths taken by patriot soldiers and their families. Join us as we travel through time from prehistoric landscapes that fueled the British Navy and a frontier town shaped by a medieval reformer, to an augmented reality experience that brings Revolutionary battlefields to life.

Watch NC Weekend: America250 Celebration Thursday, 7/2, 9 PM, Friday, 7/3, 5 PM, Sunday, 7/5, 6 PM, and Saturday, 7/4, 10 AM & 5:41 PM on PBS NC. 

Homegrown History

In North Carolina, the American Revolution looked more like a civil war—with neighbors fighting neighbors and families torn apart. This history is rarely in the textbooks. We visit rural counties throughout the state, go deep into local archives and listen to communities who share their stories for the first time. Join us as we uncover Revolutionary War stories unlike any we’ve ever heard.

Watch Homegrown History, Thursday, 7/16, 8 PM on PBS NC. 

Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War

In 1776, the Founders’ promise of “all men are created equal” remained distant for many. Trace the heroic stories of the enslaved and freed Black Americans who fought to define democracy and their liberty through the Revolutionary War.

Watch Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War, Monday, 6/29, 10 PM on PBS NC and on the PBS app.

A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration

A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration kicks off America’s birthday! Broadcasting live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building, with all-star musical performances including the debut of country music icon Trace Adkin’s new song “American Made,” and spectacular fireworks from Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. 

Watch A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration, Friday, 7/3, 8 PM & 9:30 PM on PBS NC and the PBS app.

The American Revolution: A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Bolstein & David Schmidt

Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an eight-year war to secure their independence, and establish a new form of government that would inspire democratic movements at home and around the globe. What begins as a political clash between colonists and the British government grows into a bloody struggle that will engage more than two dozen nations and forever change the world.

Watch The American Revolution, Saturdays, starting 6/27, 8 PM on the NC Channel. Streaming now for free on the PBS app through Sunday, 7/12. Watch with PBS NC Passport starting Monday, 7/13.

LUCY WORSLEY INVESTIGATES

The American Revolution

Lucy Worsley investigates one of history’s most explosive break-ups: the 18th-century split between Britain and its 13 North American colonies.

Watch Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution, Saturday, 7/4, 6:08 PM on PBS NC. Streaming now on the PBS app only with PBS NC Passport.

Rogue History

It’s been said that history is written by those in power. But what about the outlaws, outcasts and rogues? What if they had their say? Rogue History, a digital series produced by PBS Digital Studios and PBS North Carolina, shakes the dust off the history books to unravel myths, unearth narratives, and discover fresh perspectives.

Watch Rogue History, streaming now on the PBS app and YouTube.

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.

Watch NOVA's "Revolutionary War Weapons," Wednesday, 7/1, 9 PM on PBS NC. Streaming now on the PBS app with PBS NC Passport. Stream for free, Wednesday, 7/1 through 7/29.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW

250 Years of Americana

Antiques Roadshow discoveries reflecting 250 years of American art, artifacts, crafts and collectibles. One valuable treasure reaches $300K!

Watch Antiques Roadshow's "250 Years of Americana," Wednesday, 7/1, 3 PM on PBS NC. Streaming now for free on the PBS app with PBS NC Passport. Streaming for free between Monday, 6/29 through 7/27. 

Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes

Celebrate American artists, leaders, athletes and innovators with Xavier, Yadina, and Brad as they travel back in time to meet famous historical Americans.

Watch Xavier Riddle Celebrates American Heroes, Saturday, 7/4,  12 PM-5 PM on Rootle PBS KIDS and 6 AM-10 AM on PBS NC.

City Island: USA!

City Island features a civics curriculum, highlighting topics like cooperation, conflict resolution, and city planning, helping to foster young viewers’ understanding of how cities and communities work.

Watch City Island, streaming now on the PBS KIDS Video app, YouTube and online.

America's Awesome Kids

America’s Awesome Kids is a series of live-action shorts specially designed for children ages 4-8. From bustling cities to quiet towns, each episode explores the unique traits that make every young American special while highlighting the similarities that bring us all together.

Watch America’s Awesome Kids, streaming now on the PBS KIDS Video app, YouTube and online.