Happy birthday, America. Nearly 250 years ago, delegates representing the Thirteen Colonies met in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence, severing America’s ties with Great Britain. It’s a monumental moment in American history, which is why there will be many celebrations across the country this weekend. If you have some free time over the holiday weekend, it’s the perfect time to stream a documentary focused on America’s 250th anniversary.
Our number one pick on this list comes from Ken Burns, one of this country’s leading documentary filmmakers. Burns addressed the war that shaped the future of this country. Some of our other featured picks include a Netflix documentary about American history and an informative series about an American founding father.
The American experiment
The history of American democracy.
What is the American experiment? For starters, it’s the title of Netflix’s five-part documentary about the birth of the United States and its founding principles. It all comes down to one question: Can people govern themselves? We’re still trying to answer that question almost 250 years later.
The American experiment covers defining moments in this country’s early history, including the Revolutionary War, the signing of the Constitution, and the presidency of George Washington. Since we can’t talk to the founding fathers of the United States, the documentary interviews politicians, historians and professors about democracy and its current state. With speakers on both sides of the aisle, things get interesting.
The American experiment is now transmitting on Netflix.
A Star-Spangled Banner: A Battle for America
The United States anthem takes center stage
How many of you know the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner”? This is a safe space, so be honest with yourself. According A Star-Spangled Banner: A Battle for Americaonly about 40% of all American citizens know all the words. It is true that it is a difficult song to sing. However, knowing how the song came about might allow you to better appreciate the lyrics.
The documentary examines how lawyer Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to what would become the United States National Anthem. Key found inspiration for the poem during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Now you’ll learn why the bombs exploded in the air, along with the remaining meaning behind the lyrics.
A Star-Spangled Banner: A Battle for America is available on Paramount+.
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RockuOS
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Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, Wi-Fi
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The American Revolution
Ken Burns addresses this influential war
Honestly, all six spots on this list could have gone to Burns’ documentaries. The award-winning filmmaker has covered many integral moments in American history. I opted to spread the wealth and highlight a few other movies and shows, but I couldn’t leave Burns off this list entirely.
In 2025, Burns created The American Revolutionsix parts pbs program about the time before, during and after the Revolutionary War. From the American colonists’ initial conflicts with the British to the war that created the United States, Burns’ documentary is an intelligent, informative, and somewhat surprising account of our great revolution. You’ll always learn something new in a Burns documentary.
The American Revolution is now transmitting on PBS.
The American Revolution
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2025 – 2025-00-00
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PBS
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Ken Burns, David Schmidt, Sarah Botstein
Washington
The nation’s first president takes center stage
I’m a fan of documentaries that combine interviews with historical recreations. You have a historian talk about a certain topic and then actors act out what was just said. It’s the best of both worlds. WashingtonA three-part series, it features narration by Jeff Daniels, expert interviews, and dramatic reenactments of moments involving American hero George Washington.
Each episode is divided into three sections of Washington’s life: a loyal subject of England, the commander in chief of the Continental Army, and the first president of the United States. Knowing Washington as a war hero and political champion, I understand why the Father of his Country is still considered a giant hero.
Look Washington on Netflix.
Benjamin Franklin
An American icon revisited
Burns’ second inclusion on the list involves Benjamin Franklin, another Founding Father who played an influential role in the birthplace of this country. “The First American” was an intellectual and visionary who had a great influence on the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The voice cast includes Mandy Patinkin as Benjamin Franklin, Josh Lucas as William Franklin, Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Liam Neeson as Alexander Wedderburn.
Franklin is a fascinating figure who lived many lives. This was a man who stood out as an author, scientist and inventor. Move over, Dos Equis man. Franklin might have been the original “most interesting man in the world.”
Benjamin Franklin is now transmitting on PBS.
Thomas Jefferson
The notary who changed the country
Not all American heroes led troops into battle during the Revolutionary War. Some let their words speak and used a pen as a weapon. Thomas Jefferson, A six-part documentary, it follows the life of the titular aristocrat, from his upbringing in Virginia to his time as the third president of the United States.
I appreciate how the documentary presents Jefferson’s entire story, both the good and the bad. For one thing, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. On the other hand, Jefferson was a slave owner. The series does an admirable job of examining the entirety of Jefferson’s complex and historical legacy.
Thomas Jefferson now streaming on Netflix.
Looking for more TV shows and movies to watch?
You’ve come to the right place for more streaming recommendations. If you like documentaries, Check out some of the best from the last monthincluding Elvis Presley in concert on Paramount+ and Netflix Michael Jackson: the verdict. Also, make sure watch the last season of the bear It’s Hulu.
