As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Arkansas TV is taking part in the America250 commemoration with our local initiative, #ARVoicesAt250, a series of programs and initiatives that bring the story of the American Revolution and The Natural State into the present day.
#ARVoicesAt250 is sponsored in part by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, whose support helps Arkansas TV share these stories, scholarship and civic conversations that connect our state to the American experience.
Through conversations with historians, statewide educational projects, interactive timelines and hands-on efforts to preserve Revolutionary-era documents, Arkansans have explored not only the nation’s founding ideals, but also how those ideals continue to shape civic life today.
From classrooms and libraries to national broadcasts and community events, this milestone becomes more than a moment of reflection – it becomes an active invitation to engage with history, connect generations and consider what the American story means after 250 years. Learn more at arkansastv.gov/america250.
“ARKANSAS WEEK” CELEBRATES AMERICA250
As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this special edition of “Arkansas Week” explores the history of the American Revolution, Arkansas's role in the national celebration and the importance of preserving that legacy for future generations.
Host Steve Barnes is joined by historians Dr. Vaughn Scribner of the University of Central Arkansas and Dr. Tom DeBlack, professor emeritus at Arkansas Tech University, for a conversation about the Revolution, the founding of the United States, and the enduring impact of the nation's beginnings.
The program also highlights Arkansas's yearlong semi quincentennial commemoration through a discussion with Arkansas250 Commission members Secretary Shea Lewis and Dr. Ken Warden, who outline educational resources, statewide initiatives and opportunities for public participation. The special concludes with Arkansas TV Youth Engagement Coordinator Bella Kerby, who shares ideas for connecting younger generations with history and encouraging them to engage with America's story through learning, community involvement and civic participation.
DEFINING MOMENTS IN ARKANSAS HISTORY
Learn about Arkansas’s rich history and explore the moments that shaped who we are today. Our interactive timeline invites you to reflect on our shared story – both as a nation and in Arkansas – as we journey toward our nation’s anniversary. Take a look at the interactive map at arkansastv.gov/america250, or download the timeline and the map.
HANDS-ON HISTORY WITH TRANSCRIBE-A-THON EVENTS
Arkansas TV and the Arkansas Center for the Book, a program of the Arkansas State Library, held several Transcribe-A-Thon events at libraries and colleges across the state from October through June. Each event included clips of the documentary, “The American Revolution,” directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Then, participants helped transcribe Revolutionary-era documents through the Library of Congress’s "By the People" project, preserving stories of the past and ensuring they remain accessible for future generations.
This was a unique opportunity to step into America’s founding era, deepen civic understanding and play a direct role in a nationwide effort. Interested participants can continue to transcribe documents from the comfort of their own home at crowd.loc.gov. No account is needed to transcribe documents such as letters of correspondence, military records, financial papers, musical cue sheets, poems and speeches, essays and articles and autobiographical works.
NATIONAL PROGRAMMING YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
As part of the national America250 celebration, several special broadcasts and cultural programs are airing across Independence Day weekend, offering different reflections on the nation’s founding through music, performance and historical storytelling.
“A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration – airs Friday, July 3, at 8:30 p.m.
Join host Alfonso Ribeiro alongside performers Chicago, conductor Jack Everly, The National Symphony Orchestra, The Choral Arts Society of Washington, Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music, The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, Joint Armed Forces Chorus, United States Army Presidential Salute Battery and The Military District of Washington as they celebrate.
“America In Song: A Concordia Celebration” – airs Saturday, July 4, at 6 p.m.
From spirituals and hymns to Broadway and contemporary classics, America in Song: A Concordia Celebration explores the melodies that have shaped the nation’s story. Filmed from California to New York, this sweeping musical event from Concordia University Irvine reflects on liberty, hope, struggle, and unity through the power of song.
“America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together” – airs Saturday, July 4, at 7 p.m.
Celebrate the nation’s semi-quincentennial with a star-filled tribute set in the revolutionary capitol of Colonial of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Blending live performance, music, historical interpretation, and large-scale visual spectacle to create an inspiring national event that connects the nation’s founding to the present day, the special is designed as both a celebration and a unifying national moment.
“The American Revolution”
"The American Revolution," a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series on America's founding struggle, will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat, and the crisis that they lived through. By weaving together accounts of the American political leaders and their British counterparts with the perspectives of the so-called ordinary people who waged and witnessed war, "The American Revolution" will be an expansive, evenhanded look at the virtues and the contradictions in the fight for independence and the birth of the United States. Watch “The American Revolution” on PBS Passport.
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.
GET INVOLVED
Be a part of the conversation using #ARVoicesAt250.
Check arkansastv.gov/schedule for America250-related programming.
Learn more at arkansastv.gov/america250.