This momentous milestone is marked by Detroit PBS initiatives including ‘Destination Detroit,’ which explores the rich history of those who have shaped Southeast Michigan; ‘Reading Road Trip,’ a state-to-state literary adventure; and the premiere of the new PBS documentary, ‘The American Revolution,’ from award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, among others.

To learn more about ‘Destination Detroit,’ visit here

Watch ‘The American Revolution’ preview here

Wixom, MI (June 30, 2025) – As part of a yearlong effort to commemorate our country’s Semiquincentennial, Detroit PBS is proudly showcasing a collection of programming that reflects on our 250-year history, captures the rich tapestry of American stories, celebrates the resilience and patriotism of our citizens, and explores the evolving narrative of our nation.

Detroit PBS is firmly tethered to its mission of serving the people of Southeast Michigan by amplifying the voices of their communities and ensuring their stories are told. Earlier this year we launched a special project called “Destination Detroit” which accomplishes this aim and aligns with America250 by sharing personal stories from community members of how they came to land in Michigan and the lives they built once they arrived.

 

“Destination Detroit”

“Destination Detroit” captures the complex and captivating history of the people who have shaped Southeast Michigan through a collection of interviews and stories. Drawn by auto industry jobs and other opportunities, hundreds of thousands of people moved to the region for a better life, transforming it into an industrial and cultural hub. The “Destination Detroit” project tells the region’s evolving story — connecting the past, the present, and the future through community voices, powerful storytelling, live discussions and immersive experiences.

As part of the initiative, One Detroit has invited the public to share personal histories on video and explain why their families came to the area. The series was launched in February 2025 at The Station at Michigan Central.

Then In May, One Detroit collaborated with the Vietnamese American Association of Michigan to gather oral histories at an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Members of the local Vietnamese American community shared stories of their families’ migration to the U.S. after the Vietnam War.  

“Destination Detroit” will continue to collect stories from community members through Detroit PBS’ America 250 celebration in 2026, which honors Detroit’s role in shaping the nation. 

“What better way to tell the story of Detroit and what better way to honor what is coming up as America250 then to tell Detroit’s story and the story of Southeast Michigan through the lens of all the people that came here, all looking for a better life, all looking to move up that ladder,” said Detroit PBS VP of Content, Ed Moore. “It’s an ambitious undertaking so we enlisted the aid of our friends from the Detroit Historical Museum and the Charles Wright to help us.”

“The Wright Museum has tried to take stories from a lived perspective by really listening to the people who actually were here then — those who have lived and worked in the city — and elevate those stories so that we have a complete perspective of what it meant to be in Detroit, to be from Detroit, and the impact Detroit has had on the United States,” said Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Charles H Wright Museum.

To learn more about “Destination Detroit,” visit here.

 

“America’s Story: A Reading Road Trip”

• Detroit PBS’ national platform, PBS Books is collaborating with the Library of Congress Center for the Book to bring this new initiative to life, beginning in September. The series invites viewers to experience the rich fabric of American life by exploring the books that have shaped our culture and celebrate the power of storytelling that unites us.
• This educational yet fun-filled series of digital lifestyle programs takes viewers on a journey that inspires our nation’s literary heritage. It explores book culture from state to state, interviewing Center for the Book directors, authors, librarians, and more.Stay tuned for details.

 

“The American Revolution”

Then on Sunday, Nov. 16 beginning at 8 p.m., Detroit PBS will debut the highly anticipated, “The American Revolution,” the latest documentary series from the foremost chronicler of the American experience, Ken Burns. The film was designed to engage the country and inspire conversations around history and civics. This six-part, 12-hour series explores the country’s founding struggles and its eight-year war for independence.

It takes an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, following dozens of figures from differing backgrounds. Through their individual stories, viewers experience the war through the memories of the men and women who experienced it. 

 

“PBS Books’ America250 Reading List”

In honor of Independence Day, PBS Books is proud to release a special America250 Reading List on July 4. This thoughtfully curated collection invites readers of all ages to take a literary journey through the events that shaped our nation’s founding and led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Featuring nonfiction titles for history enthusiasts, immersive historical fiction for story lovers, and engaging children’s books for young readers, this list offers something for everyone looking to reflect on the roots of American freedom. 

 

“Visions of America”

PBS Books previously produced programming in honor of America250 in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). “Visions of America: All Stories, All People, All Places,” a digital-first series of videos and virtual conversations, explores our nation with a renewed interest in the places, people, and stories that have contributed to the America we live in today.

Some of the conversations included an examination of America’s founding documents; the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of desegregating the U.S. armed forces; and in-depth look at unique places that added to the rich texture of our history such as the Freedom Tower in Miami, the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, 18th & Vine District in Kansas City, and locally, the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.

To watch the Visions of America series on demand, visit here.

 

PBS programming

PBS is commemorating the country’s 250th Anniversary with content exploring how the U.S. came together and showcasing its rich history, treasured artifacts, and performances and art that define America.  To watch PBS programming, visit the PBS playlist here.

 

About the America250 Initiative

The America250 effort was spearheaded by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, a nonpartisan Commission established by Congress in 2016, to orchestrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  The multi-year effort runs through July 4, 2026.