Earlier this month, we celebrated the U.S.’s 249th birthday. You can continue the celebration all month long on Arkansas PBS Passport with programming that showcases the historical figures, culture, outdoors, iconic symbols and travel that make up our nation. As we head into the year of our semi-sesquicentennial next July, be on the lookout for events, programming and more from Arkansas PBS.
Take a trip to the moon with Apollo 11; hear songs written and performed by music’s biggest stars; visit the outdoors with Baratunde Thurston; see the story of nine working-class men as they take America by storm and win the gold in rowing at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin; and finally, learn the history of baseball through the lens of the heroes, hopefuls, scoundrels and screwballs of the game.
HOW TO WATCH
Members who contribute a tax-deductible gift of at least $5 per month, or an annual gift of $60 or more, are eligible for Arkansas PBS Passport – an extended, on-demand library of your favorite PBS shows, films and specials.
As a reminder, you can watch anywhere, anytime on myarkansaspbs.org, or by using the PBS app, available on your TV, phone or tablet.
American Culture and Identity
"8 Days: To the Moon and Back" – Join Apollo 11 on its historic journey. The film seamlessly blends mission audio featuring conversations among Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins with new footage, NASA archive and stunning CGI to recreate the first moon landing.
"America: The Land We Live In" – Take a modern-day adventure to rediscover America’s hidden treasures, forgotten national wonders and rich history through the lens of a 19th-century travelogue called “Picturesque America.” Follow the clues in the epic tales to uncover the “then and now” of each 150-year-old location, while also discovering the culture, history and beauty in each place.
"Charlie Russell's Old West" – No one played a larger role in mythologizing the cowboy’s place in American culture than Charles M. Russell. Explore his art and life as he witnessed and documented the end of the Wild West's open range and America's entry into the 20th Century.
Only on Passport:
"A Capitol Fourth 2025"
"The Great American Read"
"Iconic America"
"NOVA: Revolutionary War Weapons"
"PBS American Portrait"
Art, Music and Expression
"American Anthems" – This new six-part series celebrates the inspiring efforts of individuals facing extraordinary circumstances with surprise songs written and performed by music's biggest stars. Each episode features a different artist, including Grammy Award-winning country artist Jennifer Nettles, as they transform a local hero’s story into a powerful and deeply personal anthem.
"Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise" – Celebrate the story and lasting impact of this iconic institution through inspiring stories of faith and democracy with a stirring performance of “Wynton Marsalis' All Rise” and appearances by Kathryn Hahn, Kwame Alexander, Misty Copeland and more.
Only on Passport:
"American Masters Hopper: An American Love Story"
"Circus"
"Craft in America"
"United in Song: Celebrating the American Dream"
Food, Travel and Regional Stories
"America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston" – The best-selling writer, podcaster and comedian travels the country to uncover our complex relationship with the outdoors.
"The Great American Recipe" – Home cooks from different regions of the U.S. showcase their signature dishes and compete to win the national search for “The Great American Recipe.”
Only on Passport:
"A Few Great Bakeries"
"Lidia Celebrates America"
"No Passport Required"
"Great Muslim American Road Trip"
History and Heritage
"American Experience: Boys of '36" – The story of nine working-class young men from the University of Washington who took the rowing world and America by storm when they captured gold at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Their unexpected victory, against not only the Ivy League teams of the East Coast, but also Adolf Hitler's elite German rowers, gave hope to a nation struggling to emerge from the depths of the Great Depression.
"American Experience: The Gilded Age" – Meet the titans and barons of the glittering late 19th century, whose materialistic extravagance contrasted harshly with the poverty of the struggling workers who challenged them. The vast disparities between them sparked debates still raging today.
"Journey to America: With Newt and Callista Gingrich" – For generations, immigrants from around the world have come to America with the hope of realizing the American dream. Their stories are united by the shared belief in the founding principles of our nation. "Journey to America: With Newt and Callista Gingrich" features inspiring immigrant stories from those who have come to the United States and excelled.
"The White House: Inside Story" – It's America's most iconic residence – a symbol of national history and an icon of democracy. From the Oval Office to the family dining room, through national crises and world wars, the 200-year story of the White House is the story of America itself.
Only on Passport:
“10 That Changed America”
"American Experience: The American Vice President"
"American Experience: The Presidents: LBJ"
"American Experience: The Presidents: Reagan"
"American Experience Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History"
"Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale"
"Constitution USA with Peter Sagal"
"Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip"
Ken Burns Films
"Baseball" – The story of “Baseball” is the story of America. It is an epic overflowing with heroes and hopefuls, scoundrels and screwballs. It is a saga spanning the quest for racial justice, the clash of labor and management, the transformation of popular culture, and the unfolding of the national pastime.
"Country Music" – Explore the history of country music – from its roots in ballads, hymns and the blues to its mainstream popularity – and meet the unforgettable characters and storytellers who made it “America’s Music.” Directed by Ken Burns.
"Mark Twain" – In his time, Mark Twain was considered the funniest man on earth. Yet he was also an unflinching critic of human nature, using his humor to attack hypocrisy, greed and racism. In this series, Ken Burns has created an illuminating portrait of the man who is also one of the greatest writers in American history.
"The National Parks: America’s Best Idea" – Filmed over six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, the film is a story of people from every conceivable background – rich and poor, soldiers and scientists, natives and newcomers – who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.
Only on Passport:
"The Address"
"The American Buffalo"
"Benjamin Franklin"
"Brooklyn Bridge"
"The Congress"
"Frank Lloyd Wright"
"Hemingway"
"Jazz"
"The Roosevelts: An Intimate History"
"The Statue of Liberty"
"The Tenth Inning"
"The West"
"Thomas Jefferson"
HOW TO WATCH
Members who contribute a tax-deductible gift of at least $5 per month, or an annual gift of $60 or more, are eligible for Arkansas PBS Passport – an extended, on-demand library of your favorite PBS shows, films and specials.
As a reminder, you can watch anywhere, anytime on myarkansaspbs.org, or by using the PBS app, available on your TV, phone or tablet.