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Now PlayingIntroduction: The First Ten Minutes of Episode 1
Clip | 9m 39s | The American Revolution will be a war that will pit brother against brother – and birth a nation.
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Now PlayingEpisode 1: In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775)
Episode 1 | 116m 9s | Political protest escalates into violence. War gives thirteen colonies a common cause.
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Now PlayingOfficial Trailer | The Revolution that Changed the World
Official Trailer | 2m 20s | THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new six-part, 12-hour documentary from Ken Burns.
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Now PlayingEpisode 2: An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776)
Episode 2 | 124m 18s | Washington takes command of the Continental Army. Congress declares American independence.
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Now PlayingEpisode 3: The Times That Try Men’s Souls (July 1776 – January 1777)
Episode 3 | 114m 35s | Washington abandons New York City and flees across New Jersey, before attacking Trenton.
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Now PlayingEpisode 4: Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778)
Episode 4 | 115m 38s | Philadelphia falls, but the American victory at Saratoga allows France to enter the war.
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Now PlayingEpisode 5: The Soul of All America (December 1777 – May 1780)
Episode 5 | 113m 53s | The war drags on and moves to new theaters: at sea, in Indian Country, and in the South.
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Now PlayingEpisode 6: The Most Sacred Thing (May 1780 – Onward)
Episode 6 | 130m 41s | Victory at Yorktown secures independence. Americans aspire for a more perfect union.
About the Film
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.
Featured Experiences
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INTERACTIVE
Play MOMENTS: The Revolutionary War Card Game
Use your knowledge of Revolutionary-era moments to build a timeline of real historical events.
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INTERACTIVE
Explore the War's Major Battles
Explore historic battles and discover notable figures, strategies, and moments that shaped American history.
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INTERACTIVE
The Journey of a Soldier
Follow the journey of 15-year-old Joseph Plumb Martin, who enlisted in 1776.
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INTERACTIVE
The Journey of a Fifer
Follow the journey of John Greenwood, who served as a fifer in the Continental Army at age 15.
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INTERACTIVE
Multimedia Timeline of the War
Explore key events that lead up to and took place during the American Revolution.
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ARTICLE
American Revolution By the Numbers
American Revolution factoids, battles, casualties numbers, and more that might surprise you.
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ARTICLE
The Road to War
Learn more about the rising tensions leading up to the American Revolution.
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ARTICLE
Key Figures from the American Revolution
Learn more about the people of the American Revolution.
Events
Explore The Revolution
How to Watch
Thirteen colonies unite in rebellion, win their independence, and found the United States.
The American Revolution is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Stream The American Revolution on pbs.org Download the PBS AppAdditional Resources
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PBS LEARNINGMEDIA
Bring the American Revolution into the Classroom
Explore standards-aligned lessons and videos inspired by the film.
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RESOURCES
Explore The American Revolution Resource Center
Engagement Resource Center is a hub designed to support public media stations, community organizations, educators, and individuals around The American Revolution.