UNUM Ken Burns
@unumkenburns.bsky.social
UNUM is digital destination by filmmaker Ken Burns providing historical context to today’s issues and sparking conversation.
The American Revolution film doesn’t end with the British surrender at Yorktown. One of the places it continues is Fraunces Tavern in New York City. For UNUM on the Road, Ken Burns explains why.
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The American Revolution film doesn’t end with the British surrender at Yorktown. One of the places it continues is Fraunces Tavern in New York City. For UNUM on the Road, Ken Burns explains why.
The first US veterans were farmers, laborers, and tradesmen. Washington called their endurance a “standing miracle.” On Veterans Day, we honor every generation that has carried that same resolve.
A clip from our upcoming film, The American Revolution (on PBS Nov. 16).
A clip from our upcoming film, The American Revolution (on PBS Nov. 16).
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The first US veterans were farmers, laborers, and tradesmen. Washington called their endurance a “standing miracle.” On Veterans Day, we honor every generation that has carried that same resolve.
A clip from our upcoming film, The American Revolution (on PBS Nov. 16).
A clip from our upcoming film, The American Revolution (on PBS Nov. 16).
With lawn chairs and fall jackets (and some terrific revolutionary gear), thousands watched The American Revolution at Mount Vernon last month. Before the event, co-director David Schmidt chatted with some of the crowd for UNUM on the Road.
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
With lawn chairs and fall jackets (and some terrific revolutionary gear), thousands watched The American Revolution at Mount Vernon last month. Before the event, co-director David Schmidt chatted with some of the crowd for UNUM on the Road.
On this day 94 years ago, Buddy “King” Bolden, the legendary cornetist, died in obscurity in the Louisiana State Hospital for the Insane. Watch the clip from Jazz.
November 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
On this day 94 years ago, Buddy “King” Bolden, the legendary cornetist, died in obscurity in the Louisiana State Hospital for the Insane. Watch the clip from Jazz.
Today is National Bison Day. Spend a moment thinking about this extraordinary animal. Here’s a clip from The American Buffalo.
November 1, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Today is National Bison Day. Spend a moment thinking about this extraordinary animal. Here’s a clip from The American Buffalo.
UNUM on the Road stopped at @c-span.bsky.social in Washington, DC. No makeup artist, so Ken Burns and co-director Sarah Botstein handled it themselves.
Washington dealt with tougher mornings.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS
Washington dealt with tougher mornings.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS
October 30, 2025 at 10:42 PM
UNUM on the Road stopped at @c-span.bsky.social in Washington, DC. No makeup artist, so Ken Burns and co-director Sarah Botstein handled it themselves.
Washington dealt with tougher mornings.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS
Washington dealt with tougher mornings.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS
Earlier this month, the filmmakers visited Philadelphia to promote The American Revolution with @whyy.org. Here's what they had to say outside of a shuttered Independence Hall.
October 28, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Earlier this month, the filmmakers visited Philadelphia to promote The American Revolution with @whyy.org. Here's what they had to say outside of a shuttered Independence Hall.
#OnThisDay 85 years ago, Ernest Hemingway published "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Inspired by his reporting on the Spanish Civil War and released as the world plunged into another, the novel explored what people are willing to fight and die for — and what war takes from them in return.
Inspired by his reporting on the Spanish Civil War and released as the world plunged into another, the novel explored what people are willing to fight and die for — and what war takes from them in return.
October 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
#OnThisDay 85 years ago, Ernest Hemingway published "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
Inspired by his reporting on the Spanish Civil War and released as the world plunged into another, the novel explored what people are willing to fight and die for — and what war takes from them in return.
Inspired by his reporting on the Spanish Civil War and released as the world plunged into another, the novel explored what people are willing to fight and die for — and what war takes from them in return.
Read UNUM’s latest post on how the Framers reverse engineered against a tyrant on Substack.
October 4, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Read UNUM’s latest post on how the Framers reverse engineered against a tyrant on Substack.
As playoff baseball begins, we look back to George Will’s timely reflection on the link between the game, patience, and democracy.
October 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM
As playoff baseball begins, we look back to George Will’s timely reflection on the link between the game, patience, and democracy.
For Episode 2 of Pursuit — a new podcast from @prx.org and @constitutionctr.bsky.social — Jeffrey Rosen and Ken Burns discuss the virtue Temperance.
September 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM
For Episode 2 of Pursuit — a new podcast from @prx.org and @constitutionctr.bsky.social — Jeffrey Rosen and Ken Burns discuss the virtue Temperance.
Today, and for the next eleven weeks, we’ll be posting clips of our own Ken Burns and Jeffrey Rosen on Pursuit (a new podcast from @prx.org and @constitutionctr.bsky.social), discussing how the founders understood happiness as intimately connected to the idea of virtue.
September 8, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Today, and for the next eleven weeks, we’ll be posting clips of our own Ken Burns and Jeffrey Rosen on Pursuit (a new podcast from @prx.org and @constitutionctr.bsky.social), discussing how the founders understood happiness as intimately connected to the idea of virtue.
Lyndon B. Johnson, one of the most colorful and consequential men to occupy the office of President of the United States, was born on this day in 1908. As President, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Learn more in this clip from THE CONGRESS.
August 27, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Lyndon B. Johnson, one of the most colorful and consequential men to occupy the office of President of the United States, was born on this day in 1908. As President, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Learn more in this clip from THE CONGRESS.
Today in 1864, the Civil War reached a breaking point in Atlanta.
Union General William T. Sherman had surrounded the city, cutting off food and supplies.
Rather than risk a costly assault, he ordered his men to shell Confederate defenses and the city itself.
Union General William T. Sherman had surrounded the city, cutting off food and supplies.
Rather than risk a costly assault, he ordered his men to shell Confederate defenses and the city itself.
August 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Today in 1864, the Civil War reached a breaking point in Atlanta.
Union General William T. Sherman had surrounded the city, cutting off food and supplies.
Rather than risk a costly assault, he ordered his men to shell Confederate defenses and the city itself.
Union General William T. Sherman had surrounded the city, cutting off food and supplies.
Rather than risk a costly assault, he ordered his men to shell Confederate defenses and the city itself.
When we think of the American Revolution, we think of Yorktown, West Point, Bunker Hill—East Coast battles fought 75 years before the first West Coast state. For UNUM on the Road, Ken Burns explains why the revolution matters in every state.
August 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
When we think of the American Revolution, we think of Yorktown, West Point, Bunker Hill—East Coast battles fought 75 years before the first West Coast state. For UNUM on the Road, Ken Burns explains why the revolution matters in every state.
“The rights of the individual are greater than the rights of the monarch.” Ken Burns and Fred Ryan discuss Ronald Reagan’s relationship to the American Revolution.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, premieres this November.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, premieres this November.
July 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“The rights of the individual are greater than the rights of the monarch.” Ken Burns and Fred Ryan discuss Ronald Reagan’s relationship to the American Revolution.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, premieres this November.
#AmericanRevolutionPBS, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, premieres this November.
On this day in 1899, Ernest Hemingway was born.
A journalist, novelist, and adventurer, Hemingway remained a major figure wherever he went.
Listen to the Hemingway’s report from the frontlines of the Spanish Civil War.
A journalist, novelist, and adventurer, Hemingway remained a major figure wherever he went.
Listen to the Hemingway’s report from the frontlines of the Spanish Civil War.
July 22, 2025 at 2:06 AM
On this day in 1899, Ernest Hemingway was born.
A journalist, novelist, and adventurer, Hemingway remained a major figure wherever he went.
Listen to the Hemingway’s report from the frontlines of the Spanish Civil War.
A journalist, novelist, and adventurer, Hemingway remained a major figure wherever he went.
Listen to the Hemingway’s report from the frontlines of the Spanish Civil War.
“Shoeless Joe” Jackson was born today in 1887.
Raised in a South Carolina mill town, he couldn’t read or write - but he could hit.
He batted .408 his rookie year and .356 for his career, the third highest average in history. He once played barefoot and swung a 48-ounce bat named Black Betsy.
Raised in a South Carolina mill town, he couldn’t read or write - but he could hit.
He batted .408 his rookie year and .356 for his career, the third highest average in history. He once played barefoot and swung a 48-ounce bat named Black Betsy.
July 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
“Shoeless Joe” Jackson was born today in 1887.
Raised in a South Carolina mill town, he couldn’t read or write - but he could hit.
He batted .408 his rookie year and .356 for his career, the third highest average in history. He once played barefoot and swung a 48-ounce bat named Black Betsy.
Raised in a South Carolina mill town, he couldn’t read or write - but he could hit.
He batted .408 his rookie year and .356 for his career, the third highest average in history. He once played barefoot and swung a 48-ounce bat named Black Betsy.
What better place to celebrate July 4th than Monticello with 74 newly naturalized citizens. This year we celebrated the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Their guy wrote it—Thomas Jefferson.
July 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
What better place to celebrate July 4th than Monticello with 74 newly naturalized citizens. This year we celebrated the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Their guy wrote it—Thomas Jefferson.
What is the role of government? On this day in 1936, FDR gave his famous Rendezvous with Destiny speech and urged "a spirit of charity” over “a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference." Watch the clip from THE ROOSEVELTS.
June 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
What is the role of government? On this day in 1936, FDR gave his famous Rendezvous with Destiny speech and urged "a spirit of charity” over “a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference." Watch the clip from THE ROOSEVELTS.
This month UNUM on the Road was in Texas at @lbjlibrary.bsky.social, with President and CEO of @tjmonticello.bsky.social Jane Kamensky talking about the high ideals and heavy sacrifices behind American independence. Stay tuned for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION this November. #unumontheroad
June 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This month UNUM on the Road was in Texas at @lbjlibrary.bsky.social, with President and CEO of @tjmonticello.bsky.social Jane Kamensky talking about the high ideals and heavy sacrifices behind American independence. Stay tuned for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION this November. #unumontheroad
UNUM on the Road continued last week in Dallas, with author Rick Atkinson talking about the war’s most pivotal battle. Check out his new book THE FATE OF THE DAY from @crownpublishing.bsky.social and stay tuned for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION this November. #unumontheroad #americanrevolutionpbs
June 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
UNUM on the Road continued last week in Dallas, with author Rick Atkinson talking about the war’s most pivotal battle. Check out his new book THE FATE OF THE DAY from @crownpublishing.bsky.social and stay tuned for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION this November. #unumontheroad #americanrevolutionpbs
Public media is at risk.
Congress is considering deep funding cuts to PBS, threatening the shows, local coverage, and educational programming that have shaped generations.
Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for more.
#SavePBS
Congress is considering deep funding cuts to PBS, threatening the shows, local coverage, and educational programming that have shaped generations.
Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for more.
#SavePBS
June 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Public media is at risk.
Congress is considering deep funding cuts to PBS, threatening the shows, local coverage, and educational programming that have shaped generations.
Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for more.
#SavePBS
Congress is considering deep funding cuts to PBS, threatening the shows, local coverage, and educational programming that have shaped generations.
Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for more.
#SavePBS
Getting ready for a summer road trip?
Today in 1903, while stranded in Alturas, California waiting on new tires, Horatio Nelson Jackson made the best of a bad situation.
Locals flocked to see his “horseless carriage” while cowboys promised him a Wild West show in exchange for a ride.
Today in 1903, while stranded in Alturas, California waiting on new tires, Horatio Nelson Jackson made the best of a bad situation.
Locals flocked to see his “horseless carriage” while cowboys promised him a Wild West show in exchange for a ride.
June 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Getting ready for a summer road trip?
Today in 1903, while stranded in Alturas, California waiting on new tires, Horatio Nelson Jackson made the best of a bad situation.
Locals flocked to see his “horseless carriage” while cowboys promised him a Wild West show in exchange for a ride.
Today in 1903, while stranded in Alturas, California waiting on new tires, Horatio Nelson Jackson made the best of a bad situation.
Locals flocked to see his “horseless carriage” while cowboys promised him a Wild West show in exchange for a ride.