Happy birthday, America. Nearly 250 years ago, delegates representing the Thirteen Colonies gathered in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence, severing America’s ties with Great Britain. It’s a landmark moment in US history, so there will be plenty of celebrations across the country this weekend. If you have some free time over the holiday weekend, it’s the perfect time to stream a documentary celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Our #1 pick on this list comes from one of this country’s greatest documentarians, Ken Burns. Burns dealt with a war that shaped the future of this country. Some of our other spotlight picks include A Netflix documentary about US history and an informative series revolving around America’s Founding Father.
The American Experience
A history of American democracy
What is the American experience? For starters, that’s the name of Netflix’s five-part documentary about the founding of the United States and its founding principles. It comes down to one question: Can people control themselves? Nearly 250 years later, we are still trying to answer that question.
The American Experience It covers the defining moments of this country’s early history, including the Revolutionary War, the signing of the Constitution, and the presidency of George Washington. Because we can’t talk to America’s Founding Fathers, the documentary interviews politicians, historians, and professors about democracy and its current state. Things get interesting with speakers on both sides of the aisle.
The American Experience streaming now On Netflix.
The Star Spangled Banner: The Battle for America
The US anthem takes center stage
How many of you know the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner”? This is a safe place, so be honest with yourself. according to The Star Spangled Banner: The Battle for Americaonly about 40% of all US citizens know all the words. Admittedly, it’s a difficult song to sing. However, knowing how the song came about can help you better appreciate the lyrics.
The documentary explores how attorney Francis Scott Kane wrote the lyrics to what would become the United States National Anthem. Key found inspiration for the poem during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Now you will learn the meaning behind the songs as well as why the bombs explode in the air.
The Star Spangled Banner: The Battle for America is available on Paramount+.
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Bluetooth, HDMI, Optical, Wi-Fi
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The American Revolution
Ken Burns tackles this impressive war
Honestly, all six places on this list could have gone to Burns documentaries. The award-winning director has covered many pivotal moments in American history. I decided to spread the wealth and highlight some other movies and shows, but I couldn’t leave Burns off this list entirely.
In 2025, Burns was created The American Revolutionsix parts PBS show About the period before, during and after the Revolutionary War. From the American colonists’ first conflicts with the British through the war that created the United States, Burns’ documentary is an intelligent, informative, and somewhat surprising account of our great revolution. You will always learn something new at Dr. Burns.
The American Revolution streaming now on PBS.
The American Revolution
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2025 – 2025-00-00
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PBS
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Ken Burns, David Schmidt, Sarah Botstein
Washington
The country’s first president is in the spotlight
I’m a fan of documentaries that combine interviews with historical reenactments. You have a historian talk about a certain topic, and then the actors describe what was just said. It’s the best of both worlds. Washingtonthe three-part series features narration by Jeff Daniels, expert interviews, and dramatic recreations of moments involving America’s hero, George Washington.
Each episode is divided into three parts of Washington’s life: a loyal subject to England, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and the first president of the United States. After learning about Washington as a war hero and political champion, I understand why the Father of His Country is still regarded as a formidable hero.
Look Washington On Netflix.
Benjamin Franklin
An American icon revisited
Second to Burns on the list is this country’s birthplace, another Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. “America the First” was an intellectual and visionary who had a major influence on the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The voice cast includes Mandy Patinkin as Benjamin Franklin, Josh Lucas as William Franklin, Paul Giamatti as John Adams and Liam Neeson as Alexander Wedderburn.
Franklin is an amazing figure who has lived many lives. This was a person who distinguished himself as an author, scientist and inventor. Move over, Dos Equis man. Franklin may have been the original “Most Interesting Man in the World.”
Benjamin Franklin streaming now on PBS.
Thomas Jefferson
Secretary who changed the country
Not every American hero led troops into battle during the Revolutionary War. Some of them used their pen as a weapon to speak their words. Thomas Jefferson, a six-part documentary that follows the life of the titular aristocrat from his upbringing in Virginia to his time as the third president of the United States.
I appreciate how the documentary presents the whole story of Jefferson, both the good and the bad. On the one hand, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. On the other hand, Jefferson was a slave owner. The series does an admirable job of thoroughly exploring Jefferson’s history and complex legacy.
Thomas Jefferson now streaming on Netflix.
Looking for more TV shows and movies to watch?
You’ve come to the right place for more streaming tips. If you’re in a documentary, check out some of the best from the past monthincluding Elvis Presley in Concert On Paramount+ and Netflix Michael Jackson: The Verdict. Also, be sure catch the final season Bear It’s Hulu.
