Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, and RevolutionNJ have announced that acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns will appear at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on September 17, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss his new documentary, The American Revolution. The event will feature a sneak peek of clips from the six-part, 12-hour documentary series, as well as a discussion moderated by journalist Brian Williams. Burns will be joined by co-director Sarah Botstein and film advisor/historian Dr. Christopher Brown from Columbia University. Over a thousand students from across New Jersey will be in attendance.
According to the press release, in the morning, Burns and representatives from PBS Learning Media will meet with teachers and students to discuss materials that will be distributed to middle and high school teachers. The American Revolution, available on PBS starting November 16, 2025, examines how America’s founding reshaped a continent and inspired democratic movements globally. New Jersey features prominently in the series.
"As we highlight New Jersey’s contributions to the American Revolution ahead of our nation’s 250th anniversary, it is an honor to welcome renowned documentarian Ken Burns to the Garden State for an exclusive preview of his latest project, The American Revolution," said Governor Murphy.
Lieutenant Governor Way added, "Hosting this event on National Constitution Day underscores the importance of history, public media, and education in maintaining our forefathers’ dream of a healthy and robust democracy."
Burns stated that New Jersey stands at the very center of the story of the American Revolution. Sara Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, noted that Burns’ films have been used in classrooms all over the U.S. Carrie Fellows, executive director of Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, said New Jersey played a critical role in America’s War for Independence.
Tickets to the afternoon event are now available to the general public. The film will premiere on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and air for six consecutive nights on PBS stations nationally. The full series will be available to stream beginning Sunday, November 16, 2025, at PBS.org and on the PBS App.