Screening of Ken Burns’ ‘American Revolution’

NATCHEZ, Miss. — Mississippi Public Broadcasting, in partnership with Visit Natchez, is inviting the public to view a 40-minute screener of Ken Burns’ “American Revolution.” The viewing will be followed by a discussion led by Jim Wiggins, retired instructor of History at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 25, at the Visit Natchez at The Depot Visitor Center at 200 N. Broadway St. It is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

The six-part, 12-hour documentary film will premiere on Sunday, November 16 on PBS, and air for six consecutive nights through Friday, November 21. The film explores the country’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence.

“The American Revolution is one of the most important events in human history,” said Burns. “We went from being subjects to inventing a new concept, citizens, and set in motion democratic revolutions around the globe. As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding, I’m hopeful that people throughout the country will come together to discuss the importance of this history and to appreciate even more what our ancestors did to secure our liberty and freedoms.”

“The American Revolution” was directed and produced by Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, and written by collaborator Geoffrey C. Ward.

  For more information on the viewing, send email to Roscoe Barnes III at Roscoe@visitnatchez.org

The Surrender

The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 16, 1777. By John Trumbull. Credit: Yale University Art Gallery.

The Directors

David Schmidt, Sarah Botstein, and Ken Burns are the directors of “The American Revolution” documentary series. Credit: Stephanie Berger.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION FUNDING CREDIT

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.