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PBS News Hour

Joseph Ellis examines the founders’ promise and failures

Season 2026 Episode 44 | 8m 43s

With a 250th birthday in sight, we wanted to ask Americans what it means to be an American and reflect on what the founders built, who they left out and what in that 250-year history has been left unresolved. Judy Woodruff went to Vermont, a state whose motto is "Freedom and Unity," for her series, America at a Crossroads.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
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