Iconic America
Returning July 11 with the First of Four New Episodes
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Standing Against Tyranny
Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tells David Rubenstein how he defines true patriotism.
Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tells David Rubenstein how he defines true patriotism.
An Alternative Rationalization for the Civil War
Hasan Jeffries explains why some Southerners try to reframe the causes of the Civil War.
Hasan Jeffries explains why some Southerners try to reframe the causes of the Civil War.
Confederate Monuments as a Constant Reminder of Separatism
Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses Stone Mountain's psychological toll on Black people
Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses Stone Mountain's psychological toll on Black people
Meet Stone Mountain Memorial Association's Black Chairman
The head of Stone Mountain Memorial Association discusses plans for the monument's future.
The head of Stone Mountain Memorial Association discusses plans for the monument's future.
Pushback in the Immediate Aftermath of Integration
Gloria Brown discusses the unfulfilled promises of integration.
Gloria Brown discusses the unfulfilled promises of integration.
United Daughters of the Confederacy's Lost Soldiers
United Daughters of the Confederacy had a pivotal role memorializing Confederate soldiers.
United Daughters of the Confederacy had a pivotal role memorializing Confederate soldiers.
Flags 101 - The Gadsden Flag
The Continental Congress chose the Gadsden flag as the first symbol of its naval ships.
The Continental Congress chose the Gadsden flag as the first symbol of its naval ships.
Flags and Meaning in America
Flags are clearly an important part of what it means to be an American, but why is that?
Flags are clearly an important part of what it means to be an American, but why is that?
Hollywood as the Ultimate LA Symbol
This clip explains the role that car culture played in creating this timeless icon.
This clip explains the role that car culture played in creating this timeless icon.
Could Hollywood Be Successful Again?
A once-popular genre enjoyed a renaissance and helped save Hollywood in the 60s.
A once-popular genre enjoyed a renaissance and helped save Hollywood in the 60s.
The Homestead Act Spurs Westward Expansion
The Homestead Act attracted thousands of settlers to The West with 160 acres of free land.
The Homestead Act attracted thousands of settlers to The West with 160 acres of free land.
Why Did Cowboy Movies Leave Women Out of the Picture?
Westerns downplayed the role that women and minorities played in settling The West,
Westerns downplayed the role that women and minorities played in settling The West,
Buffalo Bill Helps Spread the Cowboy Mystique
Wild West Shows led to a skewed perspective of the role of real cowboys in America.
Wild West Shows led to a skewed perspective of the role of real cowboys in America.
Endangered National Symbol
The effect of DDT on the Bald Eagle population in the northeastern U.S. was devastating.
The effect of DDT on the Bald Eagle population in the northeastern U.S. was devastating.
Stone Mountain Preview
Should Confederate leaders remain on places like Stone Mountain, or should they be erased?
Should Confederate leaders remain on places like Stone Mountain, or should they be erased?
The Golden Gate Bridge Preview
The Golden Gate Bridge is an engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit.
The Golden Gate Bridge is an engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit.
The Gadsden Flag Preview
The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag has been co-opted by a range of Americans throughout history.
The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag has been co-opted by a range of Americans throughout history.
Fenway Park Preview
No ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
No ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
The Hollywood Sign Preview
The story of how a real estate advertisement international symbol of the American dream.
The story of how a real estate advertisement international symbol of the American dream.
Preview
The symbols in Iconic America have a lot to say about who we are and who we have become.
The symbols in Iconic America have a lot to say about who we are and who we have become.
Behind the Scenes
David Rubenstein walks us through his inspiration for creating "Iconic America."
David Rubenstein walks us through his inspiration for creating "Iconic America."
The American Bald Eagle Preview
The story of how the Bald Eagle soared to its vaunted perch in American iconography.
The story of how the Bald Eagle soared to its vaunted perch in American iconography.
Returning July 11 with the First of Four New Episodes
There are hundreds of historical sites across America, but how we perceive them changes.
There are hundreds of historical sites across America, but how we perceive them changes.
The Statue of Liberty Preview
It's hard to argue that there's a more iconic symbol of America than the Statue of Liberty
It's hard to argue that there's a more iconic symbol of America than the Statue of Liberty
The Cowboy Preview
The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic.
The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic.
Should Fenway be a National Monument?
Fenway Park is the top attraction in Boston, and an international tourist destination.
Fenway Park is the top attraction in Boston, and an international tourist destination.
Philip Morris' Marlboro Man Lassoes a Hit Ad Campaign
The appeal and success of the Marlboro Man cigarette ad campaigns spanned decades.
The appeal and success of the Marlboro Man cigarette ad campaigns spanned decades.
A Poem for All Americans, About Immigration
A look at how the poem, "The New Colossus" came to be engraved on the Statue of Liberty.
A look at how the poem, "The New Colossus" came to be engraved on the Statue of Liberty.
"Their Immigration Story Becomes the Story of Their Life"
David Rubenstein visits Ellis Island with Atlantic writer Caitlin Dickerson.
David Rubenstein visits Ellis Island with Atlantic writer Caitlin Dickerson.
A Symbol of America
David Rubenstein asks Professor Ed Berenson why Lady Liberty is a symbol of America.
David Rubenstein asks Professor Ed Berenson why Lady Liberty is a symbol of America.
How the Statue of Liberty's Anti-Slavery Origins Evolved
A look at how Lady Liberty's anti-slavery origins and design changed over time.
A look at how Lady Liberty's anti-slavery origins and design changed over time.
The French Connection
America's greatest symbol has its roots in a small town in France, 300 miles from Paris.
America's greatest symbol has its roots in a small town in France, 300 miles from Paris.
A Catalyst for Reflection on Our Past Transgressions
Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith reflects on Lady Liberty's potential as an agent of change.
Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith reflects on Lady Liberty's potential as an agent of change.
The Infamous Bird's 1000 Pound Nest
This clip features a Bald Eagle's nest that is estimated to weigh around 1000 pounds.
This clip features a Bald Eagle's nest that is estimated to weigh around 1000 pounds.
Bald Eagles Gather in the Pristine Alaskan Ecosystem
The greatest bald eagle migration on Earth happens in the Alaskan village of Haines.
The greatest bald eagle migration on Earth happens in the Alaskan village of Haines.
The Red Sox' "Cursed" 1986 and 2003 Seasons
No game epitomizes The Curse of the Bambino more than game 7 of the 1986 World Series.
No game epitomizes The Curse of the Bambino more than game 7 of the 1986 World Series.
The Curse of the Bambino
The Red Sox committed the original sin of baseball by trading Babe Ruth to The NY Yankees.
The Red Sox committed the original sin of baseball by trading Babe Ruth to The NY Yankees.
The Gadsden Flag in Combat Abroad
Armed forces vets discuss embracing the Gadsden flag during combat in the Middle East.
Armed forces vets discuss embracing the Gadsden flag during combat in the Middle East.
Racism and The Red Sox
In this clip, we look at checkered past and their resistance to signing black athletes.
In this clip, we look at checkered past and their resistance to signing black athletes.
The Curse is Lifted
The Red Sox's World Series win in 2004 was a historic moment for the team and its fans.
The Red Sox's World Series win in 2004 was a historic moment for the team and its fans.
The 1967 Red Sox and The Impossible Dream
The comeback 1967 Red Sox won over fans and were known as the "Impossible Dream" team.
The comeback 1967 Red Sox won over fans and were known as the "Impossible Dream" team.
Hollywood Gets its Start
This clip looks at some of the anecdotes and myths about the origin of the Hollywood.
This clip looks at some of the anecdotes and myths about the origin of the Hollywood.
Often Imitated, Never Duplicated
From Dollywood to Bollywood & Nollywood, the Hollywood sign has inspired many imitators.
From Dollywood to Bollywood & Nollywood, the Hollywood sign has inspired many imitators.
Power not Afforded Equally
Hollywood has bottled a kind of intangible magic that is inaccessible to most people.
Hollywood has bottled a kind of intangible magic that is inaccessible to most people.
Hidden tolls: The Impact of Freeways on BIPOC Communities
BIPOC communities bear the brunt of the environmental cost of U.S. highway development.
BIPOC communities bear the brunt of the environmental cost of U.S. highway development.
Bridging Times: An Icon of American Innovation
Does America have the can-do spirit for another Golden Gate-level engineering achievement?
Does America have the can-do spirit for another Golden Gate-level engineering achievement?
Overcoming Construction Challenges and Skeptics
The plan to construct the Golden Gate Bridge was met with scores of skeptics.
The plan to construct the Golden Gate Bridge was met with scores of skeptics.
The Bald Eagle Appears in the First Great Seal of the U.S.
Why did the Founding Fathers decide to use the bald eagle in the Great Seal of the U.S.?
Why did the Founding Fathers decide to use the bald eagle in the Great Seal of the U.S.?
Restoring and Hacking Bald Eagles in NY
David talks to Peter Nye, the biologist who saved the bald eagle population in New York.
David talks to Peter Nye, the biologist who saved the bald eagle population in New York.