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In this new eight-episode documentary series, David Rubenstein explores America’s 400-year history through a close examination of iconic national symbols such as the Hollywood Sign, Fenway Park, American cowboys and the Statue of Liberty: indelible artifacts, places, and archetypes. Each episode tells the story of an American symbol to reveal its origins, significance and the arc of its resonance.
Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is a production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. David M. Rubenstein is the host and executive...
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Iconic America is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
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About the Show
Tune in April 26, 9/8C for "Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein."
In this new eight-episode documentary series, David Rubenstein explores America’s 400-year history through a close examination of iconic national symbols: indelible artifacts, places, and archetypes. Each episode tells the story of an American symbol to reveal its origins, significance and the arc of its resonance.
Episode subjects include the Hollywood Sign, Fenway Park, American cowboys, Gadsden Flag (“Don’t Tread On Me”), American Bald Eagle, Stone Mountain, Statue of Liberty, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Rubenstein invites historical experts and community members to examine myriad ways the American public engages with these subjects.
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Our Symbols and Stories
David Rubenstein examines the history of America through some of its most iconic symbols, objects and places, in conversation with historical thinkers, community members and other experts. Together, they dive deep into each symbol’s history, using them as a gateway to understanding America’s past and present.Photo Gallery
David Ortiz played 14 seasons for the Boston Red Sox, from 2003 to 2016, winning the World Series in 2004, 2007, and 201...
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Alison Martino is a Los Angeles historian, writer, and producer.
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Adam Kinzinger served as a Congressman from Illinois from 2011 to 2023.
3/20
Bill Burr is a comedian and fan of the Boston Red Sox.
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Credit: Show of Force
Bird’s eye view of Fenway Park at sunrise.
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Hassan Kwame Jefferies is a professor of history at The Ohio State University.
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James Clyburn has represented South Carolina’s 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993.
7/20
Sergeant First Class Joe Morrisey served in Afghanistan as a member of the First Platoon.
8/20
John Twist is the father of James Twist, who served with the First Platoon in Afghanistan.
9/20
Michaal B.Moore, Founding president of the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C. in conversation with David Rubenstein.
10/20
Alana Mayo is the President of Orion Pictures.
11/20
David Rubenstein listens to Christopher Hawthorne, the Chief Design Officer of the City of Los Angeles, discuss the history of the Hollywood sign as an attraction.
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Riders prepare for a rodeo in Cody, Wyoming.
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Darnell Hunt, PhD is the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of UCLA.
14/20
David Rubenstein stands with the Hollywood Sign in the background.
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Dart Adams is a Boston-based journalist and fan of the Boston Red Sox.
16/20
Dr. Diana Vela is the Executive Director at the National Cowgirl Museum.
17/20
David Rubenstein visits the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and Curator Gabrielle Augustine shows him artifacts relevant to the story of Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox.
18/20
James Ellroy is an author of such books as The Black Dahlia and L.A. Confidential.
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Jason King is the Chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, New York University.
20/20
Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is a production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. David M. Rubenstein is the host and executive...