Iconic America
In this new docuseries, David Rubenstein explores the meaning of America’s iconic symbols.
The Hollywood Sign
S1 Ep2 | 55m 35s
A look at the L.A. landmark that became an international symbol of the American dream.
The Gadsden Flag
S1 Ep3 | 55m 11s
The Gadsden flag has been co-opted by a wide variety of Americans over its long history.
The Cowboy
S1 Ep4 | 55m 24s
The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic.
The Statue of Liberty
S1 Ep5 | 55m 11s
A look at The Statue of Liberty's evolving meaning as symbol for a “nation of immigrants."
The American Bald Eagle
S1 Ep6 | 55m 8s
The story of how the Bald Eagle soared to its vaunted perch in American iconography.
Stone Mountain
S1 Ep7 | 55m 38s
As the nation wrestles with its past, the fate of Stone Mountain stands in question.
The Golden Gate Bridge
S1 Ep8 | 55m 11s
The Golden Gate bridge is an engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit.
Returning July 11 with the First of Four New Episodes
31s
There are hundreds of historical sites across America, but how we perceive them changes.
Fenway Park Preview
S1 Ep1 | 31s
No ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox’ “Cursed” 1986 and 2003 Seasons
S1 Ep1 | 4m 48s
No game epitomizes The Curse of the Bambino more than game 7 of the 1986 World Series.
The Curse of the Bambino
S1 Ep1 | 2m 57s
The Red Sox committed the original sin of baseball by trading Babe Ruth to The NY Yankees.
Should Fenway be a National Monument?
S1 Ep1 | 54s
Fenway Park is the top attraction in Boston, and an international tourist destination.
Racism and The Red Sox
S1 Ep1 | 3m 18s
In this clip, we look at checkered past and their resistance to signing black athletes.
The Curse is Lifted
S1 Ep1 | 37s
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
S1 Ep1 | 45s
The comeback 1967 Red Sox won over fans and were known as the "Impossible Dream" team.
The Hollywood Sign Preview
S1 Ep2 | 31s
The story of how a real estate advertisement international symbol of the American dream.
Could Hollywood Be Successful Again?
S1 Ep2 | 1m 10s
A once-popular genre enjoyed a renaissance and helped save Hollywood in the 60s.
Hollywood as the Ultimate LA Symbol
S1 Ep2 | 1m 14s
This clip explains the role that car culture played in creating this timeless icon.
Hollywood Gets its Start
S1 Ep2 | 1m 22s
This clip looks at some of the anecdotes and myths about the origin of the Hollywood.
Often Imitated, Never Duplicated
S1 Ep2 | 3m 15s
From Dollywood to Bollywood & Nollywood, the Hollywood sign has inspired many imitators.
Power not Afforded Equally
S1 Ep2 | 1m 2s
Hollywood has bottled a kind of intangible magic that is inaccessible to most people.
The Gadsden Flag Preview
S1 Ep3 | 32s
The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag has been co-opted by a range of Americans throughout history.
Flags and Meaning in America
S1 Ep3 | 4m 7s
Flags are clearly an important part of what it means to be an American, but why is that?
Flags 101 – The Gadsden Flag
S1 Ep3 | 2m 57s
The Continental Congress chose the Gadsden flag as the first symbol of its naval ships.
Standing Against Tyranny
S1 Ep3 | 1m 27s
Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tells David Rubenstein how he defines true patriotism.
The Gadsden Flag in Combat Abroad
S1 Ep3 | 33s
Armed forces vets discuss embracing the Gadsden flag during combat in the Middle East.
The Cowboy Preview
S1 Ep4 | 31s
The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic.
Buffalo Bill Helps Spread the Cowboy Mystique
S1 Ep4 | 3m 12s
Wild West Shows led to a skewed perspective of the role of real cowboys in America.
Why Did Cowboy Movies Leave Women Out of the Picture?
S1 Ep4 | 1m 55s
Westerns downplayed the role that women and minorities played in settling The West,
The Homestead Act Spurs Westward Expansion
S1 Ep4 | 3m 35s
The Homestead Act attracted thousands of settlers to The West with 160 acres of free land.
Philip Morris’ Marlboro Man Lassoes a Hit Ad Campaign
S1 Ep4 | 1m 3s
The appeal and success of the Marlboro Man cigarette ad campaigns spanned decades.
The Statue of Liberty Preview
S1 Ep5 | 31s
It's hard to argue that there's a more iconic symbol of America than the Statue of Liberty
A Poem for All Americans, About Immigration
S1 Ep5 | 55s
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”
S1 Ep5 | 2m 45s
David Rubenstein visits Ellis Island with Atlantic writer Caitlin Dickerson.
A Symbol of America
S1 Ep5 | 47s
David Rubenstein asks Professor Ed Berenson why Lady Liberty is a symbol of America.
A Catalyst for Reflection on Our Past Transgressions
S1 Ep5 | 1m 6s
Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith reflects on Lady Liberty's potential as an agent of change.
How the Statue of Liberty’s Anti-Slavery Origins Evolved
S1 Ep5 | 3m 41s
A look at how Lady Liberty's anti-slavery origins and design changed over time.
The French Connection
S1 Ep5 | 3m 56s
America's greatest symbol has its roots in a small town in France, 300 miles from Paris.
The American Bald Eagle Preview
S1 Ep6 | 31s
The story of how the Bald Eagle soared to its vaunted perch in American iconography.
The Infamous Bird’s 1000 Pound Nest
S1 Ep6 | 45s
This clip features a Bald Eagle's nest that is estimated to weigh around 1000 pounds.
The Bald Eagle Appears in the First Great Seal of the U.S.
S1 Ep6 | 1m 49s
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
S1 Ep6 | 3m 52s
David talks to Peter Nye, the biologist who saved the bald eagle population in New York.
Bald Eagles Gather in the Pristine Alaskan Ecosystem
S1 Ep6 | 4m 55s
The greatest bald eagle migration on Earth happens in the Alaskan village of Haines.
Endangered National Symbol
S1 Ep6 | 31s
The effect of DDT on the Bald Eagle population in the northeastern U.S. was devastating.
Stone Mountain Preview
S1 Ep7 | 31s
Should Confederate leaders remain on places like Stone Mountain, or should they be erased?
United Daughters of the Confederacy’s Lost Soldiers
S1 Ep7 | 1m 59s
United Daughters of the Confederacy had a pivotal role memorializing Confederate soldiers.
An Alternative Rationalization for the Civil War
S1 Ep7 | 3m 2s
Hasan Jeffries explains why some Southerners try to reframe the causes of the Civil War.
Pushback in the Immediate Aftermath of Integration
S1 Ep7 | 23s
Gloria Brown discusses the unfulfilled promises of integration.
Confederate Monuments as a Constant Reminder of Separatism
S1 Ep7 | 27s
Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith discusses Stone Mountain's psychological toll on Black people
Meet Stone Mountain Memorial Association’s Black Chairman
S1 Ep7 | 5m 38s
The head of Stone Mountain Memorial Association discusses plans for the monument's future.
The Golden Gate Bridge Preview
S1 Ep8 | 32s
The Golden Gate Bridge is an engineering marvel that symbolizes America’s can-do spirit.
Overcoming Construction Challenges and Skeptics
S1 Ep8 | 1m 47s
The plan to construct the Golden Gate Bridge was met with scores of skeptics.
Hidden tolls: The Impact of Freeways on BIPOC Communities
S1 Ep8 | 2m 1s
BIPOC communities bear the brunt of the environmental cost of U.S. highway development.
Bridging Times: An Icon of American Innovation
S1 Ep8 | 2m 34s
Does America have the can-do spirit for another Golden Gate-level engineering achievement?
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