Atlantic Watch: The American Revolution | The Atlantic Festival 2025

Following an advanced screening of Ken Burns’s new PBS documentary series, “The American Revolution,” we’ll have a discussion with Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, the series co-directors; Annette Gordon-Reed, a historian and adviser on the production; and actor Tom Hanks, who voiced several historical figures throughout the series. The conversation will be moderated by Atlantic editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

The series explores America’s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. The American Revolution is an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America; the series follows dozens of figures, giving viewers a chance to experience the war through the memories of the men and women who experienced it.

Speakers include:

Ken Burns, Director and Producer, The American Revolution

Sarah Botstein, Director and Producer, The American Revolution

Annette Gordon-Reed, Professor, Harvard University

Tom Hanks, Actor, Writer, Producer, and Director

Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

Natalie MacMaster, Musician

Mary Frances Leahy, Musician

The Atlantic Festival brings the brand’s essential journalism to life on stage through dynamic conversations, exclusive screenings, and engaging performances. Expect rigorous dialogue with influential voices in politics, culture, business, technology, and media—plus opportunities to connect with other curious, thoughtful attendees.

The 2025 lineup includes Scott Galloway, Richard Ayoade with David Letterman, H.R. McMaster, Clara Wu Tsai, Arvind Krishna, Jennifer Doudna, Monica Lewinsky, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Bryan Stevenson, Dr. Becky Kennedy, and many more. Atlantic journalists including Jeffrey Goldberg, Jemele Hill, Vann Newkirk, and Sophie Gilbert will moderate and lead discussions.

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