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ICONIC AMERICA: OUR SYMBOLS AND STORIES WITH DAVID RUBENSTEIN: The Gadsden Flag

Peter Ansoff, shown holding a Gadsden Flag, is the President of the North American Vexillological Association.
Courtesy of Show of Force
/
PBS
Peter Ansoff, shown holding a Gadsden Flag, is the President of the North American Vexillological Association.

Premieres Wednesday, May 10, 2023 on KPBS TV / PBS App + Encore Wednesday, May 17 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2

On this episode, discover how the "Don't Tread on Me" flag, such a potent symbol of independence, has been co-opted by a wide variety of Americans over its long history.

ICONIC AMERICA: The Gadsden Flag Preview
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Flags and Meaning in America

About the Series:

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.

John Twist is the father of James Twist, who served with the First Platoon in Afghanistan.
Courtesy of Show of Force
/
PBS
John Twist is the father of James Twist, who served with the First Platoon in Afghanistan.

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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Rubenstein’s quest for a deeper understanding of these symbols takes him on a journey to an array of regions and communities, from Boston to San Francisco and New York to Oklahoma City. He conducts interviews with historians and history makers from the worlds of sports, politics, entertainment, and academia, including David “Big Papi” Ortiz (former Red Sox player) and Lake Iolani Stevens (Women’s Ranch Bronc Champion); Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL); Sylvester Stallone (actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker) and Melissa Rivers (writer, host, and producer); Hasan Kwame Jeffries (associate professor of history at The Ohio State University) and Michael Boulware Moore (former chief executive officer of the International African American Museum).

David Rubenstein sits with Michael Boulware Moore, the founding President and former CEO of the International African American Museum.
Courtesy of Show of Force
/
PBS
David Rubenstein sits with Michael Boulware Moore, the founding President and former CEO of the International African American Museum.

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With the PBS App, stream your favorite PBS shows, create the perfect watchlist, connect with your local station, and more — anywhere you watch.

Episode1 "Fenway Park" is available to stream on demand

Episode 2 "The Hollywood Sign" is available to stream on demand

ICONIC AMERICA: Preview

Credits:

A production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. David M. Rubenstein is the host and executive producer. Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre, Joshua Bennett and Sam Pollard are executive producers for Show of Force. John F. Wilson is executive producer for WETA. Bill Gardner is the executive in charge for PBS. Christopher Ullman is producer for DMR Productions. Jonathan Scheinberg, Prisca Pointdujour, Sam Lacroix, Alexandra Nikolchev, Sally Rosenthal, Matthew Horovitz, Lizzie Mulvey and Ken Levis are producers for Show of Force. Kate Kelly is producer for WETA. Rick Van Meter is supervising producer. Allison Hanna is archival producer. Gary Lionelli is composer of the original score.