America is celebrating its 250th birthday this year — marking 2½ centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the United States.
There will be events taking place all year long to commemorate the semiquincentennial, with everything from volunteer and charitable efforts through the America Gives initiative to an American State Fair on the National Mall, not to mention the newly announced Patriot Games for high school students and a UFC event on the White House lawn, as the Deseret News previously reported.
But there’s another way to celebrate: by learning more about the nation’s fight for independence and its founding. You can do that through books, documents like the U.S. Constitution, movies and even musicals — all without leaving the comfort of your home.
If you’re looking for somewhere to start, here are some books, movies and more that can help you dive into America’s founding history.
8 books about America’s founding
‘Alexander Hamilton’ and ‘Washington: A Life’ by Ron Chernow
Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton was the inspiration behind Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit “Hamilton,” but it was Chernow’s nuanced and humanizing biography of George Washington that earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 2011.
‘Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation’ by Joseph J. Ellis
This unique history (which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2001) examines the lives of the Founding Fathers through their relationships with each other, with closer looks at the deadly duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, the correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, and George Washington’s Farewell Address.
‘African Founders’ by David Hackett Fischer
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Hackett Fischer tells the lesser-known story of how enslaved people from Africa helped to shape early American culture and contributed to American ideas of freedom.
‘1776′ and ‘John Adams’ by David McCullough
Bestselling and award-winning author and historian David McCullough was prolific in his books about American history, but “John Adams” won him one of his two Pulitzer Prizes and also spawned an Emmy-winning HBO miniseries about the life of the Founding Father and second U.S. president. “1776,″ meanwhile, takes a broader look at the pivotal year of the American Revolution.
‘Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation’ by Cokie Roberts
This bestselling history shares the often overlooked role that women played in the American Revolution, including women like Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Eliza Pinckney and Martha Washington.
‘The American Revolution: An Intimate History’ by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
A companion piece to renowned filmmaker Ken Burns’ latest documentary series “The American Revolution,” which premiered on PBS last year, this book includes essays from a variety of historians, as well as prints, pamphlets and artwork from the time period, and new illustrations and maps to help bring the revolutionary period to life.
5 books for younger readers
‘Chains’ by Laurie Halse Anderson
The first in a trilogy, this historical novel follows a 13-year-old enslaved girl, Isabel, as she becomes a spy for the Patriots and attempts to gain freedom for herself and her sister.
‘My Brother Sam is Dead’ by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
In this Newbery Honor-winning novel, a boy named Tim Meeker navigates divided loyalties in his family during the American Revolution, as his brother Sam fights on the side of the Patriots while his father is a Loyalist.
‘Johnny Tremain’ by Esther Forbes
This classic (and Newbery Medal-winning) 1943 novel tells the story of a young silversmith apprentice who becomes involved in the events of the Revolutionary War.
‘And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?’ and ‘Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?’ by Jean Fritz
Author Jean Fritz has a wide range of books for young readers about the American Revolution, including picture books about historical figures like Paul Revere, John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin, as well as biographies like “The Great Little Madison” about James Madison and “Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider.”
6 movies, miniseries and musicals
‘1776′ (1992)
A filmed version of the award-winning Broadway musical, “1776″ tells the story of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Where to watch: Available to rent or purchase on Prime Video, Google Play or Apple TV.
‘The American Revolution’ (2025 miniseries)
From acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns, this six-episode documentary series chronicles how the 13 Colonies fought for their independence through the personal experiences of people involved.
Where to watch: Streaming on PBS or available to purchase on Prime Video or Apple TV.
‘Hamilton’ (2020)
The hit Broadway musical about the “10-dollar Founding Father” and his role in the American Revolution was filmed on the stage with the original cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. and Renée Elise Goldsberry.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+.
‘John Adams’ (2008 miniseries)
Based on the biography by historian David McCullough, this HBO miniseries follows the life of the Founding Father and second president of the U.S. (played by Paul Giamatti) and his role in building the nation.
Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max or available to purchase on Prime Video or Apple TV.
‘Johnny Tremain’ (1957)
Adapted by Disney from the novel by Esther Forbes, “Johnny Tremain” is the story of a young man who joins the Sons of Liberty during the American Revolution.
Where to watch: Available to purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV or Google Play.
‘The Patriot’ (2000)
A farmer (Mel Gibson) leads the Colonial militia in the American Revolution after his son was murdered by British soldiers. “The Patriot” is rated R for strong war violence.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix or available to rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV or Google Play.
Where to read the Declaration of Independence and other founding documents
If you want to go right to the source of America’s history, here’s where you can find some of the country’s most significant documents.
The U.S. Constitution
- Available to read at the National Archives website.
- Find background information, including articles about its history and meaning, at the sites of the National Archives and the Library of Congress.
The Declaration of Independence
- Available to read at the National Archives website.
- Find background information, including articles about its history and meaning, at the sites of the National Archives and the Library of Congress.
The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay
- Available to read at the Library of Congress website.
‘Common Sense’ by Thomas Paine
- Available to read on Google Books or the Project Gutenberg website.