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250 years of the United States

Explore the history & stories of the U.S in the 250 years since it declared independence.

Shows

A History of the United States in 100 Objects
100 objects. 100 stories. A new history of the US hiding in plain sight.
Understand
James Naughtie examines the ideas tying America's founding to the modern United States.
American History Hit
Join Don Wildman as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today
Understand
Justin Webb looks at five big US foreign policy shifts, from Monroe to Trump.
Letter from America
Broadcaster Alistair Cooke recounts tales from his observations on US life
James Naughtie’s Letter to America
Reflections on half a century of ‘looking in’ on the United States
Mr Jefferson's Library
Michael Goldfarb visits the Library of Congress and Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia.
Breaking Mississippi
The explosive inside story of one man's war against racial segregation in the 1960s.
The Coming Storm
Can now be found at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m002j8rr
Drama on 4
American adventure story of love and conflict. boldly refreshed by Shahid Iqbal Khan.
Drama on 4
Star-studded drama for the 250th Anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
Drama on 4
The American Civil War novel, a stunning tale of love and loss, dramatised by Rachel Joyce
Black Roots
Grammy award-winner Rhiannon Giddens explores the history of African American roots music.

Episodes