Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 1976 America celebrated its Bicentennial with fireworks and parades. Journalist Bill Moyers asked a hard question: what happened to the revolution itself?
Fifty years ago, Moyers gave THIRTEEN viewers a raw look at the American Bicentennial — a country still recovering from the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon’s resignation, and devastating losses in the Vietnam War. Instead of painting a happy illusion, Moyers captured "baffled and bored" Americans dealing with unemployment, inequality, materialism, and the gap between the promises of 1776 and the reality of the 1970s.
Blending archival footage and man-on-the-street reporting with sharp commentary from historians and analysts, this report exposes a harsh truth: our democracy says "equal rights," but our economic system delivers profoundly unequal outcomes. Decades later, the same battles are still ongoing. Moyers' reporting raises a heavy question for the modern day: can the American spirit be rekindled as the nation approaches "America 250?"
This 1976 episode titled “Reflections of a Revolution” was broadcast on “Bill Moyers Journal," a weekly current affairs program covering economics, history, literature, religion, philosophy, science, and politics.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
#BillMoyers #America250 #Bicentennial #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #July4th #BillMoyersJournal #AmericanHistory #AmericanDream #Capitalism #Democracy #PublicMedia #THIRTEEN #WNET #PBS #News
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
In 1976 America celebrated its Bicentennial with fireworks and parades. Journalist Bill Moyers asked a hard question: what happened to the revolution itself?
Fifty years ago, Moyers gave THIRTEEN viewers a raw look at the American Bicentennial — a country still recovering from the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon’s resignation, and devastating losses in the Vietnam War. Instead of painting a happy illusion, Moyers captured "baffled and bored" Americans dealing with unemployment, inequality, materialism, and the gap between the promises of 1776 and the reality of the 1970s.
Blending archival footage and man-on-the-street reporting with sharp commentary from historians and analysts, this report exposes a harsh truth: our democracy says "equal rights," but our economic system delivers profoundly unequal outcomes. Decades later, the same battles are still ongoing. Moyers' reporting raises a heavy question for the modern day: can the American spirit be rekindled as the nation approaches "America 250?"
This 1976 episode titled “Reflections of a Revolution” was broadcast on “Bill Moyers Journal," a weekly current affairs program covering economics, history, literature, religion, philosophy, science, and politics.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
#BillMoyers #America250 #Bicentennial #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #July4th #BillMoyersJournal #AmericanHistory #AmericanDream #Capitalism #Democracy #PublicMedia #THIRTEEN #WNET #PBS #News
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
