History

Iconic America

In this new eight-episode documentary series, David Rubenstein explores America’s 400-year history through a close examination of iconic national symbols such as the Hollywood Sign, Fenway Park, American cowboys and the Statue of Liberty: 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.

The Cowboy

55m 24s

The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic. This episode examines the myths and realities of this archetype, which remains as potent as ever in the 21st century.

Episodes

  • The Cowboy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Cowboy

    S1 E4 - 55m 24s

    The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic. This episode examines the myths and realities of this archetype, which remains as potent as ever in the 21st century.

  • The Gadsden Flag: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gadsden Flag

    S1 E3 - 55m 11s

    The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag is such a potent symbol of independence that it has been co-opted by a wide variety of Americans over its long history.

  • The Hollywood Sign: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Hollywood Sign

    S1 E2 - 55m 35s

    The Hollywood Sign episode examines the history of the Los Angeles landmark, which was erected in 1923 originally as a real estate advertisement, and went on to become an international symbol of fame, fortune, and the American dream.

  • Fenway Park: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fenway Park

    S1 E1 - 55m 27s

    Baseball is a favorite American pastime and obsession, and no ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. This episode tells the story of a city’s loyalty to its team and love for its ballpark through thick and thin.

Extras + Features

  • The Cowboy Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Cowboy Preview

    S1 E4 - 31s

    The cowboy is the quintessential American — fiercely independent, brave and laconic. The episode examines the myths and realities of this archetype, which remains as potent as ever in the 21st century.

  • The Homestead Act Spurs Westward Expansion: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Homestead Act Spurs Westward Expansion

    S1 E4 - 3m 35s

    The Homestead Act of 1862 provided that any citizen who had never borne arms against the U.S. government could claim 160 acres of government land as long as they cultivated their plot.

  • Buffalo Bill Helps Spread the Cowboy Mystique: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Buffalo Bill Helps Spread the Cowboy Mystique

    S1 E4 - 3m 12s

    Buffalo Bill and his Rough Riders' dramatic reenactments of conflicts such as The Battle of Summit Springs cast cowboys as heroic fighters, coming in to save the day against "hostile" Native Americans. The international success of these Wild West Shows led to a skewed perspective of the role of real cowboys in the American West.

  • Philip Morris' Marlboro Man Lassoes a Hit Ad Campaign: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Philip Morris' Marlboro Man Lassoes a Hit Ad Campaign

    S1 E4 - 1m 3s

    Philip Morris understood that The West as a cultural backdrop, held great appeal to Americans. By tapping into the magic of Marlboro Country, the cigarette company created an ultramasculine cowboy icon, The Marlboro Man, whose ads ran successfully for decades.

  • Why Did Cowboy Movies Leave Women Out of the Picture?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why Did Cowboy Movies Leave Women Out of the Picture?

    S1 E4 - 1m 55s

    In the 1920s, the rise of a new form of militant white racism had a big impact on the motion picture industry. Consequently, Hollywood Westerns downplayed the significant role that women, Black people and other marginalized groups and minorities played in settling The West, in favor of promoting the mythic image of male-dominant, gun-toting cowboys.

  • The Gadsden Flag in Combat Abroad: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gadsden Flag in Combat Abroad

    S1 E3 - 33s

    "For us it was this symbol, moving out into enemy territory: 'Don't tread on me.' But during that tour, it really took on a different meaning."
    - Sergeant First Class Joe Morrisey served in Afghanistan as a member of the First Platoon.

  • Flags and Meaning in America: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Flags and Meaning in America

    S1 E3 - 4m 7s

    Flags are clearly an important part of what it means to be an American. But why is that? Why do we care so much about a piece of cloth?

  • Flags 101 - The Gadsden Flag: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Flags 101 - The Gadsden Flag

    S1 E3 - 2m 57s

    After The Boston Tea Party, the British decide to blockade Boston Harbor, marking the first signs of real hostilities between the colonies and England. So in 1775, when the Continental Congress decided to form a navy to protect trade, a flag with a coiled snake, prepared to strike, served as the perfect symbol to fly aboard its ships.

  • The Gadsden Flag Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gadsden Flag Preview

    S1 E3 - 32s

    In this episode, viewers will discover how the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, once a potent symbol of independence, has been co-opted by a variety of Americans over its long history.

  • Standing Against Tyranny

    S1 E3 - 1m 27s

    "I think the word patriot has been so perverted, particularly since January 6th. A patriot is somebody that's tearing up the capitol? No. For me, patriotism is somebody that believes in the fundamental basics of democracy and the republic, and will defend it and defend the rights of people they disagree with." - Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger on how he defines true patriotism.

  • Fenway Park Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fenway Park Preview

    S1 E1 - 31s

    Baseball is a favorite American pastime and obsession, and no ballpark is more iconic than Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. This episode tells the story of a city’s loyalty to its team and love for its ballpark through thick and thin.

  • Hollywood Gets its Start: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hollywood Gets its Start

    S1 E2 - 1m 22s

    Film historian Jonathan Kuntz describes some of the anecdotes and myths surrounding the origin of the Hollywood film industry.

Schedule

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