Mount Rushmore's controversial legacy

In the series "USA to Z," "CBS Mornings" looks at the history and controversial legacy of Mount Rushmore, which depicts four U.S. presidents. Vladimir Duthiers reports.

• Apr 9

Martin Van Buren's rocky term as president

Colleen Shogan, the former archivist of the U.S. whom President Trump fired early in his second term, is now leading the "In Pursuit" essay series, which honors presidents and first ladies ahead of America's 250th anniversary. Shogan joins "The Takeout" to discuss the latest works from the project, including an essay on President Martin Van Buren, and more.

• Apr 7

Franklin Graham: values that shaped the U.S.

Evangelist Franklin Graham, who's preached in all 50 U.S. states, says he believes faith in God is the value that played the biggest role in shaping the nation.

• Apr 5

These United States: An ode to baseball

If our national pastime has a national anthem, it is "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," penned in 1908 as a celebration of the sport. Correspondent Lee Cowan looks at the history of Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer's song, which expresses the thrills, fun and romance of baseball.

• Apr 5

Donation gives Kansas town its first library

Frontenac, Kansas, is a community of 3,000 residents. When its city administrator received a mysterious $4.6 million dolllar donation from a couple whose dying wish was for a library to be built, the town sprung into action to solidify its legacy.

• Apr 4

Mike Krzyzewski with a plan for the future

Hall of Fame basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski says that moving ahead, the U.S. must "teach, celebrate, and, most importantly, live the values that have made America the best country in the world."

• Mar 29
• 01:37

Team USA lessons from Olympian Katie Ledecky

During her years as an Olympic swimmer, Katie Ledecky says what she's seen "is that sport in America is at its best when its joy and fun and, yes, its challenges, bring us together."

• Mar 22
• 01:35

New book looks at John Quincy Adams' life

Bob Crawford is best known as the bassist for the Avett Brothers. But he's also the author of a new book about the political career of John Quincy Adams. Crawford joins "The Takeout" to discuss his book "America's Founding Son."

• Mar 16
• 05:32

Jamie Lee Curtis on "a more perfect union"

The Constitution aims for "a more perfect union." Jamie Lee Curtis doesn't "think there is a perfect union. I think there's an imperfect union, and I think that's what makes America so special."

• Mar 15
• 01:20

These United States: Hollywood, the Dream Factory

In 1913, a leased barn in Los Angeles became Cecil B. DeMille's production center for the very first feature film shot in Hollywood. What started as a weather-friendly place for filmmakers grew into a phenomenon heralded around the world as a "dream factory." Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz talks with actor Tony Goldwyn, director Patty Jenkins, and Motion Picture Association chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin about the historic rise of the film and entertainment industry; how Hollywood became a metaphor for America; and what the introduction of streaming and artificial intelligence might mean for the future of movies.

• Mar 15
• 08:17

Freedom Plane celebrates 250 years of U.S.

The American Freedom Train steamed across the country to mark the nation's bicentennial 50 years ago. Natalie Brand reports that this year, marking the 250th anniversary, the train is now a plane.

• Mar 7
• 02:24

Immigrants on building businesses in U.S.

In the series "USA to Z," "CBS Mornings" spoke to three immigrant entrepreneurs who shared their stories about how their families came to the U.S. and built their businesses.

• Mar 5
• 06:10

Amanda Gorman: What it means to be American

American poet Amanda Gorman says it's "more than just remembering our history. It's how we heal it. It's how we recover. It's how we hold ourselves accountable to being the best that we can be."

• Mar 1
• 01:36

Inside the transformation of Hollywood

Hollywood is known for its iconic sign, Walk of Fame and studio lots bringing movies to life – but in 2026 the future of the entertainment industry is changing. Jo Ling Kent reports.

• Feb 27
• 04:36

Trump closes State of the Union speech

President Trump reflected on 250 years of the U.S. and looked ahead to the future as he closed his 2026 State of the Union.

• Feb 24
• 04:09

"Rosie the Riveter" inspires new generation

In the series "USA to Z," "CBS Mornings" shows how World War II icon "Rosie the Riveter" is continuing to inspire women today. Elizabeth Cook spoke with women taking on a huge project using lessons from those who blazed a trail before them.

• Feb 19
• 03:48

Essay series honors ex-presidents, first ladies

In a new series of essays dubbed "In Pursuit," former U.S. presidents, politicians and historians are honoring past presidents and select first ladies to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation. Former National Archivist Colleen Shogan, who started the project, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.

• Feb 18
• 05:18

What would surprise America's founders

Filmmaker Ken Burns, who's helped viewers understand American history, shared what he thinks would surprise the nation's founders 250 years after the Declaration of Independence.

• Feb 15
• 01:46

How Washington's crossing of the Delaware presaged a changing world

On the evening of Christmas 1776, Gen. George Washington surprised the King's forces by leading the Continental Army in a surprise crossing of a near-frozen Delaware River - a watershed military maneuver that dramatized a changing America, and a changing climate.

• Feb 15

Cuban refugees remember journey to U.S.

In the series "USA to Z," "CBS Mornings" spoke to Cuban refugees who came to the U.S. to escape Fidel Castro's regime for a chance at freedom. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, Miami's Freedom Tower welcomed nearly half a million Cuban refugees. Cristian Benavides explores the tower's enduring legacy.

• Feb 12
• 03:41

Community preserves history and reclaims once segregated bowling alley

The owner of a bowling alley in a small South Carolina city refused to integrate in the 1960s. It spurred peaceful protests until tensions erupted into what's now known as the "Orangeburg Massacre."

• Feb 5

Road to equality in the U.S.

In the series "USA to Z," "CBS Mornings" co-host Nate Burleson looks at equality in America. A once segregated bowling alley in a small South Carolina city became the site of peaceful protests in the 1960s until tensions erupted into what's now known as the Orangeburg massacre. Today, the site is being reclaimed and redefined.

• Feb 5
• 05:48

A Smithsonian artifact representing America

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, in charge of millions of artifacts, was asked which museum object was his favorite representation of America. His answer? Joseph Trammell's Freedom Papers.

• Feb 1
• 01:36

How the gramophone changed music

While Thomas Edison's cylinders were the first to play recorded sound, they were impractical – leading Emile Berliner to come up with a better way to play music: The gramophone, invented in 1887, which played flat discs. Jane Pauley reports.

• Feb 1
• 02:52

Behind Americans' love for diners

As the U.S. prepares to celebrate 250 years, the "CBS Mornings" series "USA to Z" explores Americans' love for diners. The casual restaurant was invented back in the 1800s. Kelly O'Grady reports.

• Jan 29
• 04:26

Show More